Youth Opportunities
🌟 Calling All Young Performers! 🌟
Timber Lake Playhouse, renowned for its excellence in professional summer stock theatre, invites local youth to audition for featured roles in our 2026 Season! We're seeking talented young performers for Les Misérables & Shrek The Musical on our Mainstage and for our Junior Lakers production of Legally Blonde Jr.
Mainstage AUDITION DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (CST) (Break: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
Youth performers will not be required for the entire time. They can arrive at any time during our Local EPA to be seen.
Location: Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll, IL 61053
ROLES
Les Misérables
First Rehearsal: May 26th, 2026
Opening: June 12th, 2026
Closing: June 28th, 2026
Gavroche. Gavroche is Thénardier’s son. He is left to fend for himself and lives by his wits in the streets of Paris. His archenemy is Javert, the policeman. Gavroche is brave, witty, and arrogant, with a fantastic, unchanged voice. (Range: B3-G5)
Standby Gavroche. In the case that Gavroche cannot perform, we will have an young professional hired to cover Gavroche for those given performances. (Range: B3-G5)
Young Cosette. Young Cosette is Fantine’s daughter and the Thénardiers’ ward. She has been forced into child labor. She is underfed, beaten by Madame Thénardier, and bullied by Eponine. (Range: A3-C5)
Young Eponine. Young Eponine is the pampered daughter of the Thénardiers. She does little except taunt Young Cosette. This role will understudy Young Cosette. (Range: A3-C5)
Standby Young Eponine. In the case that Young Eponine will perform as Young Cosette, we will have an young professional hired to play Young Eponine for those given performances. (Range: A3-C5)
Shrek The Musical
First Rehearsal: June 30th, 2026
Opening: July 17th, 2026
Closing: August 2nd, 2026
Young Shrek. is 7 years old when his parents send him out into the world, warning him that because of his looks he will not have a happy ending (Range: A3-C#5)
Standby Young Shrek. In the case that Young Shrek cannot perform, we will have an young professional hired to cover Young Shrek for those given performances. (Range: A3-C#5)
Young Fiona. A bright little girl only recently locked in a tower, who passes her time reading fairy tales about being rescued by a handsome and charming prince. (Range: B3-C#5)
Standby Young Fiona. In the case that Young Fiona cannot perform, we will have an young professional hired to cover Young Fiona for those given performances. (Range: B3-C#5)
*Teen Fiona will be played by a member of the Resident Acting Company.
Legally Blonde Jr.
Rehearsals Begin: First week of June, 2025
Performances: June 24th - June 27th, 2025
Youth and high school performers will have opportunities to participate in this Junior Lakers production. More details on the character breakdown to come!
Age Range: Late Elementary to the High School Level. All performers must be 18 years old or under to participate.
Production Fee: $300 per student, with a discounted rate of $250 per student for families enrolling multiple siblings. This fee covers a comprehensive experience, including a full design team from our Resident Company and a professional Director and Choreographer from New York to lead the project. Modeled after our mainstage productions, this program provides young performers with a gateway to professional training in a fun and well-structured environment, ensuring high-quality production amenities and artistic guidance throughout.
Excited to join Legally Blonde Jr., but feel a barrier introduced by the fee? We’re here to help! Reach out to us about our work-study opportunities, designed to make participation accessible by reducing the cost. Let’s work together to get you involved!
Seeking:
Elle Woods
Elle Woods may appear like a typical blonde California sorority girl, but don't count her out. She is hardworking, optimistic and tenacious. Seeking a High School student for this role.
Margot, Serena, and Pilar
Margot, Serena and Pilar are Elle's trio of best friends and Delta Nu sisters. Seeking a Middle to High School students for these roles.
Kate
Kate is a featured Delta Nu sister - the academic of the bunch. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Warner Huntington III
Warner Huntington III is Elle's ex-boyfriend and caught between his former life with Elle and his newfound serious East Coast life with Vivienne. Seeking a High School student for this role.
