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CastleCo-mmunity Short Play Festival
scroll down for FAQs and Audition Information
Join CastleCo Theatre in celebrating artists of every age with the CastleCo-mmuity Short Play Festival.
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The Short Play Festival will run on the afternoon of Sat. Oct. 10. Twelve aspiring directors (grades 3- adult) have been selected to direct in this years festival; Now we just need actors! Acting auditions are open to ages 5-adult (details below).
Each short play will run aprox. 10-20mins. when performed and have a cast of approx. 2-10 actors. Actors will not audition for individual shows, but audition for all of the shows at the same time during one general audition process. Shows vary in theme from fairy tales, to comedies, and dramas.
During performances, the plays will be grouped in 60min. time blocks with breaks between each block. Audience members will have the option to purchase tickets to all blocks or only select blocks. The Short Play Festival is most enjoyed by audiences age 7 and up.
All performances will be held at the Lakeville Area Arts Center (20965 Holyoke Ave. Lakeville, MN, 55044).​
Festival FAQs & audition info
What does the Short Play Festival Include?
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The Short Play Festival is an opportunity for aspiring directors who are in grades 3 - Adult to work with CCT's Education Director (Rachel Eubanks) to direct and produce their own short play or scene. Plays can be abridged or edited versions of existing stories or original works. While the plays will be done in a bare-bones fashion (with minimal sets, costumes, etc.), Directors WILL be responsible for most of the production decisions involved in their production. Directors will have some autonomy over choosing their own costumes, props, etc. or using pre-selected items from the CCT warehouse.)
Directing participants will be selected through an application process that may involve a short interview (pending the number of applicants). Plays directed by those in grades 3-7 must run between 8-12 mins. in length. Plays directed by those in grades 8-adult must run between 8-20mins. in length. PLEASE NOTE: Directors have already been selected for this years festival!
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I'm interested in Acting in the Short Play Festival, what should I know?
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Auditions for the Short Play Festival will be held on Wed. Sept. 2 between 6pm and 8pm. Those who are unable to attend in-person auditions may submit a video instead. If you are interested in acting in the Short Play Festival, please continue reading below, then scroll down and click the applicable button to register as an Actor. We will send you an email with details by Mon. Aug. 31!
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What are the costs/commitment for being an Actor in the Short Play Festival?
All Directors and Actors involved in the Short Play Festival will be required to attend one rehearsal each week between Aug. 31 and Oct 10 (there will be no rehearsals the week of Sept. 7). Directors may also be required to attend an additional date each week. Dates will be determined based on participant availability, which you can indicate on your audition form.
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Regular Rehearsals: Aug. 31 - Oct. 2 (Monday-Friday, 5pm-9pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm)
Dress Rehearsals: Oct. 7-9 (5pm-9pm)
Performances: Oct. 10 (10am-5pm) (this date is subject to change)
Those chosen as Directors in the Short Play Festival will be asked to pay a fee of $120 (regardless of age) to help cover the costs of instructors, space use, rehearsal block creation, etc.
Those chosen as Actors in the Short Play Festival will be asked to pay a fee of $50 to assist with the costs mentioned above. (The fee will only be paid once, even if an actor performs in multiple Short Plays.) In addition to the fee, actors will be asked to provide their own solid black clothing to wear as part of their costume for the show. (Some directors may choose to use other costuming that will be similar in price.)
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Are there opportunities for other types of performances?
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Unfortunately, we aren't able to open up the Festival to other types of performing arts this year, however we'd LOVE to hear your ideas for future seasons! If you are a performing artist who would like to present a different art form in future years (instrumental music, short films, etc.), please send us an email at info@castleco.org with your ideas!
2026-2027 auditions (at a glance)
- Fall 2026 -
CastleCo-mmunity Short Play Festival
Auditions: Sept. 2, 3, 4
Rehearsals: Sept. 14 - Oct. 2
Dress Rehearsals: Oct. 5-8
Performances: Oct. 9 & 10
Join CastleCo Theatre in celebrating artists of every age with the CastleCo-mmuity Short Play Festival.
