Kirsty Macnicol
The Southland Times
June 27, 2000

THE first graduates of the South-ern Institute of Technology's two-year performing arts course will face their biggest audience next month. The nine students are guest artists in the City of Invercargill Caledonian
Pipe Band's Pipin' Hot to be staged at the Invercargill Civic Theatre
from July 19 to 23. They will sing and dance in at least seven scenes and their rehearsals have been earning credits towards their final mark. Music tutor Peter Skerrett, who is also co-musical director for Pipin' Hot said the group was adaptable and eager to learn. They had made numerous public appearances, particularly in drama, in the past two years but often the audiences were very small. The diploma's major focus is on drama, but covers all aspects of performance from acting through to music and dance.
Three of the students got roles in the Invercargill Musical Theatre
Company's production West End to Broadway last year but Pipin' Hot is providing the class with its biggest audience as a group. For most, it will be their first time on the Civic Theatre stage.