With the end of the school year fast approaching, many students are wondering what to do with their summers. While there’s always the option of laying in bed the whole time, watching Netflix, why not try doing something you love? If theatre is what you’re passionate about, try auditioning for one of the many age-specific teen productions at local community theatres this summer. Even if you aren’t a huge theatre fan, give it a try; you’ll meet a lot of great people and gain a valuable experience. Here are previews of some of the upcoming teen shows near CHS.

“Legally Blonde” at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

Auditions: April 22-23

Performances: July 28-31

Distance from CHS: 1.4 miles

What’s the story? “Legally Blonde” follows the journey of Elle Woods as she pursues her dream man, Warner Huntington, all the way to Harvard Law School. Elle soon realises this won’t be as easy as she thinks, and soon finds out that there is more to herself than just looks and glamour.

Why choose this production? Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is conveniently located incredibly close to CHS, so the drive to rehearsals wouldn’t be much trouble. Additionally, “Legally Blonde” has a very large ensemble and many smaller roles, so many auditioners will have a chance to shine. However, this production is not for the faint of heart. Civic probably receives the most auditioners out of all the venues on this list, so competition is high. Definitely go for this one if you are experienced with theatre and have a strong belt, as most of the songs in “Legally Blonde” require belting.

“Bonnie and Clyde” and “Shrek the Musical” at Summer Stock Stage

Auditions: April 15-16

Performances: For “Bonnie and Clyde”: June 23-26; for “Shrek the Musical”: July 20-24

Distance from CHS: 8.0 miles

What’s the story? “Bonnie and Clyde” follows the story of the notorious pair of outlaws, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, from their initial rise to fame and power to their eventual down-spiraling end. “Shrek the Musical” tells the story of a young ogre who has always been told that due to how he looks, he will never fit in or be happy. But when he falls for a beautiful princess, Fiona, he starts to learn that beauty  is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Why choose this production? This production is great for people who don’t want to spend their entire summer doing theatre, as you can audition for only one production or both. The flexibility in this program is definitely a plus. “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Shrek the Musical” both feature unique music (particularly “Bonnie and Clyde,” which incorporates southern country twang into its score) which make them particularly attractive. Belting ability is definitely a plus in these shows, however, it is not as important as in “Legally Blonde.” Since this program offers multiple diverse shows, anyone who wants to perform over the summer should certainly look at auditioning here.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” at Footlite Musicals

Auditions: May 21 and 23

Performances: Aug. 19-20 and 25-28

Distance from CHS: 14.1 miles

What’s the story? “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a rock operetta loosely based on the last week of the life of Jesus of Nazareth as he arrives in Jerusalem and is eventually crucified.

Why choose this production? I have been in two summer productions at Footlite in the past, and I can honestly not recommend it highly enough. The directors, staff and other cast members are incredibly kind and helpful, leading to a very low-pressure audition setting. This musical is a little more traditional and contains less belting than the others, so it is a little more accessible to those not yet comfortable with their belting abilities. The auditions are also later than they are for the other shows, so if you’re busy in the upcoming weeks, this option gives you more time to prepare. However, this show does not contain any dialogue; it is entirely sung, so if dialogue is something you need in a show, a different venue might be better suited for you.

“Willy Wonka” at Mud Creek Players

Auditions: April 17

Performances: July 22-24 and July 29-May 1

Distance from CHS: 11.2 miles

What’s the story? “Willy Wonka” is the story of a zany candy maker who has been lurking in his factory for years before he finally decides to let six lucky children into his factory today to determine who will take over for him once he’s too old for his job.

Why choose this production? “Willy Wonka” features a lot less intense music than the other productions do. The choreography and music is much simpler than in most of the other productions as this show focuses primarily on dialogue. If you are a beginner in musical theatre or you prefer speaking roles to singing and dancing, this show is for you.