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Theatre Programs
The New Star Children’s Theatre program is unique because all the actors and actresses are 7 to 16 years of age. The program consists of a mix of all aspects of the theatre.
New Star offers each child the opportunity to explore:
- acting techniques
- comedy
- drama
- musical theatre
- chorus and solo vocal performances
- and dance
The children are also given the opportunity to take part in building and painting sets and props, stage management, assisting with directing, lighting and sound.
Our theatre program options
New Star Children’s Theatre Ottawa offers three distinct program options, depending on the time of year and children involved. Click each link below to read more!
Main stage shows
Each year there are three large productions. In every production every child has a main role as well as a chorus role. We stress that all cast members are equal… there is never just one star.
Session schedule and prices
Children are taught through weekly rehearsals (6 to 8 hours a week).
During the school months, rehearsals are held Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.
Each cast member will be scheduled to rehearse on Sundays as well as one night during the week, either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Summer rehearsals are held both Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 6pm to 9pm, with no Sunday rehearsals. All cast members must attend rehearsals both Tuesday and Wednesday through the summer months.
Each session is six months in length, running October through April and April through October.
Lead costumes are provided for most shows.
Cost per six month session is $670.00, which can be paid in monthly installments. An additional $30 is charged for costume care and $28 for a New Star t-shirt.
The audition process
Every one must audition for our main programs. For our two main sessions each year, EVERY child gets a main role as well as a chorus role.
The audition process takes approximately one hour and consists of Singing, Dancing and Reading of a script, in groups of approximately 12 children at a time. It is a teaching time and through this process we are able to look for the child’s potential and assign the appropriate role.
It is important to us that not only does every child experience the joy of musical theatre, but that they are challenged. The end result of “The Show” is always magical but the process of getting there is also very important.
The roles are varied from production to production for each child so that they are challenged and learn to explore and understand the characters they are playing. If they were Cinderella in one show, they might be Captain Hook in the next!
It is also important to us that each child feels at home at New Star, and are able to feel free to be themselves.
The theatre is a place where confidence is built, dreams are made or perhaps discovered, but not without hard work. One day, we had just finished four dress rehearsals and four shows and one of our kids said “Can’t we do another one?”
We welcome each child the opportunity to sing and dance and act in great shows, with great music, costumes and sets, and the chance to meet wonderful kids from all across the Ottawa-Gatineau area!
Learn more
New Star also offers School Theatre Programs customized to meet your needs.
Week-long Summer Performing Arts Programs that provide an excellent alternative to traditional sports or crafting “camps”.
Contact us for answers to your questions about all of our Ottawa theatre programs!