No experience necessary. I just love that phrase. Whether applying for a job or auditioning for a play, it is encouraging that there are some things out there that might take you on, even without experience. I mean, how can you get experience if you can't get hired or placed?

So, of course, my interest was piqued when I noticed the group behind Surrey Children's Choir was holding a camp, with no experience necessary to enroll. Here's your chance - if you fall in the right age category.

Surrey Choral Arts Project Society is holding the Summer Choral Art Theatre Camp. This "S.C.A.T." camp offers an opportunity to young singers, actors, dancers and artists (age eight to 18) to come together and create a semi-staged production after two fun-filled weeks of training in musicianship, choreography, set production and musical theatre. Remember, no experience is necessary!

At the end of these two weeks, S.C.A.T. participants stage a show centered on a theme that includes songs from the jazz, classical, folk and Broadway genres, among others. Campers will also participate in set painting and the creation of props and costumes. Ah, that's the true spirit of live theatre. There's always lots of work to be done behind the scenes. And more socializing, too; participants will be given the opportunity to audition for vocal, dance and acting solo parts to be performed as part of the final show, following a potluck dinner for family and friends. For details, contact Danica Kell at 604-618-1474 or danica.kell@ alumni.ubc.ca. It's a good experience.

Getting experience, training and exposure is important for any form of the arts. Sure, there are natural musicians, artists, writers and dancers. Experience and training are the key elements in improving the product, so to speak. So now you have created something special - whether artwork, a dance, a piece of music or play. Now you need to show it off. Exposure.

For 28 years, the Arts Council of Surrey has co-ordinated a juried art show. It is designed to celebrate (show off) the diverse artistic talents of established and emerging visual artists. ARTS 2012 opens with a gala reception Saturday, June 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.; everyone is invited. The jury has selected more than 50 works by artists from Surrey and the surrounding region. All sorts of artistic media are included - painting, glasswork, fibre arts, photography. This juried art show is always popular with artists and visitors alike.

Cash awards are presented at the opening gala, but all visitors can vote for the People's Choice Award. You be the judge. The award will be announced at the close of the exhibition, which runs to Aug. 18 at Surrey Art Gallery. In case you haven't had any prior experience with going to the gallery to look at art, Surrey Art Gallery in located inside Surrey Arts Centre - the big building in Bear Creek Park that is not the swimming pool area, custodian's lodge or the sports pavilion.

Concurrent to ARTS 2012, the gallery is presenting Emergent (featuring works by Surrey-based artists Patrick Cruz, A.S. Chillon and Debbie Tuepah), Alex Grünenfelder's Audio Migrations (part of Open Sound 2012) and Water, Colours, Inspiration!, a show of works by 19 members of Fraser Valley Watercolour Society.

Peninsula Productions is bringing a play to White Rock's Coast Capital Playhouse that has had something like 60 years of exposure. It's The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie, and you can be part of this worldwide phenomenon from July 11 to 28. Tickets ($18 for students and seniors, $23 for adults) are available online at www.whiterockplayers.ca, or call the box office at 604-536-7535.

Director Wendy Bollard says that everyone is working tirelessly to get this production to the stage.

But one person in particular is working overtime: musician and first-time actor Laine Henderson has been cast in the lead role of Mollie Ralston.

"Laine was perfect for the part," says Bollard. "She came into audition and blew me away. Normally, I would be nervous about casting someone with no acting experience, but Laine has so much stage experience and an awesome work ethic, so I knew it wouldn't be a problem."

Besides studying music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Henderson has lived and performed in New York, Dublin and Vancouver, and toured internationally with the Celtic sensation Riverdance.

She recently released an album called Occasional Rain, and is having lots of fun with the cast and crew of The Mousetrap. OK, now I definitely want to see the play. I actually saw The Mousetrap in London, England, at St. Martin's Lane Theatre. It has been at that theatre for almost my whole lifetime. What an experience that was to see the play in its original theatre.

Now I am ready to see it again. I am an Agatha Christie fan, for sure. New setting, new experience and a lead actor with no prior acting experience. I love it.

melminty@telus.net