Chicago: Teen Edition

Auditions: March 29, 2025 at PYT Studios

Performances: July 10-13, 2025 on the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts MainStage

In roaring twenties Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap… until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal.

Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Recommended for audiences ages 11 and up with parent/guardian guidance due to mild sexual references and adult themes.

Sat, Mar 29, 2025

Auditions: March 29, 2025 at PYT Studios

Performance Dates: July 10-13, 2025

In roaring twenties Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap… until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal.

For actors entering high school in Fall 2025 up to age 20.

• This is a limited cast production performing on the MVCPA SecondStage. Not all who audition will be cast.
• Some content in this production may not be appropriate for all ages, including mild sexual references and adult themes. Please understand the material before auditioning.
  • Character descriptions can be found here: http://pytnet.org/files/ChicagoTeenCharacterDescriptions.pdf
  • General information about this version of Chicago can be found here: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/62461/chicago-teen-edition
• Participation fee is $490 through March 15 and $525 after. Full and partial scholarships are available. For more information, visit: https://pytnet.org/scholarships/ or email info@pytnet.org.
• Auditions take place at our studios at 2510-A Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA.
• Participating families must commit a minimum of 25 hours of production support, most of which will be as Rehearsal Supervisors. Training will be provided.

Schedule Info

• Conflicts can and will influence casting. More than 6 conflict dates (not including callbacks) reported prior to casting will require confirmation from the casting team to move forward with auditioning.
• Callbacks will be held from 6-9pm on Monday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 2.
• Rehearsals will begin April 6. They will be held weekday and Sunday evenings 6:30 to 9pm & Saturdays 10am to 4pm (10a-1p prior to May 5, 1:30-4pm after). Actors will only be called as needed.
• Technical rehearsals are July 6-9 in the evenings at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. No absences are allowed for tech rehearsals or performances.

For more information, click HERE for our audition FAQs, and click HERE for tips on preparing for your audition.

Refund Policy

• The full participation fee is collected at registration. If you cancel your registration 24 hours or more before your scheduled audition, you will receive a pro-rated refund of the registration fee less $10 to cover the costs charged by the credit card company and the online registration system. To cancel an audition, you may do so yourself on our registration platform or contact us in writing at auditions@pytnet.org.
• If you miss your in-person audition and/or you do not submit a video audition by the end of the last day of auditions, and make no arrangement to cancel or schedule a make-up audition, your registration will be canceled, and you will receive a pro-rated refund less $20.
• Should you decide not to participate for any reason AFTER auditions, you must inform the production team in writing at auditions@pytnet.org NO LATER THAN 9pm on the final day of callbacks. PYT will retain $50 of the registration fee toward expenses associated with the audition process. The rest of the registration fee will be refunded.
• Participants not cast due to excessive conflicts or a casting request that cannot be accommodated will be refunded the same amount as those who drop before the deadline (registration fee less $50 to cover the audition costs). Participants who are not cast but were willing to accept any role and did not exceed the maximum number of conflicts will receive a full refund.
• As all shows offer limited opportunities to participate and there is an extensive amount of work that must be done to recast a part once casting decisions have been made, no refunds are offered for those who drop after the cast list is posted.

Direction and Set Design by Karen Simpson

Vocal Directed by Amy Heumann

Choreographed by Jennifer Tipton

Stage Managed by Aeryn Taylor

Putting on a full-scale musical is an enormous undertaking. There are sets to paint, costumes to sew, lights to hang, and much more. Our shows would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers.

Peninsula Youth Theatre requires a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer time from each family participating in a musical production (15 hours for the second child and 5 hours per child after that). Without this contribution of time and energy, it would be prohibitively expensive for us to put these shows on stage.

Don’t have a child in the cast but still want to volunteer? PYT will be happy to have your help! Non-parent volunteers over 18 must be fingerprinted and pass a routine background check.  For more information about how you can become a PYT volunteer, email connor@pytnet.org.

