The Academy Players

Academy Players: Ages 7-18

Willy Wonka, Jr.

The Academy Players (AP) is a new, audition-based performance opportunity within the Academy of Children’s Theatre (ACT). In tandem with the skills learned through ACT semester classes, Academy Players students will receive additional training and a performance opportunity through a full-length junior production with performances held on March 27-28.

In preparation, students will attend rehearsal intensives before the beginning of the semester in early January, weekly rehearsals on Thursdays, and four tech rehearsal days over spring break.

Intensives (Special Rehearsals at the Beginning)

Saturday, January 3: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday, January 7: 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Weekly Rehearsals: Thursdays 4:00-8:00 (Starting January 15)

Students will be scheduled for either 4:00-5:45 or 6:00-8:00, depending on their role.
Students are not always called to every rehearsal. (A schedule will be distributed online to the cast.)
Starting in March, students will be called from 4:00 to 8:00 PM to run the show.

Spring Break Tech Rehearsals:

March 23-26: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Colorado Springs Christian School

Performances:

March 27-28, at 6:30 pm
Venue: Colorado Springs Christian School (CSCS)

Tuition:

$200 Due by January 2nd
$150 Due on February 1st
$150 Due on March 1st

We are very excited about this new performance adventure! However, this doesn’t replace the value of regular semester classes. To continue their development, students cast in Academy Players will also be required to take an ACT Winter Semester class (January-May) and complete it in its entirety. Tuition for the regular-semester class qualifies for the 10% Multi-Class Discount. (Multi-class discount may not be combined with any other discounts.)

We look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for our audiences with Willy Wonka Jr.

Production Team

Director & Choreographer: Shayla Mellen
Vocal Director: Matt Dunn

Auditions & Schedule

Auditions: December 8-10 (By Appointment)
Callbacks: December 17-18

Audition Age Requirement: 7 – 18 years old

If you are unable to attend any of the audition dates (December 8-10), students are invited to send an audition tape with any monologue and song of their choice to director@actcolorado.net.

Audition Process: Willy Wonka, Jr.

1. Schedule Audition Time

NOTE: Academy Players auditions will be combined with ACT II’s Cinderella auditions. With one audition, you may be considered for both productions. Yes, you can be cast in BOTH shows!

2. Complete the Audition Form and PRINT IT OUT.

This form needs to be filled out and signed by the PARENT and the student.

NOTE:

If you are also auditioning for Cinderella (ages 11-19), bring your Cinderella Audition Form, too.
You only need to prepare one monologue and one song to audition for both productions!

3. Your Audition

Bring your printed audition form and a recent photo of you (preferably an 8×10), and your printed audition form to your audition.

Your photo doesn’t need to be professionally done. You can take a photo on your phone and have it printed at Walmart.
Your photo MUST be current. With so many auditions, the director needs to recognize your face when reviewing them, so it needs to look like you do now.
If you’re auditioning for both Cinderella and Willy Wonka Jr, you’ll need to bring both audition forms and TWO photos. A different person directs each show, so each director needs a photo.

Prepare a 1-minute monologue of your choice, as well as a cut of a song no more than 1 minute long. See the “Audition Materials” page for more information.

4. Callbacks: December 17-18

All students who audition will receive an email by December 13th, letting them know if they are called back for a second audition or not.

December 17: Acting & Vocal Callbacks Starting at 4:00

We will call students back in groups for acting and/or vocal callbacks, depending on the roles for which they are being considered.
Those who are called back will be given a schedule for the day as well as additional music and acting scenes to prepare.

December 18: Dance Callbacks Starting at 4:00

All students called back will be expected to attend the dance callbacks at their scheduled time between 4:00-8:00 PM.
Callbacks for acting and singing roles will take place on December 17th.

5. Casting Results: December 22

Casting results will be emailed by December 22. Everyone will get an email letting them know if they were cast or not.

Break a leg!

Cast of Characters

Willy Wonka/Candy Man
Charlie Bucket
Mr. Bucket
Mrs. Bucket
Grandpa Jo
Grandpa George
Grandma Georgina

Grandma Josephina
Phineous Trout
Mrs. Gloop
Mrs. Beauregarde
Mr. Salt
Ms. Teavee
Violet Beauregarde

Mike Teavee
Veruca Salt
Augustus Gloop
James
Matilda
Featrued Dance Ensemble
Oompa Loompa Ensemble