After all, it’s a vulnerable act to let what you’ve made out into the world for everyone to see.

Ariana Shneider from Taree is facing those fears head-on as she prepares for her original musical Crystal Dreaming, which she has created, written and produced, to be staged later this month (October).

RELATED…Ariana Shneider's musical Crystal Dreaming will be performed in October

“Now is really the test of my courage, determination and stick-ability,” she said.

“Working on the show and having the dream is the easy bit really. Now, I’m saying this is what I’ve created, please like it and Hollywood buy it.”

Up until five years ago, Ariana wasn’t considering writing a musical and at the time was even preparing for life to slow down a little.

That all changed when she started reading the Telos book series by Aurelia Louise Jones.

“One minute I was going to retire and the next I’m writing a musical!

“Telos is a magical and mystical crystal city on a totally different dimension,” she said.

“What captured me was the legend of Lemuria, which was a lost civilisation that transformed itself into a utopian world.

“The message is that if they can do it so can we. They are setting the benchmark for what is possible for humankind.”

The premise for the musical may have been inspired by the books, but Ariana’s said her script is “totally original and from my imagination”.

“The music is also totally original and not formulaic. I wanted the music to be an eclectic mix.

“There is percussive conversation, rap, calypso, stirring ballads and rock’n’roll. It totally took me out of my comfort zone.”

Ariana wrote the lyrics and tunes and has been working closely with Taree-based musical arranger and producer Peter Stevenson to give the songs the professional touch.

Three times a week over the past few months the cast of 34 has come together to rehearse and it has certainly been a unique experience.

Instead of learning and presenting a show where the script and music has been set, the cast has needed to workshop the script as they rehearsed and prepared for dialogue to be tweaked as well as ongoing work with the musical arrangement.

“It’s been a work in progress.”

Ariana describes the support she has received, both practical and moral, as “absolutely phenomenal”.

“I received a grant from MidCoast Council, Taree Arts Council has been amazing and then, of course, there is my beloved husband, Ian Herd.”

She made special mention of choreographer Liz Hall from Forster and also Tim Gibbs from Port Macquarie, who is not only playing the romantic lead but has taken on the role of director.

“Tim and Liz absolutely ‘get’ the show. They’re doing a fantastic job.”

The set has been created by volunteers from Old Bar Men’s Shed and Bron Squire is the chief costumier.

Tickets are still available for the evening performances of Crystal Dreaming at the Taree Christian College amphitheatre at 7pm on Friday October 21 and Saturday October 22. You can buy tickets from Bass’n’Blues in Albert Street, Taree.