New Britain Youth Theater is kicking off its seventh season with auditions for a big holiday musical and new classes for children and teens in acting, musical theater dance, and improv.
Elf the Musical Jr, based on the film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf, will be the theater’s holiday production. The story of Elf follows Buddy, a human who grew up thinking he was an elf, on his adventure from the North Pole to New York City to find his family and help them remember the true meaning of Christmas! (The “junior” version of the musical is slightly adapted for young actors and audience.) The production will be directed by Darren Farrington, musical directed by Angela Klimaytis, and choreographed by Chelsea Derby. The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is sponsor of the production.
All children and teens, ages 6 through 18, from any town and with or without prior experience, are welcome to audition. There are challenging roles for older actors, and many featured ensemble roles. Older children age 13 and up may also call with interest in helping backstage.
Auditions are on Monday and Wednesday, September 12 and 14, at Holmes Elementary School at 2150 Stanley Street in New Britain (off Hartford Road (Route71) near West Farms Mall)). Audition times both days begin at 6:00 p.m. Actors auditioning should prepare an upbeat musical theater or holiday song and bring sheet music if possible, or they will be given a song to sing. Actors should also wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to learn a few dance steps. Rehearsals will also be on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The production will be performed at the same location on December 9, 10 and 11.
To schedule an audition, call
(860) 515-8115 or email
auditions@nbyt.org. Pre-scheduled auditions are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome. Those cast will be asked to pay a participation fee of $100, but NBYT never turns away a child or family for inability to pay, and financial assistance is available.
Theater classes and homeschool enrichment programs also begin in September at NBYT.On Saturday mornings beginning September 17, the theater will offers classes in acting (ages 6-12), musical theater dance (ages 10-16), and improv (ages 10-16) at its location in the New Britain-Berlin YMCA. Each eight-week class term ends with a short performance open to family and friends. Advanced classes in chorus and improv are also offered.
Programs for homeschoolers include a Tuesday morning performance program for ages 6 through 12, and Tuesday afternoon classes in music (ages 8-16) and improv (ages 8-16).
The theater can be reached for questions or registration at
860-515-8115 or
classes@nbyt.org. More information is also available on the theater’s website at
www.nbyt.org.
About New Britain Youth Theater
Founded in 2010, New Britain Youth Theater is a professionally-run community and educational theater for children and teens in Connecticut. NBYT provides educational programming to schools in and around New Britain, produces a season of performances by and for children and young adults, and offers drama classes, individual coaching and lessons, and summer programs. The theater reaches children and their families in Greater New Britain, Greater Hartford, the Farmington Valley, and over fifty towns throughout Connecticut. NBYT programs include “Kids on Stage!” and “Little Kids on Stage!” productions, the NBYT Teen Company, Stage Performance classes, in-school and after-school arts-integrated and arts-enrichment programming, community outreach programs, and more. NBYT is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults by encouraging creative thinking and collaborative teamwork, fostering self-confidence and self-esteem, and developing social and academic skills through involvement in high-quality, low-cost programs in the performing arts. NBYT operates its programs in schools and community spaces throughout Greater New Britain, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Videos
