AUDITIONS FOR 2026-2027 ARE NOW OPEN
SHOW STARTERS 2026–2026
Show Starters is a unique performance ensemble for GCPA students entering grades 5–8, focused on developing well-rounded, community-minded performers. Students will train in voice, dance, and performance technique while preparing entertainment to share at events around the St. Louis area. The program emphasizes team-building, responsibility, and service through the performing arts.
This is a year-long commitment. Members are expected to prioritize rehearsals and performances.
This is commitment to a team that is focused on the whole, not the individual.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Stephanie Fox
Music Director: Ashleigh Blevins
Choreographer: Jennifer Egley
APPLICATION & AUDITIONS
Admission is by application and audition only.
CLICK HERE for APPLICATION FORM!
All students must:
Complete an application form
Submit a video audition (details below)
Eligibility
Must be entering grades 5–8 in Fall 2026
Spots are limited and not all applicants will be accepted
VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
VOCAL AUDITION
Perform one 16–32 bar cut of a song from contemporary or jukebox musical theater
Use an instrumental/karaoke track—no a cappella
Begin with a slate: name, age, grade, and song title
Record in a quiet place, landscape orientation preferred
DANCE AUDITION
We’re asking you to record a short video of yourself demonstrating a few common dance steps to help us assess your current level. You only need to include the skills you already know—you can skip a skill if you do not know it. Please combine all the steps into one video link. Music is not required, but you’re welcome to use it if you’d like.
4 Jazz Squares in a row
4 Chaînes in a row
Lindy to the right and left
Pirouette - however many you can execute cleanly
Two chasses into a Grande jeté
Special Skills/Dance Video: If you have a skill you'd like to share, please include it! If you have a solo video of you doing a dance, you are also able to upload that as a separate video.
Submit as Unlisted YouTube or Google Drive link shared with:
sfox@gcpastl.org
ablevins@gcpastl.org
jenniferegley13@gmail.com
AUDITION DEADLINES
We aim to cast in early summer to allow families ample time to plan.
Videos due: June 4
Callbacks: June 10, 6–8 PM
IMPORTANT DATES
Raise the Curtain Performance – REQUIRED
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Rehearsals:
There will be a few added rehearsals outside of classtime, TBA.
Friday, October 16 – 4–10 PM (exact time TBA)
Saturday, October 4 – Dress rehearsal & performance (all day held)
Summer Intensive – LIMITED CONFLICTS
July 27 - 31, 2026 | 9 am - 4 pm
A full-day, camp-style intensive to build ensemble unity, teach material, and conduct assessments
Limited conflicts allowed—this week is essential to the program’s success.
If your school starts during the intensive, exceptions will be made.
Focus areas include:
Group bonding
Skill assessments
Holiday and spring show preparation
Winter Intensive - LIMITED CONFLICTS
January 5 - 7, 5 pm - 9 pm
WEEKLY COMMITMENT
Regular Classes/Rehearsals:
Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:30–7:00 PM
Fall: Sept 8 – Dec 13, 2025 (No classes Nov 24 - 30)
Spring: Jan 12 – May 9, 2026
Rehearsals include learning music, choreography, and building performance quality. Conflicts are allowed, within reason. Students are called to all rehearsals.
REQUIRED CLASSES
As Show Starters is a training program to prepare students for high school performance opportunities, students are required to take additional classes as listed below.
DANCE
Must take one Jazz Technique class:
Beginner+: Mondays, 4:30–5:30 PM
Advanced Intermediate+: Mondays, 7–8 PM
Focus is on technique and skill, not choreography
If a student is more advanced than the levels listed, a new class will be discussed. This is determined by Stephanie Fox & Jennifer Egley
VOICE
Required: 16 private voice lessons from Sept–April (bi-weekly)
May study with GCPA or an outside instructor
Must turn in attendance records if studying outside GCPA
ACTING
Recommended for all
Heavily suggested for 7th grade
Required for 8th grade
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
REHEARSALS
Must attend 80% of rehearsals per semester
2 unexcused absences allowed (with notice, illness, bereavement)
5 total absences max per semester
Must attend the rehearsal before any performance or risk being removed from that event.
CLASSES
Must attend 75% of all dance/voice classes
Makeup classes are allowed per GCPA policy
PERFORMANCES
Students must commit to 80% of confirmed performances at time of audition. Additional performance opportunities will arise and should be prioritized when possible. Performances are also subject to change, as most are performances we do not host.
School performances are a mission of the program, hoping to inspire new students to explore the arts. A maximum of 4 school-day events will be scheduled through the entire year, but it is usually 2 -3.
Students must commit to at least 2 school-day performances unless your school prohibits any absences.
TENTATIVE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Here are the dates currently confirmed for 26-27. There are many we have not received dates for, yet.
Saturday, Sept 19th or 20 - Greentree
Call time TBD
Saturday, October 17th: Raise the Curtain
*Please hold all day as rehearsals and performance times are not available, yet.
Saturday, December 5th: Webster Groves Tree Lighting
Call 4 pm
Performance 5 pm
Saturday/Sunday December 12th and 13th: Fall Show PreShow
Call 12:30
Show 1:15
Saturday/Sunday, April 24th and 25th: Spring Pre-Show
Call: 12:30 pm
Show: 1:15 pm
FINAL DEMO SCHEDULE:*
Monday, May 11th - ADDED Rehearsal, 4:30 - 8
Thursday, May 14th - ADDED Rehearsal at theatre, 4:30 - 8:30
Performance: Friday, May 15th.
Call 5 pm
Show 7 pm
*Some performance times are TBD and subject to change.
COST
Total costs vary by class load.
Production Fee (Paid upon acceptance to program): Covers the Intensive (35 hours of training), uniforms and performance needs): $400
Registration Fee: $35 paid in first class payment
Class Fees:
9 monthly payments on the first of the month: September - May.
Here's an example based on the minimum requirement: (Based on 25-26 rates)
Show Starters (1.5 hrs/week)
$95/month x 9 = $855
Dance Class (1 hr/week) (discounted 5%)
$60.80/month x 9 = $547.20
Private Voice (16 @ $30)
$480
Production Fee
$400
Registration Fee
$35
Estimated Total
$2,367.20
UNIFORMS
Two looks are used throughout the year, mostly covered by the production fee:
Casual Look (you provide black bottoms and jazz shoes)
Personalized Show Starters shirt (yours to keep)
Show Starters jacket
Dressy Look (rented; returned annually)
Options include:
Dress + black shorts + jazz shoes*
Vest + button-down shirt + black pants + jazz shoes*
Suspenders + button-down + pants + jazz shoes*
*Student provides marked items