Book and lyrics by Sarah Hammond  

Music by Will Aronson  

Commissioned by Theatreworks USA, based on the Pete the Cat series by James Dean and Kimberly Dean  

Synopsis: When cool, smooth Pete the Cat moves in with the perfectly normal Biddle family, he rocks their world with his strumming and strutting. Everybody loves Pete, except for Jimmy, the world's most organized 2nd grader. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class, Pete takes him on the inspirational road trip of a lifetime! The whole family will love Pete's hilarious, jazzy antics in this toe-tapping musical. 

Rehearsal Dates: Sept. 4 – Oct. 3, 2024 

Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

Performance Dates: Oct. 4 – Nov. 3, 2024 

plus, potential for added performances through Nov. 10  

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday.  

Casting Needs: 6 YPs per cast / 12 Young Performers  

JIMMY BIDDLE: Ages 10-12, male-identifying. A very put-together second grader. He likes to prepare and tends to overthink things.  

OLIVE BIDDLE: Ages 8-10, female-identifying. His rambunctious sister. Pre-K. She just loves everyone and everything.  

GRUMPY TOAD: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. Pete’s bandmate.   

GUS THE PLATYPUS: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. Pete’s bandmate.  

BARNABY: Ages 10-12, any gender identity. Jimmy’s Classmate.  

ELOUISE: Ages 10-12, any gender identity. Jimmy’s Classmate.

Back to top

Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage. Script adaptation by Robert Penola. Arrangements and orchestrations by Timothy Splain. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” animated television special adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks, music and lyrics by Johnny Marks.  

Directed by Jeff Frank  

Synopsis: And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows! The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and returns to our stage this holiday season. From fleeing the Abominable Snow Monster to saving Christmas, join Rudolph and his friends, Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius, as their adventures teach us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the little misfit in all of us. 

Rehearsal Dates: Oct. 26 – Nov. 27, 2024  

Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

Performance Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 29, 2024 

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday. 

Casting Needs: 20 YPs per cast / 40 Young Performers  

RUDOLPH: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. A young buck- Sweet, charming, a bit naive. Trying to find their place. Physically agile, comfortable being lifted. Vocal range: D5-A#3  

HERMEY: Ages 13-17, male-identifying. An elf whose dreams of being a dentist don’t mesh with the other elves, and he struggles to stay positive and find his way. Vocal range: D5-G#3.   

CLARICE: Ages 12-17, female-identifying. A young doe with a good heart and strong sense of purpose. Physically agile and comfortable being lifted. Vocal range: C5-B3.   

FIREBALL/SNOKEN 7: Ages 13-17, male-identifying. Rudolph’s first real friend. Energetic, spunky. Later gets caught up in teasing Rudolph before ultimately apologizing. 

  

NOTE ON ALL ELVES: With the exception of the Tall Elf, we are hoping to cast Elves that are under 5’2” in height. All elves should be strong singers and dancers. 

ELF 1: Any age, male-identifying 

ELF 2/AVIATOR ELF: Any age, male-identifying 

ELF 3: Any age, male-identifying 

ELF 4: Any age, female-identifying 

ELF 5: Any age, female-identifying 

ELF 6: Any age, female-identifying 

ELF 7: Any age, female-identifying 

 

NOTE ON ALL MUSFIT TOYS/SNOKENS: All should be strong movers. Our Snokens help animate the world through movement and puppetry. The roles are highly physical. Singing is equally important. Puppeteering experience valued. 

YOUNG BUCK 1: Any age, any gender identity. 

YOUNG BUCK 2: Any age, any gender identity. 

TALL ELF / OSTRICH COWBOY / SNOKEN: Any age, any gender identity 

DOLLY / SNOKEN 1: Any age, female-identifying 

SPOTTED ELEPHANT / SNOKEN 3: Any age, any gender identity 

BIRDFISH / SNOKEN 4: Any age, any gender identity 

TRAIN / SNOKEN 5: Any age, any gender identity 

PLANE / SNOKEN 2: Any age, any gender identity 

YOUNG DOE / SNOKEN 6: Any age, female-identifying 

Back to top

by Steve and Kathy Hotchner  

Directed by Jeff Frank 

Movement by Samantha D. Montgomery 

Synopsis: In this participation play the audience journey back to a world millions and millions of years ago, transported the moment they enter the theatre into the atmosphere of the last age of the dinosaurs. In front of them is a dinosaur egg, tapping out a call for help. With the help of a fellow explorer, the children interpret what the egg is saying and help the egg to hatch. They then must decide if they want to form an alliance with a rough Triceratops, and choose how they will protect the newly formed dinosaur family. They’ll have to find a way to work together if they are to defeat Tyrannosaurus Rex. 

 

Rehearsal Dates: Dec. 30, 2024 – Jan. 17, 2025  

Mon, Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

 

Performance Dates: Jan. 18 – Feb. 16, 2025 

plus, potential for added performances through Feb. 23 

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday. 

 

Casting Needs: 2 YPs per cast / 4 Young Performers  

THE APPRENTICE: 12-17, any gender identity. A smart, brave, safari apprentice who assists the safari guide in finding a lonely dinosaur egg a home during their expedition.  

 

EGG/BABY TANK: 8-12, female-identifying. A mischievous new-born triceratops who wants to find her family. Must be flexible to fit inside the egg. An excellent mover.  

