About Music Theater Works
YouthREACH Kids Company

OVERVIEW

Every child deserves a chance to be in the spotlight! Whether your kid is a stage veteran or a fresh-faced newbie, they will experience musical theater in a whole new way. With our tag-team approach to casting, every child gets a starring part as well as being in the ensemble.

The Kids Company staff will rehearse shows full of acting, singing, and dancing, while incorporating positive lessons through the theater arts. Our cast members will build confidence, flexibility, empathy, and find themselves uplifting the strengths in others. In our welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, our kids will find themselves astonished by what they can accomplish!

Fall in love with a wonderful new show each week! You’ll be amazed by how hard these kids work and how much fun they will have! With only six days of fast-paced rehearsals, our cast will put on a final Saturday performance for friends and family.

WHO CAN ATTEND

Young performers (ages 8 to 13) who are wanting to learn musical theater from professional teaching artists. No experience or audition is required, and every child gets a part. Students must be 8 years old by the first day of the workshop and should have a 3rd grade reading level.

SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday rehearsals are 9am-3pm.
Saturday’s dress rehearsal is 2PM-4PM with the performance at 4PM.

  • July 8-13   The Wizard of Oz
  • July 15-20   Annie
  • July 22-27   Mean Girls
  • July 29-Aug 3   Guys and Dolls
  • Aug 5-10   Legally Blonde

LOCATION

WEEKDAY REHEARSALS: Music Theater Works’ Joyce Saxon Rehearsal Hall, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
DRESS REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE: Community House Winnetka, 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093

CLASS SIZE

Space is limited to 40 students for the workshop, so please register now to avoid disappointment.

COST

The cost is $430 per student per workshop (due upon their registration).
The cost is refundable (aside from the $25 processing fee) if cancellation is received in writing two weeks before the registered week.  No refunds will be issued after that date has passed.  Limited need-based scholarships available  – call 847-920-5360

 

July 8-13, 2024 

The Wizard of Oz youth edition
A magical story, timeless songs, and brilliant characters: “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz with Dorothy and her friends. Their journey to happiness is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding, and hope. “‘Iconic’ may be an overused word these days, but when you’re talking about The Wizard of Oz, what else can you say?

July 15-20, 2024 

ANNIE Jr.
With pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie is determined to find a home and a family. While singing and dancing – and cleaning! – with the other orphans, she leads the charge against Miss Hannigan and lands in the luxurious world of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. It’s impossible to choose the best moments from all of these wonderful tunes and fun characters!

July 22-27, 2024 

MEAN GIRLS Jr.
Cady may have grown up on the African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wilds of suburban Illinois. When Cady goes undercover as an aspiring popular Plastic, she must still find her way back to herself and her true friends. This vivacious musical is gonna be so “fetch!”

July 29-Aug 3 , 2024 

GUYS AND DOLLS Jr.
Find out if this really is the “perfect musical comedy!” The brassy score and classic 1950s Broadway characters take us from New York to Havana, and then right back where everyone belongs. Favorite numbers abound, from “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” to “Luck be a Lady” to “Bushel and a Peck,” and many more!

Aug 5-10, 2024 

LEGALLY BLONDE Jr.
Based on the smash hit movie, this Broadway musical is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. Filled with sassy numbers and exuberant dancing, Elle will take Harvard Law by storm, and no one will stand in her way!

YouthREACH Teen Company

OVERVIEW

YouthREACH is delighted to offer a NEW experience for teens this summer: Stage Struck!

It’s not one show – it’s FOUR! There are so many dream roles to explore through selections from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CAROUSEL, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNUM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and LEGALLY BLONDE.

Stage Struck is an immersive dive into four of Musical Theater’s best-loved shows. Detailed scene work will be paired with training in four different styles of singing and dancing. Every teen will get a part, based on their spring audition. There’s something for everyone! It will all culminate in one final performance for friends and family.

In addition, masterclasses in audition technique will be held, along with visits from professional stage artists. Our directing team will encourage each cast member to use their individuality to stand out, while becoming part of a supportive ensemble. At Music Theater Works, our teens will take their talent to the next level.

To our teen performers: Join us and be part of the vibrant world of musical theater, where your skills and passion can shine on our professional stage. Get ready to audition for your dream role and make unforgettable memories with us at Music Theater Works!

