Litefooter Youth Workshop & Production

Our young performers at the Plaza are nicknamed the Litefooters because our adults are called the Footeliters in honor of Pulitzer- and Academy Award-winning playwright Horton Foote, who was born in Wharton. Every summer we teach basic stagecraft and theatre discipline at the Litefooter Summer Youth Workshop. The workshop culminates in a major production on the Plaza’s main stage during the last weekend in June.

This Season’s Production:

Roald Dahl’s

Matilda the Musical Jr.

a musical
book by Dennis Kelly
music & lyrics by Tim Minchin
presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
directed by Hailey Roberson

Auditions: May 14 & 16, 2023 at 6:00pm at the Plaza

Performances: June 22–25, 2023
Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30pm

About the Show: Rebellion is nigh in Matilda Jr., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown–ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence… and special powers! She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules.

But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

About Auditions: Auditions are held in early May and the number of participants will be limited for the program. Participants must be ages 6 – 14 at the time of auditions. You may attend both audition sessions, but only one is required.

Participants should be prepared to sing a musical selection of their choice, read from the script, and wear comfortable clothes for a dance audition.

For those that receive a part and are accepted into the program, a registration fee of $80 covers t-shirt, snacks and supplies. Scholarships are available upon special request.

Special Note: Youth that participate in the Litefooter Summer Youth Workshop & Production will not be allowed to audition for other summer productions because of conflicting rehearsal schedules.

Rehearsal Schedule. The schedule is subject to change depending on the specific requirements of the production.

Performance Schedule. The production schedule for each season is posted on the Plaza website. Participants need to be at the theater two hours before curtain time for each performance for costumes, hair and makeup.

Volunteering. The Litefooter Summer Youth Workshop always requires volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, including snack preparation, backstage assistance, set construction, prop and costume fabrication, etc. If you’d like to assist in any way, please contact us.