SHYAC has produced two highly successful junior shows, Olivia in 2010 and

What a Knight! in 2011.

These musical productions are targeted for children aged between 8 – 15 years. The cast rehearse for three months, learning lines, songs and choreography and love nothing more than to perform in front of their family, friends and school mates!

The end result is truly astounding and of a very high caliber.

There are four school performances incorporated into the two-week run of the show. We encourage you to secure our junior show into your Term 2 shcedule and attend one of these performances. The maximim seating capacity in the theatre is 174 and the show is best suited for years 3 – 10.

The 2012 show is to be announced very soon, but in order for you to book your school and be part of supporting the youth of the Highlands please see the dates below:

Venue: Mittagong Playhouse

Price: $8 per student - teachers /supervisors free

Dates: Wednesday 18 July 10.00am & 12.30 pm

Wednesday 25 July 10.00am & 12.30 pm

Show duration: 1.5 hrs

Bookings will be available in Feburary 2012

SHYAC would like to welcome Mandy Bransgrove into the role of office manager. Mandy starts in the office on September 13, while current manager Travis Holland departs this week. 

SHYAC is throwing our show selection process wide open. We are inviting submissions from people of all ages, experiences and backgrounds. If you have ever thought about producing or directing your own show, this is the opportunity. Don't stand by and watch someone else do it. Get in there and have a go. 

Feasibility Study
Wingecarribee Shire Council recently commissioned a Feasibility Study into the development of a Regional Art Gallery on the site of the former Mittagong Bowling Club. This follows online and submission-based feedback from the community earlier in 2011 in relation to the need for a regional art gallery, the suitability of the proposed site and other relevant comments.

Comments received at that time have been considered and now two community workshops have been scheduled to consider the matter further and to inform the Feasibility Study.

You are invited to attend a workshop and provide comments via the online forum.

Online Forum
The following is a link to a Bang the Table online forum relating to the feasibility study.
http://yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/artgalleryfeasibility

Workshops
Workshop 1      Tuesday 6 September 2011 -10.30 to 1pm Bowral Memorial Hall, Bendooley Street Bowral
OR
Workshop 2      Saturday 10 September 2011 – 1.00-3.30pm Mittagong Community Centre, Queen Street Mittagong
RSVP (for catering purposes) Leesa Stratford Ph 4868 0761 leesa.stratford@wsc.nsw.gov.au

More Information
For more information on the workshops or online forum contact Council's Cultural Development Officer on phone 4868 0855 or jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au

Our friends at Powerpoint music are hosting the 2011 Southern Highlands Music Expo at the Mittagong RSL from September 3. The Expo is a great chance to check out some legendary musical instruments and equipment, plus see some wonderful performances. Plus, you could perform yourself in the open mic events even win some awesome prizes. Check out the website for more info.

Wingecarribee Family Support is planning a Family Fun Day to be held at the Kazcare Centre (Old Steiner School) on November 13th from 10am - 3pm.  

The Family Fun day will be specifically targeted to Families raising young children on low incomes & who are socially isolated, and who generally would not get the opportunity to go to events such as this one due to the cost of entry etc.  This event will be inclusive of all families (ie. all activities will be free).

There is a small collection of circus equipment (& costumes) available
from Kazcare and they would like to include some acts throughout the day (ie. roaming juggling clowns, clowns riding the unicycles etc). 

If you are interested in participating, please contact Travis at the SHYAC Office on 4801 0622. 

Press Release

AS part of their efforts to bring new performance opportunities to young people, the Southern Highlands Youth Arts Council (SHYAC), in partnership with Rotary, is offering HSC Drama students a chance to perform their work for the general public.

The SHYAC-Rotary HSC Showcase, which will take place on July 30, puts the spotlight on the most polished HSC drama performance pieces from each local high school.

SHYAC manager Travis Holland said the showcase was about allowing the young performers to roadtest their work.

“It really gives them a chance to put all their hard work into practice,” he said. “We open the doors to the general public and let the students get that visceral audience feedback, which can be really important for performers.”

In the second year of the Showcase, two schools have so far signed up a group and individual performance each.

Mr Holland hopes other schools will come on board as well.

“We had great feedback from the schools last year,” he said. “The students gained a real insight into performing for an audience and, as a result, were able to improve their works before the HSC assessors arrived.”

The Showcase will have two sessions, at 3pm and 7pm on Saturday July 30 at the Mittagong Playhouse.

Mr Holland said SHYAC was really pleased to have the Rotary Club of Berrima District on board as a partner for the event.

“I think it really demonstrates their commitment to supporting young people,” he said.

For information and to purchase tickets, visit the SHYAC website www.shyac.org.au and look for the current events page.

A SHYAC corporate member, Vin Santo, has a wonderful chance for young performers. See their press release below.
Music Nights

Now and Then is a photographic project which partners young people with community leaders to learn the art of visual story telling.

Eight young people will be taught skills in digital photography and interview techniques in order to capture the unique and varied wisdom and experience of local residents.

Alongside these stories and images, will be the voice of youth today as they share their own thoughts and ambitions.

The project will have its own dedicated website which will include an array of resources dedicated to bringing community together through art.

For further information please call Sue Sainsbury at Highlands Community Centre on 4862 11 2 2 o r e m a i l mail@highlandscommunity. o r g . a u