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SUMMER YOUTHSTAGE
We are thrilled to offer eight weeks of programming for ages 5 to 20!
Please read the following details carefully.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
The ONLY method of enrollment (other than applying for financial aid) for the Summer YouthStage Program (ages 5-16) will be by purchasing a spot in the shows with a credit card on our website.
The ONLY method of participating in The Launchpad Company (ages 15-20) will be by auditioning alongside our 2026 MainStage auditions.
All youth must be within the indicated age bracket for any given show on the first day of that program. Due to high demand, no exceptions will be made to this policy.
All sales are FINAL. Once spots are purchased for any given program, no reimbursements will be made, regardless of changes in plans or availability.
SHARON PLAYHOUSE SUMMER YOUTHSTAGE PHOTO RELEASE POLICY
Participation in the Sharon Playhouse Summer YouthStage program requires consent for photo and video documentation. By enrolling, participants and guardians agree to the following:
1. Consent to Document: The Sharon Playhouse may photograph, film, or record participants during activities and performances.
2. Use of Media: These materials may be used for publicity, social media, advertising, grant applications, and archival purposes.
In order to enroll in the Summer YouthStage Program, families and participants must agree to this Photo Release Policy.
ANOTHER EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR AGES 15-20!
In addition to YouthStage and Launchpad productions, teens can audition for the MainStage production, 42nd Street!
Key Details:
Commitment Dates: July 7 - August 9, 2026
How to Get Involved:
You are encouraged to register for YouthStage productions and audition for 42nd Street.
If cast in both, you can choose which show you’d like to participate in.
If you choose the MainStage production after registering for a YouthStage production, you will receive a reimbursement for YouthStage tuition.
More information about auditions for 42nd Street:
REGISTRATION SCHEDULE:
In an effort to streamline the Summer YouthStage enrollment process so that it is equitable and user-friendly, each show will have its own registration day. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
Financial Aid Application Window: January 16-20, 2026
Pooh’s Parade: Tuesday, January 27 at 11:00 AM
Shrek, Kids: Thursday, January 29 at 11:00 AM
Big Bad: Tuesday, February 3 at 11:00 AM
Matilda, Jr: Thursday, February 5 at 11:00 AM
Zombie Prom: Sign up to audition for this production
WAITLIST:
In the event that any of our Summer YouthStage productions sell out and you would like to be on the waitlist, please fill out the following form. Please complete one form per individual. We will be in touch if and when a spot opens up in a production. Thank you for your interest in the Sharon Playhouse Summer YouthStage Program!
Waitlist entries for Summer YouthStage productions will only be accepted after each show’s registration opens and fills up—time-stamped entries prior to the registration date and time will not be valid.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION FOR SHARON PLAYHOUSE SUMMER YOUTHSTAGE:
The Sharon Playhouse is committed to making its summer programs accessible to as many students as possible. The 2026 Season Deadline has passed, thank you!
2026 SUMMER YOUTHSTAGE SEASOn
Pooh’s Parade (Munchkin Musical, ages 5-7)
Conceived and Directed by Sarah Cuoco
Music Direction by Eric Thomas Johnson
It’s Parade Day in the Hundred Acre Wood, and everyone has a special part to play—except Pooh Bear, who isn’t quite sure where he fits in. As the friends practice marching, dancing, drumming, and cheering, Pooh tries joining each group with silly and surprising results. With a little help from Roo and the rest of the Wood, Pooh discovers that being himself is the most important role of all. Filled with friendship, fun, and plenty of parade magic, Pooh’s Parade celebrates the joy of working together and letting every child shine.
Overall Dates: June 22-27
Participants must be 5, 6, or 7 years old as of June 22, 2026
Rehearses Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Performance: Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM
Cost: $475
Shrek, Kids (Kids Musical, ages 8-11)
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Sarah Cuoco
Music Direction by Alec Sisco
Dive into the whimsical world of Shrek The Musical, Kids! Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and all your favorite characters in a hilarious and heartwarming adventure that celebrates friendship, self-acceptance, and the beauty of being yourself. Filled with catchy songs, laughter, and unforgettable moments, this enchanting show reminds us that everyone deserves their own happily ever after—just as they are. Don’t miss this fantastic journey of fun and discovery!
Overall Dates: August 10-15
Participants must be 8, 9, 10, or 11 years old as of August 10, 2026
Rehearses Monday-Friday, 9:30-3:30pm
Performances: Saturday, August 15 at 11:00am and 2:00pm
Cost: $550
Big Bad (Kids Play, ages 9-12)
By: Alec Strum
Directed by Ricky Oliver
Prepare for a rollicking adventure in the enchanting world of Big Bad, where fairy tales take a hilarious and unexpected turn! Join us as the notorious Big Bad Wolf finds himself on trial, and all your beloved fairy tale characters step into the spotlight to share their sides of the story. Bursting with laughter, clever surprises, and thrilling twists, Big Bad promises a delightful, smart, and truly unforgettable experience that will leave you cheering for more!
