THE ELGIVA SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT IS BACK!

Following on from the success of Annie Jr in 2022 and Peter Pan Jr in 2023, our team return to provide local young people with a memorable two-week experience and TWO performances of Sister Act Jr on the amazing Elgiva stage.

Perform on the stunning Elgiva stage, work with industry-recognised creatives and technicians and be a part of this brilliant musical blockbuster! No auditions – just sign up and you’re in! But get in quickly – with limited places you need to book ASAP!

JOINING OUR SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT IS EASY PEASY!

WHY SISTER ACT JR?

Sister Act Jr is a wonderful ensemble musical with uplifting songs, outrageous dances and over 20 parts with lines! We only have a limited number of places in this project so we can ensure that everyone gets a chance to shine!

IMPORTANT DATES

Casting Day: Sunday 9th June 12pm to 4pm at the White Hill Centre, Chesham

Summer project & rehearsals:
Monday 19th August to Friday 23rd August – 9:30am to 4pm (drop off from 9am)
Tuesday 27th August to Friday 30th August – 9:30am to 4pm (6pm finish on Friday)

Performances: Saturday 31st August 2:30pm & 6pm

LOCATION

Week 1
Monday 19th August to Friday 23rd August

Chiltern Hills Academy
Chartridge Lane
Chesham
HP5 2RG

Week 2
Tuesday 27th August to Friday 30th August

The Elgiva
St Mary’s Way
Chesham
HP5 1HR

COST

£260 (£130 per week)**
£245 for returning Summer Project members, EYT members or siblings
£50 payable as a deposit to attend the casting day

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Our project is designed to provide an amazing experience for ALL participants – not just the lead parts. We are asking everyone to commit to the project BEFORE our casting day on Sunday 9th June. That means paying a deposit of £50 before the casting day, and we hope that regardless of whether you get a ‘named part’ or are in the ensemble (where you will likely get to play multiple characters with different costumes) you will join us for the project in August. We’re confident that once you’ve been coached by our empowering Musical Director Jill Neenan, our professional choreographer Alana Asher, and our nurturing and visionary Director Danielle Gaglione, you’ll be desperate to spend two weeks under their wing!

During the rehearsal process we schedule lots of activities for everyone so if you don’t get cast in a lead role, we guarantee that you won’t be sitting around feeling bored.

WHAT IS THE CASTING DAY?

On Sunday 9th June, we invite all participants to spend the afternoon with the team (Danielle, Jill & Alana) at the White Hill Centre, Chesham so we can get to know each other and, of course, cast the show. There’ll be warm up games, singing, dancing and acting.

Anyone who wants to be considered for a lead role or a featured role will need to sing a few lines solo and read some script in front of others.

WHO WE ARE

Director & Producer – Danielle Gaglione
Danielle leads The Elgiva Youth Theatre and led the smash successes Annie Jr in 2022 and Peter Pan Jr in 2023. She is known for her energy and passion to ensure that all young people get a chance to shine!

Musical Director – Jill Neenan
Jill is a celebrated local MD, who has worked with adults and children in the West End and more recently across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire in countless musical productions. Jill’s nurturing style makes her a favourite with everyone she meets, and her talent and positivity results in the most incredible confidence from her students. It really is like magic!

Alana Asher – Choreographer
Alana has been performing since she was a young child, and has performed in the West End (Les Mis, Spend, Spend, Spend), on screen (Harry Potter movies) and now is a professional tribute artist touring the country with her group the Sing-Out Sisters. Alana’s energy and sense of fun means that even people who don’t like dancing have a great time in her sessions and she’ll always tailor the moves to suit each individual.

We also have an amazing team of additional helpers, including the incredible Technical Team who will be there to bring that real-theatre magic to the production.

FAQ

Q: My child only wants to take part of they are cast in a lead role. What can I do if they are not cast as a lead?

A: We are asking everyone who signs up to commit to the project by paying a non-refundable deposit of £50 upon registration. If your child is not offered a lead role, we will use the casting day to identify everyone’s strengths and offer everyone who wants one a featured speaking, singing or acting role. We strongly recommend that you and they consider the excitement of being in our Ensemble. With multiple parts and costumes, loads of chances to sing, dance and act, ensemble is often the most fun place to be in a show! In addition, you will get support and coaching from our industry experts so you will leave the project as a stronger and more experienced performer than when you started. If you still do not want to take part then you may withdraw but the £50 deposit is non-refundable.

Q: We want to take part in the project but cannot attend the casting day. What can I do?

A: Please make a note of this on the registration form and we will be in touch to advise how you can submit a digital ‘audition tape’.

Q: My child wants to take part but there are some rehearsal days or performances that they cannot attend – can they still come?

A: Yes! But we cannot offer them a lead or featured role if they will miss any of the performances. Please make a note on the registration form.

Q: I’ve paid the £50 deposit, when is the final balance payable?

A: You can either pay the full balance straight away or you can pay the full balance within one week of the casting.

Q: My child is very nervous about the casting day – what can they expect?

A: We know that castings can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but we promise that everyone feels the same! And the team will do everything we can to help everyone feel at ease, playing games, and no pressure for anyone to do anything that they don’t want to do.

There is nothing to prepare in advance of the Casting Day.