Register

AUDITION

  1.  Register to get on the audition list and receive more audition information.
  2. Submit a video-taped song and monologue.
  3. Schedule an in-person visit for dance and sides.

SCHEDULE

June 7-20: Monday-Friday rehearsals are 9am-4pm. On Saturdays, rehearsals are 12pm-4pm.
June 21-22: Onstage tech/dress rehearsals are 10am-4pm.
June 23: Call time is 12pm for the 2pm performance

LOCATION

June 7-20 Rehearsals: Music Theater Works’ Joyce Saxon Rehearsal Hall, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
June 21-23 Tech/Dress Rehearsals and Performance: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie (9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077)

COST

Fee is $1325 per student, with a $50 audition fee due with registration. If teen is cast, the audition fee will be applied to the cost, making the balance $1275, due by May 24. If teen is not cast, the $50 will be refunded. If teen is cast and does not accept the role, the audition fee will not be refunded.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

*Full vaccination from COVID-19 with an approved vaccine highly recommended for participation.*

Serious teens, age 13 to 18, who desire to work like the professionals. Students will learn from director/choreographer Caryn Ott Hillman, music director Christopher Richard, and program manager Anya Plotkin to gain insight into the professional theatrical process.

June 7, 2024 – June 23, 2024
It’s not one show – it’s FOUR! There are so many dream roles to explore through selections from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CAROUSEL, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNUM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and LEGALLY BLONDE.

Register

YouthREACH Teach

YouthREACH:Teach is an innovative public dramaturgy program modeled on museum docent programs. Theater educators and dramaturgs work with up to 6 high school students per Music Theater Works show to create audience one-on-one presentations before performances.

For students ages 13 to 18 who don’t necessarily want to be on stage, but who love the theater, YouthREACH:Teach will immerse you into the historical, political, and social significance of the musical, engaging in the script, the history, and the design, as well our Music Theater Works performance and the artists who bring it to life.

YOU GET!

  • Service hours
  • $25.00 VISA gift card
  • Transit benefits if needed
  • Meet and Greet with members of the casts of ZORRO and/or CAMELOT
  • Meet like-minded people in a hands-on experience
  • Tickets for a performance, for you, and one companion (in addition to program-required show attendance)

THE SHOWS

ZORRO is almost the original Batman, living a double life as a wealthy caballero and as the masked hero who fights for the powerless against tyranny and oppression.

CAMELOT, the famous show by the legendary Lerner and Loewe, is the enduring tale of the troubled King, trying to bring justice to his people, but caught in a web of power, passion, and lies. The Music Theater Works production has an all-female identifying creative team.

SCHEDULE

Schedule is flexible based on participant availability.
3-4 Prep Meetings per show include:

  • Introductory Zoom
  • Study group at Skokie Public Library (5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, Illinois 60077)
  • Additional meetings as/if needed
  • Attendance during a rehearsal by the professional cast at the Music Theater Works Rehearsal Center (516 4th Street, Wilmette, Illinois 60091)

For ZORRO:
prep between August 1 and August 11
performances August 11 to 21

For CAMELOT
prep between October 1 and October 20
Performances October 20 to November 13

CLASS SIZE

Up to 6 students (ages 13 to 18) may participate per show

YouthREACH:Teach is a volunteer program that satisfies community service and some independent study at most area high schools.

To apply please complete this form by July 29 for ZORRO, or September 20 for CAMELOT

 

YouthREACH Tech
Music Theater Work’s internship program, YouthREACH:Tech is for high school through rising college first year students, to get a hands-on training in backstage jobs or theater administration, whichever appeals to you most. Past participants have learned lights, rigging, stage management, set building, costume management, social media and more.

Our 2024 programs include both paid backstage tech and a volunteer year-long social media and exhibition project.

For ages 14-18 (rising college first year) with an interest in production and administration.

YouthREACH:Tech participants are paid $13 per hour, for up to 20 hours per week. Students under age 16 will be required to have work permits.

SCHEDULE is based on availability. The Summer session runs flexibly from late May/mid-June through August and includes one full production and the summer Kids Company.

TICKETS

Music Theater Works provides two tickets per show to YouthREACH:Tech participants for use in addition to their working hours (in other words just come see the show when you’re not on duty!)

 

How To Apply:

Applications will open for the next round are now open. Please complete this form.