Who can audition for the show?

Anyone age 5 through adult is able to audition for the production. The production will include between 100-160 actors pending social distancing guidelines released in late May. (Some actors may not perform in every performance.) While some production roles may require different ages and vocal ranges, CCT does not discriminate in casting based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ability to pay participation fee, accessibility needs, etc.

Is there a fee to participate?

Yes. Auditioning is free, however, there is a participation fee to be involved in the production. Fees are $175 per actor (age 17 and under) with a family cap of $350. Adult actors do not pay a fee but are encouraged to help with the production in other ways. ALL actors must also provide their own solid black shoes and socks to wear for the production. Financial assistance is available for those who need it and can be registered for after the production has been cast.

What is the time commitment / when are rehearsals?

The time commitment depends on the role that each actor is cast in. Some actors may rehearse one-six hours each week while others may rehearse 20 hours per week. At auditions, actors will be able to select if they'd like a role that requires less rehearsal time. These roles are called part-time roles. Part-time roles rehearse an average of 1-2 hours each week and perform in 5 performances instead of 10. Rehearsals are held Monday-Friday evenings from 6pm - 9:30pm and Saturday mornings/afternoons. Actors will be asked to fill out a conflict form at auditions. CCT does its best to work around actors' conflicts when possible. Playing a sport once or twice each week may be something that can be scheduled around. CCT can occasionally schedule around vacation conflicts, however, priority will be given to those who can attend the majority of rehearsals. It is extremely important that you fill out your conflict form honestly!

How do I prepare for auditions?

Actors MUST register in order to audition for this production. The registration link can be found at the top of this page once it becomes available in mid May. Registration is free and secures your audition spot. On the day of your audition, please bring a list of conflicts that can be used to fill out the conflict calendar. You may also wish to bring a pen/pencil and a notebook (or other hard surface) for filling out your audition form. Your audition will consist of two parts, an acting audition and a singing audition. During the acting audition, actors will be asked to portray different animals, characters or emotions while counting from one to ten. Example: Please count from 1 to 10. At one, pretend you sad, at 10, pretend you are happy. For the singing audition, actors will be asked to sing a short section of a song (around 20-30 seconds is enough). Actors may choose any song they like, but it should be something that you feel confident singing! Your song does NOT have to be from Beauty and the Beast. Additional details regarding auditions and Covid-19 procedures will be emailed in late May or early June.

What are the Covid-19 guidelines for participating in the production?

Our state is in a unique part of the pandemic where many people are recieving vacinations and guidelines may be loosening over the next through months, however Covid-19 and its variants have not left our community yet. Throughout the production, CastleCo Theatre (CCT) will follow the guidelines set in place by the Lakeville school district and state of Minnesota. A list of current guidelines are listed below (additional guidelines may also exist). CCT staff will stay on top of guidelines and adjust them when possible. Please note that different activies and locations require different guidelines to be followed. This means that youth sports or proffessional theatres may have different guidelines then CCT during the summer months. We TRULY appreciate your adherenece to the guidelines and your willingness to be flexible in order to make this production a possibility! Covid-19 Guidelines for Beauty and the Beast JR as of May 4, 2021

• Masks (or face coverings) must be worn inside Lakeville schools at all times
• A distance of 6 feet should be kept between individuals
• A distance of 12 feet must be kept between actors and audience members
• Indoor rehearsal pods must consist of 30 (or less) people
• General sanitization of rehearsal spaces (conducted by CCT and Lakeville school staff)
• Do not attend rehearsal or events if you are sick
• At this time CCT does NOT plan to hold an intermission during performances as eating during the intermission time could not be accomodated at this time

What is a JR production?

This summer's show will be a JR production. A JR production is a shortened version of a full-length Disney stage musical. While most Disney stage musicals last 2.5 or 3 hours in length, JR productions are designed to last 60-90 minutes. Disney's Beauty and the Bast JR will have a run time of approx. 75-90 minutes without an intermission.

Is a JR production lower quality than a full-length production?

No. Production quality is not dependent on the length of the show, but the effort and funds available for costumes, sets, rehearsals. etc. In fact, CCT has performed two 90 minute shows in the past, including; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Yo, Vikings! Even though these shows were shorter in length, they still included adult actors, large casts, colorful costumes and huge set pieces.

Can adult actors perform in JR productions?

Sometimes. Usually JR productions are restricted to actors age 18 and under, however, script licensing agencies have loosened this restriction for many titles during the pandemic INCLUDING Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR! The script licensing organizations felt the JR shows were safer performance options as they require less time sitting indoors and allow for streaming options.

Why did CCT choose to present the JR version of Beauty and the Beast?

Great question! If you're an avid CCT follower, you probably know that CCT originally intended to perform the full length version of the Disney's Beauty and the Beast, however, after much consideration, the decision to perform the JR version of the show simply made the most sense. Read below for a list of some of the reasons that CCT chose to produce the JR version this summer.

• The shorter run time meant slightly less rehearsals would be required and allows CCT to hold auditions in June instead of mid May. This is important because it means there are less people in the schools and therfore less chance of Covid spread. We are also crossing our fingers that restrictiosn will loosen with more vaccinations, so waiting longer to start rehearsals made the most sense.
• The shorter run time means audience members do not have to sit in a theater as long, which could make the show safer to attend for those who have not had a chance to be vaccinated.
• The JR version allows CCT to offer digital (pre-recorded) performances. This is not an option with the full length version.
• The JR version DOES allow adults to participate. While CCT may choose to offer shows with age restrictions in the future, we wanted to offer an option for all ages this summer!
• Generally speaking, there was more risk involved with the full length production than there is with the JR version. The JR version does exclude some songs that you'll find in the full length version, but all of the fan favorites are still a part of the show! The cast will be the same size with either production, the same amount of effort will be put into the show and, (we beleive) everyone will have just as much fun as always!