2026 - 2027 AUDITIONS
Audition Information
SCHEDULE:
Group Auditions (For actors in grades 1st – 4th, Nothing to prepare):
Tuesday September 8, 4:00-5:00 pm
Wednesday September 9, 4:00-5:00pm
Individual Auditions (For actors in grades 5th-12th):
September 8-10, 5:30-9:00 (Scheduled in 5-minute slots)
Callbacks Announced: Friday, September 11 by 8:00 pm
Callback Schedule: (Sept. 13-16):
James and the Giant Peach Jr. – Sunday, September 13 2:00 – 4:00 pm OR 4:15pm – 6:15pm
Chaos Theory Improv Audition Workshop – Monday, September 14th 4pm – 5:00pm
The Queen in the Cave - Monday, September 14th 5:00 – 6:45 pm OR 7:00 – 8:45 pm
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King – Tuesday, September 15th 4:00pm – 5:15pm OR 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Urinetown – Tuesday, September 15th 6:00pm – 9:00pm
It’s a Wonderful Life – Wednesday, September 16 – 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Make-up Callbacks – Wednesday, September 16 4:00 – 5:30pm
Casting Announced:
Friday, September 18 by 8:00 pm
Audition Requirements:
All students auditioning for any program must submit a 2026 -2027 School Year Production Form.
Grades 1st - 4th
Students in grades 1 - 4 should sign-up for a Group Audition slot. There is no preparation necessary for group auditions. Students will spend an hour playing theatre games and doing acting exercises. We are looking for students who are able to work well with others, follow instructions, and make bold character choices.
Grades 5th - 12th
Students in grades 5 - 12 should sign-up for an Individual Audition slot. Individual slots are 5 minutes long and all actors need to perform a 1 minute monologue from a play or musical, memorized.
If auditioning for Urinetown or James and the Giant Peach Jr, actors will also need to sing 16-32 bars (or one verse and one chorus) from a musical, memorized. Please bring in a backing track (like a karaoke track) to sing to.
We are looking for clear memorization and preparation, bold physical and vocal choices, and projection in the monologue.
We are looking for musicality, characterization and clear storytelling in the song.
If you have any questions about auditions or the shows please contact our Director of Production, Mike Lion at mike@youththeatre.org.
You can also check out our Preparing for Your Audition page for some helpful tips!
THE QUEEN IN THE CAVE
One night, Franca has a dream about a marvelous queen who lives in a cave deep in the forest. With her younger sisters, Carmela and Tomasina, they venture into the forest to see if the dream is true. As they travel deeper, the world shifts. They meet creatures that shock and delight them, and they escape horrible things that frighten them. And what they find in the cave may be the most unexpected thing of all...
This world premiere adaptation for the stage is being written by YTN, in coordination with the author, to bring the world of Júlia Sardà’s 2022 children’s book to life!
THE QUEEN IN THE CAVE. Text and illustrations © 2021 Júlia Sardà. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA on behalf of Walker Books, London.
We are looking for 20-30 actors for this production; the roles of the three sisters will be double cast. In addition to the main cast, we will be casting an ensemble to play the magical creatures called Sunnies.
Sunnies Ensemble members will be released at 8pm prior to Tech Rehearsals.
SCHEDULE:
Parent Meeting: Thursday Sept. 24 from 5:45 – 6:15 pm
Rehearsals: Sept. 24 – Nov. 5 (Tech Rehearsals begin Oct. 24)
Mon. - Thurs. 5:45 – 8:30 pm, and Sat. 1:00 – 5: 00 pm (1:00pm – 4:00 pm on 10/31)
Performances: Nov. 6 – 15, Fri. at 7:00 pm, Sat. at 2:00 and 7:00 pm, and Sun. at 2:00 pm
School Show Performance: Thurs. Nov. 12 at 10:00 am
Tuition for Main Cast: $845
Tuition for Sunnies Ensemble: $745
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
Based on the original children’s book by Ernst Hoffman, this production of The Nutcracker and The Mouse King has a fresh and fun take on this holiday classic, devised with the 2025 cast, alongside YTN’s Cory Southwell.
In this nutty new twist, Clara Stahlbaum is now an adult, regaling her daughter Marie with the story of meeting the Nutcracker as a child. From her parents' annual holiday party and an epic vermin battle to the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets, there are so many zany and memorable characters to meet.
YTN is bringing this play back to be performed in rotation with It's a Wonderful Life for the holiday season. If you were an actor in the 2025 cast and would like to return, you will be cast in a different role in this production.
We are looking for 10-20 actors for this production.
SCHEDULE:
Parent Meeting: Wednesday, September 30, 4:30 – 5:00 pm
Regular Rehearsals: Sept. 30 – Nov. 18, Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
Tech Rehearsals: November 30 – December 3, Mon. - Thurs. 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Performances: December 5 – 13, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm
TUITION: $570
Roald Dahl's JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH JR
Directed by Maridee Slater
Music Direction by Sophie Otness
When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH JR. is produced through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
We are looking for 28-40 actors for this production; principal roles will be double cast.
