CINDERELLA and NEWSIES Set for Summer Stock Austin 2026

Impact Arts has revealed cast and creatives for 22nd Season of Summer Stock Austin. The 2026 lineup includes the ultimate in family friendly theatre with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and Disney's Newsies: The Musical.

In partnership with Texas Performing Arts, Summer Stock Austin 2026 will present live performances at the McCullough Theatre beginning July 23 through August 9, 2026 with a special one-night only Season Sneak Peek event on July 20 featuring upcoming talents and alumni sharing theatrical excellence and professional performances by youth. Season performances will play in rotation with varying schedules.

The Season Sneak Peek is a one-night-only evening of performance, community, and celebration featuring Summer Stock Austin alumni and up and coming talents sharing theatrical excellence and professional performances by youth. Offering a glimpse into the upcoming line up with song and dance numbers from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and Disney's Newsies: The Musical as well as a rare opportunity to celebrate young artists, the work they have been crafting, and the energy that makes Summer Stock Austin so special. Casting and Production Teams for Season Sneak Peek will be announced at a later date. Tickets on sale now.

Summer Stock Austin returns for the 2026 season celebrating 22 years, with multiple offerings: Season Sneak Peek Directed by Ginger Morris and Matt Kennedy; classic family favorites Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Directed by Zoë Adams and Musical Direction by Deonte Warren with Choreography by Matt Kennedy, Noah Wood, Stacey Huston, Ginger Morris; and Disney's Newsies: The Musical Directed by Greg Almanza with Musical Direction by Adam Roberts and Choreography by Ginger Morris, Matt Kennedy, and Noah Wood.

The design team for Summer Stock 2026 includes Rachel Atkinson as Lighting Designer; Gavin Kenter as Associate Lighting Designer/Master Electrician; Teresa Carson as Costume Designer; Leah Austin as Properties Manager; Jose Pardo and LEVO as Audio Designer; and Theada Haining as Scenic and Projections Designer. Artistic Direction by Ginger Morris with Associate Artistic Direction by Donelvan Thigpen and Peyton Calhoon. The management team includes Ellena Martinez, Kristin Vandenberg, and Mikayla Stasny. A team of 50 college interns and high school students in production, management, arts administration, and all technical areas will round out the production team.

Casting for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella includes Avery Linden as Cinderella; Caleb Clemons as Prince Christopher; Dia Rushing as Fairy Godmother; Jaxon Larson as King Maximillian; Aidan Cox as Lionel; Nyla George as Stepmother; Reilly Kearney as Grace; Lucky Cantu as Joy; and the ensemble: Benjamin Akers, Kash Ames, Anna Ardolino, Melody Cano, Stephanie Carter, Kirin Chheng, Marshall Clifton, Reilly Favacho, Nico Gallegos, Mailyn Gil, Zoe Jackson, Grace Kennedy, Peter Lemons, Annie Mawson, Mila Maxon, Maximillian McGuire, Alexa Moy, Izzy Ochoa, Elliott Richards, Caspian Robinson, Rory Ruiz, Keith Scheiern, Grace Scott, Ivy Speight, Elle Wiatrek, Bear Williams, Xenia Willis.

Disney's Newsies: The Musical casting includes E Blaine Lovett as Jack Kelly; Delilah Grad as Katherine Plumber; Leon Martinez Barragan as Davey Jacobs; Blake Couvillon and Strider Ullah as Les Jacobs; River Tinch as Crutchie; Reilly Favacho as Race; Aidan Cox as Joseph Pulitzer; Kyra Jackson as Medda Larkin; with Benjamin Akers, Colton Alderman, Kash Ames, Stephanie Carter, Juni Castro, Caleb Clemons, Sean Condon, Malachi Dennis, Irik Gamen, Luke Golby, Sena Green, Emily Jackson, Peter Lemons, Oscar Lopez, Annie Mawson, Liam Minor, Giovanni Morrison, Alexa Moy, Daniela Pratts, Elliott Richards, Vivienne Robichaux, Seth Rodriguez, Rory Ruiz, Grae Sweeney, Bear Williams, Xenia Willis, Preston Withrow; and the ensemble: Aubrey Hall, Zoe Jackson, Vitor Kvasir Larson-Parachini, Brennan Lein, Noah Mayard, Isoke Mitchell, Jayson Rodriguez, Dia Rushing, Ivy Speight, Gracie Torgerson, Mason Trusler.

