Check out all the exciting options to get involved in our Theatre School Season 42 Brochure!
Advanced Theatre School Productions
2023/2024
A Season of Ambition!
All performances, unless otherwise noted, are presented onstage at North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite D, Solana Beach, CA 92075
The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script
By Howard E. Koch
Based on the novel by H. G. Wells
Performances – October 5-8, 2023
(in Theatre School Studio Space)
October 5th: 5:30PM
October 6th: 5:30PM
October 7th: 2:00PM & 5:30PM
October 8th: 2:00PM
Broadcast from New York’s Mercury Theatre in 1938, this infamous radio play, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, had many terrified listeners convinced that an actual alien invasion of Earth was taking place. Adapted by Howard E. Koch, co-writer of Casablanca, and directed and narrated by Orson Welles, this original script detailing the frightening tale of an extraterrestrial takeover is now being brought to life onstage to thrill and chill audiences.
Time period: 1938
Settings of play: New York’s Mercury Theater
Run-time: 65 Minutes, No Intermission
Type of Play: Science Fiction Drama
Suggested rating: PG – recommended for grades 2nd & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Aug. 29th – 30th with callbacks Thursday, Aug. 31st, 2023
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Sep. 5th – Sep. 29th, 2023
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM Oct. 3rd – 4th, 2023
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com), and with support from our very special Theatre School donors!
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Performances – November 16-19, 2023
(in Theatre School Studio Space)
November 16th: 5:30PM
November 17th: 10:00AM & 5:30PM
November 18th: 2:00PM & 5:30PM
November 19th: 2:00PM
This masterpiece is probably the most famous of all comedies. It revolves wittily around the most ingenious case of “manufactured” mistaken identity ever put into a play.
Time period: 1895
Settings of play: London & Woolton
Run-time: 120 Minutes, 1 intermission
Type of Play: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
Suggested rating: PG – recommended for grades 2nd & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Oct. 10th – 11th with callbacks Thursday, Oct. 12th, 2023
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Oct. 17th – Nov. 10th, 2023
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM Nov. 14th – 15th, 2023
Produced with support from our very special Theatre School donors!
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!
Failure: A Love Story
By Philip Dawkins
Performances – February 15-18, 2024
(on MainStage Space)
February 15th: 5:30PM
February 16th: 5:30PM
February 17th: 2:00PM & 5:30PM
February 18th: 2:00PM
By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead — expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual’s successes or failures.
Time period: 1928
Settings of play: Near the Chicago River
Run-time: 90 Minutes, No Intermission
Type of Play: A Love Story
Suggested rating: PG – recommended for grades 6th & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Jan. 2nd – 3rd with callbacks Thursday, Jan. 4th, 2024
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Jan. 9th – Feb. 9th, 2024
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM Feb. 13th – 14th, 2024
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com), and with support from our very special Theatre School donors
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Performances – April 4-7, 2024
(in Theatre School Studio Space)
985 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Suite D
Solana Beach, CA 92075
April 4th: 5:30PM
April 5th: 10:00AM & 5:30PM
April 6th: 2:00PM & 5:30PM
April 7th: 2:00PM
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.
Time period: Now
Settings of play: Putnam County
Run-time: 100 Minutes, No Intermission
Type of Play: Musical Comedy
Suggested rating: PG-13 – recommended for grades 6th & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 20th – 21st with callbacks Thursday, Feb. 22nd, 2024
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Feb. 27th – Mar. 29th, 2024
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM April 2nd – 3rd, 2024
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com. And with support from our very special Theatre School donors!
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!
The Cripple of Inishmaan
By Martin McDonagh
Performances – May 16-19, 2024
(on MainStage Space)
May 16th: 10:00AM & 5:30PM
May 17th: 10:00AM & 5:30PM
May 18th: 2:00PM & 5:30PM
May 19th: 2:00PM
Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland in 1934, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN is a strange comic tale in the great tradition of Irish storytelling. As word arrives on Inishmaan that the Hollywood director Robert Flaherty is coming to the neighboring island of Inishmore to film Man of Aran, the one person who wants to be in the film more than anybody is young Cripple Billy, if only to break away from the bitter tedium of his daily life.
Time period: 1934
Settings of play: West Coast of Ireland
Run-time: 120 Minutes, 1 Intermission
Type of Play: Dark Comedy
Suggested rating: PG-13 – recommended for grades 6th & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Apr. 9th – 10th with callbacks Thursday, Apr. 11th, 2024
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Apr. 16th – May 10th, 2024
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM May 14th – 15th, 2024
Produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, and with support from our very special Theatre School donors!
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!
Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Performances – July 18-20, 25-27, and August 1-3, 2024
Performs at three different outdoor venues in three different cities – FREE admission!
| July 18th-20th @ 5:30PM Venue TBD | July 25th-27th @ 5:30PM Venue TBD | August 1st-3rd @ 5:30PM Venue TBD |
The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet’s opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed.
Time period: 1599
Settings of play: Denmark
Run-time: 90 Minutes, No Intermission
Type of Play: Drama
Suggested rating: PG – recommended for grades 2nd & up, but all audiences may enjoy.
Open to students ages 12-19 to audition
Auditions: Tuesday & Wednesday, Jun. 4th – 5th with callbacks Thursday, Jun. 6th, 2024
Rehearsals: Tuesdays through Fridays 4:30-8:30PM Jun. 11th – Jul. 12th, 2024
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Tuesday & Wednesday 4:30-8:30PM Jul. 16th & 17th, 23rd & 24th, and 30th & 31st, 2024
Produced with support from our very special Theatre School donors!
Donate Now to Support this Student Production!