Ariana Shneider wrote Crystal Dreaming, based on the Telos book series, because she wanted to create an uplifting piece of theatre for children, and children at heart.

The stylised concert performance will be staged in October and Ariana is now seeking a cast.

Auditions will be held on Sunday April 3, with two sessions, one for children aged eight to 14 and another for people 15 years to adults.

"I do feel that everything I have done has led to this point," said Ariana.

"My whole experience has been working with children, working with singers and singing in the theatre."

Ariana has more than 40 years experience working with children in schools and has created many mini-musicals for small schools previously.

She has been a singing teacher and was the vocal director for Taree Arts Council's Cats and Miss Saigon.

Ariana was inspired to write Crystal Dreaming after reading the Telos book series by Aurelia Louise Jones about the fifth dimensional, utopian world of Telos.

"Having been greatly alarmed by much of the so-called children's entertainment, where violence is part of the norm, and negative news is a way of life, I felt called to write a piece of theatre that was an uplifting, beautiful experience for children, and children at heart, much like Mary Poppins was.

"I want to deliver a message that we, as humankind, are capable of limitless, positive expansion."

Ariana's original draft was completed after two years and after sending it away for assessment she was advised the script was "nowhere near big enough. I needed to expand it."

The music she has written is an eclectic mix of many genres including rock, rap, calypso, chorus, percussive speaking and ballads.

She worked with Turnaround Music in Taree on creating demonstration versions of her songs, which were recorded by many of her ex-vocal students including Keira Connelly, Amy Crozier, Krystle Molloy-Louis, Mary Camphuis and Ronan King-Rose.

Five of those songs have been entered in songwriting competitions.

The power ballard 'Here I Am' received critical acclaim at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, was short listed in the Australian Songwriting Competition and along with the song 'Maybe I Can Help', were elected for the semi-finals of the UK Songwriting competition, where three other songs were highly commended.

"I intend to put this musical on in October as a stylised concert performance.

"This means there will not be a set, however there will be a fabulous screen at the back of the stage which will show the passing of the scenes and computer pyrotechnics to enhance the performances.

"As this musical is scripted there will, of course, be movement on the stage."

Ariana said she has been "blown away" and "thrilled" by the amount of support she has received.

Because she is a member of Taree Arts Council, the theatre organisation, which is not staging a musical this year, are enabling her to use their facilities for rehearsals plus have access to the costume department.

"I am very grateful," she said.

Crystal Dreaming is the story of a young, physically gifted, idealistic girl (Mirabelle), a child of the cosmos, who, through a series of personal trials and a growing awareness, is called to act as a bridge between the world world of the third dimension (Earth) and the world of the fifth dimension (Telos).

She succeeds because of her willingness to accept the invitation to enter the portals of the dazzling, mystical Telos, crystal city of light.

Auditions will be held on Sunday April 3 at the Taree Arts Council shed at 2 Flametree Close, Taree.

The session for children aged eight to 14 will be between 12.30pm and 2.30pm and the session for 15 years and up to adults is from 3pm to 5pm.

Those auditioning will be asked to sing an excerpt from a piece of musical theatre that shows a good range of your voice (CD accompaniment), read from the script and you may be asked to sing an excerpt from Crystal Dreaming.

There are many characters of all ages to cast.

"I am looking for good children's voices (about six girls and six boys).

"The young and older Mirabelle need to be a very good singer and actress.

"I am also looking for a strong male baritone from 30 to 45 years, and a mezzo soprano from 25 to 45 who can do a really good Scottish accent.

There are also roles for teenage girls and boys who can sing different styles such as rap and ballad.

For more information call Ariana on 6557 1639 or 0411 754 215.