Housed under the umbrella of Impact Arts and celebrating its 22nd Season, Summer Stock Austin is uniquely a production company and educational training program in one. It offers high school and college students an opportunity to train, perform and engage in all aspects of theatre and film production in a fast-paced professional atmosphere – all tuition-free while working with theatre professionals. Summer Stock Austin culminates with high caliber, fully staged musical theatre productions for family audiences.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA (Enchanted Edition)

July 23–August 9 (10 Performances) | McCullough Theatre
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Adapted for the stage by Tom Briggs from the teleplay by Robert L. Freedman

Directed by Zoë Adams | Musical Direction by Deonté Warren | Choreography by Matt Kennedy, Noah Wood, Stacey Huston, and Ginger Morris

A fresh and vibrant reimagining of the classic fairy tale, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) draws inspiration from the beloved 1997 musical starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. In a world of romance, magic, and possibility, Cinderella learns that she is not waiting for life to happen to her — she has the power to shape it herself. This enchanting production celebrates courage, hope, and the belief that dreams are only the beginning. Because sometimes the wish is granted — and then it is up to us to do something with it.

DISNEY'S NEWSIES: THE MUSICAL

July 31–August 9, 2026 (10 performances) | McCullough Theatre
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Originally Produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions

Directed by Greg Almanza | Musical Direction by Adam Roberts | Choreography by Ginger Morris, Matt Kennedy, and Noah Wood

Based on the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Disney's Newsies is a bold, exhilarating musical about young people discovering the power they hold when they stand together. In a world that expects them to stay quiet, these newsies choose to rise, speak out, and fight for something better. Filled with soaring music, explosive choreography, and unstoppable energy, Newsies is a celebration of resilience, community, and the belief that tomorrow can be changed by those brave enough to seize the day.

TICKETING: Season Show tickets start at $57.60; Season Sneak Peek individual tickets start at $28.80; available beginning Friday, March 27 at 10am. Senior, student, military and educator discounts available. Buy 3 get 1 free is available for most performances. Additionally, $26.40 rush tickets will be available one hour prior to all performances excluding preview, opening, and closing weekend. More information at impactarts.org/ssa-2026.

VIP Packages

A limited number of VIP Packages are available for Cinderella and Newsies starting at $80 and include:

• One (1) show-themed goodie bag or signed show poster.
• Post-show meet-and-greet with one (1) guest, including one (1) digital photo with a lead performer.
• One (1) souvenir cup with a signature drink (mocktail or cocktail).

VIP Packages do not include a show ticket (sold separately).

VIP Deluxe "Have A Ball!" Packages

New for 2026! A limited number of VIP Deluxe "Have A Ball!" Packages are available for Cinderella only (ages 3–12) starting at $160 and include:

• Everything included in the standard VIP Package.
• One hour of tea, lemonade, and cookies with a character from the cast.
• The opportunity to learn a song from the show with SSA performers.
• A chance to perform in the pre-show and lead a parade through the lobby singing a signature song from Cinderella.

VIP Packages do not include a show ticket (sold separately). Parents do not need to be present during the one-hour pre-show experience. Spots are extremely limited—reserve your royal invitation today!

Theatre for All Preview Performances

• Cinderella — July 23
• Newsies — July 31

Special Events

ASL Interpreted & Audio Described Performances

• Wednesday, August 5 at 7:30 PM (Newsies)
• Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 PM (Cinderella)

Sensory-Friendly Performances

• Wednesday, August 5 at 1:00 PM (Newsies)
• Thursday, August 6 at 10:00 AM (Cinderella)

Spanish-Interpreted Performances

• Sunday, July 26 at 1:00 PM (Cinderella)
• Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 AM (Newsies)

More on McCullough Theatre

Upcoming Shows

Cinderella

7/23 - 8/9/2026

Disney's Newsies

7/31 - 8/9/2026

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