SCHEDULE:
Parent Meeting: Saturday March 13 from 1:00 – 1:30 pm
Regular Rehearsals: March 13 – April 22, Mon. – Thurs. 6:15 – 9:00 pm*, Sat. 1:00–5:00 pm
(No Rehearsal: April 10-17)
Tech Rehearsals: April 24 – May 6, Mon. – Thurs. 6:15 – 9:00 pm** and Sat. 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Performances: May 7–23, Fri. at 7 pm, Sat. at 2 and 7 pm, and Sun. at 2 pm
School Show Performances: Thursdays May 13 and 20 at 10 am
*Actors in 4th grade or below will not be called past 8:00 pm during regular rehearsals.
**Actors in 4th grade or below will not be called past 8:30 pm during tech rehearsals.
Tuition: $870
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A RADIO PLAY
The classic story follows idealistic George Bailey on Christmas Eve, who contemplates ending his life, until a guardian angel named Clarence shows him how his self-sacrificing actions shaped Bedford Falls.
YTN is bringing this iconic radio play back to be performed in rotation with The Nutcracker and the Mouse King for the holiday season. Then, the radio drama cast will tour this production to senior centers in the area.
We are looking for 12-15 actors for this production.
SCHEDULE:
Parent Meeting: Monday September 28, 6:00 – 6:30 pm
Regular Rehearsals:
September 28 – November 23
Mondays 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Tech Rehearsals: Nov. 30, Dec. 2-3 (M, W, Th only), 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Public Performances: Dec. 4 – 6, Fri. and Sat. at 7:00 pm, Sun. at 4:00 pm
Radio Drama Tour: Dec. 7 – 13, exact dates, times, and locations TBA.
Please note that we will be scheduling up to 4 touring performances at Senior Living Communities between 4pm – 7pm on weekdays and 11am – 4pm on weekends.
TUITION: $770
URINETOWN THE MUSICAL
In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
In the Fall Conservatory classes, actors will receive training that explores the work of Bertolt Brecht, dramaturgical context for this production, and a crash course in political satire.
URINETOWN is produced through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
We are looking for 18-25 actors for this production.
SCHEDULE:
Conservatory Classes: Oct. 3 – Dec.12 (No Nov. 28) Saturdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Parent Meeting: Saturday Jan. 9 from 1:00 – 1:30 pm
Regular Rehearsals: Jan. 9 – Feb. 25, Mon. – Thurs. 6:15 – 9:00 pm and Sat. 1:00 – 5:00 pm (No 1/18, 2/13-2/20)
Tech Rehearsals: Feb. 27 – March 11, Mon. – Thurs. 6:15 – 9:30 pm and Sat. 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Performances: March 12 – 28, Fridays/Saturdays at 7:00 pm (Added 2:00 pm show on Saturday March 28), and Sundays at 2:00 pm (10 performances total)
Tuition: $1,790
CHAOS THEORY IMPROV
CHAOS THEORY: 101
For actors grades 6th - 8th
Directed by Mike Lion
The first year of Chaos Theory, students focus on the basics and foundations of improv and learn a variety of shortform improv games. They end the year with an invited showcase of their skills for families and friends. No audition necessary.
Rehearsal Day/Time: Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm.
Dates: Oct. 8 – Dec. 10 (No: 11/26) and Jan. 14 – Apr 29 (No: 2/18 and 4/15)
Showcase: Final 45 minutes of class on April 29
Tuition: $640
CHAOS THEORY: ROOKIES
For actors grades 7th - 9th
Directed by Maggie Petersen
Chaos Theory Rookies continue to hone their improvisation skills. They learn more advanced shortform formats and begin to get an introduction to longform improvisation. They have two public performances in the winter and spring.
Students must complete at least a year of Chaos Theory: 101 (or equivalent experience) and get approval from Mike to join Juniors. Students who have not done Chaos Theory before will need to attend the Chaos Theory Workshop Audition.
Rehearsal Day/Time: Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm.
Dates: Oct. 8 – Dec. 10 (No: 11/26) and Jan. 14 – Apr 29 (No: 2/18 and 4/15)
Performances: December 11 and 12 at 7pm, April 23 and 24 at 7pm
Tuition: $670
CHAOS THEORY: OLD TIMERS
For actors grades 9th - 12th
Directed by Mike Lion
Old timers hone their longform improvisation skills learning a variety of advanced formats and inventing some new ones. Old Timers focus on performance skills and have many opportunities to get up in front of a crowd throughout the year.
Students must complete at least two years of Chaos Theory (Or equivalent experience) and get approval from Mike to join Old Timers. Students who have not done Chaos Theory before will need to attend the Chaos Theory Workshop Audition.
Rehearsal Day/Time: Mondays 4:00pm – 5:30pm (Extending to 6pm on 12/7, 1/25, 4/19)
Dates: Sept. 21 – December 14 (No: 10/12), January 11 – April 26 (No: 1/18, 2/15, 4/12)
Performances: 10/25 (Night of 1000 Scares), 12/11 and 12/12, 1/30 (Staff vs Students), 4/23 and 4/24 (All at 7:00 pm)
Fakespeare Rehearsals: Monday May 17, Monday May 24, Monday – Wednesday June 7 – 9, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Performance: Friday June 11 at 7:00 pm
Tuition: $710