I’ve just assembled a list of Calgary youth audition opportunities that are open to the general public provided we are post-pandemic! Because there were zero Calgary youth audition opportunities during the pandemic. If you are serious about a career in the arts, I recommend attending the fine arts high school in Calgary, Central Memorial. They also offer a certificate in performing arts at graduation for pretty serious career-path artists (painting, dance, singing, and so on). Stage experience in the traditional academic environment is the only way to keep making progress if we have more lockdowns. For more information, please visit https://pvacentral.ca/.
Below is a list of some public opportunities; there are some small companies that are good but they are private, eg, to a church community etc so I won’t post them here since they only cast their membership.
I realize I haven’t posted in a while; just too busy, so sorry. For everyone who’s contacted me about my waiting list, yes, I’m still full and I will contact you asap as soon as I have a spot. Usually I have some turnover during the year.
Below is a list of Calgary (also one’s in Airdrie) performing arts opportunities for youth, where you can participate in a group to get some real stage experience, and also, VERY important, crew experience! Most follow the academic year, and have at least two productions per year (December or May/June). Some require auditions and some are “schools” where all participants are accepted and work/act/sing in a production, but auditions are held to cast students in the lead roles, where, obviously, more experienced actors/singers will be cast. So, to excel in these programs and to get lead roles you’d also want some private study or previous experience in the performing arts class environment.
Without further ado, a list of Calgary youth audition opportunities!
Calgary Musical & Theatre Opportunities for Youth
Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie – home of Dufflebag Theatre (from Ontario) and Nose Creek Players (NoseCreekPlayers.com) – These are adult perfomers, but some shows may have youth audition opportunites for a Dec & May production.
Calgary Young People’s Theatre
Where? 2007 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0K4
August & January auditions. Ages 4-18. CYPT provides numerous development opportunities to young people to explore the performing arts and develop their creativity and teamwork skills through camps, classes, workshops and production opportunities.CYPT produces a theatrical season made up of 4-5 productions, in which youth ages 8-18 audition for the chance to be a part of a rigorous, playful, professional-caliber process and performance led by professional a. We offer a mentorship program within our productions, giving older students or recent alumni the chance to shadow our production team to learn other theatrical skills including directing, stage management or design.
In 2015, CYPT launched its inaugural Cannonball Festival of Youth-Led Theatre. This festival, now an annual event, offers youth the opportunity to direct, write, stage manage, produce, and of course, act, in plays led by them! The festival usually presents 5 – 10 one act plays, each May.
Quest Theatre Youth Squad – Summertime opportunity
Quest’s Youth Squad is a FREE drama program for youth aged 14 – 18 in Mardaloop’s Cspace – Cspace. 721 29 Ave SW Suite #125.
Young people will work with and learn from Quest Theatre artists to explore theatre, music, improv, clown, mask, mask building, and performance. Exploration will produce a youth ensemble that will have opportunities in street performance at the Farmers and Makers Market at cSPACE and in the surrounding Marda Loop community. No experience is necessary. Sat afternoons June-Aug. Don’t have to come every week. Free!
Youth Theatre – has camps at Cspace over spring break 6-15 (seems more suitable for younger kids) and adults put on productions in schools
Stagecoach Schools
https://www.stagecoachschools.ca/
Sat classes for under 4 to 14 years; summer camps also. Mount Royal & Trico in South. Tuition $300-$500 per 10 week term. Follows academic year.
Storybook Theatre https://www.storybooktheatre.org/
375 Bermuda Drive NW Calgary, Alberta T3K 2J5
Acting, musical theatre, and “spotlight” programs for youth 6-8, 9-12, 13-17. Fall, winter, and spring shows. All youth who join participate. Actors/singers selected for key roles. No productions in summer. Auditions start up in September.
Youth Singers of Calgary YouthSingers.org
ATCO Performing Arts Centre – Industrial area east of QE2 & CalfRobe bridge.
1371 Hastings Cres SE T2G 4C8 Calgary, AB
Weekly classes (3 hrs) for youth ages gr 3- gr 12. Two productions per year at Jack Singer. Tuition about $1700/year.
Calgary theatre companies
Follow this link for a list of Calgary theatre companies; these may have some opportunities for youth auditions:
Thanks, Rosanna!
