High School Project

AUDITIONS & BACKSTAGE INTERVIEWS
FOR THE SPRING HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT 2012
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

The Grand Theatre is inviting High School students (Grade 9-12 in 2011 school year) from London

and the surrounding area to audition for William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Audition Notice

Backstage Notice

The Grand Theatre’s High School Project is unique to North America. The fall High School Project is a musical theatre production, staged in our 839-seat main stage theatre. The spring High School Project is a non-musical play, staged in our 150-seat McManus Studio Theatre. Some students hone their performance skills while others learn the ability to create costumes, props and paint sets under the guidance of professional coaches and mentors both on stage and behind the scenes.

This once in a lifetime experience celebrates the talent of London and area students, creating the opportunity to collaborate and develop their talents.

The High School Project offers an exceptional opportunity to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre.

The Production Process

Notices are sent to all local high schools inviting students to audition and/or come to the theatre for an interview to participate in the show. Hundreds of interested participants audition for a chance to be involved in the project that is cast with students. Once cast and crew are selected, a rigorous rehearsal schedule begins. Cast members rehearse five days a week and throughout the process, the students receive training and instruction in acting, solo and choral singing, dance and rehearsal etiquette. We create an authentic, professional working atmosphere so that the students will learn as much as possible about the behind-the-scenes aspects of creating theatre, and form relationships with students from other schools. The Theatre’s Production Department interviews students interested in working in building costumes or props, serving as an Assistant Stage Manager, or working with paint in scenic art.

The performance schedule extends the learning process begun in rehearsal. The students now have the experience of working on our stage with the theatre’s crew, completing technical and dress rehearsals, and learning about the stamina and discipline required to do a show night after night. They also experience the joy of a creative process and thrill of recognition from the audience.

High School Project alumni have described the project as a truly transforming experience. The sustained involvement with the theatre that this project requires is helping to create more informed patrons of the arts, and has also contributed to the launch of more than one professional theatre career.

Upcoming High School Projects

*A Midsummer Night's Dream
Dates - April 24 to April 28, 2012
Director - Jeremy Smith

Past High School Projects

Footloose
September 20 to October 1, 2011

Director - Heather Davies
Musical Director - Floydd Ricketts

 *The Odyssey
April 5 to 9, 2011
Director - Jeremy Smith

Anything Goes
 September 21 to October 2, 2010
Director - Heather Davies
Musical Director - David Hall

*Macbeth
April 6 to 10, 2010
Director - Heather Davies

Grease
September 22 to October 3, 2009
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director - David Hall 

* As You Like It
May 5 to 9, 2009
Director – Lee Wilson

The Pirates of Penzance
September 23 to October 4, 2008
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director - David Hall 

* Listen to the Wind
April 15 to 19, 2008
Director - Andrea Boyd

Les Misérables School Edition
September 25 to October 6, 2007
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

* Romeo and Juliet
April 17 to 21, 2007
Director - Susan Ferley

West Side Story
September 13 to 30, 2006
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

* Twelfth Night
April 4 to 8, 2006
Director - Susan Ferley

The Sound of Music
September 27 to October 9, 2005
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

Oklahoma!
April 5 to 17, 2005
Director - Campbell Smith
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

Fiddler on the Roof
April14 to 25, 2004
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

The Music Man
April 8 to 20, 2003
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

Oliver!
April 3 to 14, 2002
Director - Susan Ferley
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

Hello, Dolly!
April 10 to 22, 2001
Director - Kelly Handerek
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

Guys and Dolls
April 28 to May 6, 2000
Director - Kelly Handerek
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

A Midsummer Night's Dream
May 14 to 22, 1999
Director - Michael Shamata
Composer – Andrew Petrasiunas

West Side Story
May 7 to 16, 1998
Director - Michael Shamata
Musical Director – Andrew Petrasiunas

* McManus Studio Productions