Involvement in our Education Series productions is open to interested participants ages 4 to adult, see each production for specific age requirements. There are many roles available in the productions and plenty of opportunities for expansion! All Education Series rehearsal and performances will be held at the NEW SLT Education Building, 237 S Florence Ave less than a block from the historic Landers Theatre unless otherwise noted.
TURN ON YOUR IMAGINATION and BLANKET KID
by Robb “Robbo” Zelonky
Ages 4-9, featuring Robb “Robbo” Zelonky
Turn on Your Imagination to the tunes of ROBBO! In this high energy musical review, we fight the monsters under our beds, sing along with creatures of the forest, and invite space aliens over for chocolate pie!
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting: Saturday, October 13, 10am – 11am followed by an 11:00am to Noon Rehearsal
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am – Noon. beginning Saturday, October 13, plus final tech Thursday, November 8, 6:00-7:00 pm
Public Performances at the SLT Education Building
- Friday, November 9 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, November 10 at 2:00pm
- Sunday, November 11 at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Director
Turn On Your Imagination will be directed by Zoe Zelonky.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $80 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
The Education Series musical review Turn On Your Imagination will be presented in conjunction with Blanket Kid, a one man show written and performed by Robb “Robbo” Zelonky. Blanket Kid invites you to release the child within during an evening of fun, music, and entertainment for the whole family! From midnight snack raps to magical spells that go horribly wrong, “Blanket Kid” will keep you laughing and dancing along in your seat!
About Robb “Robbo” Zelonky
Born in Appleton, Wisconsin and raised in the Chicago area, since 1993, Robb Zelonky has been known professionally (and very often personally) as ‘Robbo,’ a three time White House performer and Parent’s Choice Gold Award winning children’s singer and songwriter. Presently with 5 CDs of his original children’s music on Spotify, iTunes, etc., (including A Kid’s Life, featuring an Emmy winner, Emmy nominees and Oscar nominee Teri Garr), ‘Robbo’, has felt great fulfillment in being a part of the children’s national music scene.
After receiving his BA in Theatre from Loyola University of Chicago in 1986, Robb began to work in youth theatre. Since the early two thousands, he has directed young people in musicals in Denver, Memphis, Chicago, and mostly at Appling Middle School in Bartlett, TN and at Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu, CA. It is his greatest pride to see his many young performers go on to success, both in the arts, and in life.
A father of three wonderful people, namely, a son who works with young people in the camping world, another son who starred in the National Broadway touring company of Billy Elliot, and a daughter who directs youth theatre in Missouri (our very own Zoe Zelonky!), Robb vividly recalls his experiences as a child. His greatest desire is to help young people feel positively about themselves and their place in the world.
SUDDENLY SOMEONE
by Robb “Robbo” Zelonky
Ages 10-Adult
Suddenly Someone focuses on Michael Hope, an eighth grade boy who painfully deals with bullying in school and an absent father at home. Though he has good things in his world — a loving mom and sister, along with two devoted and caring friends — he finds it a daily struggle to feel his blessings. One day, unexpectedly, he gets forced into singing at his middle school’s annual talent show. To most everyone’s surprise, he’s wonderful. His whole life changes. He becomes an Internet sensation and a national phenomenon. Money, opportunity and fame come to him. Still, traumatized as he is by the losses and abuses he has endured throughout his life, he feels wholly undeserving of his good fortune. As former nemeses look to ingratiate themselves to him, and as his father reenters his life with dark motivations, he determines to fight, not only for the people who have been closest to his heart, but for himself. In doing so, he finally finds the one thing that had always been beyond his grasp: Gratitude.
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting: Sunday, October 7, 7:00-9:00 pm
Auditions: Tuesday, October 9, 7:00-9:00 pm
Rehearsals: Sunday-Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm, Beginning Wednesday, October 10 (Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal.)
Public Performances at the SLT Education Building
- Thursday, November 15 at 7:00pm
- Friday, November 16 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, November 17 at 2:00pm
- Sunday, November 18 at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Special Performances for Area Schools at the SLT Education Building
- Wednesday, November 14 at 9:30am., 11:15am and 1:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $4.00 a ticket for area school groups of 10 or more.
Director
Suddenly Someone will be directed by Zoe Zelonky.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $100 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
THE FROSTY THE SNOWMAN AND FRIENDS SING-ALONG
Adapted by Eli Cunningham and Zoe Zelonky
Ages 4-9, featuring Kaleb Norman as Frosty, Eli Cunningham as The Magician, and Zoe Zelonky as Karen
A discarded magic top hat brings to life the snowman that a group of children made, until a magician, Professor Hinkle, wants it back, and the temperature starts to rise. Frosty will melt or no longer be a jolly soul, if the kids cannot get him away from Hinkle and warm weather, so he hops a train to the North Pole with young Karen.
