Beck Center for the Arts Youth Theater, one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theaters in the country, will be holding auditions on January 25 and 26, 2025 for their final production in their 77th season. Alice by Heart Book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson Music by Duncan Sheik, Lyrics by Steven Sater Direction and Choreography by Sarah Clare Music Direction by Heidi Herczeg In the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s life is turned upside down, as she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter with others in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their favorite book Alice in Wonderland. As they tumble down the rabbit hole, they explore first love, loss, the power of imagination and finding the courage to move forward. Audition/Callback dates: (open to Beck Center students, ages 12 to 19*) • Saturday, February 7: 2:00 to 5:00 pm • & Sunday, February 8: 12:30 to 3:30 pm • Callbacks: Saturday, February 14: between 2:00 to 6:00 pm Sign up for a half hour audition slot (starting 2/2 4:30pm) online via Signup Genius https://tinyurl.com/aliceauds *Youth Theater roles are only eligible to students who will be enrolled in our Winter/Spring 2026 semester. Actors do not need to be enrolled at the time of the auditions, however, participation in the production requires enrollment in our Winter/Spring 2026 semester. Students enrolled online and in person in the Theater, Dance, Music, Creative Arts Therapies, and/or Visual Arts Departments are equally eligible. *Please note that class sizes and offerings are limited at this time, so please register in advance if possible. Bottom line: if you accept a role in the show, you will need to enroll prior to the start of rehearsals. Any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Clare, Associate Director of Theater Education, at sclare@beckcenter.org. Unlike some other youth theaters, there is NO additional participation fee required beyond enrollment. What to Prepare: • Prepare a short one-minute monologue (Memorization is strongly encouraged.) • Prepare a musical theater song, either up-tempo or ballad, up to one minute long. *An Accompanist is provided. Sheet music is strongly encouraged. • Prepare a Headshot (picture of your student), and resume for online submission • Prepare a list of all potential rehearsal conflicts Potential Rehearsals: March 23 – April 25, 2026 • Mon, Tue, Weds, Thurs, Fri: between 4:30 – 8:30 pm • Saturdays: between 2:00 – 6:00pm • Sundays: between 12:30 – 6:00 pm • The show will NOT be rehearsing every day or the full time range listed. The director will pick the days that best accommodate everyone’s schedules once conflicts and availability are known for the above dates. *We will not rehearse April 3-6, 2026 Tech Week: April 26 – 30, 2026 Sunday between 12:00 – 7:00pm and Weeknights between 5:00 – 9:00 pm All cast members are expected to attend ALL rehearsals during Tech Week. Performance dates: May 1-10, 2026 All cast members are required to attend all performances. Thursday, May 7 at 10:00am Fridays, May 1, 8 at 7:30pm Saturday, May 2, 9 at 7:30pm Sundays, May 3, 10 at 3:00pm Student Matinee: Thursday, May 7 at 10:00am (NOTE: This will require missing school that morning.) * * * * * * Located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that offers professional theater productions, arts education programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts, early childhood, and creative arts therapies for special needs students, and gallery exhibits featuring local, regional and international artists. For more information visit beckcenter.org.