Overall Dates: July 13-18
Participants must be 9, 10, 11, or 12 years old as of July 18, 2026
In an effort to maximize capacity and student engagement, this production will have two separate casts:
Morning Cast Rehearses Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Morning Cast Performance: Saturday, July 18 at 11am
Afternoon Cast Rehearses Monday-Friday, 1:30-5:00 pm
Afternoon Cast Performance: Saturday, July 18 at 4pm
Cost: $450
Matilda, Jr. (Youth Musical, ages 11-16)
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Matilda is the exhilarating story of a brilliant young girl with a vivid imagination and an even bigger heart! Defying her tricky family and the fearsome Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers the incredible power within herself to stand up, speak out, and transform her world. Packed with catchy songs, dazzling dance numbers, and a captivating tale that celebrates intelligence, bravery, and the magic of being true to yourself, this musical is an unforgettable adventure that delights audiences of all ages. Join us for a journey filled with inspiration, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic!
Overall Dates: June 29 - July 11
Participants must be 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 years old as of June 29, 2026
Rehearses Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm
Performances: Friday, July 10 at 2pm, Saturday, July 11 at 3pm and 7pm
Cost: $800
Zombie Prom (Launchpad Company, ages 15-20)
Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey
Music by Dana P. Rowe
Adapted by Marc Tumminelli
Based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh M. Murphy
Directed by: Sam LaFrage
Choreographed by: Michelle Lemon
Get ready to rock ’n’ roll with Zombie Prom, a hilariously entertaining musical brimming with laughs, love, and a dash of undead chaos! Set in the vibrant 1950s, this quirky tale follows Toffee, a sweet girl, and Jonny, the rebellious bad boy who literally rises from the grave to win her heart and shake up Enrico Fermi High. Packed with catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and high-energy performances, Zombie Prom celebrates friendship, embracing your true self, and the power of love—even from beyond the grave! Don’t miss this outrageously fun and slightly spooky adventure that will leave you singing and smiling all the way home!
Overall Dates: August 4-23, 2026
Participants must be 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 by August 4, 2026
Rehearsal Schedule: Exact rehearsal schedule TBD. Participants must be fully available between August 4-23 to participate.
Performances: Friday, August 21 at 7PM Saturday, August 22 at 7PM, and Sunday, August 23 at 3PM
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PLEASE NOTE: Sharon Playhouse YouthStage is an elevated program designed for young performers who are passionate about the process of putting on a full-scale production. This program requires commitment, enthusiasm, and a love for the stage—perfect for those ready to work hard and shine! If your child is looking for a more relaxed, low-key experience, we recommend enrolling in our Fall, Winter, or Spring classes. Please read the following details carefully.
The Sharon Playhouse's YouthStage is your launchpad to the spotlight! We welcome aspiring actors, singers, and dancers of all levels to experience the magic of fully-staged productions, helmed by top-notch theater professionals.
SUMMER YOUTHSTAGE
The Sharon Playhouse offers 5 unique performance-based programs in the summer for ages 5-16. These rehearsal based immersive experiences are so much more than “theater camp.” They are vibrant training grounds where young people learn how to express themselves creatively, develop life skills, and make lifelong friends. Each of these are tuition-based programs. The Sharon Playhouse professional technical staff works on all of the YouthStage shows, bringing expert production values to every performance. Registration begins in Mid January/Early February for the following summer.
MUNCHKIN MUSICAL (ages 5-7)
This one-week experience, called Sharon Playhouse Stars, is for ages 5-7 and culminates in a homegrown musical based on children’s stories, adapted by Sharon Playhouse teaching artists. This original production is presented in The Bok with professional sets, props, costumes, lights, and sound.
Past Munchkin Musicals include: The Good Egg andthe Talent Show by Jory John, adapted by Sarah Cuoco, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, adapted by Sarah Cuoco, and The Tortoise and The Hare, adapted by Sarah Cuoco.
KIDS MUSICAL (ages 8-11)
This one-week experience is for ages 8-11 and culminates in a fully produced musical (professional sets, props, costumes, lights, and sound) in The Bobbie Olsen Theater at The Sharon Playhouse.
Past Kids Musicals include: 101 Dalmations Kids, Willy Wonka Kids, Aladdin Kids, Seussical Kids, Winnie the Pooh Kids, A Year with Frog and Toad Kids.
KIDS PLAY (ages 9-12)
This one-week experience is for ages 9-12 and culminates in a fully produced play (professional sets, props, costumes, lights, and sound) in The Bobbie Olsen Theater at The Sharon Playhouse.
Past Kids Plays include: Sassy Cinderella
YOUTH MUSICAL (ages 11-16)
This two-week experience is for ages 11-16 and culminates in a fully produced musical (professional sets, props, costumes, lights, and sound) in The Bobbie Olsen Theater at The Sharon Playhouse
Past Youth Musicals include: Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Frozen Jr., Shrek, Jr., Newsies Jr., and High School Musical Jr.
THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY YOUTHSTAGE PRODUCTION
The Sharon Playhouse produces an annual youth holiday show. Local performers ages 11-18 are eligible to audition. Auditions are announced in October and take place in early November. Rehearsals start in mid-November and performances take place in mid-December in The Bok at The Sharon Playhouse. There is no tuition for actors cast in this production.
Past Youth Holiday Shows include: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf Jr., The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe., and A Christmas Carol
The Sharon Playhouse LaunchPad Company
A Pre-Professional Summer Production for Teen Performers
The Launchpad Company is an exciting opportunity for aspiring theater artists aged 15–20, designed to launch their careers in the arts. Dedicated to the legacy of Mary Graf, this tuition-free program celebrates her passion for the arts by providing participants with a $250 stipend for their work. Auditions will be held alongside MainStage auditions.
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