The Short Play Festival is open to aspiring directors, grades 3 - Adult. Participants will be selected via an application process. CCT's Director of Education (Rachel Eubanks) will provide guidance (as needed) to each director/directing team.
The Festival will be held at the Lakeville Area Arts Center (20965 Holyoke Ave. Lakeville, MN, 55044).​
- Winter 2026 -
CastleCo Theatre's - A Christmas Carol
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Auditions: Oct. 19, 20, 21
Rehearsals: Oct. 26 - Dec. 11
Dress Rehearsals: Dec. 14-17
Performances: Dec. 18-20
Ebenezer Scrooge has a disdain for charity, festivity, and above all, Christmas. When his deceased business partner appears at his bedside in the form of a spirit, he is offered a chance to change his outlook. This production is most enjoyed by ages 7+ with a quick, 90min. run time that fits perfectly into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. (Come early to view a series of creatively decorated Christmas trees before the show!)
Auditions will be open to actors ages 5 - Adult for speaking and singing roles. CCT expects to cast between 70 and 170 actors in this production with options available for full-time and part-time roles.
NOTE: For this recurring production, CastleCo Theatre invites actors in leading roles (who have not aged out of their role), back each year to play the role they played the year prior - meaning some roles will NOT have open auditions. Open auditions are held for all Caroler and Ensemble roles as well as for new speaking roles, and speaking roles declined by actors from previous years.
Performances will be held at the Lakeville Area Arts Center (20965 Holyoke Ave. Lakeville, MN, 55044).​
- Spring 2027 -
Shrek The Musical
Auditions: Jan. 18, 20, 22
Rehearsals: Feb. 8 - March 27
Dress Rehearse: Mar. 29 - Apr.1
Performances: April 2-11
Everyone's favorite Ogre takes the stage in this side-splitting family musical! Follow Shrek as he fights to save his swamp, by befriending a donkey, battling a dragon, and rescuing a princess - all while discovering there is more to a person than what meets the eye. Shrek The Musical runs approx. 2hrs. 15mins. in length and is most loved by ages 6+.
Auditions will be open to actors ages 5 - Adult. CCT expects to cast between 170 and 200 actors in this production with options available for full-time and part-time roles.
NOTE: CCT traditionally casts the title characters in its shows (Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, etc.) as youth actors. While this is CCT's goal for this production, title roles may be given to adult actors, if youth actor turn-out in the age ranges and vocal parts needed for these roles is low. Regardless of the ages cast in title roles, there will be featured roles available for both youth and adult actors.
Performances will be held at the Lakeville Area Arts Center (20965 Holyoke Ave. Lakeville, MN, 55044).​
- Summer 2027 -
Disney's The Lion King JR
Auditions: May 10, 12, 14
Rehearsals: May 31 - July 23
Dress Rehearse: July 26-29
Performances: July 30 - Aug. 8
Nobody does Disney quite like CastleCo - and this summer's production of The Lion King JR will be no exception! With a quick 90min. run-time, this production is perfect for Lion King fans of every age!
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The Pridelands of the African savanna are filled with animals large and small, protected by a noble lion King named Mufasa and his wife, Queen Sarabi. When Queen Sarabi gives birth to a lion cub (Simba), removing Mufasa's bitter brother Scar from the royal line - villainous acts ensue. Simba leaves his family and his place as the one true King, until a familiar friend makes him second guess his decision. This production is packed with show-stopping Disney songs, unexpected artistry in puppetry and costumes, and memorable moments for the entire family to enjoy!
Auditions will be open to actors ages 5 - 18 with approx. 200 actors cast in the production. Due to licensing restrictions, no one over the age of 18 may audition for this production.
NOTE: CCT may choose to cast the roles of Adult Simba and Mufasa to be played by the same actor. Many roles in the production will use puppets to assist in portraying their character. Additional audition information will be available in spring 2026.
Performances will be held at Lakeville South High School (TBD).​
NOTE: All dates listed below are TBD based on school availability and may change slightly.