A few things to know about our show specific volunteer positions:

• Many volunteer positions require more than the minimum 25 hour commitment, particularly those in the theatre during the run of the show. These are very important positions that must be filled by committed people, so please understand what is expected of you before signing up for any of these roles. If you sign up for a position in the theatre, you should plan on working at ±5 performances as well as several nights of Tech rehearsal.
• For the safety of all our volunteers, performers and staff, volunteers must follow the instructions of PYT and MVCPA staff at all times
• Load-in and Strike (when we move the show in and out of the theater) are crucial to the success of the show and require a great deal of effort. ALL families are expected to participate in Load In and Strike. This is in addition to the expected 25 hours.
• When volunteers don’t show up as expected, the work still needs to get done. Either other volunteers will have to fill the void, or more commonly, PYT must hire professional crew at great expense. This is an especially big concern during Load-in and Strike.
• Enjoy yourself! Whether you have a special talent to contribute or want to learn a new skill, there is a place for you. Parent volunteers are an important part of the PYT community, and volunteering is a great way to feel connected to the process.

Now….which committee is right for you?

***Specifically for our teen musical productions, most production support will be in the form of Rehearsal Supervisors. Backstage needs will be very limited, but we will need some help – approximately:

• 2 Backstage Crew volunteers per performance
• 2 Body Microphone volunteers per performance
• 1 Tech Dinner volunteer
• 1 Cast Party + Bios/Lobby Decor volunteer

Rehearsal Supervisors

Come hang out with us during rehearsals! We require one adult at every rehearsal to serve as a supervisor to check in actors as they arrive, follow up with any missing actors, and supervise actors during breaks in rehearsal. You are free to bring a book, your computer, etc. to entertain yourself during down time.

Backstage Crew

Do you like to be part of the action happening on stage during the show? The Backstage Crew moves set pieces between scenes under the direction of the Stage Manager. Must be reasonably fit and able to push, pull, lift, bend, etc. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Body Microphones

Are you interested in the fascinating world of live sound? The Body Microphone Committee is responsible for affixing mics to and removing mics from the actors. Must be available to work during tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Some heavy lifting may be required during load-in and strike.

Cast Bios and Lobby Decorations

Can you share your creative talents in order to showcase our wonderful staff and talented cast members? Headshots and bios for each of each actor are displayed attractively in the theater lobby. Some work will need to be done at home and the lobby displays are put up during tech week. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Cast Party

Do you love to throw a great shindig? The Cast Party committee is responsible for planning and throwing a party for the cast the Monday after the show closes, working with the producers to stay within a strict budget and meet other important criteria. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members will also be required to help with Tech Night Dinners and asked to assist with Greenroom Supervision.

Costumes

Can you thread a needle with the best of them? The Costume Committee assists the Costume Designer with fitting and costume construction and well as all of the logistics needed to assign, distribute, maintain, collect and store the costumes. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Must have previous sewing experience.

Makeup and Hair

Can you French braid? How about put on eyeliner without gouging out an eye? The Makeup and Hair Committee applies specialty makeup, executes specialty hair designs and puts on and takes off all wigs. The committee also ensures that cast members responsible for their own hair and makeup look good before going on stage. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25-35 hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Props

Are you a quick draw with a glue gun? Do you love the thrill of a perfect thrift store find? Props include set dressing, furniture, table settings, costume accessories, various items actors carry, and various other objects used by the actors on stage. The committee buys, builds or borrows to add artistic elements to the show. This committee works during the rehearsal period and at least 5 performances including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25+ hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own items.

Set Building

Is your dream birthday present a power tool? The Set Building Committee works with the Technical Director to build the sets for the show. Carpentry skills are useful. Must be reasonably fit and able to lift, push and pull heavy objects. Close-toes shoes and proper clothing are required. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Sets are assembled during load-in and disassembled during strike.

Scenery Painting

Did you love to paint-by-numbers as a kid? The Painting Committee is responsible for painting the scenery for the show. Artistic ability is not required. Committee members must reasonably fit and able to lift, push, and pull heavy objects. Some ladder climbing may be required as well. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. This committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Tech Dinners

Do you love to host big family dinners? The Tech Dinner Committee is responsible for serving dinner to the cast members, staff, and volunteers during tech week and strike and for cleaning up after dinner. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members will be required to help with Tech Night Dinners and Green Room Supervision.