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The creative director of Southern Stars – The Arena Spectacular has been chosen as a judge for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Peter Hayward still works as a school teacher but is also heavily involved in large scale performances, like the annual showcase of performing arts students in the Illawarra and South Coast.
“They all have that power to make an audiecne feel something and that’s what I love about working in the arts,” Mr Hayward said.
He said while Southern Stars is not quite to the scale as the international song contest it has given him skills and insight into a largescale format.
“I love the scale and the shear fun of it all,” he said.
“Eurovision celebrates the coming together of a whole bunch of different cultures … for Australia to be included is a real testament to Australia’s multiculturalism.”
Mr Hayward will join four others on the Australian Jury which includes musical theatre actress Lucy Durack (Wicked and Legally Blonde). conductor Steven Capaldo, plus comedians Jackie Loeb and Jordan Raskopoulos.
The jury watches the final “dress rehearsal” live from Ukraine this week, 24 hours prior to the rest of the world seeing it, and critique each act as they think best.
Jury panels from 41 other countries will simultaneously do the same, with their vote combined with general viewers votes to make up who will win.
Isaiah Firebrace, 17, from Moama in southern NSW will represent Australia.
SBS will broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest from May 10-14.