your guide southern highlands

The Highland’s Theatre Group To Present
The Musical, ’The Sound of Music’
In November 2018
After the enormous success of ‘Belfast Girls’
in May, you would think that the Highlands
Theatre Group might deserve a short break, but
you’d be wrong.
The particularly cold and windy day of
Saturday, June
16, did nothing
to deter the
carloads of
potential
Marias, Rolfs,
Brigittas, nuns
and various von
Trapp children,
arriving to
audition for a
role in the wellloved,
family
favourite, ‘The
Sound of Music’.
From 9:30am
until late
afternoon, the
corridors and
various rooms
of THSPA, The Highlands School of Performing
Arts, became the place where nervous
anticipation, confidence and talent, either
combined to bring elation or disappointment,
as adults and children alike, performed in front
of an open audition panel.
For even the seasoned performers who arrived,
some with guitars, others in various modes of
costume, the audition process still proved an
exciting, if not daunting challenge.
On an open audition panel, there are no
favourites, no forgone conclusions and all who
wish to explore their talent are free to do so. For
some, this day might just provide them with
an opportunity to discover an entirely new
pathway in life and to serve as a catalyst for an
enduring love of Theatre.
HTG always welcomes new and familiar faces
on these days and June 16 proved to be no
exception, particularly when it came to the
wonderfully talented collection of children,
ranging in age from five to eighteen who came
prepared to sing
and perform
in front of the
panel.
To make the
final casting
decision
among such a
talented and
diverse group
is no easy task.
Knowing that
some will walk
away feeling the
disappointment
of not being
given a role,
is not easy for
the decision
makers either,
but hopefully whatever the outcome, all will
have felt inspired and proud of their efforts on
the day.
Rehearsals are well underway and with a
double cast of von Trapp children, an entire
convent of nuns, in addition to the main
characters, the Director, Barbara Handley will
undoubtedly bring her wealth of knowledge
and experience to the staging of this much
loved production.
‘The Sound of Music’ will open in November at
the Mittagong Play House. Further information
will soon be available on the HTG website at:
htg.org.au
www.yourguidesouthernhighlands.com.au 21