Productions
Whether you're looking for Auditions, Tech, or Tickets,
you've come to the right place!
Read on to find out more about auditions for upcoming shows, ticketing, our technical theatre program, audition materials,
and our award-winning travel team!
Announcing our Fall '26
Mainstage Production
NEW
PROGRAM!
Click on photo for hyperlink to show info.
Announcing our Fall '26 Spotlight Kids
Production Class
DETAILS COMING SOON!
Join our
Technical Apprentice Program!
Would you love to delve into the world of backstage theatre?
Become a member of TAP!
Our Technical Apprentice Program will introduce students to the various disciplines of technical theatre. TAP students will attend weekly workshops focusing on everything from costume design & construction to props, to set design, how to use lighting to tell a story, and more! In addition to the weekly workshop, each student will attend work days to gain further hands-on experience, with the work culminating in working backstage during our spring production Tech Week.
Our Technical Apprentice Program is a perfect outlet for artists, builders, and anyone who is curious about what happens behind the scenes!
AWARD
WINNING!
Do you dream of being part of an incredible international theater festival, digging deeper into their art, and sharing their gifts with the community? The Kettleworks Traveling Players are for you!
Travel team members will perform at the
Junior Theater Festival West in Sacramento, CA,
and every member will be given an excellent,
in-depth performing arts education. It is our goal to connect with our local community through our travel team as opportunities arise.
Be sure to check out our adventures at previous festivals
on Facebook & Instagram!
(@kettleworkspa)
Show Details for our
Fall 2026 Mainstage Production
PROGRAM INFO
Directed & Choreographed by: Jennifer Kessler
Age/Grade Levels: 10-18 (must not have completed 12th grade)
IMPORTANT DATES
Audition Dates: September 12, 2026
Performance Dates: December 4-5, 2026
Mandatory Parent Meeting: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Every performer must have one parent attend this meeting.
Mandatory Rehearsals: September 16, 17, 19, November 14, 18, 19, 21, TECH WEEK (see below)
Mandatory Tech Week Dates: November 30 - December 5
NOTE - Tech Week involves nightly rehearsals so please plan accordingly
Weekly Rehearsal Details:
Beginning week after auditions:
Wednesdays, 4:45 - 6:45 PM
Thursdays, 4:45 - 6:45 PM
Saturdays, 1:00 - 6:00 PM ** Please note that Saturdays will vary but will stay within this time window.
- A full schedule will be provided to registered performers the week after auditions.
- Please note that the amount of rehearsal will vary depending on the individual's role.
Tuition: $565.00
Payment plans available (Pay in Full -or- choice of Installments)
Included:
65+ Hours of Training in Acting, Singing & Dancing
Two Full Performances of our chosen show
Ample stage time for every performer
Professional script & music tracks
Show T-shirt
Technical items required for productions
Performers Must Provide:
Dance shoes (TBD)
Dance tights & undergarments for performance
Personal makeup & hair products
Special Notes:
* The final performances will be the culmination of many weeks' hard work by the performers, staff, and volunteers. Attendance is a very important aspect of this program as the performers rely on each other throughout the process, building their knowledge and skills together. We understand that sickness may occur, but it is understood that barring unforeseen illness or emergency all performers will attend every required rehearsal.
* At KPA we firmly believe that every arts experience is vibrant and important. We use our performers to their fullest potential and believe that every member of the Company, and every single role in a story, is vital to a show's success. We do not support role shopping and therefore do not give refunds of any kind for tuition.
REGISTRATION
OPENING SOON
FOR OUR FREE
AUDITION
WORKSHOP!
About
Music & Lyrics by
EDDIE PERFECT
Book by
SCOTT BROWN & ANTHONY KING
Based on the GEFFEN COMPANY PICTURE,
with a story by MICHAEL MCDOWELL & LARRY WILSON
We always encourage our students to arrive as prepared as possible for auditions, and we love providing the right tools! Check out the show info below - it's everything you need to build your confidence before you arrive!
Synopsis
Welcome to a show about death!
Meet Lydia Deetz, a disenchanted teen who recently lost her mom - who is now known by Lydia as "Dead Mom". As she struggles to cope with grief her father, Charles, chooses not to cope. Instead, he follows the advice of his life coach/secret girlfriend, Delia, and moves the family into a new house. Little do the Deetz's know that their new abode also houses a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland. To her surprise, Lydia discovers she can not only communicate with Adam & Barbara but also the eerie and eldritch Beetlejuice. Lydia quickly discovers that Beetlejuice's goal in the afterlife is to enter the human world and now she has some big decisions to make.
