Star Bright Players Auditions
A Christmas Carol (Broadway Version)
Ages: 10-18

The Star Bright Players Fall 2023 production will be A Christmas Carol, the spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story, adapted by Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island).  We are thrilled to be offering this holiday classic to our community!

Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him. 

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of the Star Bright Players production of A Christmas Carol!

Click on links here for all of the information: 

•    A Christmas Carol Cast and Crew List 

•    A Christmas Carol Important Information – PLEASE be sure to read and follow the instructions! Thanks. 


To find out more about the roles in A Christmas Carol, please read this Character Breakdown.
 
The Cast activity fee for this production is $175. Once the cast list is posted, the Activity Code will be given out. The fee (or first portion of the fee if making a payment plan) must be paid by October 1. The crew activity fee is $35 and should be paid by October 1.

Schedule:

Rehearsals will be Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm starting Wednesday, September 20 with a mandatory cast/crew/parent meeting. These rehearsals will be at the Williamson County Enrichment Center (110 Everbright Avenue – building between Franklin Library and Renaissance High School). There will be 2 additional Saturday rehearsals from 12:30-3:30 at the Franklin Rec Center on October 21 and October 28. 

Performances: We are excited to share that there will be 6 performances over 2 weekends for this holiday classic! The performances will be December 1-3 and 8-9 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center (112 Everbright Ave in Franklin). 

Blandina Vergara-Cruz is the Director. Cassie Stone is the Music Director. 

A Christmas Carol is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

Stars to the East Auditions
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
NOTE: Date Change for Auditions and Callbacks
Sunday, September 24, 2023
1:30-4:30 pm 
Nolensville Recreation Center
7250 Nolensville Rd, Nolensville
Ages: 12-18

Our new Stars to the East Program will have a Star Bright East production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical as its first production. With book by Joe Tracz and Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki, this dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019.   

As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he can't control, a destiny he doesn't want, and a mythology textbook's worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus's master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the thief. He must travel to the Underworld and back; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and come to terms with the father who abandoned him. Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed mythical adventure "worthy of the gods" (Time Out New York).

If necessary, Callbacks for some of those auditioning will be Thursday, September 28 at 5:30pm at the Nolensville Rec Center. If you do not get a call back, it does not mean that you will not be cast. 

The cast list will be posted by Friday, September 29, at 4:30pm online (link will be on this page).  

***IMPORTANT*** Pre-Audition Information:

To find out more about the roles in The Lightning Thief, please read this Character Breakdown. 

Auditions will consist of a vocal performance, script monologues and a group dance audition. Everyone auditioning must also complete an Actor Audition Information Form. See below for more details. 

•    Script Sides – You will be reading from one of these script sides. We will have copies at auditions, but we suggest becoming familiar with the scenes and characters prior to auditions as you may be asked to read from any of these and for any character.
o    Script Side A – Percy, Annabeth
o    Script Side B – Percy, Luke, Annabeth
o    Script Side C – Percy, Luke, Annabeth, Grover
o    Script Side D  - Percy, Grover, Annabeth
o    Script Side E – Mr. Brunner, Percy
o    Script Side F – Sally, Gabe, Percy
o    Script Side G – Mr. D, Chiron, Percy

•    Vocals – Please choose one of these song clips to sing at auditions: 
o    “Good Kid” (Percy) Lyrics
o    “My Grand Plan” (Annabeth) Lyrics
o    “The Tree on the Hill” (Grover) Lyrics
o    “Put you in your Place” (Clarisse) Lyrics
o    “Strong” (Sally) Lyrics
o    “Another Terrible Day” (Mr. D) Lyrics

•    Choreography – Those auditioning will perform the choreography from the attached video with a small group. This choreography will be reviewed with each group with a choreographer, but it’s to an actor’s advantage to be familiar with the choreography prior to auditions. Please come dressed in clothes and shoes that enable you to move comfortably.  
o    Choreo Teaching Video 
o    Choreo Video – All Together with Music

•    Actor Audition Information Form and Sign-up for Audition Times - If you are auditioning for the CAST of The Lightning Thief, we ask you to complete this online form prior to auditions HERE. At the end of completing the Actor Audition Form, you will have the opportunity to click on the sign-up genius to schedule your audition on Sunday, September 24. We will try our best to adhere to this schedule as closely as possible. We will also allow walk-ins to audition on a first-come, first-served basis. 

