2021-2022 School Season Auditions

Audition Information

Individual Auditions (Grades 5*-12) 

9/7-9/9 Tues-Thurs 5:30-9:00pm 

Students interested will be asked to sign up for 5 minute slot to perform a memorized monologue. Students interested in Theseus and the Minotaur and the Other Six, the only musical in the season, will be asked to sing at the callback and do not need to sing for the initial audition.

Group Auditions (Grades 1-5*)

Wed. 9/8, 4:00-5:00 OR Sat. 9/11, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm OR Sat. 9/11, 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Students interested in The Thing About Unicorns or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Young Stage Cast should sign up for one one-hour group audition. No preparation necessary.

• Good for newer participants 
• Less stressful  
• No preparation required 
• Actors will be considered for: The Thing About Unicorns and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Young Stage roles ONLY 
• The Thing About Unicorns is being written specifically for younger age actors, with individual roles for everyone. 
• Young Stage actors in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be considered for Oompa Loompa roles only. 

Individual Auditions for 5th Graders:

• Good for more experience participants ready for a new challenge 
• Requires preparation and practice  
• Individual auditioners 
• Perform a memorized monologue in front of the panel of directors. 
• Performing alone in front of the (very nice and supportive) directors can be intimidating (and exhilarating)!  
• We highly recommend signing up for our monologue coaching if you choose this option. 
• Monologue auditioners will be considered for larger roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.   
• Many older students will also be auditioning for these roles. Competition will be strong. 

Audition Procedures and Information for New Families

Callback Information

Callback Lists Posted: by 3:00 pm 9/11

Students will be asked to attend a 2nd round of auditions for specific shows. Each show has its own callback day. Students must attend callbacks for specific shows to be considered for those shows. 

Callbacks: 9/12-9/15 

Catch All (If you cannot attend your scheduled callback): Monday Sept. 13 from 6:30-9:00 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Tuesday Sept. 14 from 4:00-6:30 OR 7:00-9:00 

Charlie – Young Stage Cast: Wednesday Sept. 15 from 4:00-5:30 OR 6:00-7:30

Radio Drama: Monday Sept. 13 from 4:00-6:00

The 39 Steps: Sunday Sept. 12 from 2:00-4:00

The Sky Below: Sunday Sept. 12 from 2:00-3:00 OR 3:00-4:00

The Thing About Unicorns: Monday Sept. 13 from 4:00-6:00

Theseus and the Minotaur and the Six Others: Sunday Sept. 12 from 4:30-6:30 

Casting and Parent Meeting

Casting announced: 9/17 

Cast lists, based on callback and directors’ meeting will be emailed. Students will have 24 hours to accept or decline the role(s) offered. 

Parent meeting for all shows: 9/20 6pm (Zoom) 

YTN staff and 21-22 season directing team will be introduced. We will go over rehearsal procedure and take any questions parents may have. 

The Sky Below

A play with selected roles available for actors grades 5-12

Written by Maggie Lee 

Directed by Kim Douthit 

Rehearsals: 9/22-11/4 Mon-Thurs 6:30-9:00 Sat 1:00-5:00 

Performances: 11/5-11/14 Fri/Sat 7pm & Sun 2pm (In person) Show will also stream: 11/22-12/31  

Tuition: Tier 1: $700 / Tier 2: $625 / Tier 3: $550 

The Sky Below, a new play which was developed last spring as a part of our Workshop Conservatory. Now, the play will be fully mounted on the YTN stage with the original cast plus some new actors for added roles.  

Written by a Gregory Award winning playwright, Maggie Lee, is a steam punk, sci-fi play like nothing you have ever seen on the YTN stage. High up in the sky, on the floating city of Firmament, when children reach their 13th birthday, they have the option to take "The Bound" and leap down to the surface below. But beware, for taking the bound is a one-way trip. As her 13th birthday approaches, Nellie wants to follow in her sister Arden's footsteps and take the bound. But what lies below? Will she see her sister again? Is Chancellor Rayne hiding something? And what is really going on with the Chromatons, the robots who serve the city? Will a group of teenagers be able to crack open the truth for the citizens of Firmament? 

We are looking to fill 5-6 new roles for this play. 

