Wanaka performer and vocal tutor Jenn Shelton is walking her talk, preparing to wow audiences on stage with the musical State Highway 48.

Jenn is currently in rehearsals in Auckland for the rock musical. She is one of a cast of 10, including the well-known leads Shane Cortese (Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune) and Delia Hannah (a highly acclaimed musical theatre performer) - both of whom have performed on the West End and Broadway.

"It’s such a privilege and an honour to work with them. They're very talented,” Jenn told the Wanaka App.

Jenn was flown to Auckland a few weeks ago for a call-back audition - called while she was in the middle of a concert for her Wanaka Singing students. "It is good for me to walk the talk,” Jenn said. "I currently have 30 private singing students and two vocal groups in Wanaka and it’s good for my students to see me out there 'doing' it.”

State Highway 48, first staged in 2014, tracks the life and times of an everyday family as they navigate the road of middle age. Featuring 26 original songs, the musical looks at changes in family, the workplace and friendships, set against the backdrop of the recession and with the lead character dealing with depression. The musical’s publicity describes it as "unique, touching and universally relevant”, with a message for everyone about recognising depression and facing up to it, as well as communication, love, friendship and the strength of the family unit.

State Highway 48 will tour the North Island from August 19 to October 29. There are also plans to tour all the main centres of New Zealand early next year and possibly Australia.

PHOTO: Supplied