Caryl Crane Youth Theatre is currently accepting video submissions for its 2025-2026 Competition Team!

Join the national award-winning team for the 2025-2026 Season and share your love of theatre with the WORLD!

Seeking 24-30 students, ages 10-18 to participate in 2 national musical theatre festivals in winter 2026. 

The Competition Team - Ages 10-18

Composed of 24-30 students ages 10 and up who love theatre and want to share their passion and talent with other students from around the world! The team will participate in 2 musical theatre festivals in 2026: ,the Musical Theatre Competitions of America in Anaheim, CA, and The National Youth Theater Experience in Louisville. 

THE FESTIVALS!

The Musical Theatre Competitions of America in Anaheim, CA

February 5-8, 2026

Participation: By invitation only (staff only, no extra chaperones, family attendees)

Cost: pre-fundraising cost per person - $1,650

Included: rehearsal materials, masterclasses and summer training sessions, round-trip flight, hotel accommodations for 3 nights, Disney Park and/or Knotts Berry Farm tickets, all festival activities. This fee includes 1 solo or duet category participation. Additional fee will apply to those wishing to compete in any extra competition catergories.

The National Youth Theater Experience in Louisville, KY

March 6-8, 2025

Participation: Ages 10+(two teams), chaperones needed and family invited to attend

Cost: pre-fundraising cost per person - approximately $800/person

Included: rehearsal materials, masterclasses and summer training sessions, round-trip bus transportation, hotel accommodations for 2 nights, all festival activities. Additional fee will apply to those wishing to compete in the solo/duet competition.

Festival Payment Schedule

Each festival has its own payment calendar that allows us to schedule payments that fit our team’s fundraising plans.

Team Members

Participation on the 2025-2026 team involves attending at least 1 of the above festivals. Team members may attend multiple festivals. Each team member must participate in ALL fundraising efforts regardless of the number of festivals they attend. The membership fee to join the 2025-2026 competition team is $105 per student and includes multiple team t-shirts, festival costumes when required and reserved class space at all masterclasses and workshops, without any additional training fees.

Time Commitment and Calendar

Summer Training - non show-specific training will be available to all team members beginning in July and taking place over several weekends and week nights during July and August. These sessions will be geared toward strengthening specific skills needed for this year’s team, including acting, singing, dancing, comedy and improv. They may culminate in optional cabaret-style performance opportunities!

Festival Training - rehearsals for the competitions will begin during the Fall semester on select Sunday afternoons and pick-up regularly with weeknights in early December (with a winter break) and will resume in January. The rehearsal schedule will be based on student availability and will include weekday evenings as well as possible Saturday and Sunday rehearsals. A minimum of 30 hours of rehearsal is required for each festival.

To Audition:

Submit a video by midnight on Sunday, May. 

TO SUBMIT: upload an unlisted video to YOUTUBE and send a link to bmarshall@sanduskystate.com by May 4. 

In your video: choose a musical theatre song that shows off your range and personality. A song that shows YOU! Maximum of 90 seconds. You may sing a capella or use an instrumental track (no singing over pre-recorded vocals). Be creative!

Festival shows will be picked based on your audition work!

CALLBACKS

In-person callbacks for The Competition Team will take place mid-May. All auditioners will be notified via email and a callback list with details will be sent to those called back by May 16.

Questions: email bmarshall@sanduskystate.com