Society president Faye Thomas was delighted to welcome back dancers, musicians and bands to the Bendigo South East College Theatre.

"There's been some very keen performers back on stage and a keen audience watching on," she said. "We obviously have a limited audience with only 60 allowed in theatre but nevertheless we've managed through our ticketing program.

"The sheer excitement of performing again and to be back on stage after 18 months is just amazing."

So far, the program has welcomed classical ballet and theatrical dance, piano, orchestral and bands in the limited program with contemporary vocals coming up this Saturday and the troupe competition in August.

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Ms Thomas said the inability to hold lessons in 2020 had seen many aspiring students turn away from the performing arts, but many relished the opportunity to come back into the theatre.

"For some, this has been the first time they've performed in 18 months," she said.

"There was a big gap in people not being able to get into their classrooms and that will continue to be a huge problem for the whole of the performing arts world as a result.

"There's been so many kids give up their arts in the past 18 months.

"But we've also seen a huge uptake in kids wanting to get back on the stage. It's been a highly successful eisteddfod so far and we are optimistic that as Covid restrictions lift, competitions will become popular again."

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