That’s right folks, it’s time to play “Who Wants To Be A Chocolatiere?” PYT has mixed a funky-fun gameshow twist into Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man. Could YOU be the lucky winner of the keys to Wonka’s factory?
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up PYT’s retro, nostalgia-filled stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.
The story of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Once in the factory, the children must follow the rules of the game— or suffer the consequences.
Directed by: Jacqueline Dunford
Rehearsals start: 9/12
Debut Performances: 04/29
MainStage Performances: 4/1, 4/2
Premier Performances: 3/31, 4/1, 4/2
We know everyone starts from a different place and that’s why we offer three different experiences: no matter your age, experience, ability, schedule, or performance goals, PYT has a show for you.
| Everyone Gets A Role |
GRADEPre-K – 3rd Grade |
SUMMARYDebut cast members will attend a weekly, forty-five-minute class with children of a similar age and ability. Here their imaginations will come alive as they learn theatre fundamentals, songs, and scenes from this beloved children’s musical. |
AUDITIONSN/A |
Classes beginweek of September 12 Debut Act I Debut Act II |
Dress RehearsalAND Pizza PartyDate: 4/29 |
PERFORMANCEDebut’s exclusive, in-house performance of Willy Wonka Jr, will be held at BackStage at PYT Studios Date: 4/29 |
| Everyone Gets A Role w/ optional audition |
GRADE2nd Grade and Up |
SUMMARYMainStage cast members will attend a weekly, one-hour class with children of a similar age and ability. Optional auditions for lead and featured roles are at the ready for those who are ready for more responsibility and theatre training. |
AUDITIONSAudition Workshop: 8/20 |
CLASSES BEGINweek of September 12th Bravo Encore* Ovation* Lead Rehearsals (Flex) |
IN-THEATER TECH WEEKCactus Shadows Fine Arts Center |
PERFORMANCEPerformances will be held at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center After your enrollment is processed, you will receive an email within a week that contains a link to select your audition day, time and whether you would like the opportunity to audition for MainStage only or for either the MainStage or Premier casts. |
| Audition Only |
GRADE3rd Grade and Up |
SUMMARYPremier cast members will attend one rehearsal every week allowing actors the flexibility to pursue other activities while gaining serious theater training. PLEASE NOTE: As with traditional theatre auditions, if you are not cast in the Premier show you run the risk of not having a place in the Mainstage cast due to limited availability. To guarantee you have a place in one of our Willy Wonka Jr. productions, we encourage actors to enroll in the “Mainstage” cast and audition for both Premier and MainStage knowing you’re going to be starring in a spectacularly sweet show… no matter what. |
AUDITIONSAudition Workshop: 8/20 |
CLASSES BEGINweek of September 12th Flex Schedule: Actors can be called at anytime between The schedule for the following week will be released on Fridays and created around the actor’s supplied availability. The size (amount of lines/scenes/songs) of the role and age of the performer (we always aim to release our youngest cast members early) will determine the duration of attendance. |
IN-THEATER TECH WEEKCactus Shadows Fine Arts Center |
PERFORMANCESPerformances will be held at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center |
Tech Week is an exciting and important week for both our cast and production team. This is where the magic happens to perfect the lighting, sound, and stage ques. These rehearsals are mandatory and occur the same week as the performances. Please reserve these dates on your calendar. The Tech Week arrival and release schedule for both MainStage and Premier casts will be released shortly after rehearsals begin. PYT will try to release our youngest cast members first but all cast members need to keep their calendars open for the week.
There are no auditions in Debut. Roles are assigned in the first couple of weeks of class.
Bravo Beginner – This class is designed for students entering Grades 2nd or 3rd and for all levels of musical theater experience. Performers in this group will be taught musical theater fundamentals while learning scenes and choreography they will perform within the musical.
Encore – This class is designed for students entering Grades 4th, 5th, or 6th who are brand new to musical theater or have minimal experience. The choreography for this group will be better suited for those new to dancing.
Ovation – This class is designed for students 5th Grade or higher. For any student in 5th and 6th Grade considering enrolling in Ovation please keep in mind that this group will have more challenging content and choreography than Encore.
You absolutely can. And while we encourage it for experience, auditions are optional in MainStage. By enrolling in MainStage you are already guaranteed a role in the show.
No, the same audition counts towards either cast. You will have the opportunity to choose to be considered for either MainStage or Premier by noting your preference on the audition form.
This means that you don’t have to audition to be in this show, but you can if you would like to. We encourage it for experience but there it is not a prerequisite.
Sometimes, directors may offer you placement in both MainStage and Premier. If this happens you will then have the choice which role you would like to accept.
In this instance, all payments made towards MainStage will be transferred to your Premier membership.
Nope. By enrolling in MainStage you are already guaranteed a role in the show. You can, however, audition after enrolling to give yourself a chance of bagging an exciting role.
Audition material and helpful Instructions detailing how and what to prepare will be sent to all performers before their audition.
A $25 Admin Fee will be charged at time of your audition booking.
Yes! In fact, this is the only way to access this program.
No, the same audition counts towards either cast. You will have the opportunity to choose to be considered for either MainStage or Premier by noting your preference on the audition form.
‘Audition Only’ means that there is no way to enroll in this show without auditioning. In other words, your audition will have to secure you a role in the show or you will not participate.
This is why we recommend enrolling in the MainStage cast before it fills so you are guaranteed a part in one of our spectacular shows no matter the outcome of auditions.
Premier is a cut show meaning there is a chance you may not be offered a role and will therefore not be cast in the show. For this reason, we recommend enrolling in the MainStage cast before it fills so you are guaranteed a part in one of our spectacular shows no matter the outcome of auditions.
Sometimes, directors may offer you placement in both MainStage and Premier. If this happens you will then have the choice which role you would like to accept.
Audition material and helpful instructions detailing how and what to prepare will be sent to all performers before their audition.
A $25 Admin Fee will be charged at time of your audition booking.
© 2023 Phoenix Youth Theatre.