Join us on this wild journey into the underworld and back again to see what Lydia, Charles, and the rest of the acquaintances will do about the-whole-being-dead-thing.
*A note about content - This show is a wild and wonderful roller coaster of dark humor. On this journey the story touches on subjects such the loss of a loved one and suicide, as well as including small amounts of mature humor and verbiage. Through the course of rehearsal we will be gently exploring these topics with our cast members and we feel it is important for families to be aware of these themes. We highly encourage families to do independent research into this story as well.
Character Descriptions
Lydia Deetz
A whip-smart, grieving fifteen- year-old whose dark sense of humor helps her cope with the loss of her mother, Emily. Lydia is unfazed by Beetlejuice’s antics and easily holds her own against both him and all things Netherworld. Strong acting and very strong vocals are required for this role.
Vocal range: A3 - E5
Beetlejuice
The dead guy of the hour! This titular character is zany, spooky, and absolutely hilarious. Though Beetlejuice exists in a morally gray area, he’s more of a trickster than a malevolent threat. He’s happy to align his interests with others, but ultimately, he’s looking out for himself. Very strong acting and vocals are required for this role. **NOTE - While we encourage demonstrating interesting character vocal choices for this role, we will not be having our Beetlejuice performing "The Beetlejuice Voice" in this production.**
Vocal range: G3 -E5
Charles Deetz
Lydia’s father. He wants to help her get over the loss of her mother, although the ways he tries to “help” aren’t really what Lydia needs. Charles is under a lot of pressure between his concerns over Lydia, his secret relationship with Delia, his professional life, and his own grief (which he tries to ignore). Bold acting is desired for this role.
Vocal range: Bb3 - F5
Adam Maitland
Devoted husband of Barbara, just can’t catch a break. While life’s stresses were getting to him – renovation of the house, financial difficulties, and the decision about having a child – he certainly wasn’t ready for death. Strong acting & vocal skills are required for this role.
Vocal range: Bb3 - Eb5
Barbara Maitland
Barbara's stresses align with her husband’s, in life and death, although Barbara is a bit more adventurous than Adam. She is very kind but also strong-willed and a quick thinker. Barbara immediately bonds with Lydia. Strong acting & vocal skills are required for this role.
Vocal range: A3 - D5
Delia Schlimmer
Hopelessly (sometimes maniacally) optimistic. She believes fully in her guru, Otho, and considers herself a life coach, though underneath her façade she’s quite fragile and desperately wants to fit in with the Deetzes. Delia loves Charles and genuinely cares about Lydia’s well-being, even if her attempts to connect are somewhat misguided. Very strong acting and vocal skills are required for this role.
Vocal range: G2 - C#5
Maxie Dean
The business tycoon whom Charles hopes to impress. We only meet Maxie briefly, but he defintely makes an impression! Strong acting skills and solid vocals are required for this role.
Vocal range: C4 - C5
Sky
Everything an aspiring Girl Scout should be, Sky cannot wait to sell her first box of cookies! But Lydia and Beetlejuice might have some more in store for this sweet salesgirl than she expected. Solid acting and vocal skills are required for this role.
Vocal range: G3 - C5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Miss Argentina
A former beauty queen who is now deceased, Miss Argentina greets the recently dead in the Netherworld. Being that this is a musical about death, she does this through song and dance, of course. Strong vocals and a bold presence are required for this role.
Vocal range: A3 - D5
Juno
Beetlejuice’s mother, Juno is a goddess who runs the recently dead intake with an iron fist. She has “a voice like road tar” and no sympathy for anyone. A very strong presence is required for this role.
Maxine Dean
Maxie's fourth (or fifth) wife, she may or may not be an interesting dinner party guest.
Otho
Delia's guru and occasional exorcist. Need we say more?
ADDITIONAL FEATURED ROLES:
Priest - Who leads the funeral for Lydia's mother.
Mover #1 & Mover #2 - Movers who help the Deetz's "settle" into their new home
The Recently Deceased - Residents of the afterlife who are featured alongside Miss Argentia including Parachute Jumper, Death by Toaster, Dead Cheerleader, Death by Fireworks, Cigar Mobster, Dead Jockey, Machete Groom, Dead Drill Team, and Hunter with a Shrunken Head
Ensemble including Mourners, Lawyers, Girl Scouts, Beetlejuice Clones , Cheerleaders, Studio Audience, and the infamous Sandworm! Caiter-Waiter,
AUDITION DETAILS
In order to be part of our fall production it is necessary for every interested performer to attend auditions. All who register and audition for the full production will be given a role. This will be a fun way for us to get to know our performers and see their individual talents.
