Runaways Creative Team and Audition information and some Frequently Asked Questions about LRT's new Kids/Teens program
Little Radical Theatrics (Fatima Viegas, Executive Producer) is thrilled to officially announce auditions for its first ever all kids/teens musical the 5 time Tony-Award Nominated Musical Runaways!
Directed by Michael Mirra, Musical Direction by Sam Sultan, Choreographed by Erin Pryor
Nominated for five 1978 TONY Awards (Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book being among them), RUNAWAYS has since become something of a cult favorite, with songs that blend different musical styles like rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, and spoken-word with a narrative that is uncompromising in its grit, truth, joy and exuberance about growing up in troubling times and being all the stronger for it that truly resonates. Little Radical Theatrics is thrilled to be presenting Westchester with a fresh interpretation of the late Elizabeth Swados' gift to musical theater, which will observe the 40th Anniversary of the original production. With plans to acquire a cast of 25 kids and teens of all ethnicities, body types, gender identification, and ability levels, this production promises a fast and furious, poignant and intense 90 minutes of undiluted tween and teen spirit. With Runaways' unique ensemble based casting, unlike many other musicals, each young person cast will have a monologue, solo or featured solo in a group number!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Runaways different from other youth theater shows that are being produced in the area?
Unlike most youth theater and school productions, where only a few actors have featured roles and the others are members of the ensemble with no solo lines or songs, Runaways is written for every actor to have their moment to shine. There is no ensemble, there are no leads, just twenty-five tweens and teens all working together to tell these real kids' stories. Because of the diversity of the music in Runaways, there is a place for every specialization, strong actors, strong singers, strong dancers, strong rappers; performers of every ethnicity, size, and gender. In addition, Runaways contains more challenging material than your average children's musical, these are real stories about real kids and their struggles, material that will speak to and inspire our cast, and will challenge them and help them grow as performers. Also this is a chance for actors to be in a show they may never get to be in again and to be a part of the 40th anniversary of this Tony Award Nominated musical! It truly will be a unique experience for all involved!
What makes LRT's tweens/teens show unique?
Here, there will be no 10 or so kids with leads or featured roles with the rest of the cast as chorus members, like most school and youth theater productions. If cast, every child in the show will be given AT LEAST either a monologue, a song, a spoken word piece, a featured solo in the group numbers or a featured dance spotlight, whatever highlights them and suits their strength as a performer best, is appropriate to their age and skill level and that the team feels will challenge them to grow as artists. In addition every cast member will be in the many ensemble group numbers.With a cast of twenty-five performers, every young person will not only get their moment in the spotlight but receive private time with the director, musical director, choreographer and acting coach to work on their vocals, dance, and acting skills.
Who can audition for Runaways?
Runaways is open to tweens and teens in grades 6th-12th, roughly ages 11-18.
Is this a tuition based program?
There is a tuition of $250 per child. However, this is considerably lower than any youth theater in the area which typically runs between $400-$1000+ per child. Because of the smaller cast size and the nature of the musical, the young performers cast in this show will also have more indvidualized attention from our creative team. Our goal is for each young performer to leave the show with an additional skill to their arsenal of talents, whether that be experience in spoken word, how to dissect a monologue, learning a new style of dance, holding tight harmonies, or singing a style of music that they are not used to singing. There also may be workshops with cast members of New York City Center Encores recent production Off-Broadway production of the musical.
When and Where are Auditions?
Auditions will take place Wednesday February 14th from 5:30-8:30 PM and Thursday February 15th from 5:30-8:30 PM at The Grinton Will Library
1500 Central Park Ave, Yonkers NY
When and where are performances?
Performances are scheduled for the weekend of April 13th: Friday, April 13th at 7 PM, Saturday April 14th at 2 PM and Sunday April 15th at 3 PM at the Grinton Will Library
1500 Central Park Ave Yonkers, NY. Runaways will be presented just like LRT's adult musicals, with a full set, costumes, sound, lights, and a live band.