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting/Rehearsal: Monday, November 26, 6:00-7:00 pm
Rehearsals: Wednesday, November 28, 6:00-7:30 pm; Thursday, November 29, 7:00-8:30 pm; Saturday, December 1, 10:00 am-11:30 am; Wednesday, December 5, 6:00-7:30 pm; and Thursday, December 6, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Public Performances at the SLT Education Building
- Friday, December 7 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, December 8 at 2:00pm
- Sunday, December 9 at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Director
The Frosty The Snowman and Friends Sing-Along will be directed by Zoe Zelonky, Kaleb Norman and Eli Cunningham.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $80 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
BLOW YE WINDS, BLOW
by Eli Cunningham
Ages 8-Adult
Life at the orphanage is pretty dull for Johnny King. He spends most days staring out the window and dreaming of adventure on the high seas. Everything changes when he decides to “borrow” a treasure map from REAL-LIFE PIRATES! Johnny narrowly escapes the angry pirates, gathers the orphans, commandeers a ship, and sets sail for adventure. Now it’s sink or swim for Johnny and his band of baby-faced buccaneers as they navigate stormy seas, sirens’ songs, and shrieking serpents.
Blow Ye Winds Blow features a large ensemble cast with roles for children and adults. It’s ‘Oliver’ meets ‘Treasure Island’ meets ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ with music based in traditional sea shanties. It’s a whale of a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting: Sunday, January 27, 7:00-8:00 pm
Auditions: Tuesday, January 29, 7:00-9:00 pm
Rehearsals: Sunday through Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm beginning Wednesday, January 30 (Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal.)
Public Performances at the SLT Education Building
- Thursday, February 28 at 7:00pm
- Friday, March 1 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, March 2 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
- Sunday, March 3 at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Special Performances for Area Schools at the SLT Education Building
- Wednesday, February 27 at 9:30am., 11:15am and 1:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $4.00 a ticket for area school groups of 10 or more.
Director
Blow Ye Winds, Blow will be directed by Eli Cunningham.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $100 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR.
by David Simpatico and Bryan Louiselle
Ages 4-18
Travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures. Featuring updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated motion picture, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. is a fast-paced take on the classic tale.
The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game!
Roles are plentiful, including three Cheshire Cats and dozens of other wonderfully wacky characters, including rock lobsters, talking fish, royal cardsmen, un-birthday partiers, and a group of “mean-girl” flowers!
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting: Sunday, April 7, 7:00-8:00 pm
Auditions: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00-9:30 pm
Rehearsals: Monday-Friday, 7:00-9:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; and Sunday 1:00-3:00 pm (Not everyone will be called all the time. The director will issue a detailed schedule nearer to the month of April.)
Public Performances at the Landers Theatre
- Saturday, May 18 at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Director
Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, JR. will be directed by Zoe Zelonky.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $125 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
DISNEY’S THE LION KING EXPERIENCE JR.
by Tim Rice, Elton John, Will Van Dyke, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Roger Ellers, and Irene Mecchi
9th Grade and Younger
Disney’s The Lion King has, for years, captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and now, for the first time ever, Springfield Little Theatre has the opportunity to produce this one-of-a-kind musical in a wholly original celebratory staging, featuring our talented young performers 9th grade and under! The African savannah will come to life in the McDaniel Auditorium at our new SLT Education Facility with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of dancers and singers as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again, in an inspiring, coming-of-age tale featuring the iconic Circle of Life, I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, Hakuna Matata, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and more.
Rehearsals
First Cast Meeting: Sunday, April 7, 7:00-8:00 pm
Auditions: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00-9:30 pm
Rehearsals: Monday-Friday, 7:00-9:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am-11:00 am; and Sunday 1:00-3:00 pm (Not everyone will be called all the time. The director will issue a detailed schedule nearer to the month of April.)
Public Performances at the SLT Education Building
- Thursday, June 27 at 7:00pm
- Friday, June 28 at 7:00pm
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
- Sunday, June 30 at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices
- $10.00 – Adults
- $8.00 – Senior/Students
- $6.00 – Children 12 and under
Director
Disney’s The Lion King Experience, JR. will be directed by Lorianne Dunn.
Participation Fee
A participation fee of $100 helps the theatre cover the costs of this project.
A limited number of scholarships are available for all offerings. Please submit a letter of request to lorianned@springfieldlittletheatre.org.
For more information, please contact the Education Department at (417) 413-ACTS.