The mission of Youtheatre is to create an inclusive environment in which to inspire and enrich the lives of all youth, regardless of income or ability, by providing educational opportunities and promoting appreciation of the arts. Youtheatre is open to all area youth in grades 1-12!
Annie
Grades 6-12
Performances: October 3 at 7:00 p.m. and October 4 at 2 p.m.
Auditions: August 4 and 5, 2025
Audition Workshop: Saturday, July 26 10-11:30 a.m.
Director: Samantha Henry • Assistant Director: Jordan Gottschalk
Music Director: Zachary Thomas • Choreographer: Timothy Frost
Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
Audition Registration & Forms
Audition Workshop
Saturday, July 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. **The workshop will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants**
Audition Registration Workshop
Join us to learn how to bring your A-game to the casting process. A strong knowledge about the audition process, positive self-image, and a positive attitude are just a few crucial lessons students will learn through the workshop to leave powerful impressions at auditions. Participants will walk through a mock audition process and receive guidance, advice, and notes on standing out from the crowd and making the most of each audition opportunity.
This workshop is to prep students for their actual auditions but is not mandatory.
Audition Information
WHEN
Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. All auditioning need to stay the entire time of auditions, and only need to attend one night of auditions.
**Those interested in Technical Crew, please click on the Technical Crew section below**
WHERE
Marathon Center for the Performing Arts located at 200 W. Main Cross Street
Audition Process
If you are auditioning for a role on stage, please prepare the following:
- Ensemble Only:
Learn provided excerpt of "It’s The Hard Knock Life". You will sing in a small group. - Principal, Featured, or Solo Role:
Learn provided excerpt of "Consider Yourself" or "Put On A Happy Face". You will sing your selected song individually.
All the audition music is provided in the Audition Music section below.
In addition to the vocal audition, all performers will also be required to participate in a movement portion and read from the script, so come dressed appropriately and ready to audition.
Forms
All who are auditioning will also need to fill out the following forms:
All youth participating in the production (as an on-stage cast member or technical crew member) and their parents must attend a mandatory meeting on Monday, August 11, at 6:00 p.m. at MCPA. Informational packets will be handed out and questions will be answered. All on-stage cast members will be measured for costumes. A read-through of the script will continue for the on-stage cast members until 7:30 p.m.
Audition Music
Audio Recordings of Annie Audition Songs
Consider Yourself - Accompaniment
Put On A Happy Face - Accompaniment
It’s The Hard-Knock Life - Vocal
It’s The Hard-Knock Life - Accompaniment
Sheet Music for Annie Audition Songs
Technical Crew
The following Technical Crew positions are available for Annie:
Set Construction/Painting
Our set construction/painting will take place on weekends, beginning August 16 and ending September 20 (Dates subject to change). There will be morning and afternoon work sessions.
Make Up
Our make up crew will be needed Monday, September 29-Friday, October 3 in the evening and Saturday, October 4 in the afternoon. There will be an additional meeting scheduled before September 29.
Student Stage Manager
Student Stage Manager will need to be at all rehearsals, beginning on Monday, August 11, as well as both performances. Our rehearsals are Monday-Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and the potential for Sunday afternoons as we get closer to performances.
Lights
We will have opportunities for Light Board Operator and Spotlight Operators. Our light crew will be needed Monday, September 29-Friday, October 3 in the evening and Saturday, October 4 in the afternoon.
Sound
Our Sound Assistant will be needed Monday, September 29-Friday, October 3 in the evening and Saturday, October 4 in the afternoon.
If you are only interested in working on the Technical Crew, you do not need to attend auditions.
However, you must complete and submit the following forms:
Conflict Form
Consent & Release Form
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday - Thursday beginning Monday, August 11. We will also practice on select Sundays in September.
Dress rehearsals will be held nightly during the week of the show and are mandatory for all cast/crew members. Students may not be needed at every rehearsal. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be released after casting which will attempt to comply with any listed conflicts.
Conflicts
Attendance by each participant is expected at the rehearsals when they are scheduled.
Please list all school functions, music lessons, sports, church, and community activities, family vacations, etc. that will take place during rehearsal time. After the list has been approved, additional conflicts may not be added. Any unexcused absence may result in a change in the participant's role in the production.
Be honest and upfront with us, and if cast we will do our best to work around expected absences.
Please note that all on-stage cast members MUST attend ALL rehearsals during the last 2 weeks of rehearsals. NO CONFLICTS will be accepted from September 21-October 4.
If you miss more than three (3) rehearsals that are unexcused, you will be released from the cast.
Participation Fees
All youth participating in the production must pay the following participation fee according to their role in the production: $75 for on-stage cast members and $40 for technical crew members.
Parent Commitment
Youtheatre is a family affair! At the parent meeting on Monday, August 11 at 6 pm, parents will be asked to volunteer on pre-show and show-week parent committees. Committees cover every aspect of producing a show, including building and painting sets, costumes, backstage supervisors, dressing room supervisors, cast party and many more. Our shows would not be possible without the dedication and investment of each family!
Characters
Annie
A street-wise orphan; she is eventually taken in by Oliver Warbucks. Spunky, friendly, big-voiced.
Warbucks
A successful businessman with a warm heart. Rich, stiff-collared, bullish.
Grace Farrell
Faithful secretary to Mr. Oliver Warbucks. Poised, sweet, gentle.
Orphans
The other girls in the orphanage with Annie. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially loveable. Including Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July, and Duffy.
Miss Hannigan
The orphanage matron who hates children. Very disillusioned, bitter, and cold.
Rooster
Miss Hannigan's no-good brother looking for a quick buck. A slick con man.
Lily
Rooster's girlfriend, who is also out for a quick buck.
Bert Healy
The ultimate radio personality. He helps Annie by broadcasting about the search for her birth parents.
Roosevelt
The 32nd President of the United States and friend of Warbucks.
Ensemble
Servants (Drake, Mrs. Greer, Mrs. Pugh), Boylan Sisters, Cabinet Members, Hooverville Citizens, Star to Be, NYC Ensemble.
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.
Grades 3-5 • More information coming soon!
Performances: March 13 and 14, 2026
Auditions: January 19 and 20, 2026
Audition Workshop: Saturday, January 10 from 10-11:30 AM
Director/Choreographer: Kristina Rowe
Music Director: Erica Bickhart
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.