Focus on Youth Actors
CAST only offers productions for actors ages K–18. We’re focused on acting instruction and training of youth actors with the goal of high-quality production value.
The CAST Philosophy
Youth theatre should be considered the training ground for budding performers to learn the craft of theatre and the skills needed to excel on stage. Just as your child may join t-ball, then baseball, then high school Varsity with aspirations of playing in the MLB, young performers need to start somewhere where they can safely practice and hone their raw talent. Many unsuspecting students and parents jump right into large community theatres and quickly become discouraged by the amount of competition and talent in what seems like it should be an “inclusive” activity. Turns out, LOTS of kids like to sing, dance, and act!
I’ve seen many kids, with a promising talent, give up after a few years and many productions of “the dreaded ensemble” with no better understanding of how professional theatre truly operates or what it takes to be successful. This is a failure and drives hopeful kids away from the performing arts. At CAST, we strive to be the professional-level training ground, purposefully focused on developing youth of all experience levels, for a successful career in or life-long enthusiasm for the performing arts.
Our Core Values
Whether you’re participating in a beginner-level CAST production or a CASTpro production, our core values remain the same.
CAST versus CASTpro
| CAST | CASTpro | |
|---|---|---|
| Auditions | • Beginner auditions – Intention to be intimidation-free -Opportunity to practice and receive feedback -Audition purpose to place actors in a level-appropriate role | • Advanced audition requirements • Multiple audition phases: song, monologue, dance call, callbacks |
| Ages | • Ages K–18 welcome • Some shows may have specific age ranges | • Ages K–18 welcome • Some shows may focus on older or mature students |
| Experience Level | • Beginner and experienced actors work together to produce a show • No dance, voice, or acting experience required, just a desire to learn | • Focus on students with previous stage/theatre experience |
| Casting | • Once registered, all actors are cast in a role with featured singing, dancing, or speaking parts • Show may be double-cast and actors may be in the ensemble on their “off night” | • All actors will have a role performing in all performances or will learn a technical role for their “off night” performances |
| Rehearsals | • 1x per week rehearsals for the whole cast • Focused on company numbers and practicing with the whole cast – Maximum of 3 missed rehearsals allowed | • 1-2x per week rehearsals – Focused rehearsals called for actors in select scenes • Rehearsals begin promptly and the expectation is that actors will jump right into the action – Maximum of 2 missed rehearsals allowed |
| Theater Training | • Blocking, choreography, and voice training for all skill levels • Focused on teaching the basics and building on the experience level of the whole cast • Introducing concepts and techniques that may be new to performers | • Teaching choreography and blocking with an emphasis on providing feedback for improvement, not re-teaching and practicing |
| Technical Training | • Run by directors or parent volunteers | • Professional tech director brought in for training |
| Expectations | • Teaching professional stage etiquette, stage presence, and theater professionalism to new performers • Providing opportunities for the whole cast to shine on stage • Each performer will contribute to the final product as an equal member of the cast | • Higher expectations for practicing outside of rehearsal, memorizing lines early • Expect actors to take risks on stage and in rehearsal – Risk-Reward correlation for those willing to give more in rehearsals and on-stage |