Shepparton Theatre Arts Group’s 2023 Fiddler on the Roof performances are halfway done.
But how did the production’s cast start in the musical theatre world?
The News went to one of the rehearsals to find out, and here’s what they had to say.
Megan Scott as Hodel
I originally started theatre as a release because I was really shy and then I made heaps of new friends and got to play a lot of cool characters. Really, I just love becoming someone else. My first production was Oliver! with STAG in 2008, when I was 12 years old. Being able to pretend to be someone else and sing really great music has got to be my favourite part.
Austin Telford as Fyedka
I’ve always loved singing around the house and when I was nine or 10 years old, my mum found local theatre company Initial Stages and my brother and I joined that. I took a break but then I got back into it in Year 6, performing in Peter Pan Jr. The community has to be my favourite part of theatre. I’ve loved meeting new people and everyone is really talented around here.
Bella Walker as Grandma Tzeitel and the youth ensemble coordinator
I was incredibly fortunate to go to schools that valued performing arts in the culture of the school, where the arts were a celebrated area for creative exploration for all students. My first formal musical was Seussical when I was 11, I played The Cat in the Hat. Easily the best part of doing theatre is having an outlet to play pretend and explore stories through imagined characters and worlds.
Kian Brereton as Sasha
When I was 10, my parents asked me if I would like to join Initial Stages, and I thought, ‘yeah, why not?’ and I’ve been acting ever since. My first production I did was My Son Pinocchio Jr with Initial. My favourite part of community theatre is the community, being together each week, singing with each other. I also love dressing up and becoming someone else, it’s really fun.
Grace Newman as Fruma-Sarah
I first started theatre because I became exposed to the arts and the theatre experience through my love of ballet. From that, I delved more into singing and acting. I was 10 years old when I was in my first musical, which was Aladdin Jr. I just love the community environment and hanging with all my friends. Really, being on stage is a big part of my life.