Patriea and Justin wave at spectators during the annual Variety Parade.
Variety Children’s Theatre
To view photos from past Variety Children's Theatre events, visit our Flickr page.
What do you get when you combine resources from the entire St. Louis performing arts community with professional actors and children of all abilities? Variety Children’s Theatre! The result? An unforgettable experience for theatergoers, cast and crew alike.
From tryouts to production, Variety Children’s Theatre allows children to learn on-stage and backstage production skills from seasoned professionals. The inclusive setting offers an unmatched opportunity to develop important relationships, skills sets and appreciation of the overall workings of a live musical theater program.
Auditions for ANNIE
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Touhill Performing Arts Center
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Children: (ages 7-16 years old) – 9 a.m. until Noon
Adults: 1-5 p.m. – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (All are welcome, equity and non-equity actors, singers, dancers) – call Laura Boyle at 314.720.7713 to schedule
Children should come prepared with sheet music to sing eight bars of a song (There is a possibility that not all children will have the opportunity to sing their prepared music). Even something as simple as Happy Birthday is appropriate. In addition, be prepared to dance (basic steps provided by the choreographer). We also ask that children provide a recent photo headshot.
Adults should be prepared to sing at least 32 bars of a song (please bring sheet music) and perform a short monologue (1-2 minutes). We also ask that adults provide a resume and photo.
Please arrive at the main entrance of the Touhill via the Grobman Drive entrance to the University (one half mile south from exit 240 on I-70)
or the University Drive entrance off Natural Bridge Rd. Parking is available in the Millennium North Garage or Lot E adjacent to the Touhill.
Rehearsal Schedule for ANNIE
Muny Rehearsal Spaces
Emerson Studio
*Children will be released as early as possible.
| Rehearsal Dates | Time | Cast Attendance | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundays, September 16, 23,30 & Oct. 7 |
1:00-5:00 p.m. |
Children Only |
MUNY |
| October 8-13 |
6:00-11:00 p.m. | Full Cast |
MUNY |
| October 15-19 | 6:00-11:00 p.m. | Full Cast |
MUNY |
| October 21, 23, 24 & 25 |
6:00-11:00 p.m. | Full Cast |
TOUHILL |
Annie
October 26-28, 2012
Touhill Performing Arts Center
University of Missouri - St. Louis
| Performance Dates | First Showing | Second Showing |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 26 |
10:00 a.m. |
7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 27 | 1:30 p.m. |
7:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 28 | 1:30 p.m. |
More About Variety Children’s Theatre
The third annual Variety Children's Theatre Production: THE WIZARD OF OZ! ran from Oct. 21-23 at The Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Seventeen Variety children were part of THE WIZARD OF OZ cast, with disabilities ranging from spina bifida and cerebral palsy to muscular dystrophy and down syndrome. In addition to the onstage talent, seven major roles in THE WIZARD OF OZ production included a Variety “shadow,” allowing local children with disabilities to learn professional skills alongside the show’s production director, musical director, choreographer, stage manager, sound technician, costume designer and more.
In 2010, Variety Children’s Theatre presented OLIVER! the Broadway Musical to an audience of more than 6,200 people, including nearly 1,900 children whose families receive help from Variety through medical equipment, in-house programs, and/or partner agencies. Accolades for Variety’s production of OLIVER! in the fall of 2010 were high, and included the following comments:
“The production of OLIVER! by Variety Children’s Theatre reminded me a lot of the shows we see at The Muny. The adults were played by an excellent group of professional actors and the young people in the leading roles of the chorus lived up to the high standards set by their elders. Right from the start, the people on the stage moved with purpose and precision under the direction of Lara Teeter and choreography of Mark Krupinski.”
- Gerry Kowarski, KDHX Two on the Aisle
Right from the start, the people on the stage moved with purpose and precision…KDHX Two on the Aisle
“For many of these kids, being onstage at all was once a distant dream. But through the Variety Children's Theater they are accomplishing more than most kids their age. And as you watch them sing and dance you can't help but grin, and perhaps, wipe a tear or two from your eyes. The look on these kids’ faces as they perform can only be described as pure, unadulterated joy and you walk away feeling deeply blessed and humbled realizing that you were witness to a fulfillment of hope.”
- Kelli Stuart, Tonic.com
Variety Children’s Theatre debuted in 2009 with its presentation of THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, attracting 4,093 attendees to the Touhill Performing Arts Center over the course of four performances.
Information for Educators
While open to the public, one of the matinee shows is designed especially for area students, as we can ALL learn something from the Variety children. Each year, Variety offers a study guide to area teachers who are looking for easy ways to incorporate Variety Children's Theatre Productions into their classrooms!