The Thing About Unicorns

A play for actors grades 1-5

Written by Kate Swenson 

Directed by Cory Southwell 

Rehearsals: 9/27-11/22 Mon/Wed 4:00-6:00 (no 11/24 and 11/27) Sat 1:30-4:30  

Tech week: 11/29-12/2 4:00-7:00 

Performances: 12/4-12/12 Sat/Sun 2pm (In person), Show will also stream: 12/20-12/31 

Tuition: Tier 1: $575 / Tier 2: $500 / Tier 3: $425 

Uvi the Unicorn has a problem. There are a lot of preconceived ideas about what a unicorn “should be” and Uvi does not fit the mold. Faced with rumors and rudeness, Uvi could stay hidden in her workshop, but when this mythical creature sees something is broken, she fixes it.  A comedic gallop through the fields of friendship.  

We are looking to cast 12-15 actors who are ready for the production process OR have had some production experience. 

Hitchcock and Superman: Radio Drama

A play for actors grades 5-12

Directed by Mike Lion 

Rehearsals 11/6-12/11   Sat 1:30-3:30, 1/8-1/29 Wed 6:30-9:00 and Sat 1:30-3:30 

Tech: 1/31-2/3 6:30-9:00 

Performances (In person and Live Streaming) 2/4-2/6 Fri/Sat 7pm Sat/Sun 2pm 

Potential touring dates: 2/7-2/13 

Tuition: Tier 1: $575 / Tier 2: $500 / Tier 3: $425 

Radio Drama is back for its 7th season.  Directed once again by Mike Lion, this year’s lineup is from two of the old-time radio shows—Alfred Hitchcock presents Ghost Stories for Young People (originally recorded in 1962) and The Adventures of Superman (aired on WOR radio from 1940-1952). Through these classic radio scripts, students will learn various technique on voice acting, diction, and possible accents. The shows will be recorded professionally and will air on MIHS radio station as well as be available on Sound Cloud. Pending COVID climate, actors will also tour some senior residences as part of YTN community outreach. 

We are looking to cast 12-15 actors interested in voice work. 

Teen Conservatory:

The 39 Steps

A comedy for actors grades 9-12

Directed by Mimi Katano 

Conservatory Classes: 10/2-12/11 Sat 10:00-1:00 (no 11/27) 

Rehearsals: 1/10-3/10 Mon-Thurs 6:30-9:30 Sat 1:00-5:00 (no 2/21-2/26) 

Performances (In person only): 3/11-3/27 Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm 

Tuition: Tier 1: $1325 / Tier 2: $1225 / Tier 3: $1150 

Based on the Hitchcock film by the same title, The 39 Steps is two hours of hilarious, high-paced comedy entertainment. A man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure!   

Conservatory training will focus on Physical Theatre technique with guest artists on clowning, shadow puppets, and more! We are looking to cast 14 actors who have excellent comic timing and are ready to throw themselves into the bruising world of physical theatre work. Take your vitamins. 

We are looking to cast 12-14 actors interested in Physical Theatre training and performance. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

A play for actors grades 1-12

Directed by Kate Swenson (with Cory Southwell)

You’ve won a Golden Ticket and a VIP tour of a chocolate factory—what could go wrong? Well, when the factory belongs to the mysterious Willy Wonka, a simple tour turns into a morality test with some darkly delicious results. Wacky characters, magical sets, and a timeless tale in one tasty package, this show is as much fun for the actors and production team as it is for the audience. A sweet (and salty) adventure to be sure. 

Main Cast (grades 5-12) 

Main Cast: The cast is chock-full of broad, comedic characters for young actors to sink their teeth into--from broad, bombastic brats like Veruca Salt, Violet Beuregarde, and Mike TV, to their prideful, preening parents to the sweet, earnest Bucket family. And of course, Willy Wonka, a character infused with many iconic performances, and the mystical Oompa Loompas, the real power behind all of the factory’s wonders. This production will be double cast. 

We are looking to have up to 14 actors (in each cast.) 

Main Cast Rehearsal 3/14-5/5 Mon-Thurs 6:00-9:00, Sat 1:00-5:00 (No 4/11-4/16) 

Tuition: Tier 1: $700 / Tier 2: $625 / Tier 3: $550 

Performances (in-person audience only): 5/6-5/22, Fri/Sat 7pm Sat/Sun 2pm 

Young Stage (grades 1-5) 

Directed by Cory Southwell 

Young Stage starts off with training elements, honing theatre basics of theatre as a part of their early rehearsal process. Techniques for learning lines, creating dynamic performances, and physicalizing characters on stage will be taught in the first four weeks, along with learning the play to get these younger actors confident and ready to theatre magic. Then, after Spring Break, Young Stage will join the main cast to rehearse together to prepare for performances. This production will be double cast. 