WHEN: TBD - Saturday in early September (tentatively 12:30-6:00 pm) - CALLBACKS to be held the next day
*NOTE - We will not know who is called back until late at night after auditions. Please keep both dates open as many
performers will likely be called back.
WHERE: KPA Home Studio (address will be sent upon registration)
WHAT TO PREPARE: Please prepare one minute of a song. Contemporary musical theatre style is preferred with an emphasis on rock-pop style MT songs welcomed. That said, it is our desire that our performers have fun and be comfortable with their song choice. We also highly encourage you to take a look at the Audition Materials available to help you prepare for the acting portion.
TIPS: - Make sure your song is completely memorized.
- Be sure to use a background / karaoke style track with no voices - we want
to hear YOU, and we highly discourage singing a capella.
- Choose a song that shows off your strengths!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions!
WANT MORE PERSONALIZED HELP?
Sign up for Coaching with KPA Founder, Jennifer Kessler, at a discount! Indicate your desired quantity of Coaching Sessions on your registration form. Coaching can help your performer choose a song, prepare acting sides, and build confidence! We highly recommend booking two or more sessions to help prepare.
Please note that specific roles will not be promised to anyone, including students of our Coaching program.
Audition Materials
We want to help young performers to feel confident at auditions! Please check out the materials below to help your performer prepare. We know they will blow us away!
Check out portions of the script and sheet music for each character -
This is the main Audition Central page. To view materials for our show, scroll down and
select our show from the pull-down menu.
Listen to some of the songs from our show. -
This is the main show description page. To listen to songs, scroll down until you see the
SONGS option on the right-hand menu. Click on SONGS and you will be able to listen!
PROGRAM INFO
Grade/Age Range: 6th - 12th grade (must not have graduated high school)
IMPORTANT DATES
Weekly Workshop Details:
Specific Dates TBD
** NOTE - We will hold one additional meeting after the completion of Tech Week, day & time TBD
Thursdays, 7:15 - 8:45 PM
Weekend Work Days (specific dates & times TBD based on group availability)
Mandatory Tech Week Dates: TBD
NOTE - Tech Week involves nightly rehearsals so please plan accordingly
Performance Dates: TBD
Mandatory Rehearsals to attend: TBD + Tech Week (above)
Tuition: TBD per Track #1 (Full Tech) student
TBD per Track #2 (Performer/Tech Combo) student
Disciplines to be covered:
Costuming/Wardrobe
Set Design/Construction
Prop Design/Construction
Light Design/Operation
Sound Operation
Included:
25+ Hours of Training in Technical Theatre
Experience working backstage at two performances of our spring show
Professional script & music tracks
Show T-shirt
Expectations:
* The final performances will be the culmination of many weeks' hard work by the performers, crew, staff, and volunteers. Attendance to the workshops and work days is a very important aspect of this program as the company relies on each other throughout the process, building their knowledge and skills together. We understand that sickness may occur, but it is understood that barring unforeseen illness or emergency all tech students will attend every required workshop, work day, and Tech Week rehearsal.
* With such a short amount of time to cover a wide variety of technical disciplines, being on time for every workshop and event is extremely important. Students are expected to arrive on time.
* Tech Week will provide a wonderful opportunity for our technical students to work on a production in real time. A large part of Tech Week is very fast-paced and students will be expected to jump into a number of tasks quickly under the guidance of our professional staff. All TAP students will be given tips for preparing ahead of time in anticipation of Tech Week's quick pace, and we highly encourage support at home with these preparations.
TRACK OPTIONS
Track #1 - Full Tech Apprenticeship
Members of the Full Tech Apprenticeship will attend all required workshops and work days, as well as working backstage for the entirety of Tech Week. This will allow FTA students to apply what they have learned in real time during a production tech week and performances. Being a part of the FTA option will also give students the opportunity to work hands-on with equipment only available in the theatre space, such as the light board, sound board, and curtain.
Track #1 - Full Tech Apprenticeship is the default form of enrollment - ONLY students who also wish to perform in our current production will be eligible for Option #2.
Track #2 - Performer/Tech Combo Apprenticeship
The Performer/Tech Combo Apprenticeship option is for those students who wish to perform in a mainstage production concurrently with learning as a technical apprentice. P/TCA students will attend all required workshops and work days, but will not work backstage during Tech Week. During Tech Week these students will fulfill their role as a performer in the company.
All P/TCA students will receive a reduced rate of tuition ($285 per student) for the Tech Apprentice Program. Due to this discount, if your student wishes to participate as a Track #2 student we ask that you please EMAIL US BEFORE COMPLETING REGISTRATION to arrange enrollment in both the production + TAP.
