In years to come, our stars of stage and screen may well be thanking one of Queenstown's more recent residents.
Julie Smith (39), originally from Nelson, today launches a programme designed to teach children stage and drama skills.
She has 15 primary school-aged children signed up for the first intake of the Starburst Amateur Kids Theatre in Queenstown, which she previously ran as Imagine Theatre in Nelson.
A qualified social worker who is employed in Queenstown as Happiness House co-ordinator, Miss Smith said the Nelson programme was started with the help of her mother, along with another programme aimed at older children "for youth, run by youth".
"I've just finished a two-year social work diploma in Nelson and I headed down here because I had family here.
"Up there, I've had 16 years of theatre, working with children and adults, either directing, producing or being [on stage]."
The programme aimed to let children "strut their stuff in a fun and safe environment" by teaching them drama and stage skills, dance, mime, music and anything else the children want to do.
The programme coincides with school terms, and takes two hours every Friday.
Children will work on a "small performance" at the end of each term, culminating in a larger end-of-year show, she said.
