IT IS the performing arts extravaganza that will put the region’s public school kids firmly in the spotlight and it all begins this Friday.
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The Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre has been a hive of activity this week as students and teachers gear up for CAPERS.
The biennial event will see thousands of students from across the New England and North West converge on the entertainment precinct for two nights of quality entertainment.
The event takes exceptional talent from regional schools and gives them the opportunity to perform to a crowd of thousands.
Along with the stand out performers are those from kindergarten to year 12 who simply love to sing, dance and play music.
The event has seen the birth of stars such as Roshani, Robert McDougall, Felicity Urquhart and Chasing Bailey.
There is something for everyone in the program: including a massed choir of 200 voices, tap, ballet, modern and contemporary dance performances, a concert band and individual items of song, dance and drama.
CAPERS project manager Geoffrey Ward described the lead up to the event as “hectic” with rehearsals in full swing at the TRECC.
“We’ve worked out all the bugs and are looking forward to three more days of rehearsals in preparation for the matinee on Friday and the public performances on Friday and Saturday night,” he said.
“We’ve had kindergarten, year seven and eight on Monday practicing their mass dance, and also year five and six and the indigenous items.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing it all come together.”
Mr Ward said students were excited to perform on stage, especially the younger ones.
“It’s all very exciting, particularly with the kindergarten kids – it’s the first time they would have been in a venue that is anything like TRECC,” he said.
“The excitement is quite evident on their faces when they’re performing.”
He said about 2000 people were expected through the doors for each night.
”It’s great that the event is supported by families and performers and we encourage anyone from the general community who hasn’t bought tickets yet, to do so.
“Events like this are important, it’s something that the children remember through their whole school lives and into adulthood.
”There are cases that we have children whose parents have performed previously.”
Public performances will be held on Friday and Saturday night from 7pm. Tickets are available from www.trecc.com.au.