Back to top

Written and composed by Marcus Yi  

Directed by Michelle LoRicco  

Synopsis: Since her mother's death, Emily Song's home has always been a musical vacuum. Her father banned music from their lives for as long as she can remember. But that doesn't stop Emily from secretly taking singing lessons online. On her 12th birthday, Emily's powers manifest and she discovers she is a music mage: a sorcerer who can cast magical spells through music. When her father is kidnapped by a mysterious entity known as the Queen of Shadows, Emily must figure out how to use her newly discovered talent to save her dad, and New York City from total destruction. 

 

Rehearsal Dates: Jan. 2 – Jan. 30, 2025  

Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

 

Performance Dates: Jan. 31 – Feb. 16, 2025 

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday. 

 

Casting Needs: 6 YPs per cast / 12 Young Performers 

EMILY SONG: Ages 12-17, East Asian, female-identifying. A sweet, passionate, yet shy girl who has always loved singing, but who lives in a house where her father forbids music. Vocal range: E5-Bb4 

 

LAYLA: Ages 12-17, female-identifying. Emily’s best friend who is brave, generous, and yet, very secretive. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. Vocal range: D5-A3 

 

JAMIE: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. A glee club member. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

RILEY: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. A glee club member. Also puppeteers in the ensemble.

 

ALEX: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. A glee club member. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

TAYLOR: Ages 12-17, any gender identity. A glee club member. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

Back to top

 

Theatre for Young Audiences Version 

Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Kristin Anderson-Lopez 

Book adapted by Lindsay Anderson 

Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by Myrna Conn 

Based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds and directed by Andrew Stanton. 

Directed by Jeff Frank  

Co-Directed & Choreographed by Michael Dean Morgan  

Synopsis: Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. 

 

Rehearsal Dates: Feb. 5 – Mar. 7, 2025  

Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

 

Performance Dates: Mar. 8 – Apr. 6, 2025 

plus, potential for added performances through Apr. 13 

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday. 

 

Casting Needs: 8 YPS / 16 Young Performer Total  

NEMO: Ages 8-13, any gender identity. A curious young clownfish who brims with excitement to explore the wonders that lie beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Vocal range: D5-C4 

 

TAD: Ages 8-13, any gender identity. A self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish who joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo to swim past the Drop-Off. Also puppeteers in the ensemble.  

 

SHELDON: Ages 8-13, any gender identity. An H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble who taunts Nemo to swim beyond the reef. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

PEARL: Ages 8-13, female-identifying. A friendly flapjack octopus who is quick to befriend Nemo. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

PEACH: Ages 14-17, female-identifying. A mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need it. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

BLOAT: Ages 14-17, any gender identity. An open-minded and supportive blowfish, is proud to be part of the Tank Gang family and helps keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things seem bleak. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

CHUM: Ages 14-17, any gender identity. One of Bruce’s shark friends, who tries to live a vegetarian lifestyle. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

 

ANCHOR: Ages 14-17, any gender identity. One of Bruce’s shark friends, who tries to live a vegetarian lifestyle. Also puppeteers in the ensemble. 

Back to top

Adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios  

From the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan  

With original music by Dinorah Marquez  

Directed by Michelle Lopez-Rios 

 

Synopsis: First Stage Playwright in Residence Alvaro Saar Rios, with frequent collaborator and composer Dinorah Marquez, combine their talents to bring a new fast-paced theatrical version of the powerful story to the stage, underscored with original music. Two young storytellers, with the help of an ensemble of actors, take the stage and begin to weave the tale of Esperanza - a wealthy Mexican girl whose privileged existence is shattered when tragedy strikes, and she and her mother must flee to California. Forced to work in a migrant labor camp, Esperanza must learn to rise above her difficult circumstances and discover what she's truly made of. Set in the turbulent 1930s, and based on the popular book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising is a poetic tale of a young girl's triumph over adversity.  

 

Rehearsal Dates: Apr. 9 – May 1, 2025  

Wed-Fri 4-8:30pm 

Sat 12:30-4pm or 5-8:30pm 

Sun 10-1:30pm or 2:30-6pm 

 

Performance Dates: May 2 – May 22, 2025 

plus, potential for added performances through June 1 

*There will be two casts of young performers performing on alternating dates Wednesday through Sunday. 

 

Casting Needs: 6 YPS / 12 Young Performers  

ESPERANZA: Ages 13-17, Latine, female-identifying. A smart and stubborn girl who finds comfort in daydreams and fantasies until she gains the strength and courage to adapt to her new life when tragedy strikes. 

 

MIGUEL: Ages 13-17, Latine, male-identifying. A worker on Esperanza’s ranch who is funny, strong, eager to learn, and realistic about the work he must do to better his life and that of his family.  

 

ISABEL: Ages 8-12, Latine, female-identifying. Miguel’s cousin who is kind-hearted, patient, and ‘wise beyond her years’.  

 

MARTA: Ages 13-17, Latine, female-identifying. A migrant field worker and Esperanza’s antagonist. Strong-willed, intelligent, and charismatic. She is confident and consistently speaks up for the rights of the workers, urging them to unionize.  

 

STORYTELLER 1: Any age, any gender-identity. One of the narrators of the story who help move the action along by jumping in and out of other characters in the play.  

 

STORYTELLER 2: Any age, any gender-identity. One of the narrators of the story who help move the action along by jumping in and out of other characters in the play.

Back to top