•    Crew Information Form – If you are in middle or high school and interested in being in the CREW, please complete the Crew Information Form HERE by Sunday, September 24. 

•    Actor Video Auditions – While we prefer for actors to come in person to auditions if possible, we do understand that there are conflicts and will accept video auditions. If submitting a video audition, please be certain to film in landscape mode in a well-lit area with as little ambient noise as possible and on a neutral background. Please be certain that your FULL name and name of the show all appear in the video title. (Example: Jane Smith – vocal – The Lightning Thief or Jane Smith – Choreography – Thief.) You should submit 3 separate videos as follows to blandinavc@gmail.com and alison.worden@williamsoncounty-tn.gov. These are due Sunday, September 24, 2023.
1.    Script Side – Select one of the script sides from above and read one of the parts. Have a friend or family member read the other parts.
2.    Vocal – Follow instructions above under Vocals.
3.    Choreography – Follow instructions above under Choreography.
4.    In addition, please complete the Actor Audition Information form HERE. 

The Cast activity fee is $175. Once the cast list is posted, the Activity Code will be given out. The fee (or first portion of the fee if making a payment plan) must be paid by November 1. 

Schedule:

Rehearsals will be Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm starting Monday, October 16 with a mandatory cast/crew/parent meeting. There will be no rehearsal Thanksgiving Week (November 20 and 23) or the 2 weeks of holiday break (December 18, 21, 25, 28 and January 1). These rehearsals will primarily be at the College Grove Artsitorium (8601 Horton Highway, College Grove) with 3 of the rehearsals at the Nolensville Rec Center. The last week of rehearsals (starting January 16) will be every night and will be at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin.  

Performances: There will be 4 performances January 19-21 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center (112 Everbright Avenue, Franklin). 

Blandina Vergara-Cruz is the director. Jeanne McCollum is the music director. 

The Lightning Thief is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com .

Rising Stars Auditions
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR
Saturday, November 4, 2023
12:30-3:30 pm 
Franklin Recreation Complex
1120 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin
Ages: 2nd – 8th Graders

The Rising Stars winter production for 2023-24 will be Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. 

*IMPORTANT* Pre-audition Information: Please check back in October for important information helpful for auditioning and online audition form. 

If necessary, callbacks for some of those auditioning will be Sunday, November 5. If you do not get a call back, it does not mean that you will not be cast. The cast list will be posted by the end of the day on Friday, November 10.  

The Cast activity fee is $175. Once the cast list is posted, the Activity Code will be given out. The fee (or first portion of the fee if making a payment plan) must be paid by January 5, 2024 or your child will not be allowed to participate in this play. 

Schedule:
Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm, beginning Tuesday, December 12. There will also be 2 Saturday rehearsals from 12:30-3:30 pm on February 3 and February 10. There will be no rehearsal for 2 weeks of holiday break (December 19, 20, 26, 27). Tuesday and Wednesday rehearsals will be at the Academy Park campus (combination of rooms in the Enrichment Center and the Library) while Saturday rehearsals will be at the Franklin Recreation Complex. The last week of rehearsals (starting February 20) will be every night and will be at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin. There is a mandatory cast/parent/crew meeting held for the first hour on the first night of rehearsals, Tuesday, December 12.

Four Performances will be February 23-25 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin, Tennessee. Blandina Vergara-Cruz is the director. 

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com 

For further information contact Alison Worden at alison.worden@williamsoncounty-tn.gov or 615-786-0186 ext. 2513. 

Star Bright Players Auditions
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Sunday, February 4, 2024
1:30-4:30 pm
Franklin Recreation Complex
1120 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin
Ages 12-18

The Star Bright Players Spring 2024 production will be The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero.

