Currently, our Junior Stage program is geared towards children ages 12-17. If a child will be aging into or out of that bracket within a month of auditions, they may still audition and participate. Depending on the show, some roles may be available for ages 10-11.

Yes, all cast members on Junior Stage shows will need to audition and be offered a part in the show in order to participate.

While we try to create space for as many actors as we can, we are not able to take everyone who auditions due to the high volume of auditioners who come out for our Junior Stage shows.

No, children do not need theatrical experience in order to audition. That being said, previous experience with public speaking, singing, and/or dance is often helpful. If your child is young enough, check out our First Act program, where they can gain initial experience before coming up to Junior Stage!

This depends heavily on the needs of the specific show, but generally we cast up to 55 actors in a production. Typically, between 65-80 actors audition per production.

Yes, we are happy to offer a virtual audition option to accommodate any teen with audition anxiety or with a scheduling conflict on our audition weekend. Additional information about virtual auditions can be found in our Junior Stage Audition Packet.

Preview our Junior Stage Audition Packet to learn about our audition process.

First Act is enrollment-based, which means that every child gets a part. If you’re unsure about their ability to be cast in a Junior Stage show, First Act is a safe bet to ensure that they have somewhere to participate.

For each production, East End charges a participation fee, which helps to cover the expenses for costuming each actor. There is no cost to audition for this program; once the show has been cast, participants are expected to pay a $125 participation fee prior to the first rehearsal.

Rehearsals are twice per week on Tuesdays/Fridays from 5:15-8:30pm, and span for about 3-4 months.

Our audition panel is extremely accommodating of any anxiety or nerves. Auditioners can present their material as many times as they need to without penalty, staff can get up and do the dance portion alongside auditioners, or staff can facilitate shake-outs to help break some ice.

The audition panel generally consists of our Junior Stage Creative Director, Choreographer, and Music Director. Visit the Who Are We? page for a full listing of our staff.

No, our auditions are completely closed to family, friends, and to other auditioners. We have auditioners present their material individually to the audition panel. Our rehearsals are closed, too!

Junior Stage produces musical theatre productions where actors need to sing, dance, and act.

We do not cast actors based on age or seniority with the organization in the way that a school might. The best person for the part, gets the part.

Absolutely. We are happy to be flexible with any and all conflicts for rehearsals, as long as we know about them and can build the schedule around them in advance. That being said, a large number of conflicts may impact whether or not an auditioner is considered for a lead role.

The rehearsals and tech weeks for our three programs do not conflict with one another. If your child is registered for a First Act production, they would not be excluded from consideration for a Junior Stage production. Likewise, if a teen is old enough and auditions for a Main Stage production, they could also still participate in a Junior Stage production (if they are cast in both).

Casting emails will be sent within a week of auditions, indicating whether or not an actor has been cast in the show and which part (if any) they have received. All auditioners will be notified via email about casting decisions, even if they have not made it into the show.

Please note that not all who audition are guaranteed a part in the show, and that getting into a Junior Show production may be a more competitive process than previous shows have been, given the show content and amount of auditioners coming out. 

Actors who have been cast in the show will be asked to reply, indicating whether or not they accept their role. We ask that this be done as soon as possible, so that recasting can be done if necessary. Role decisions are final and will not be adjusted by the production team based on individual preference.

Involvement in theatre supports mental health, social-emotional development, communication skills, self-confidence, creative thinking & problem-solving skills, and so much more. At East End, we truly believe in teaching our actors that there are no small roles, that every actor is important in the production, and that the quality of an actor’s experience in the show is not contingent upon their role. 

By participating in a show in any capacity, actors are thriving as performers, growing as people, making friends, having fun, and experiencing all of the joy that theatre can bring to their lives, no matter what role they are playing.

At any age, casting decisions can be challenging to cope with - not every auditioner will get their preferred role and not every auditioner will get in, regardless of how well-prepared they are, how many lessons they have taken, or how many shows they have been in.

To help your child or teen cope with any feelings that may come up around casting decisions, it is important to talk with them at home before their audition to reinforce the idea that their worth and their talent is not based on the casting outcome, and that a lead is not a “better than” an ensemble role. Every actor is important, everyone’s position in the show matters, and it is our priority to demonstrate the same value and attention to our ensemble as much as we do for our leads.