Aynslee is one of 550 young people from the wider Hunter, including Lake Macquarie, and the Central Coast who were picked to support the main cast, including singer and actress Christine Anu, of Hairspray the Big Fat Arena Spectacular.

The show will be staged at Newcastle Entertainment Centre stage in July.

“I’m pumped,” Aynslee said. “I’m so ready to go.”

Aynslee’s Hairspray journey started mid-2015 when friends sent her an online link to audition for the show.

An email after the December auditions confirmed Aynslee’s spot in the support cast, and she attended a three-day training camp in the April school holiday.

Hairspray the Big Fat Arena Spectacular will be directed and choreographed by Callum Mansfield.

Mr Mansfield, who conducted the audition process, was enthusiastic about the area’s pool of talent.

“The auditions in Newcastle uncovered some wonderfully talented young people and we are delighted to have over 500 of them joining us on stage in Newcastle in July,” he said.

Mr Mansfield added that the young support cast would not only gain performance experience, but invaluable training opportunities as well.

Aynslee – an all-rounder when it comes to singing, dancing and acting – says she is already enjoying the Hairspray experience.

“The camp was really cool,” she said.

“The first day we were split in half and we discussed everything like training, dates we need to know, what the costumes will be like.

“One of my highlights was on the second day when we all did singing warm ups together. 

“It was so cool to hear 500 people doing singing warm ups at the same time.”

Aynslee, who attends Narara Valley High School, said she was also excited to meet performers like herself and learning the processes of large scale stage productions.

She does not plan to stop at Hairspray either.

“Stage shows are definitely something I am considering to continue,” she said.