Ages 12 - 18
Auditions: October 24th - 26th, 2026
Performances: April 24 - 26, 2026
Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys’ and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.
CLICK HERE to schedule your appointment!
AUDITION SCHEDULE
Vocal Appointments:
October 24th from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
October 25th from 10 am - 1 pm
Invited Dance Audition:
October 26th from 11 - 12:30
Invited Callbacks:
October 26th from 1 - 9 pm (a schedule will be provided)
VOCAL AUDITIONS:
Please prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song. Sheet music is preferred. No transpositions and no lead sheets. No a cappella singing. Please do not sing songs from the show. An accompanist will be provided. Backing tracks (karaoke) are not preferred but are allowed. We will provide the speaker and adapters/Bluetooth. Please bring your track on a device.
DANCE CALLBACKS:
A short dance combination will be taught. There are roles available for strong dancers as well as non-dancers. You will be notified at your vocal audition if we would like to see you at the dance call.
READ/SING CALLBACKS:
You will be notified at your vocal audition if we would like to have you read/sing. You will be notified
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS:
Attending auditions in person is much preferred. However, if you are unavailable for any of the times listed, here is the process to submit a self-tape video audition:
Tapes will be accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of October 17th. If you also need to send a virtual callback, you will be given that material to be returned by October 24th.
All vocal audition self-tapes should follow these guidelines:
- Please prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song. Please do not sing from the show.
- Vocal backing tracks or live accompaniment are allowed. Do not sing a cappella.
- Please slate your name, age, and what you will be singing.
- Video auditions are accepted as UNLISTED YOUTUBE links or GOOGLE DRIVE links ONLY.
- Links need to be included in your audition form.
- GOOGLE DRIVE links must be shared with the following emails: lpagano@gcpastl.org, sfox@gcpastl.org, ppagano@gcpastl.org
Some helpful self-tape hints:
- Early submissions are greatly appreciated and give us more time to spend on your video than those we receive at the deadline. - You do not need fancy equipment. Using a phone camera is more than sufficient.
- Film in landscape.
- Make sure your phone is stationary and level. A tripod is helpful, but not necessary. It is easy to make a stand for your phone out of household items.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit area with minimal distractions.
- Natural light and ring lights are great, but you can also enhance with lamps. We want to clearly see your facial features and expressions.
- You do not need to do a full-body frame unless your audition piece requires it. In most cases, an upper body frame is best.
- Practice before filming! Prepare for this audition as you would for an in-person audition. Practice your song for vocals and acting before ever setting up your equipment.
- If you are prepared ahead of filming, you should not need more than 3 takes. Do not over analyze details.
Be sure you’ve read all the audition details above and then to complete the Audition Form below to schedule an appointment or submit a video.
Paul Pagano (Director), a native of St. Louis, received his BA in Drama from Washington University and Masters in Theatre Education from Fontbonne University. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2001, Paul has had the opportunity to work with the Guthrie Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Hey City Theatre, the MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, HotCity Theatre, and many others. As a director and fight choreographer, in addition to 19 productions (and counting) at GCPA, credits include the MUNY, Washington University, Fontbonne University, Missouri All-State Theatre, and Kirkwood Theatre Guild. As an instructor, Paul has taught at GCPA, COCA, St. Louis University High School, and STAGES Performing Arts Academy. Love to wife, Lori, and kids, Xavier and Kalia!
Stephanie Fox (Choreographer) Originally from Oklahoma, Stephanie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music: Music Theatre and continued her studies independently in New York. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity (Stephanie Long) she has performed regionally, on National tour and in New York. In St. Louis, Stephanie has taught at COCA, STAGES, and choreographed for 8 years at Chaminade College Prep along with numerous professional choreography credits. Stephanie now lives in Michigan with her two pups and husband but is grateful to continue her work with GCPA both remotely and in person.
Lori Barrett-Pagano (Music Director & Managing Director) (she/her) is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of GCPA. She earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been teaching voice for over 25 years – currently as an adjunct voice faculty at St. Louis University, as well as voice and classes at GCPA. Professionally, Lori has performed with The MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, Echo Theatre, Spotlight Theatre, MainStage Musicals and SIUE Summer Showbiz. Regional credits include The Minnesota Opera, North Star Opera, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. Love to husband Paul, and children Xavier and Kalia.
Want to work behind the scenes learning the ins and outs of putting up a production? Apply for one of the coveted Youth Creative Team positions, including Assistant Director, Assistant Choreographer, Assistant Music Director, Assistant Stage Manager, Dramaturg and more! CLICK HERE for more info and to apply! The application deadline is June 6.
