Willy Wonka play auditions Sept. 20-21

By Reader Staff

It’s been a long time in the making, as the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to the initial rehearsals and planned performances of Growing Dreams Productions’ Willy Wonka, The Musical. Local kids and teens can now plan to be a part of take two, as the local production company hosts open auditions Monday, Sept. 20 and Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Auditions will take place for children and teenagers ages 8-18 at the Sandpoint High School auditorium beginning at 3:30 p.m. both afternoons. Audition applications will be accepted until 5:30 p.m. each day. Auditions will last until approximately 6:30 p.m. Callbacks, if necessary, will happen on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the same time and place. Students are asked to arrive a few minutes early and plan to stay for the entire audition, as the afternoon will entail both group and individual performances. Bring snacks and water. 

Acting hopefuls are asked to come prepared with a memorized one-minute monologue (see the Growing Dreams Productions Facebook page for monologue suggestions). Youth only need to audition on one of the days to be considered for a role. Auditions will include performing your prepared monologue, cold reading lines, dancing and singing. Young children can recite a nursery rhyme or favorite story. 

Courtesy photo.

There are 50-60 roles available, some of which require no singing. There are also parts available for aspiring puppeteers. 

The cast list will be posted on the Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., Facebook page by the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 22. Rehearsals will begin soon thereafter. Rehearsal specifics will be available when the cast list is posted. 

Tuition to participate costs $150, which includes a pair of tickets to the show and a T-shirt, as well as plenty of theatre experience. Full and partial scholarships are available for children in the cast. 

The production will take the stage Friday-Saturday, Jan. 14-15 and Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 20-22, 2022. Guests should come dressed for the part as the red carpet is rolled out for a classic opening night gala on Jan 14. The family show on Jan. 15 will be a 2 p.m. matinee with special treats and low-price tickets for small folks. Student night will be Jan. 20, with free popcorn for students 18 and younger, and the final show on Jan. 22 will honor the 12th graders in the cast. All shows, other than the matinee, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Sandpoint High School Venishnick Auditorium (410 S. Division Ave.).

Willy Wonka, The Musical, will be directed by Jeannie Hunter, with musical direction by Jon Brownell, assistant directed by Natalie Aller, choreography by Becky Lucas of Danceworks Studio with costumes by Angie Aller, and the help of parents and volunteers.

“Supporting youth theater is such a great way to get your name out there and help our community’s youth participate in an amazing and professional setting full of support and team building,” organizers stated in a media release. “A big shout of appreciation goes out to Panhandle Alliance For Education for awarding a generous grant toward paying for the part of the rights and royalty fees for this production.”

Sponsorship and advertising opportunity information is available by contacting Mimi Feuling at [email protected]. For more information, visit the Growing Dreams Productions Facebook page or email [email protected].