News

Auditions and applications are open for Raleigh Little Theatre’s Teens on Stage (TOS) and Teens Backstage (TBS) program for summer 2022. The program is open to students aged 14-18. This year, Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage will present the musical Xanadu, performed in the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre. The production is directed by RLT’s director of education, Meredyth Pederson Cooper.

About the Program

Together, TOS and TBS form RLT’s intensive six-week summer program that provides theatrical training and mentoring to teens. The program team’s approach prioritizes the agency of the youth participants and is grounded in the belief that young people are valuable creative collaborators. This approach supports the development of youth theatre artists as it engages them in critical thinking, creative problem solving and a community-centered environment that recognizes what each person brings to the collaboration.

RLT seeks 14 participants for the Teens on Stage program. All who are cast in the production divide their time between daily classes and rehearsals. Class content is designed to support students’ artistic skill development in areas that apply directly to the production, while helping them grow into well rounded theatre artists.

RLT seeks 6-8 participants in the Teens Backstage program. Participants will gain experience in all areas of technical theatre (set construction, costuming, lighting, sound and prop making) through rotating master classes and mentorship from the design team in creating all technical elements of the production. Teens Backstage participants then move into a focus area as technical rehearsals begin and then serve as the run crew with a specific role for all performances.

The 2022 program is currently planned to take place in person at Raleigh Little Theatre. For the safety of volunteers, staff, and students, all performers and crew members for the production of Xanadu must show proof of vaccination (including booster when eligible) in order to participate. Other safety measures include: a mask requirement inside the building when not performing, a fully vaccinated staff and program team, and an ongoing commitment to reduced class, crew, and audience sizes. RLT remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of everyone who is working inside our facility and our community. You will be required to show proof of vaccination at the auditions. Special exemptions can be made for anyone with a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine.

Auditions for Teens on Stage

Teens on Stage 2021 production of “As You Like It.” Photo by Cindy McEnery.

Auditions will be held in person this year in the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre on Saturday March 12th from 11am-4:30pm. Performers only need to attend one of the 90 minute time slots listed and must register for an audition in advance by clicking here.

Please complete the TOS Audition Form and Program Conflict Calendar and bring these forms to your audition.

All auditionees should come prepared to present a contemporary one minute monologue and a 16 bar vocal solo (an accompanist will be provided), and participate in ensemble exercises. Please wear clothing which allows for freedom of movement and bring proof of vaccination.

Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 6:30 – 9pm at Raleigh Little Theatre at 301 Pogue Street. The callback list will be emailed to all auditionees by March 14 at 5pm. Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script, a short choreography routine, and singing from the score. Masks are required at callbacks.

Perusal copies of the script will be available for a 48 hour check out from the RLT office which is located in the rear of the building and opened from 10:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri. Please call the business office to check on availability (919) 821-4579.

A member of Teens Backstage creating props for “She Kills Monsters” in 2020.

Interviews for Teens Backstage

Interviews for the Teens Backstage program will be held on Saturday, March 19, from 2-3pm. Please click here to sign up for the interview day. Interviews are facilitated in small groups. Masks are required while at RLT. Interviewees should complete the Teens Backstage Interview Form and a Program Conflict Calendar. Please bring proof of vaccination with you to your interview.

Program Dates for Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage

The first day of the program is Saturday, June 18. Performances run July 21-31 with strike (deconstruction of the production elements, followed by a final group reflection) on July 31.

Teens on Stage meets Monday-Friday and Teens Backstage meets Tuesday-Saturday until the week of technical rehearsals when all participants attend Monday-Friday. Please click here to view the conflict calendar that contains the full program schedule.

Sample daily program schedule:

• 9 AM Check In/Announcements
• 9:15-10:45 AM TOS Class #1 & TBS Build Time
• 10:45-11 AM Break
• 11 AM – 12:30 PM Class #2 & TBS Build Time
• 12:30-1 PM Lunch
• 1-4:45 PM TOS Rehearsal & TBS Classes / Build Time
• 4:45 PM End of Day Reinforcement

Tuition

The tuition cost for the program is $450. Once you have been accepted into the program, RLT will provide information about registration and scholarships. Raleigh Little Theatre has never turned away a student due to inability to pay.

Virtual Info Sessions

Want to learn more about this year’s program and get your questions answered? Join RLT’s director of education, Meredyth Pederson Cooper, for one of the following virtual info sessions. The sessions will include a program overview, Q&A and guidance on how to prepare for your audition or interview. Parents/Guardians are also welcome to attend with their student. Use the links below to register for the info session that works for you. Attending the info session is not required in order to audition or interview for the program.

• Wednesday, February 9, 5-6pm – click to register for this Zoom meeting
• Thursday, February 10, 5-6pm – click to register for this Zoom meeting

About the Show

Xanadu follows the journey of a magical Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it’s 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.

About the Roles

Kira (Clio) – the youngest of Zeus’s daughters and the muses. Falls in love with Sonny. Adventurous. Honest and determined. Muse of history and the leader of the muses. Roller skating experience a plus. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: G3.

Sonny Malone – a self-critical and depressed, mortal, chalk artist who falls in love with Kira. Not particularly smart. He embodies 1980s pop culture and is a California dreamer. Roller skating experience a plus. Vocal range top: C6 Vocal range bottom: B3.

Danny Maguire – the hard-nosed “all work and no play” businessman who owns the theater he once built for his love, Kira. Used to be a budding artist like Sonny but has since let money and greed consume him. Vocal range top: C6 Vocal range bottom: A3.

Calliope – one of Kira’s older sisters and the muse of epics. She is jealous of Kira and as Melpomene’s sidekick, plots with her for Kira’s downfall. Vocal range top: A5. Vocal range bottom: G3.

Melpomene – the muse of tragedy, the eldest of the Muses and leads the plot against Kira.

Thalia – one of Kira’s older sisters and the muse of comedy. Vocal range top: C6.Vocal range bottom: C4.

Euterpe – one of Kira’s older sisters and the muse of music. Vocal range top: A5.Vocal range bottom: G3.

Erato – one of Kira’s older sisters and the muse of lyrics and erotica. She is responsible for shooting Kira with the arrow of love brought on by Melpomene and Calliope’s spell. Vocal range top: C6.Vocal range bottom: G3.

Terpsicore – one of Kira’s older sisters and the muse of dance. As Hermes, the messenger of the gods, he is deeply masculine in voice but sassy and flippant in attitude. Vocal range top: C6.Vocal range bottom: C4.

Ensemble (5 actors) – will play the roles of the sirens, Andrews sisters, Hera, Aphrodite, Thetis, Hermes, Young Danny, the Tubes singers and Zeus.

Questions?

Any and all questions about the program or audition/interview process can be directed to director of education, Meredyth Pederson Cooper, at Meredyth@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org or 919-821-4579 x 245.