PRODUCTION PARTNER
Nestle Purina Petcare

 

The Wizard of Oz
Ages 8 - 18*

Rated G
Now auditioning! See details below for in-person auditions June 6 - 8, 2025
Performs December 17 - 21, 2025

We're off to see the wizard! This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has entertained audiences for generations.

*Actors must be no younger than 8 and no older than 18 by September 1st 

Information on this page is also listed in the audition form. CLICK HERE to complete the Audition Form to schedule an appointment or submit a video.

AUDITION SCHEDULE
Vocal Appointments:

June 6  from 4:30 - 8:30

June 7 th from 10 - 2 

Invited Dance Audition:

June 8:
10 - 11:30 - Those being considered for Munchkins
11:30 - 1 - Those being considered for other tracks

*These are the preferred times. We will be offering an alternate time on June 7 from 3 - 4:30 only for those with conflicts.

Invited Callbacks:

June 8 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 June 1. If you also need to send a virtual callback, you will be given that material to be returned by June 6. 

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.

Hover over the images to learn more about the Creative Team!

Paul Pagano, a native of St. Louis, received his BA in Drama from Washington University and Masters in Theatre Education from Fontbonne University.  As an actor, Paul has had the opportunity to work with the Guthrie Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Hey City Theatre, Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, the MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, HotCity Theatre, and many others.  He has worked with Hunter Foster, Kathy Fitzgerald, Peter Michael Goetz, Anne Bogart, and Dan Goggin.  Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2001.

As an instructor, Paul has taught at COCA, the Utah Shakespeare Festival Teen Acting Intensive, St. Louis University High School, and STAGES Performing Arts Academy.

When not on stage or in the classroom, Paul’s favorite roles are being a husband to wife, Lori, and father to budding stars, Xavier & Kalia.  

Lori Barrett-Pagano 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, privately out of her home, as well as voice and musical theatre classes at GCPA.  

Lori enjoys singing numerous styles of music and has performed with musical theatre, operetta, and opera companies.  Locally, she 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.

Her most enjoyable performing is to sing and dance around the house with her actor/singer husband, Paul, and her most precious stars, son, Xavier, and daughter, Kalia.

Originally from Oklahoma, Stephanie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music: Music Theatre.  After moving to New York, she continued her education privately at studios including Jen Waldman Studio, Kimberly Vaughn: Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway. 

Stephanie has choreographed many shows across the country and, as an educator, she has taught dance, musical theatre, song interpretation and audition technique in St. Louis, Oklahoma, and Indiana at studios including COCA, STAGES Performing Arts Academy, ArtWorks Academy, Range of Motion Dance Studio, Round Barn Theatre, On Broadway Productions, Poteet Little Theatre and Oklahoma Children's Theatre.  Currently, she is the choreographer for Chaminade College Preparatory School.

A proud member of Actors' Equity (Stephanie Long), Stephanie has performed across the country at theatres including: Insight Theatre Company, The Round Barn Theatre, Mt. Washington Valley Theatre, Shawnee Playhouse, KJK Productions, Cortland Repertory, College Light Opera and Group Theatre Too.  Some favorite credits include: National Tour: Junie B. Jones (May); Regional: Company (Amy), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), A Chorus Line (Diana and Maggie), Nunsense (Sr. Robert Anne), Godspell (Robin), Grease (Jan), Titanic (Alice Beane), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Rhetta), and White Christmas (Judy).

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 June 8, except 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 December.

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:

September 16  - December 11
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 - 9 pm
Saturdays from 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays from 1 - 9 pm WHEN NEEDED

Flying and Dog Handling Tech:

If you are cast in a role that flies or handles the dogs, you will have extra tech. You may not be called all day/every day, but you will need to hold December 6 - 12. That schedule will not be available until closer to date.

Tech:
December  12: 4:30 - 10 pm*
December 13 - 14
9 am - 9 pm

*Due to the heavy tech for this show, we are ​h​aving an extended tech, including holding Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Unlike other tech schedules, our intention is to not use everyone the entire time, but we won’t know that schedule until closer to date. Larger roles will be required more. ​E​veryone must have complete availability on these dates so you can come when you are called​ ​b​ut you will receive a schedule closer to time. ​As we know some will have exams, we will provide quiet areas for study during down time. Starting Monday, December 15th, everyone is called.

Dress Rehearsals:
December 15 - 17
4:30 pm - 10 pm

School Time Show:
Thursday, December 18, 10 am

Performances:
Thursday, December 18 at 7 pm
Friday, December 19 at 7 pm
Saturday, December 20 at 2 pm
Saturday, December 20 at 7 pm
Sunday, December 21 at 2 pm
Strike to immediately follow

Strike Sunday, December 21.
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. 

It is our intent to do a School Time matinee on Thursday, December 18th at 10 am for local school children! 

We are not making it required to attend in order to audition and be cast, however, we do need to know if enough of the cast is available to move forward with plans after casting. Please be very honest about your ability to take off this day and reach out to your school for more information, if you feel comfortable. 

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

There is no fee to audition. 

In our ongoing commitment to making theater accessible to all, we are removing the production fee for The Wizard of Oz. 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.

WAIVERS

You will be asked to approve or disapprove of participation in the following. The Wizard of Oz uses live animals and flying effects. 

William Berloni Theatrical Animals is providing our two Toto’s along with a professional dog handler. As a strict rule, only those cast in roles that interact with the dog will be allowed to interact with it. 

Those cast in roles that fly will be required to sign waivers with On the Fly.

You have the option to opt-out of being considered for roles that are directly related to those elements. However, you are agreeing to be in a show with these elements.

Dorothy will have extensive rehearsal as she is in almost everything, as are the 3 friends.