Fall Musical 2026 Finding Neverland!
THE AUDITION PROCESS & PREPARATION
The audition process looks a little bit different for each show, and we want you to make sure you understand how exactly to audition. All auditions happen after school.
For the musical, you will need around a 16 bar cut (approximately 30 seconds to a minute of song.) of any song that you can sing well that is suitable for the part you are auditioning for! It can be from the show or not! You can sing it with or without a background track.
Then there is a dance audition, singing audition and an acting portion. The dance portion you learn and perform at the audition, and the acting portion you are given sides (a side is like a short script you perform for an audition) depending on which character you are auditioning for. The sides you can read over and practice with before the audition, but memorization is not necessary. Callbacks (callbacks are similar to an audition, but not everyone is invited to callbacks, only those who the director feels they need more time with before making their decision on who should get the role) are usually held the next day but can sometimes be done on the same day.
For any plays you do not do a dance or singing audition, usually just the acting work with sides. Sometimes with these shows, we will want to see more than just acting, like a movement portion, or for character relationship. Callbacks are also usually the day after or sometimes happen the same day. For any additional information, please contact us.
FINDING NEVERLAND AUDITION PREPARATION
We are auditioning for LEAD ROLES ONLY at this time. There will be ensemble auditions in the fall to give anyone who joins West next school year a chance to be in the Musical!
The Dance audition will take place in the Dance Studio in the fieldhouse from 3.30-6pm. You DO NOT need to prepare anything for this. Wear form fitting clothes that you can move in!
The Singing and Acting auditions will take place in the auditorium on May 21st 3.30-5.30. Callbacks will take place on the same day from 5.30-7.30.
For this audition - Please prepare your best 30 seconds of a song that you think shows off your voice appropriately for this show.
AUDITION SIDES FOR MAY 18TH
James Barrie and Hook audition sides Mary and Barrie audition sides
Frohman and Barrie audition sides Sylvia Llewelyn and Mrs. Du Marnier sides
Hook, Barrie and Sylvia audition sides
Peter and Llewelyn boys sides
Music selections are available outside room 416. There are paper copies of sheet music for each song we would like to hear for each character potentially in the first round of auditions but definitely in the Call Back portion of the auditions.
Please prepare the best you can to show you at your best at auditions. Break a leg!
*Please note* There may be additional sides to cold read at call backs.
Yearly Shows
For the fall Musical, EVERYONE who auditions, gets into the show. However with the Play, Play Pro show and one-act competition piece, not everyone gets in because it is a competition.
The UHSAA Theatre competition is only for high school students. You can participate in the individual theatre competition as long as you are 9th-12th grade.
Region 2026/27 will take place on March 17th and 18th next year.
All students who qualify will attend State in April (15th-17th 2027).
For the individual theatre competition, the categories you can compete in are: Pantomime
Classical or contemporary scenes
Dramatic or Comedic Monologues
Musical Theatre
What's it like in a show?
Being in a show at West is not easy, and definitely has a large time requirement. However, we do try to accommodate if you have other commitments like a sport or other after school activity. But, you need to tell us about your conflicts this during auditions. Listed conflicts will be excused. Rehearsals happen most days after school - times will be on a rehearsal calendar available at auditions. Rehearsal times change as we get closer to the show. You do not need to come for every rehearsal only the ones that your character is needed at! The rehearsals you have to come for depend on your character, or your job if you are doing tech. 3 weeks before the show you are expected to stay until much later, like 7:00/7.30. There are also some Saturday rehearsals, but very, very few - usually no more than three, but these rehearsals on Saturdays do last nearly the whole day. There can be anywhere from one to four nights of performances depending on the type of show.
For performances you are absolutely required to be there for the entire time. Do not worry, rehearsal schedules are posted on the week of auditions, so you have all this information before you are even in the show. Additionally, it is expected you do work outside of rehearsal time, like memorizing your script, practicing blocking, etc. Though being a show is a commitment, it is also so much fun, and a really memorable experience so we hope to see you at future auditions!