Come ActOUT!

ActOUT! productions are open to all levels of ability of actors (new or experienced). Through a well-practiced mentoring program we’re able to incorporate multiple skill levels into each production. With something for everyone, our artistic team encourages a positive and inclusive team effort from the very first rehearsal.

Cast and artistic team from Newsies JR our 2023 June Musical

Our rehearsal process allows for many hours of coaching and guidance in:

  • acting/performing

  • singing and dancing

  • theatrical protocols

  • confidence

COMMITMENT AND EXPECTATIONS

Please review our Production Commitments document before registration to ensure you know the basics of what is expected as part of one of our shows. You can view our Actor’s Credo/Code of Conduct as well.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

All registrations must be made via Camp Monster and will not be accepted by other means*. Registration will be dependent on the participant and their parent/legal guardian signing our Actor’s Credo and Code of Conduct as linked above. Payment plans can be arranged via our Treasurer if needed.

*Technical issues may be communicated to our info account.

All actOUT! productions and workshops are subject to change and enrolment requirements.

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition
(Our December Musical)

By L. Frank Baum and adapted by John Kane. Music & Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg & Harold Arlen.

Registrations: Closed

Rehearsals:

  • Sept 24th - Dec 17th, 2023

  • Thursdays 6:30-9pm, Sundays 1-5pm

  • Rockway Public School

Show Week:

Registration Info:

Our popular musical productions are always fun and educational. We begin with relationship building and learning musical numbers. Casting will soon follow. All enrolled participants will be cast and have multiple roles, as we double cast to share speaking roles. This means there will be two separate casts, each performing different dates/times. We want all participants to have a blast and be challenged by their experience!

Financial Assistance Available: ActOUT! acknowledges the role of theatre/drama in the personal, physical and emotional development of a child/youth. It is the philosophy of actOUT! that no child/youth should be turned away from recreational activities due to cost or affordability.

We’re off to see the Wizard…

L. Frank Baum’s beloved story of a young girl’s adventure in a magical land has been entertaining audiences for over a century. MGM’s blockbuster 1939 film adaptation, featuring the timeless songs of Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, along with the brilliant instrumental music of Herbert Stothart, elevated the popular novel to even greater heights. This stage adaptation, featuring the characters and celebrated songs from the film, brings the wondrous Land of Oz to life in a jubilant theatrical experience.

Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.” Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com

Rehearsal still from actOUT!’s production of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR

Production still from actOUT!’s Fiddler on The Roof JR

Production still from actOUT!s production of Disney’s The Lion King JR

Disney’s The Lion King KIDS

(Our Mini-Kids Musical)

Book by Rogers Allers & Irene Mecchi, Music & Lyrics by Elton Jon & Tim Rice. Additional music & lyrics by Will Van Dyke, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer.

Registrations are open until Nov 24th

Rehearsals:

  • Sept 23rd, 2023 - March 17th, 2024

  • Saturdays 10am-12pm

  • Rockway Public School

Show Week:

Registration Info:

In this production for younger children, we will begin with several weeks of drama games to introduce skills and build bonds between cast members. We’ll have fun learning the show songs together! This production will be an educational and low-pressure introduction to performing on stage. All children registered for the program will eventually be cast in the show and learn their specific roles.

Financial Assistance Available: ActOUT! acknowledges the role of theatre/drama in the personal, physical and emotional development of a child/youth. It is the philosophy of actOUT! that no child/youth should be turned away from recreational activities due to cost or affordability.

Cast and artistic team from 2023 Mini-Kids Musical Willy Wonka KIDS

Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world!

We will bring the African savanna to life on stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

The Lion King KIDS features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated feature film, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Young performers will also get the chance to learn a wide range of new theatrical skills encouraging them to explore this beloved story with creativity and pride.

Disney’s The Lion King KIDS

is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by
Music Theatre International.
421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Script, music, and all other material © 2015 Disney
Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved.

www.mtishows.com

Animal Farm

(Advanced Actors)

Adapted by Ian Wooldridge from the book by George Orwell

Registrations are Closed

Animal Farm One-Act Play

Auditions: November - details To Be Announced

Rehearsals:

  • Nov 8th, 2023 - Feb 23rd, 2024

  • Wednesdays 6:30-9pm, Fridays 6:30-9pm

  • Rockway Public School

Show Week:

Registration Info:

Financial Assistance Available: ActOUT! acknowledges the role of theatre/drama in the personal, physical and emotional development of a child/youth. It is the philosophy of actOUT! that no child/youth should be turned away from recreational activities due to cost or affordability.

