First up in June, we have Honk! Jr.
Directed by Trish Averill-Neuteboom.
I am so excited to work with middle schoolers from all over Lawrence! I can’t wait to embody the playful nature of the farm in our version of Honk! Jr.
Music Director, Sara Bonner.
I am so excited to sing and create some theatre magic with you all this summer. My favorite songs from the show are “Hold Your Head Up High” and “Warts And All”. I think these songs give some great advice for each of you during your audition! Remember, there is a place for everyone no matter your style, and “out there someone’s gonna love ya warts and all”. Stand up tall, sing out with the courage of Ugly, and put your best-webbed foot forward.
Choreographer, Justin Harbaugh.
I have always loved the story of “The Ugly Duckling.” What makes us different is what makes us exciting. I can’t wait to help you all find your superpower this summer as we venture into singing and dancing through this show. There is a place for all of us, and you matter so much!
Let’s look at A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Fantasy on the Dance Floor
Here are a few words from your Director, Amanda Pintore
Amanda is so, so excited to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Fantasy on the Dance Floor! She is having a great deal of fun brainstorming all the ways the performers are going to lip-sync, dance, and generally turn the world upside down for audience members. She can’t wait to work with cast members on the full pop soundtrack and the immersive food menu the audience is going to experience. She is especially looking forward to wearing glitter and dancing around a lot during the rehearsal process.
To kick off July we have Cinderella, or How Pipsqueak the Mouse Became a Stallion
Elizabeth Sullivan is your Director.
Hi! My name is Elizabeth and I am directing Cinderella: Or How Pipsqueak the Mouse Became a Stallion! I am so excited to get to know you and put this hilarious show together. It’s a comedy with outrageous characters, silly situations, and even a ridiculous dance number. The show was written by local playwright Will Averill specifically for Summer Youth Theatre 4th-8th graders. Will plans to join us for a couple of rehearsals to tell us about his writing process. Do you like to play, pretend, imagine, sing, dance, and work with others? Come join us! In addition, we are looking for kids who play instruments to be part of a Royal Band that will play live! You will also work with the amazing Ric Averill on music and the incredible Coy Garrett on acting, projects, and games. Whether this is your very first show ever, or if you’ve worked with us before it will be a blast. I love working with your age group and can’t wait to play games and create this show as a team!
Rounding out July, we have The Prom
Justin Harbaugh is the Director and Co-Choreographer
I cannot wait to tell the story of Emma and Alyssa. I identify with the challenges these characters face on so many levels. This will be a show that I will direct from the heart and I know it will resonate deeply with our audiences. There is going to be so much dancing for us to explore and the music is going to bump! We have such an awesome team. I just can’t wait!
Marah McFadden is our Assistant Director and Co-Choreographer
Hi there! I’m Marah McFadden. I’ll be Assistant Director/Co-Choreographer for The Prom. Featuring an incredibly fun cast of colourful characters, this show conveys a poignant message of pride, community, and inclusivity. I’m looking forward to so much about this show, but two things I’m extra excited about are the big production numbers, and of course the prom FASHION. Hope to see you at the Celebration!
Rachel Naughtin is our Music Director.
I am SO excited to be back music directing for SYT this summer! I am always so amazed by what our production teams and students put together each year, and I know that The Prom is going to be such a special show! I was part of the virtual SYT team in 2020 and music-directed Little Shop of Horrors outside at South Park in the summer of 2021, but I have not done a full SYT show back inside on the main stage since Pippin in 2018! I cannot wait to work with returning and new students on this show!! Break a leg at auditions, all!!