If you want to participate in the production but want a shorter commitment - sign up to be on Crew! Help move set pieces, run spotlights, assist with microphones, costumes and more! CLICK HERE for more info and to sign up.
TIME COMMITMENT
Actors are not called to every rehearsal, only when needed. A detailed schedule will be provided.
No additional conflicts will be accepted after October 26th in cases of sickness/emergency.
Because we are casting early, we will consider reasonable, grade-impacting school conflicts that arise once school calendars are released. These will not be accepted during tech. We strongly encourage you to speak with choir directors, coaches, and other activity leaders now to gather as much information as possible about your fall commitments—especially those in April.
All actors have 2 unexcused absences they can use for things that pop up, but beyond that we ask you hold your availability as listed in your conflict section of the application.
YOUR CONFLICTS MUST BE UP-TO-DATE IN THE FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL.
Rehearsals:
January 17 - April 16
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 - 9 pm
Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays from 1 - 9 pm WE WILL ONLY USE THESE IF NEEDED, AND NO MORE THAN 5 DURING THE WHOLE PROCESS
NO CONFLICTS BEYOND THIS POINT
Tech:
Friday, April 17th: 4:30 - 10 pm*
Saturday and Sunday, April 18 - 19
10 am - 10 pm YES, you must hold this whole time.
Dress Rehearsals:
April 20 - 23
4:30 pm - 10 pm
Performances:
Friday, April 24 at 7 pm
Saturday, April 25 at 2 pm
Saturday, April 25 at 7 pm
Sunday, April 26 at 2 pm
Strike to immediately follow
Strike Sunday, April 26.
Strike is REQUIRED for all actors with no exceptions. Strike will begin after the final performance and actors are required to stay until strike is completed or 8 pm, whichever comes first.
There is no fee to audition.
In our ongoing commitment to making theater accessible to all, we are removing the production fee for Grease We believe every child should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstance. While participation remains completely free and casting will never be affected by donations, the actual cost to support one child in this production is approximately $250. If you are in a position to contribute, donations are gratefully accepted and will go directly toward helping us cover production costs like costumes, sets, and staffing. Thank you for helping us keep the magic of theater alive and inclusive for everyone!
COSTUMES
GCPA provides costumes. Actors may be asked to provide the following:
Female Characters – Skin colored tights. Skin colored leotard with invisible straps. Some option(s) out of: jazz shoes, character shoes, lace up boots, heeled tap shoes
Male Characters: – Black Pants, belt, and socks. White button-down dress shirt. White undershirt. Fitted undershorts. Some option(s) out of: black dress shoes, black jazz shoes, flat tap shoes, lace up boots.
All - Provide own make-up and hair products unless wigged.
Potentially provide every day items such as jeans.
Prices vary for base layer items and dance shoes. GCPA does provide options from wholesaler Revolution Dancewear for extremely competitive prices.
TICKETS
Ticket prices will range from $19 - $35 based on location in the theatre.
Tickets are sold through Metrotix and at the box office. When purchasing through Metrotix, fees may apply. There are no complimentary tickets.
TRIBUTES, BUSINESS ADS, T-SHIRTS AND JACKETS
All of the below are OPTIONAL.
GCPA provides a program (digital and printed) where you will have the option to purchase a tribute ad for your actor and/or a business ad. There are price points from $20 - $500, so something for everyone!
T-shirts will be available for $28 and hoodies for $40. Show shirts include a colorful design on the front, cast/crew list on the back and the YTC Cast Member badge on the shoulder.
Youth Theatre Company Members Only Jackets are available for $65
There is a company dinner between shows on Saturday with a suggested donation of $10.
EXTRAS:
Parent volunteers may ask for donations/ideas for our annual fundraiser, Raise the Curtain.
Parents often organize a cast party and director gifts, requesting a donation from cast. This is separate from GCPA and up to the cast to decide.
Grease is rated PG-13
Grease contains the following themes and content
Sexual innuendo and suggestive dialogue
Gender stereotypes and outdated portrayals of relationships
Peer pressure and themes of conformity
Mild profanity and crude humor
Smoking, drinking, and references to teen pregnancy
Period-specific depictions of sexism and misogyny
As Grease reflects the culture of the 1950s and was written in the 1970s, some story points are outdated. While GCPA is leaning into the feminism of the story, it is also a period piece produced for nostalgia.