When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals will typically be three times a week. Weeknight rehearsals will be from 5:30 - 8 PM and any weekend rehearsals will be from 1 - 4 PM. Exact schedule will depend on the young actors' conflicts and because of the nature of this show, we WILL be able to work around most conflicts. Tech week (the week of performances), there will be rehearsals every evening.
Is there a fee to audition?
No! Tuition will only be charged if the performer is cast in the show.
Do we need to make an appointment for an audition?
Appointments are STRONGLY encouraged! Though we will never turn away an actor who wishes to audition, they may have to wait until the end of the night when all of those with appointments have gone and we know this is not ideal for most families. For an audition appointment please e-mail
littleradicaltheatrics@gmail.com
My child does not have a headshot, do we need to get one for the auditions?
No. Any recent picture (like a school picture) is fine.
My child doesn't have a resume - what should I do?
There will be a space on our audition form to fill out listing any previous performing experience.
Do you need to have prior experience to audition?
Nope! Especially for Runaways, that has opportunities for performers with so many different skill sets, all are truly welcome!
What does my child need to prepare for the audition?
We ask that each performer auditioning come in with a song prepared, something that shows off their voice and that they are comfortable singing. We prefer that they prepare a song in the style of the show (60s/70s either from a musical from that period such as The Wiz, Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat or a pop/rock song from that time period) and bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist to play, however if they absolutely are more comfortable singing acapella (without music), we will accept that for this show. We want performers to have their best showing, so the most important thing is that they are comfortable and confident in what they are singing. In addition, they may choose to perform a rap or be asked to tell a story or a joke.
Will my child need to bring dance clothes?
Not to the perliminary audition. There will be a dance call if your child is called back.
When will we be notified of callbacks?
Expect to receive an e-mail either way by the morning of Friday, February 16th.
If my child is called back, what should he/she be prepared with?
Music and sides (lines from the script) will be sent out to the performers. They do not need to be memorized, but your child should be as familiar with them as possible. In addition, please have your child come prepared with clothing and shoes that they can move in as a dance combination will be taught.
Who is the creative team?
Michael Mirra - Director
Michael has served as Artistic Director of Little Radicals since its inaugural production almost a decade ago. For the past fifteen years, Mr. Mirra has been teaching theatrical arts to young people in Westchester and beyond, providing lessons in (and certainly not limited to): playwriting, scene study and storytelling structure, character creation and development, dialects, as well as both improv and sketch comedy. This forthcoming production of RUNAWAYS will mark his twenty-second directorial credit.
Sam Sultan - Musical Director
Sam Sultan is a music director, cat person, and most importantly, real life Hamilton lottery ticket winner. He has worked on off-broadway, regional, and touring productions in the pit and on-stage. He is pretty stoked about getting to work on Swados’ wonderfully collaborative piece, Runaways, that gives the entire ensemble chances to shine and contribute their own unique personality to the show. Sam has a special passion for working with young actors and musicians. When he’s not playing on the stage, he’s teaching piano and voice at Standing Ovation Studios. He sees every youth theatre production as a new and unique opportunity for every single child involved. As a music director and/or musician Sam has worked with local theatres such as Little Radical Theatrics, (Drums, Xanadu) Yorktown High School, (Children of Eden, MD/conductor) Standing Ovation Studios, (Guitar, spring awakening) and Riverdale Rising Stars (Drums and Guitar, Pajama Game and Footloose)
Erin Pryor - Choreographer
Erin Pryor, Artistic Director of Erin Pryor Dance Theatre, is a graduate of Manhattanville College’s Dance and Theatre Department. Erin grew up a dancer and realized at a young age that she wanted to be a professional dancer and creator. Her dancing has brought her to many stages working with various artists such as Bill Hastings, Kazuko Hirabayshi, and Ben Munisteri. Erin’s work with Erin Pryor Dance Theatre has been performed throughout Westchester and New York City in festivals, pop up performances and seasonal performances. She has taken these experiences and studies to bring dance lessons to young artists to help them find the joy in dance and the creative process.
If you have any questions please e-mail
littleradicaltheatrics@gmail.com
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