Hawks Nest teen Tahlia Walton said she is “very excited” to have landed herself a role in a professional production of Hairspray, the Big Fat Arena Spectacular.

 

The 14-year-old Medowie Christian School student will take to the stage alongside singer Christine Anu and House Husbands’ actor Tim Campbell at Newcastle Entertainment Centre in July.

Tahlia said she is looking forward to the upcoming performances where she will feature as a dancer and

singer.

“I’m very happy about being selected and it will be a lot of fun learning the routines,” she said.

“I really enjoy performing and it will be a good experience in front of so many people.”

Tahlia auditioned alongside hundreds of other young hopefuls in December last year and said she had a nervous wait to see if she was offered a place.

“We had to do a choreographed dance in front of the judges and there were a lot of people trying out,” Tahlia told News Of The Area.

“I had to wait for an email to see if I was selected, but I was really excited when I found out I got in.”
Director and Choreographer Callum Mansfield conducted the audition process and said he was enthusiastic about the pool of talent in the Hunter Region.

“The auditions in Newcastle uncovered some wonderfully talented young people and we are delighted to have over 500 of them joining us on stage in July,” Mr Mansfield said.

Tahlia attended a boot camp a few weeks ago where she learnt the dances and songs for the show.
She will also be involved in intensive rehearsals during the July School Holidays.

The talented all-round performer has been dancing since she was four-years old.

She is also studying drama and is training for the Regional Cheerleading Championships to be held later this year.

With an obvious passion for dance, Tahlia said she intends to continue performing long after her involvement in Hairspray.

“I’m certainly going to keep dancing and performing in concerts,” she said.

“I liked seeing Aussies dancing at Universal Studios in Singapore and would love to perform in many more professional productions.”

Tickets for Hairspray, the Big Fat Arena Specular can be purchased from Ticketek.

By Daniel SAHYOUN