*Be sure to click on the "Classes" tab*
PROGRAM INFO (for 25-26 season)
Age/Grade Levels: Auditions for The Kettleworks Traveling Players are open to all performers ages 8 - 18.
*Please note that performers must remain 18 years old or younger through Spring 2026.*
Audition Date: Auditions for NEW team members will be held simultaneously with auditions for our full production of
Willy Wonka JR. Travel team participants may be asked to attend one extra audition session.
See further Audition Details for full production HERE
Junior Theater Festival West '26 Dates - February 6-9, 2026
Tuition: Please email us regarding tuition. There are a variety of pricing options, depending on travel & rooming choices.
**We offer payment plans (pay in full -or- monthly).
** All of these details will be covered in our Info Meeting - COMING SOON!
- Interested in the Info Meeting? EMAIL US to receive an info pamphlet + meeting video
Included (in addition to the full production - see above):
A trip to the Junior Theater Festival West in Sacramento, CA
100+ Hours of Training in Acting, Singing & Dancing /
30+ Hours of Technical Theatre student training (TAP)
A guaranteed role / crew position (TAP) in our
Fall Production of Willy Wonka JR.
Opportunities to perform for, and connect with, our local community
Training workshops
Professional script
KTP team SWAG including T-shirt, bag, water bottle, and team jacket
A fabulous theatre family!
Dates & Details
* September - November 2025 - Rehearsals for Fall production + Local performance opportunities (TBD)
* December 2025 - February 2026 - Team-focused rehearsals to create a 15-minute adjudication performance. This selection will be presented and adjudicated by performing arts professionals at the Junior Theater Festival West '26.
* NEW!! - March - early June 2026 - Training sessions to deepen performing arts education + local performance opportunities. KTP performers will attend sessions approximately two hours per week during this time period.
* End of the year Team Party!
Junior Theater Festival West
At JTF West our performers will get to participate in exciting and exclusive workshops, performances, talk-backs with industry professionals and more! Former JTF guests include Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin, Here Lies Love, Between the Lines) & Adam Jacobs (Aladdin, The Lion King), Krystina Alabado (Mean Girls), Pasek & Paul (The Greatest Showman), Stephanie J. Block (Wicked), Alan Menken (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast ... all things Disney, really!), and many more big names in the business.
A Special Note: It is the goal of the Kettleworks Traveling Players/Kettleworks Performing Arts to create a true theatre family with this troupe. We here at KPA strive to nurture mutual respect in every performer who passes through our doors and to instill a strong sense of work ethic while encouraging passion and building community. A big part of this character building is consistency in our rehearsals, activities, and performances. Attendance is a very important aspect of this program as the performers rely on each other throughout the process, growing their knowledge and skills together. We understand that sickness may occur, but it is understood that barring unforeseen circumstance all performers will put in their best effort to attend every required rehearsal, and if a missed rehearsal is unavoidable the performer/performer's family will do all they can to independently catch up on any missed materials. In the case of potential COVID-19 exposure within a performer's family, said performer may be asked to attend rehearsal virtually in order to keep up with new materials.
KTP Auditions - Additional details
In order to be part of the Kettleworks Traveling Players, it is necessary for every interested performer to attend auditions. Please note that while it is our intent to accept any performer who is committed to being a part of the team, acceptance into the program will also be dependent upon the teamwork and collaboration that is demonstrated in the auditions. Our travel team will require focus and a strong sense of professionalism when we are "on the road" so it is important that each travel team member be able to work well with others, behave respectfully towards new instructors and fresh audience members, as well as maintaining focus onstage.
AUDITION DATES/TIMES:
First round - Saturday, September 6, 2026 (Times TBD)
Callbacks - Sunday, September 7, 2025
(specific callback slots between 12:00 - 6:00 PM will be determined after Saturday's audition)
WHAT TO PREPARE:
* Please prepare 45-60 seconds of a musical theatre style song. (Performers are welcome to choose a song from any musical, including our chosen show.)
* Each performer will perform his/her song individually and we will also conduct a workshop-style group audition including a group song, improvisation activities, acting sides from Willy Wonka JR. and a dance portion.
* We highly encourage you to take a look at the Audition Materials available to help you prepare for the acting portion.
TIPS: - Make sure your song is completely memorized.
- Be sure to use a background / karaoke style track with no voices - we want to hear YOU!
* We highly recommend using a background track or live accompaniment as opposed to singing a capella*
- Choose a song that shows off your strengths.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions!