Admission Officers
Winthrop, Lowell and Pforzheimer are three admissions officers of Harvard Law School who eventually admit Elle into the program after some critical evaluation. These performers should be great actors, capable of showing some age and character. Seeking Elementary to High School students for these roles.
Emmett Forrest
Emmet Forrest has had to work hard his entire life to get into Harvard Law School, and nothing is going to come between him and becoming a partner in Callahan's law firm, except maybe his surprising love for Elle. Seeking a High School student for this role.
Law Students
Aaron Schultz, Sundeep Agrawal Padamadan and Enid Hoopes are three featured law students with academic credits that would intimidate anyone. These are fun roles for actors who can really bring their unique selves to these parts. Cast three young people with distinct personalities and who can make bold choice. Seeking Elementary to High School students for these roles.
Vivienne Kensington
Vivienne Kensington is the very opposite of Elle, if judging only by demeanor. She comes from a very conservative East Coast background and is everything that Warner needs to make a serious move to become a lawyer. Seeking a High School student for this role.
Whitney
Whitney is Vivienne's law school friend and partner in mischief when it comes to bringing down Elle.This is fun role for a less experienced performer who has wonderful energy and presence. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Professor Callahan
Professor Callahan is the most-feared professor at Harvard Law School. Seeking a High School student for this role.
Paulette
Paulette is a wonderful role for your best comedienne. While she is a bold character, her self-esteem needs a little boost now and then. Your performer should be a great singer and an even better actor. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Brooke Wyndam
Brooke Wyndham is a famous fitness video guru on trial for killing her husband. This is a high-spirited role for a young lady who is a triple-threat: a great singer, dancer and actress. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Dewey
Paulette's brash ex-husband, who lives in a trailer and holds her dog captive. Although Dewey doesn't have a lot of stage time, it is a great cameo role for a young man who is less experienced but fearless in his acting choices. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Chutney Wyndham
Chutney Wyndham has a really bad perm and an even worse attitude. She is Brooke's unhappy stepdaughter who is actually guilty for killing her father and framing Brooke. Seeking an Elementary to High School student for this role.
Kyle
Kyle is the UPS delivery man who Paulette has her eyes on each time his job brings him to the salon. Seeking a Middle to High School student for this role.
Salon Employees
Part of Paulette's entourage at the salon who are very adept at the "Bend and Snap." Seeking a Middle to High School students for these roles.
Featured Ensemble
Grandmaster Chad, Gaelen, Judge, Jet Blue Pilot, Saleswoman, Store Manager, Prison Guard, Bookish Client and Sabrina are featured roles for young performers. Seeking Elementary to High School students for these roles.
Ensemble
The ensemble roles consist of Waiters, Delta Nus, Frat Boys, Greek Chorus, Students and Inmates. No role is small, especially in the world of Legally Blonde JR., where actors change hats quickly from character to character. Seeking Elementary to High School students for these roles.
PREPARATION
Prepare a short musical selection that showcases your personality and vocal range. An accompanist will be provided.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you may be asked to stay and dance.
Bring your headshot (or a clear photo of yourself) and resume, stapled together.
VIRTUAL SUBMISSIONS
If you cannot attend in person, you may submit a video audition. Include a musical selection and a dance reel. Send all materials, including your headshot and resume, to casting@timberlakeplayhouse.org.
SIGN UPS FOR THE MASTERCLASS PROGRAM
Join our Masterclass Program, running on Mondays from May 19th through August 11th, 2025. These drop-in classes, led by TLP team members from across the country, offer specialized skill development in various aspects of theatre.
Masterclass Fee: $50 per class per student. $300 per student if you sign up for all eight classes in advance.
Classes may include themes like audition preparation, acting through song, and stage combat, as well as improvisation, dance techniques, and design for the stage.
Dates:
May 19th
June 30th
July 7th
July 14th
July 21st
July 28th
August 4th
August 11th
For questions or more information on how to sign up for Masterclasses or Legally Blonde Jr., reach out to education@timberlakeplayhouse.org. Break a leg!