It's the opportunity of a lifetime being cast as a major role in a theatre production for a young performer, but it can also be daunting to put yourself out there in front of hundreds of people.
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For these two young actresses, it has not only built their confidence but allowed them to connect with a community where they really feel they belong.
The auditions for the cast of The Little Mermaid, by Spectrum Little Actor Theatre (SPLAT) group who run a junior performance every couple of years, seem like a lifetime ago now, as the pandemic meant that the production had to be delayed for over a year.
Many young members who had been cast in the production eagerly waited through the lockdowns to finally have their opportunity to take to the stage.
It wasn't the first rendezvous for Juliet who plays Ariel and Aria who plays Ursula though, both young actresses had been involved with SPLAT's first production of Aladdin in 2018.
Juliet was a narrator and Aria played a sarcastic, loud-mouthed parrot called Iago. But the new-found spotlight has given them the chance to shine and brush up on their musical performance skills.
Juliet who is in year 11 at Bega Highschool said that although she had never played a lead character before, working with a director and cast has really given her the confidence to explore and develop her character.
"The trust that the cast and directors have put into me really helps me feel confident in my role," she said.
Juliet also had to learn how to roller-skate for her role as Ariel and said although learning how to skate in a pencil skirt was trying at times, luckily there'd been no major falls.
Artistic Director Amber Little, and proud mother of Aria, spoke about how vital these productions are to a large number of children who may not have had the opportunity to find their place in the world or may not be the most academic or sporty of students.
"They're looking for a place where they belong and fit in and so you've got some of these kids that when they first got on board they were quite shy or didn't have the confidence.
"Through these characters and getting up in front of an audience as well as finding a place where they feel themselves and fit in, it's just so important for them.
"They also get to learn the skills going into the theatre as far as stage skills and professionalism and all that that will carry them on," said Amber.
Having grown up around musical theatre, Aria said her own independent passion for theatre developed as she grew up and made friends she could easily connect with.
"It is such an amazing environment to be around, you're with people that are likeminded and you're with them for many hours a week and you're doing all sorts of crazy things with them, so it's a different sort of relationship you have with your theatre friends."
Aria is in year 12 now and she said although she would love to have a professional career in theatre, she feels realistic about those future opportunities.
"I think it's any theatre kid's dream to have it as a life-long job but at the same time you do have to think realistically. It's not as reliable, you may have a job for a year or two and no job for two years, but I think that with musical theatre I will always be involved with it."
Many of the colourful and intricate costumes as well as the props were made by the directors along with a costume designer.
"We basically have just been making them for two years, it's been a real journey and what we haven't made we've sourced or purchased and so it's been a really big joint effort," said Amber.
Although it is an expensive venture to put on a production like this, Amber said community support is really necessary and that ticket sales drive their ability to put on such a performance.
"Many of the children are already asking me when the next one is going to be, but it's a very big process.
"Next year the adult Spectrum Theatre group will be putting on a performance of The Witches of Eastwick," she said.
There are still performances of the production happening this weekend and next, with the final performance on the evening of Saturday June 19. To purchase a ticket click here.