Production Class Information: The Spongebob Musical, Youth Edition
Over the past 2 years, the Youth on Stage team has seen a huge surge of interest in our production classes. The last 4 productions – Little Mermaid Jr, Annie Jr, Beauty and the Beast Jr, and Frozen Jr – were all full almost immediately, and every performance had a packed house. We are excited to see our program grow, and we love working with so many wonderful and talented children and their families!
We are also acutely aware that there have been growing pains. In response, we are implementing two new processes:
Audition Clinic
We are delighted to welcome new students to our production classes, but for those who have had no prior experience on stage in a theatrical production, the audition process and the first few weeks of rehearsals can be overwhelming. To alleviate this, we are offering a FREE theatre clinic for children ages 8-14 who have never participated in a theatre production before and think they might want to give it a try.
Attendance is REQUIRED for any child wishing to participate in Spongebob Squarepants Jr. who has NO PREVIOUS THEATRE PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE.
Students with prior experience will be required to list their most recent/relevant experience in their registration. Neither prior experience nor participating in this clinic will guarantee a spot in the production class. (Not sure if their prior experience is enough? If in doubt – attend the clinic!) Audition Clinic information is below.
Spring Production Class Registration: Lottery System
The problem with having a popular program and shows is that we have had to put eager children on long waitlists, which is disappointing and frustrating. We have also heard from many frustrated parents about the shortcomings of the current “first come, first serve” registration process, especially with the classes not just filling, but filling within minutes of opening. It’s clear that our current systems and processes are no longer meeting the needs of our Youth on Stage community.
In response, we will be piloting a new registration process for the spring 2024 production class of Spongebob Squarepants Jr.. I have included the details of how this pilot is going to work below, and I welcome your constructive feedback as we test it out together. The goal is to make the registration process less stressful and more equitable for everyone who wants to participate in our production classes.
Spring Production Registration Important Information
October 25: Audition Clinic Registration Open
- A link to register for one session of the Audition Clinic will be available until the sessions are full, or November 7.
- Submit one form for EACH student that you wish to enter into the lottery.
NOTE: if your child has no prior experience with a theatre production, they are REQUIRED to attend this clinic to be eligible to participate in the Spongebob Squarepants Jr production class. - Audition Clinics will run on Nov 6 & 7 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM
November 4-15: Spongebob Lottery Registration Open
- A link to a form will be available on the Youth on Stage website for 2 weeks.
- Submit one form for EACH student that you wish to enter into the lottery.
NOTE: You are REQUIRED to list either the date your child attended the Youth on Stage audition clinic (if they have no previous theatre experience) OR list their most recent/relevant stage experience. - Lottery participants will be entered into 1 of 4 categories: Showstopper Boys 10-14, Showstopper Girls 10-14, Rising Star Boys 8-9, Rising Star Girls 8-9. The ratios will depend on the show’s casting needs.
November 16 : Spongebob Lottery Winner Notification and Registration
- All lottery winners will be notified via email and given 48 hours to complete their registration.
- After that 48 hour window has passed, any seats that have not been claimed are opened back up and another name will be drawn.
- This process will continue until the roster is full.
- A notice will be sent to all who remain on the lottery list that they are now on the waitlist, and will be notified if a spot opens up.
November 20 : Registration Opens for all Youth On Stage Classes
FREE
Spring 2025 - Audition Clinic (8-14 years)
This clinic is being offered on November 6 & 7 from 5:30 – 6:30pm. Please sign up only ONCE, as the clinic is the same each day.
Is your child brand-new to live theatre, and curious to learn more? The Youth on Stage team is delighted to offer a FREE one-hour theatre clinic to show them the ropes! The clinic will provide a basic introduction to live theatre, including terminology (such as stage right/left), how to prepare for an audition, the rehearsal process, and the technical aspects of the show – sets, costumes, props, and more. Your child will leave the clinic excited about theatre, and ready to learn even more in our Youth on Stage classes!
PARENTS: We will also have experienced Youth on Stage parents on-site to answer your questions! You are welcome to stay while your child attends the clinic and learn more about our program from the parent perspective.
Interested in Spongebob?
PLEASE NOTE: If your child has no prior experience with live theatre production , they are REQUIRED to attend this clinic to be eligible to participate in the Spongebob Squarepants Jr production class.
Participating in this clinic does not guarantee a spot in the production class
Limit 30 per day
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Nov 6 & 7
FREE
Lottery Registration
Submit one registration form for EACH student that you wish to enter into the lottery.
NOTE: You are REQUIRED to list either the date your child attended the Youth on Stage audition clinic (if they have no previous theatre experience) OR list their most recent/relevant stage experience.
All lottery winners will be notified on November 16 via email and given 48 hours to complete their registration using a code. After that 48 hour window has passed, any seats that have not been claimed are opened back up and another name will be drawn. This process will continue until the roster is full.
Once the production class is full a notice will be sent to all who remain on the lottery list that they are now on the waitlist, and will be notified if a spot opens up.
Lottery Entry: Nov 4 - 15
Lottery Drawing: Nov 16
$325
Production Class: The Spongebob Musical, Youth Edition (8-14 years)
What does it take to put on a good show? Practice, practice, practice!! This class is a full-scale production in which students will audition, rehearse, and perform the stage show Spongebob Squarepants the Musical Jr. All students who sign up for the production will be cast in a role, and all cast members will have the opportunity to act, sing and dance in the production.
REQUIREMENTS
- Age: This program is for students 8-14 years old. Student must be 8 by the date of the first class on January 27 to participate and not yet enrolled in high school.
- EITHER/OR:
- the date your child attended the Youth on Stage audition clinic (if they have no previous theatre experience)
- their most recent/relevant stage experience
PREPARATION
For the first two weeks, the students will participate in multiple workshops to prepare themselves for the show. They will read and analyze the script, delve into character development, and review the rehearsal schedule to ensure they understand what will be expected of them.
There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, February 6th, 5:30 – 6:30pm at Grosse Pointe Theatre’s rehearsal hall at 315 Fisher Rd Grosse Pointe, MI 48230. Parents will be equipped to guide their child through audition preparation, learn more about the rehearsal process, and review the schedule for key dates and events.
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held February 7-8 to determine which role is best suited for each student. Students registering to participate in this production are making a commitment to put their energy and focus into creating a magical experience together, as a gift for our audiences. Parents are encouraged to communicate that ALL members of a cast are important and work together to tell the story on stage.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 – 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:30am – 12:30 pm, with additional rehearsals possible as we get closer to the production. All rehearsals prior to tech week (the week before performances) will be at Grosse Pointe Theater’s rehearsal building, 315 Fisher Road Grosse Pointe, MI 48230.
Your cast member will be at rehearsal at least once a week, but as is the case with mainstage productions, cast members will NOT be required to be at all rehearsals. After auditions, cast members will receive a detailed rehearsal schedule and be “called” to work on their scenes/songs, ensuring they are only at rehearsal when they will be actively involved.
TECH WEEK AND PERFORMANCES
Tech week rehearsals and the performances will be at Parcells Middle School auditorium. Expect your child to be in rehearsal Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of that week, and for rehearsals to run later into the evening.
Attendance at all tech week rehearsals and the performances is mandatory. No exceptions.
CANCELLATIONS
ONLY 3 absences will be excused. A successful production depends on actors being available for called rehearsals and learning their lines, music and dances. You will be asked to note these conflicts on the registration form when you register your child, and we will schedule around conflicts when possible. Extensive absences may result in reduced appearances on stage or being recast in a smaller role.
The last day to cancel is by 5pm on Friday January 17, 2025.