Casting

At PYT we believe everyone deserves a role. Everyone who registers for a Center Stage Musical production is cast - around 100 actors for each show across two casts. Some of our smaller productions are limited cast.

Casting is still the hardest part of any production - for the actors, the parents, and the casting team! It can be tough not to be cast in the role you dreamed of, and tough to help manage actors' expectations and responses.

But there is a lot we can all do to make this as fair, easy and fun as it can be.

Most children don't get a leading role in Center Stage Musicals, that's just the nature and the numbers of any big theatre production. That's why PYT is ensemble focused. We love ensemble. because it's where all actors grow and learn. PYT develops the ensemble in every show in as many creative ways as the script allows, to ensure the most and richest stage and rehearsal time for every actor.

And because ensemble members are critical to every production and performance, we celebrate an ensemble member with our biggest accolade, for every Center Stage Musical (and occasionally for outstanding individuals in other productions): the PYT Judy Robe Award.

As a community-focused, educational youth theater, we prioritize the following when casting:

• How READY an actor is to take on a given role — age, abilities, and experience come into play, but are not the overriding considerations.
• Expert CREATIVE JUDGMENT. PYT is fortunate to have an incredible staff of artists and teachers with decades of high level experience in casting, producing and directing professional-level productions.
• COMPATIBILITY with the potential cast around them — who could an actor work well with, how do they relate to others, where do they best fit the ensemble?
• BEHAVIOR and ATTITUDE in auditions and callbacks. Was the actor talking in auditions when someone else was performing? Did they listen and respond well to other actors and to staff? Did they demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to work?
• Calendar CONFLICTS. How many rehearsals the actor can commit to. Productions and their schedules are challenging, and people who miss rehearsals will not keep up.
• Requested CARPOOL arrangements.

Above all, discuss with your family when preparing to register for a PYT show, the question: "will it be fun to be a part of this show, no matter the role?" We do everything in our power to make the answer, YES!