Director and lead Jake Speer said as a product of Leeton's homegrown crop of creative talent himself, the auditions reminded him of the range and depth of talent and skills in the Riverina.

"We have this legacy of a deep community commitment to arts and culture here in Leeton," he said.

"It really is quite unique. It fostered my dreams as a kid.

"It was like a foundation story about excellence in the arts that gave me permission to follow my heart and start on the path to performance.

"Centred around the Roxy Theatre, and built on the contribution of so many talented people throughout the years - it is part of who we are here in Leeton.

"The Henry V auditions have only cemented that idea to me."

The energy in the room at the Leeton High School Multipurpose Hall was electric at times during the auditions as actors presented for call-back readings, as well as some newcomers fresh out of the gates.

Mr Speer, along with the show's assistant director Bonnie Owen, a theatre-maker in Griffith, worked hard with each of the candidates, trying scenes in different ways, pushing them to grapple with the language, to inhabit characters, to move their bodies in different ways.

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Having brought shows to Leeton regularly over the span of his career so far, Mr Speer was aware of the special privilege and huge opportunity being part of a community like Leeton offers.

"Henry V is a wonderful opportunity for me to direct Shakespeare," he said.

"But, it's also a prototype for how we turn more than a hundred years of arts and culture and innovation into a legacy for the future."

The Henry V production team will be announcing the cast soon.