Beck Center for the Arts Youth Theater, one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theaters in the country, will be holding auditions on October 1 & 2, 2022 for the second production of our 74th Season: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Written by Barbara Robinson Directed by Rachel Spence Join us for this delightful comedy based on the best-selling young-adult book. Beth’s inexperienced mother is put in charge of the church’s Christmas pageant, when the original director breaks her leg. Mayhem ensues when the Herdman kids, known as the most inventively awful kids in history, are cast in the leads. But Beth and her community watch in surprise as the same old Christmas story is rejuvenated by the creativity, energy, and unexpected sincerity of a misunderstood young family. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is warm, incredibly funny, and sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Audition/Callback dates: (open to Beck Center students ages 6 to 12*) ALL AUDITIONS ARE IN PERSON • Saturday, October 1: 2:30 to 5:30pm • Sunday, October 2: 12:30 to 3:30 pm • Callbacks: Monday, October 3: between 4:30 and 8:30pm Please sign up for a five minute in-person time slot via Signup Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4DACA823A4FC1-thebest We will send out an email to those who have signed up the Friday before auditions with the online audition form. Families will be able to submit their electronic resumes and headshots using the online audition form. *Please note: Youth Theater roles are only eligible to students who will be enrolled in our Fall 2022 semester. Actors do not need to be enrolled at the time of the auditions, however, participation in the actual production does require Beck Center enrollment in our Fall 2022 semester. Students do not need to be specifically enrolled in a Theater class at Beck Center to qualify. Students enrolled in a Fall 2022 semester online or in person class in Beck Center’s Dance, Music and Visual Arts Departments are equally eligible. Bottom line: if you are accepting 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. Our Fall 2022 catalog is available online on the Beck Center website Unlike some other youth theaters, there is NO additional participation fee required beyond enrollment. What to Prepare: • Students are asked to prepare a short comedic monologue or poem to present as their audition piece. Memorization is strongly encouraged. • Prepare a headshot or picture of your student, and resume for online submission • Please prepare a list of all potential rehearsal and performance conflicts We will send out an email the Friday before auditions with the online audition form. Families will be able to submit their electronic resumes and headshots using the online audition form. Potential Rehearsals: November 7 – December 3, 2022 • Mon, Tue, Weds, Thurs, Fri: between 4:30 – 8:30pm • Saturdays: between 2:30 – 6:30pm • Sundays: between 1:00 – 5:00pm 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. Tech Week: December 4 – 8, 2022 • Sunday between 12:00 – 7:00pm and Weeknights between 4:30 – 8:30pm All cast members are expected to attend ALL rehearsals during Tech Week. Performance dates December 9-18, 2022 All cast members are required to attend all performances. • Fridays, December 9, 16 at 7:30pm • Saturdays, December 10, 17 at 7:30pm • Sundays, December 11, 18 at 3:00pm • Student Matinees: Thursday, December 15 at 9:00 am and 11:30 am (NOTE: This will require missing school that morning.) All cast members are required to attend all performances. Please visit and join our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beck-Center-Theater-Education-Youth-Theater/80... * * * * * * 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.