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel. The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

If necessary, Callbacks for some of those auditioning will be Thursday, February 8 at 5:30pm at the Enrichment Center. If you do not get a call back, it does not mean that you will not be cast.

The cast list will be posted by Friday, February 9, at 4:30pm online (link will be on this page). 

***IMPORTANT Pre-Audition Information: Please checkback in January for important pre-audition information regarding songs, choreography, an actor audition information form, and the ability to sign up for an audition timeslot.

The Cast activity fee for this production is $200. Once the cast list is posted, the Activity Code will be given out. The fee (or first portion of the fee if making a payment plan) must be paid by March 5.

Schedule: Rehearsals will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm starting Tuesday, February 27 with a mandatory cast/crew/parent meeting. These rehearsals will be at the Williamson County Enrichment Center (110 Everbright Avenue – building between Franklin Library and Renaissance High School).

Performances: There will be 4 performances May 3-5 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center (112 Everbright Ave in Franklin).

Blandina Vergara-Cruz is the director.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

For further information contact Alison Worden at alison.worden@williamsoncounty-tn.gov or 615-786-0186 ext. 2513.

Stars to the East Auditions
Once Upon a Mattress (Youth Edition)
Sunday, March 3, 2024
1:30-4:30 pm
Nolensville Recreation Center
7250 Nolensville Rd, Nolensville
Ages 2^nd – 8^th Graders

For the spring of 2024, the Stars to the East production will be the youth edition of Once Upon a Mattress.  Once Upon A Mattress: Youth Edition is a one-hour adaptation of the beloved musical that launched Carol Burnett’s career. Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. After all, a princess is a delicate thing.

*IMPORTANT* Pre-audition Information: Please check back in February for important information helpful for auditioning and online audition form.

If necessary, callbacks for some of those auditioning will be Thursday, March 7. If you do not get a call back, it does not mean that you will not be cast. The cast list will be posted by the end of the day on Friday, March 8. 

The Cast activity fee is $175. Once the cast list is posted, the Activity Code will be given out. The fee (or first portion of the fee if making a payment plan) must be paid by April 8, 2024 or your child will not be allowed to participate in this play.

Rehearsals will be Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 pm, beginning Monday, March 25, at the College Grove Artsitorium at 8601 Horton Highway in College Grove. The last week of rehearsals (starting June 17) will be every night and will be at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin.

There is a mandatory cast/parent/crew meeting held for the first hour on the first night of rehearsals, Monday, March 25.

Three Performances will be June 21-23 at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center in Franklin, Tennessee. Blandina Vergara-Cruz is the director.

Once Upon a Mattress (youth edition) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com 

For further information contact Alison Worden at alison.worden@williamsoncounty-tn.gov or 615-786-0186 ext. 2513.

Director, Blandina Vergara-Cruz
Originally from Las Vegas, Blandina has more than 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has worked with various theater companies across Williamson County, including Pull-Tight Players where she served as Board Member, Advisor of the Teen Youth Actors Guild and director for several musicals. She was also the director of Kids on Stage Summer Academy, a visual, performance and technical summer academy held in Leipers Fork for over 27 years. Vergara-Cruz has also directed shows for Williamson County Parks and Recreation’s Rising Stars Children’s Theatre Group and Expression City Studios. When she’s not teaching, directing, and running her businesses, she is involved in many community projects, such as being a committee member of the Tennessee Kids Arts Festival and the Executive Director of the Ray of Light Foundation in honor of her son Raymond M. Cruz. Blandina has directed many plays, camps, and special events for Williamson County Parks and Recreation. Blandina directs our Star Bright Players, Rising Stars and Stars to the East Children's Theatre programs. 

Music Director, Cassie Stone
Cassie is originally from Spring Hill, TN. She attended Summit High School where was active in her high school choir and musicals, and even led her own A Cappella group. After graduating from high school, she attended Belmont University where she graduated with a degree in Commercial Music in 2021. Cassie currently works at Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy as a teacher of the advanced high school A Cappella group. She has also been Franklin High School’s Music Director for Footloose. Cassie is the Music Director for our Star Bright Players and our Rising Stars Children's Theatre programs.