Sydney has a very active amateur musical society 'circuit', with over 100 productions being mounted each year. Most societies do 2 shows a year, with about 8 performances of each show. Rehearsals are usually one night a week over 3 months, with the last few weeks being 2 nights a week, and perhaps a couple of all day Sunday rehearsals. All auditions are open to newcomers, and these are announced in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturdays. Look under Auditions in the classifieds in Section 5 Metropolitan, just after the Entertainment ads.

Standards vary from production to production, depending on who the director & the musical director is, but this presents opportunities for less experienced performers to get roles in the less competitive musical societies. All musical societies have a reputation for being cliquey. Like everything in life, if you are friendly & patient, eventually you will make friends.

I believe musical societies provide the ideal training ground for singers, as you get to work on all aspects of singing, musicianship, acting & presentation in a friendly supportive atmosphere that encourages the development of talent, and it's pretty much free. Societies pay the director, musical director & choreographer out of ticket sales, so cast members receive professional training for the show while only having to pay minimal membership dues.

The following is a list of some of the musical societies:

Berowra Musical Society                            Rockdale Musical Society
Bankstown Theatrical Society                     Hurstville Light Opera Company
Willoughby Musical Society                         Engadine Musical Society
Chatswood Musical Society                         The Regals Musical Society, Rockdale
The Hills Musical Society                            Ashfield Musical Society
Miranda Musical Society                             Mosman Musical Society
Strathfield Musical Society                         Holroyd Musical & Dramatic Society, Merrylands                                               Canterbury Theatre Guild
Eastern Suburbs Musical Society

If you ring the Sydney Showline on 1902 260 527 you will be able to listen to a list of shows being performed in the next 2 months. Go along to one in your area & you will get an idea of the standard required to be in the productions of that particular musical society. Programs nearly always announce the next show & the audition details. If you ring the Showline and press 9 on a touch dial phone you will hear a list of forthcoming auditions & the contact details.