George Orwell's satire on the perils of Stalinism has proved magnificently long-lived as a parable about totalitarianism anywhere and has given the world at least one immortal phrase: "Some are more equal than others." The animals on a farm drive out their master and take over and run the farm for themselves. The experiment is successful, except that someone has to take the deposed farmer's place. Leadership devolves upon the pigs, which are cleverer than the rest of the animals. Unfortunately, their character is not equal to their intelligence. This dramatization remains faithful to the book's plot and intent and retains both its affection for the animals and the incisiveness of its message.

Mature Themes: Advanced Actors productions tend to deal with slightly more mature themes and reflect an equally more mature cast. Animal Farm is a drama/satire and contains violence, death, and suicide. You can read the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell or view a youtube synopsis Animal Farm by George Orwell - So You Haven’t Read by Extra History.

Auditions: We will hold auditions before the production begins to aid with our casting. Performers DO NOT need to be experienced (we are a teaching company first and most) though we will be looking for a level of maturity in our cast that we don’t necessarily expect in other productions.

Expectations: Expectations for performers are a little higher, not in terms of ability, but in terms of willingness to come and be prepared. Our Advanced Actors will be supporting each other on stage. Performers younger than 13 years old may audition and may be accepted to the production with the permission of the Artistic Director.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Previous Advanced Actors productions

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR
(Our Spring Musical)

Book by Dennis Kelly, Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin

Registrations: FULL, but a waitlist is available

Rehearsals:

  • Jan 28th, 2023 - May 5th, 2023

  • Thursdays 6:30-9pm, Sundays 1-5pm

  • Rockway Public School

Show Week:

Registration Info:

Our popular musical productions are always fun and educational. We begin with relationship building and learning musical numbers. Casting will soon follow. All enrolled participants will be cast and have multiple roles, as we double cast to share speaking roles. This means there will be two separate casts, each performing different dates/times. We want all participants to have a blast and be challenged by their experience!

Financial Assistance Available: ActOUT! acknowledges the role of theatre/drama in the personal, physical and emotional development of a child/youth. It is the philosophy of actOUT! that no child/youth should be turned away from recreational activities due to cost or affordability.

Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! 

This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

PLEASE NOTE:

Rights for this production are still being confirmed. Should there be any difficulty, enrolled participants will be contacted with an alternate title and given the opportunity to withdraw and receive a refund should they so choose.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr is to be presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 

www.mtishows.com

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood: Teen Edition

(Our Spring Comedy/Drama)

By Adam Szymkowicz

Registrations are open

Rehearsals:

  • March 6th, 2024 - June 2nd, 2024

  • Wednesdays 6:30-9pm, Fridays 6:30-9pm

  • Saturday or Sunday afternoon in May (To Be Determined)

  • Rockway Public School and Waterloo Park

Show Week:

  • June 3rd-8th, 2024

  • Waterloo Park Centennial Bandshell

  • Performance length 90 minutes

Registration Info:

Financial Assistance Available: ActOUT! acknowledges the role of theatre/drama in the personal, physical and emotional development of a child/youth. It is the philosophy of actOUT! that no child/youth should be turned away from recreational activities due to cost or affordability.

A gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on the classic tale, adapted for performance by teen actors for family audiences. Robin Hood is (and has always been) Maid Marian in disguise, and leads a motley group of Merry Men (few of whom are actually men) against the greedy Prince John. As the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, who will stand for the vulnerable if not Robin? What is the cost of revealing your true self in a time of trouble?

Modern concerns and romantic entanglements clash on the battlefield and on the ramparts of Nottingham Castle in this play about selfishness, selflessness, love deferred and the fight. Always the fight. The fight must go on. 

“A rollicking, gender-bending romp... Szymkowicz has delivered a swashbuckling story of what it takes to make change, and the networks and chosen families that keep that revolutionary spirit alive.” – New York Theatre Review

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood: Teen Edition

“Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood: Teen Edition” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Our actors in MacBeth at the Waterloo Park Centennial Bandshell

Rehearsal still from actOUT!’s Fiddler on the Roof JR

Parents/Guardians must note that any virtual programs will require a Zoom enabled connection. Please see for technical requirements. 

SPECIAL STATEMENT ON VIRTUAL PRODUCTIONS AND PERFORMERS OUT OF WATERLOO REGION

Recognizing that as we will now offer some of our workshops and productions virtually we may receive interest from areas outside our region. Participants from outside the region may sign up for the wait list of any production or workshop, and if space is available you may join, but we must offer all of our available placements to children of the Waterloo Region first.

Over a quarter century of theatre by & for children of the Waterloo Region