CASEY Burgess, one of the live-wire performers from the kids’ touring show Hi-5, comes from a professional performing family – “It’s in my blood,” she tells “CityNews”.

She’ll be here soon with “Hi-5 Holiday”, full of dancing, favourite songs and new numbers aimed to please the very young.

A chorus member of “Annie” by the age of 11, Casey has been a cast member of Hi-5 since 2008. She’s a young veteran, but when she found herself auditioning for Hi-5, she said to herself: “I know I want this”.

But it’s not all song and dance. Young audiences can be “one thousand per cent honest… it’s amazing the things they can yell out… sometimes they’ll say, ‘I don’t like you’ – they’re always one step ahead of you,” says Casey.

“So if your enthusiasm and passion disappeared or if you were having a midlife crisis that showed in the performance, it would be time to get out.”

Children are pretty much the same the world over, Casey says. Hi-5 has played in NZ, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, in the latter so popular that they’ve returned several times.

In countries where English is not spoken, there have been some “real eye-openers”.

“We’re on TV in Colombia, and we’re dubbed into Spanish… it’s amazing to watch yourself,” Casey says.

One thing that slightly worries her is the dependence of some parents on Hi-5. “You’re like our babysitter,” they tell her.

But on a more positive note, Casey particularly loves the humanitarian side of her work, performing for kids who are in hospital or otherwise ill.

“Hi-5 Holiday”, Canberra Theatre, April 24, 11.30am and 1.30pm, bookings to www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au