The 26 children in the cast have enjoyed working on Shakespeare’s language and story, director and founder Dianna Nixon says, and are looking forward to performing  a musical version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” written by seven to 11 year olds  next week.

Wild Voices creates music theatre events and opportunities, she says, “with a commitment to cross-curricular arts pedagogy alongside professional practice” and best of all, it celebrates multi-skilling while keeping vocal and physical skills to the fore.

Nixon quite rejects the concept of talent, and, instead, focuses on relationships, process, and long-term skills development with, as this production shows, an eye on the heritage of performing arts practice.

In the past three years in the ACT, Nixon, who runs a private studio teaching piano, voice and music theory as well as working  as an actor/singer and as an accompanist for voice and ballet,  has directed youth music theatre productions for “Music For Everyone”.

She recently prepared the adult and children’s choruses for Melbourne Opera’s Canberra season of “Carmen”.

She will be assisted by Kate Hosking, a noted bass player, singer, actor and dancer who recently performed the lead role in “Pearl Verses the World” for Jigsaw Theatre Company and who is the newly appointed conductor of Canberra Sings, based at Canberra Hospital.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Ainslie Arts Centre, Main Hall, 3pm on  Sunday, June 17,  10am on  Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19 at 10am. Tickets $4 at the door only.