AUDITIONS for locally produced and developed musical Ned were held at The Capital theatre on Saturday.
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Almost 40 people auditioned in Bendigo after the casting panel had seen more than 150 people in Melbourne over two days last week.
Director Garry Young and casting agent Lynne Ruthven were part of the five person panel who saw audition hopefuls.
Bendigo's Adam Lyon, who wrote the music and lyrics for Ned, said it was a great opportunity to showcase Bendigo's local talent.
"The lady who has come down, Lynne Ruthven, is one of the biggest casting agents in Australia," Mr Lyon said.
"I'm over the moon that some Bendigonians and other regional Victorians will be seen by two genuinly influential people from the 'bigger picture'."
One of roles to be cast in Bendigo would be the younger version of Ned.
"We hadn't seen anyone for young Ned in Melbourne, so we want to try and get young Ned from a regional area," Mr Lyon said.
"I think it's a fantastic thing to do because it's a regional story. We had at least 10 boys coming in for that."
Some people get terrified but it depends on who you are.
- Adam Lyon
Nerves were evident in some auditionees while others showed more confidence – on the outside at least. Mr Lyon said he had alway enjoyed auditioning.
"I teach singing a lot so I've always seen auditions as a chance to have a sing," he said.
"Some people get terrified but it depends on who you are. Hopefully people had fun doing it."
Eighteen-year-old Andrew McKinnon was one of the 40 hopefuls to audition for the show.
"I was a bit nervous because Lynne is such a big name," he said.
"I had to sing an Australian rock song and musical theatre piece but I'm happy with how it went. I've done a fair few auditions so i was comfotable in that sense."
Andrew completed year 12 last year and hopes to further his theatrical career.
"It's always been a passion. I'm taking a gap year this year but I'd love to go to university and keep my skills up, do more auditions and keep involved in the industry."
Sarah Gross also auditioned for Ned on Saturday.
"The audition process is always a daunting process but I was comfortable with what I had prepared," she said.
"I sung a song called Losing My Mind, it's from the musical Follies.
"Ned is a great thing for Bendigo and it's arts scene. It's also great for the local talent to have such an opportunity."
