The Young Performing Company
Over the course of the season, students explore the core subjects of acting, voice/singing, and movement, in addition to specialized workshops in areas such as acting for the camera, stage combat, clown, devising and Shakespeare. The program culminates in a workshop production that demonstrates the skills that the students have been working on over the year. The production is directed by a professional Canadian theatre artist and is chosen specially for the participants – to give them each an opportunity to shine.
Each season, the Young Company alternates between performing a Musical and a Play. The 2024-2025 Performing Company will culminate in the production of a Musical.
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the 2024-25 Young Performing Company! Applications are now closed, and we thank everyone who auditioned.
Classes meet Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-10 pm from September to May. There are no classes on statutory holidays or over the winter break (mid-December to the beginning of January). Classes also run from 10am-6pm on all Sundays in April and May while we work towards our workshop production.
The first day of classes for 2024-2025 is Wednesday, September 18, 2024. A complete season schedule will be sent out to Company members upon acceptance into the program.
There is a winter showcase of material from class on Saturday, December 7, 2024, and the final workshop production runs from May 23-25, 2025. Both events run in the Rice Theatre at the Citadel.
Tuition
Tuition for the full-year program is $2,250.00 +GST. This includes classes, workshops, rehearsals, performances, materials, and tickets to select Citadel Theatre shows. Tuition may be paid in installments. At least one-third of the tuition must be paid upon registration. At least one-third in December, and the balance in March.
Bursaries
Partial bursaries are available to attend the Young Company. Applications are assessed based on the following:
- Financial Need
- A demonstrated commitment to study
- Artistic Potential
Once accepted into the program, Young Company students will be given more information on applying for a bursary.
Auditions for the 2024-25 Season has now closed.
Thinking of auditioning for the Young Performing Company in the future? Have a look at the audition information below to give you an idea of our process.
Information is subject to change. An updated audition call for the 2025-26 Season will be shared in April of 2025. The 2025-26 Young Company program will culminate in the production of a Play.
Applicants are invited to complete an application form and submit a video audition. Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person group audition at the Citadel Theatre (applicants will state in the application form which date[s] they are able to attend). There is $25.00 application fee that must be paid when submitting for the Company.
Material To Prepare (for seasons culminating in a Musical)
- One two-to-three-minute monologue from a published play.
- One two-to-three-minute song from a published musical.
Material To Prepare (for seasons culminating in a Play)
- One two-to-three-minute monologue from a published play.
- One additional contrasting piece of your choice – it could be a song, a movement/dance piece, or a secondary contrasting monologue)
Tips For Your Video Submission
- Begin with an introduction including:
- Your name
- Your age
- Introduction of your two pieces
For example: “My name is Arthur and I am 17 years old. For my monologue, I will be doing Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, and for my song, I will be singing ‘Mr. Cellophane’ from Chicago.”
- Visuals
- Framing: Use a tight frame that goes from your waist to just over the top of your head. Make sure your background is neutral and not distracting (ex. a white/plain living room wall)
- Lighting: Make sure you are visible and well-lit. Please make sure you are lit from the front; back-lighting lowers the overall visibility in your video.
- Clothing: Choose a neutral outfit – we want to focus on you!
- Reference: Here is an example of a very well set-up self-tape!
- Record in a quiet space. For songs, make sure that your voice can be heard clearly over the music. You are welcome to sing with a karaoke track or live accompanist.
- Do not use any pre-recorded performance footage (ex. a clip from your school show or voice recital).
- Upload your video audition to a YouTube link. You can add the link right in your Google Form application. We recommend that you set the privacy settings to “unlisted” so that only those with the link can access the video.
- HAVE FUN! We can’t wait to see your audition.
Let Us Help You Out!
If you have any questions whatsoever, please reach out to us! We want to make this process as accessible as possible, so if you need help with your audition, email us any time at youngcompany@citadeltheatre.com.
Unable To Create A Video Submission?
If there are any barriers preventing you from creating a video submission, please apply as normal and email us at youngcompany@citadeltheatre.com to discuss alternative arrangements.