Youth &amp; Teen Theater Programs

Youth & Teen Theater

Get ready to raise the curtain and take center stage as the spotlight is on the Mandell JCC's Theater Programs. Each year, these programs features an age-appropriate musical stage production of a popular show.

With professional direction and live musical accompaniment, young thespians audition, rehearse, and present several performances in front of friends and family in the Mandell JCC's 400-seat Herbert & Evelyn Gilman Theater.

J Center Stage Team:

Meg Buckner Furtick, Theater Director/Choreographer

Adrien Braun, Assistant Director

Meg Markwith, Music Director

Mira Godel, Program Administrator

Financial Assistance Available

For more information, contact Kim Corona Charron, 860-231-6439, kcharron@mandelljcc.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Fall registration is now open for JCC members!

Registration will open to all on Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00am.

Theater Performances

PLEASE NOTE: Sign ups are done through Sign Up Genius for theatre auditions. The links are made available to recent past participants first on August 11 and new participants August 18. Past participants should check the Google Classrooms for the sign up links. Registration forms for both the Youth and Teen productions will be available at the auditions and due by the callbacks that everyone must attend. Cast lists are not announced until we have all the paperwork in hand. Participants do not sign up via the JCC website.

Hadestown: Teen Edition

Teen Auditions: Sept 1 and 2, 5:30-8:00pm (participants pick one day)

Teen Callbacks: Sept 8, 5:30-8:30pm (all are required to attend)

First Teen Rehearsal: Sept 10, 5:30-9:00

Rehearsals every Sun (1:00-5:00pm) and Thu (5:30-9:00pm) the JCC is open!

Tech (Required by all): Nov 29, 1:00-5:00pm; Nov 30, 5:00-9:30pm; Dec 1, 5:00-9:30pm; Dec 2, 5:00-9:30pm

Performances:

Thur. Dec 3, 7:00pm

Sat. Dec 5, 7:00pm

Sun. Dec 6, 1:00pm

Finding Nemo Jr.

Youth Auditions: Nov 3 and 4, 5:30-8:00pm (participants pick one day)

Youth Callbacks: Nov 8, 1:00-5:00pm (all are required to attend)

Fist Youth Rehearsal: Dec 13, 1:00-5:00pm

First Youth Rehearsal in 2027: Jan 3, 1:00-5:00pm

Rehearsals every Sun (1:00-5:00pm) and Thurs (5:30-8:30pm) the JCC is open

Performances: Thur. April 1, 7:00pm | Sat. April 3, 7:00pm | Sun. April 4, 1:00pm

Space is limited

Youth Classes

Character Creation
Grades K-2
Adrien Braun is a recent graduate of Trinity College with a degree in Theater and Dance with a focus in Playwriting and Directing. He is passionate about working with young artists and introducing them to the magical world of theater. In this class, students will be led on a journey of the imagination that involves character creation, storytelling, and visual art. The class will cumulate in a lovely share performance for family and friends. Come learn the basics of character creation, build confidence in performance, and explore your imagination! This class will have one teacher and an end of session class share for parents.
Wed | 3:00-3:45pm | Sept 23-Nov 18
$204/$170 JCC Member
Max class size: 12

Live Action Role Playing
Blake Seers from Torch Tales LLC offers an introductory course to live action role-playing (LARPing). Live-Action Role Play (LARP) has been around since the late 1970s, blending role-playing games, genre fiction, and immersive storytelling. Growing up in England with a love for theater and outdoor adventure, Blake found LARP to be the perfect collision of everything he loved—performance, creativity, teamwork, and imagination.
Learn the game mechanics of the unique Torch Tales LARP system, explore the safe equipment, and experience a variety of ways to engage in this interactive storytelling experience with character development and immersive play.
Wed | 4:00-5:00pm | Sept 16-Dec 16 (14 weeks)
$369/$294 JCC Member

Stage Ready: Confident & Powerful Singing

Grades 3-7

Meg Markwith is known to so many families as “Music Meg,” our Musical Director for Center Stage productions. She holds a Bachelor's from The Hartt School and a Master's degree from Loyola University Maryland, which she uses to inspire singers and pianists every week in private coaching sessions. Meg is excited to connect with this community in a new way to help young artists make their mark on the stage.

Does your child love the stage but get nervous when performing solo? This could be the perfect class for them! Through fun exercises in a low-pressure environment, students will work through their nerves to develop a powerful voice and bright stage presence. Class culminates in a solo performance for a friendly audience. Great for kids preparing for talent shows, recitals, or auditions.

Thu | 5:30-6:15 pm | Sept 24-Nov 19

$234/$189 JCC Member

Showcase during final class from 6:00-6:30 pm

Max class size of 12

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