We are looking to cast 8 actors (in each cast) who are ready for training and a full Mainstage experience. 

Young Stage Rehearsal (Cast schedule determined during casting): 

Tuition: Tier 1: $475 / Tier 2: $400 / Tier 3: $325 

Young Stage Cast A Schedule: 

3/15-4/9 Tues 6:30-8:30, Sat 1:00-5:00 (No 4/11-4/16) 

4/18-5/5 6:00-8:30 Mon-Thurs, Sat 1:00-5:00 

Young Stage Cast B Schedule: 

3/17-4/9 Thurs 6:30-8:30, Sat 1:00-5:00 (No 4/11-4/16) 

4/18-5/5 6:00-8:30 Mon-Thurs, Sat 1:00-5:00 

Performances (in-person audience only): 5/6-5/22, Fri/Sat 7pm Sat/Sun 2pm 

Workshop Conservatory:

Theseus and the Minotaur and the Other Six

A New Musical for actors grades 6-12

Written by Clare Bierman and Joshua Vranas 

(Writers of Emma and The West 2020 Radio Drama) 

Directed by Erin Murray

Conservatory 1/10-4/4  Mon 4:00-6:00, plus some field trips (No 2/21)

Rehearsals: 4/18-6/2  Mon-Thurs 6:30-9:00 

Performances (In person and live streamed): 6/3-6/5 Fri/Sat 7:00pm, Sun 2:00pm 

Tuition: Tier 1: $995 / Tier 2: $895 / Tier 3: $820 

Six middle schoolers wake up terrified in a dark labyrinth. They’ve been selected as this year’s sacrifice to the horrifying monster, the Minotaur. When the seventh sacrifice appears, they meet Theseus, the hero of Athens and a total pompous idiot. He tells the kids that he’s going to save Athens by killing the Minotaur. The kids beg Theseus to protect them, but he tells them not to die and runs off to play hero. In a panicked frenzy, the kids split up and try to find a way out of the labyrinth. But on the way to becoming sacrifices, the kids meet the Minotaur who turns out to be a deeply misunderstood monster with a huge appetite. Heroes and Monsters are not always what they seem. 

The play provides a great opportunity for the actors to learn movement and puppetry. Music for this show will be very adventurous, using ancient Greek instruments backing modern musical theater melodies to give it an accessible sense of history while still feeling contemporary. 

During the Conservatory portion of the program, students will learn how a brand-new musical is put together and work with the director and the writers and composers to help get it across the finish line.  After Conservatory, students will go into rehearsal to mount a staged reading of the play which will be performed with simple set and minimal costuming. 

In the fall of 2022, the production will be fully mounted and the students who participated in this season’s production will be invited back to recreate their roles.  

We are looking to cast 12-15 actors who are interested in how a musical is developed.  

Chaos Theory

Directed by Mike Lion 

YTN’s resident improv troupe rehearses and performs throughout the year, honing our comedy and storytelling skills. Chaos Theory is divided into three levels – New Timers, Neutral Timers, and Old Timers.  

If you are interested in New Timers or have fulfilled the requirements outlined below for Neutral Timers/Old Timers, no audition is necessary.  If you are interested in Neutral Timers or Old Timers, but have not fulfilled the requirements please reach out to mike@youththeatre.org, an audition may be arranged later. 

New Timers

New timers 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. Open to grades 6-8. 

Wednesdays 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Week of April 25 (TBD) – End of year Showcase 

Tuition: Tier 1: $475 / Tier 2: $400/ Tier 3: $325 

Neutral Timers

Neutral timers 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 New Timers and get approval from Mike to join Neutral Timers. Open to grades 7-9. 

Thursdays 4:30pm-6:00pm

12/10 and 12/11 7pm Holiday Shows 

4/29 - 4/30 7pm – Spring Shows 

Tuition: Tier 1: $475 / Tier 2: $400 / Tier 3: $325 

Old Timers

Old timers hone their longform improvisation skills learning a variety of 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 Neutral Timers and get approval from Mike to join Old Timers. Open to grades 9+. 

Mondays 4:00-5:30 

10/30 7pm – Halloween Show 

12/10 and 12/11 7pm – Holiday Shows 

2/12 7pm – February Show 

4/29 and 4/30 7pm – Spring Shows 

5/15 6pm – Fakespeare in the Park 

Tuition: Tier 1 :$475 / Tier 2: $400 / Tier 3: $325 

*What group meets which day of the week will be determined once we collect everyone’s availabilities and conflicts.