SINCE its inception in 2001, Southern Stars has served as a launch pad for a growing list of talented young performers whose careers have since taken flight.

For the majority who pursue a career outside the entertainment industry, the self-confidence, independence and team spirit students develop performing in a large-scale production in front of 12,000 people stays with them long after they have left the arena.

Executive producer Kate Schmich said the greatest gift ex-Southern Stars performers took away from the show was confidence.

"Students who have been in the show develop so much confidence in themselves," she said.

"Through the audition process and learning to deal with rejection, making mistakes and learning from them, these kids learn to handle anything you throw at them.

"This show helps produce resilient kids, and that is what the public education system is all about."

Ms Schmich said students developed a more mature outlook over the long hours spent backstage with their teachers.

"They get to know their teachers and see them as people outside the classroom, and they develop a very close bond " she said.

The skills students developed during the long rehearsal process and performances were highly prized by employers and organisations later in life.

"The show really has it all - teamwork, learning to focus all your energy on a shared, common outcome while being able to work independently and do your best as part of the whole," she said.

Waiting around was also a lesson in patience.