More than 600 young performers from the Hunter Region – including 47 from the Cessnock local government area – will feature in the ensemble.

Pokolbin’s Alex Walsh, 17, says it has already been an great experience to be part of the show.

“It’s been really cool getting to meet new people and see how the big shows run,” she said.

Alex has been dancing since she was three and singing since she was 12, and said she would love to pursue a career in theatre.

“I love everything about being on stage,” she said.

Set in 1962, Hairspray tells the story of the pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad and her desire to be on television dancing on the popular Corny Collins Show.

All of the ensemble cast play Baltimore teens throughout the show, while Alex, who is in the ‘blue group’, also has a turn at playing a police officer.

Director and choreographer Callum Mansfield is delighted with the calibre of talent who will be performing.

“We auditioned the very best of local Newcastle amateur talent and we are delighted to be able to offer over 600 young performers an extraordinary training experience, culminating in the Newcastle Entertainment Centre Performances in July,” he said.

The cast includes theatre legend Simon Burke as Edna Turnblad, Christine Anu as Motormouth Maybelle, Wayne Scott Kermond as Wilbur Turnblad, House Husbands’ Tim Campbell as Corny Collins, showbiz doyenne Amanda Muggleton as Velma Von Tussle, X Factor finalist Barry Conrad as Seaweed, Dan Venz as Link Larkin and Lauren McKenna as Tracy Turnblad.

Produced by Harvest Rain, Hairspray – The Big Fat Arena Spectacular will show at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre from July 15 to 17.

HAIRSPRAY – THE BIG ARENA SPECTACULAR: CESSNOCK-AREA PERFORMERS

Racquel Marshall, Cessnock

Tarni Sneddon, Kurri Kurri

Alexandra Walsh, Rothbury

Katheryne Wigley, Sawyers Gully

Monique Fisher, Abermain

Chloe Musgrave, Abermain

Grace Fairlie, Cessnock

Sacha Bennett, Branxton

Ashleigh Bettison, Branxton

Emma Miller-Williams, Kearsley

Jessie Pull, Heddon Greta

Jorja Barsley, Branxton

Alyssa Davidson, Ellalong

Sophie McClellan, Cessnock

Cooper Williams, Rothbury

Rosie Jones, Branxton

Imagen Cooper, Cessnock

Georgia Bradley, Cessnock

Mackenzie Whitton, Cessnock

Annabelle Mulligan, Greta

Eloise Burgess, Cessnock

Brianna Forrest, Greta

Hayley Gillan, East Branxton

Ryley Stewart, East Branxton

Ashleigh Johnson, Ellalong

Aisha Hodges, Greta

Jorja Pauling, Greta

Verity Ellicott, Cessnock

Noah Rodgers, Branxton

Jesabell Schefe, Paxton

Madison Hafey, Cessnock

Ariel Chalmers, Laguna

Amelia Cochrane, Pokolbin

Gabrielle Streitberger-Sams, Bellbird

Bethany Hobbs, Branxton

Paige Newby, North Rothbury

Amity Rockley, Abermain

Sophie Jackson, Greta

Lily Jeffries, Heddon Greta

Jessika Roberts, Cessnock

Ivy Bowtell, Kurri Kurri

Julia Boyd, Abermain

Abby Henderson, Kurri Kurri

Imogen Millard, Branxton

Lili Barnes, Greta

Eve Baird, Cessnock

Tahlia Morrison, Greta