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Elf Jr.
is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Please read all the info below before registering.
Optional Virtual Info Sessions, Tuesday, Aug 18th, 6pm. Register Here.
Show Summary
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
The production, capped at 30 students, is about 1 hour in length and is rated G by MTI.
Cast Roles & Other Show Details Can Be Found Here
Artistic & Leadership Team
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Director - Louis Kruse
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Music Director - TBA
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Choreographer - Tatum Pierson
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Tech Director - TBA
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Producer - Kelsey Wallace
A Note From The Director
Whimsy, whacky, wonderful! A holiday adventure for the whole family. For this production, my vision is to bring joy to the stage, with a little holiday magic, and a lot of high energy! For your auditions, you should find songs that bring you joy, and showcase a lot of fun. Remember when picking songs to find cuts that really show off what makes you "YOU"!
This show is going to be a collaboration of holiday cheer, so put on your best game faces "Santa Claus is coming to town"!
Questions? Email our Studio Production Coordinator Kelsey Wallace at Kelseyw@imaginetheatre.org
Important Dates
(All Rehearsals, Tech & Performances are at Imagine's Studio space in the Boring Damascus Grange.)
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Auditions: Sept. 11th, with audition slots starting at 6pm.
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Callbacks: Sept. 12th, 9am-2pm (All auditioners should be prepared to attend. )
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Rehearsals (Reminder: Most youth are not called every rehearsal.)
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Fridays 6-9pm. Starting Sept. 18th
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Saturdays 9-2pm. Starting Sept. 19th
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Required Parent/Volunteer Meetings
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Sept. 18th, 6:30pm (During Rehearsal)
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Oct. 16th, 6:30pm (During Rehearsal)
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Tech Week (All Cast & Crew Required)
- Oct 31st: Performance Space Prep/Set Move-In. (During Rehearsal)
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Nov. 2nd-5th, 6pm-9:15pm Tech
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Performances (All Cast & Crew Required)
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Nov. 6th, 7pm Performance (Call Time 6pm)
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Nov. 7th, 2pm & 7pm (Call time 1pm)
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Nov 8th, 2pm (Call time 1pm)
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Nov. 12th, 10am (Call time 9am) (SCHOOL DAY SHOW)
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Nov 13th, 7pm (Call time 6pm)
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Nov. 14th, 2pm & 7pm (Call time 1pm)
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Nov 15th, 2pm (Call time 1pm). Then strike & party.
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Cast Participation Details
Age, Cost, Expectations, & More!
Imagine's heart is to allow all students to experience the arts. The following requirements/expectations are in place to ensure a well-maintained community and efficient program.
Age: This production is open to youth ages 7-18.
* 7-year-olds must have successfully completed an Imagine youth 2026 summer camp. Those who are 18 must remain 18 during the length of the production.
Prerequisites: No prior drama/dance/music experience required.
Community Commitment: Imagine's Student Expectation & Code of Conduct communicates the expectations of students who participate in Imagine Programming. This covers electronic/cell phone expectations, behavior expectations, and general safety considerations.
Students and families/guardians will be required to sign the Student Expectations document, affirming that they have read it and agree to uphold these standards. Read the document here.
Our Class-Show Promise: Enrollment in an Imagine class is not required, BUT students enrolled in an evening class, after-school class, private lessons, or in the Thespian Troupe through Imagine are guaranteed a role in the show. This means students in these programs will not be cut from the production if the cast limit is exceeded.
- *For Fall '26, our Class-Show Promise applies to both the Elf Jr & Willy Wonka productions.
Students enrolled in a class/lesson/troupe will also receive $20 off their production fee. To learn about our class options and to register, please imaginetheatre.org/class visit imaginetheatre.org/classes.
Production Cap: The production is capped at 30 students due to venue limitations. Students may use the Class-Show Promise to secure their spot in this production. If a student is cut, they will be offered a spot on crew for Elf or may choose to audition for Willy Wonka, with a guarantee to be cast in that production since they were cut once.
Parent/Adult Volunteer: Imagine Theatre cast members are expected to have one adult (typically a parent, relative, or guardian) participate in a Show Committee(s). The cast member may not be their own representative. Shows take lots of work, plus show committees are a fun way to meet other families and bond as a community!
Adults will get to rank their preferred committees via our Committee form that is shared out after casting. Additionally on the form, committee members can communicate their schedule and skills for committee placement consideration.
More information about the show and committees will be discussed at the required committee meeting.
NEW FOR THE 26/27 SEASON:
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Pre-selected work-party dates will be shared out via the Show Committee Preference Form. Committee members will be required to sign-up and attend a portion of these work parties.
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3-4hrs of volunteering per week may be considered average. This may look like a few hours each week, or look like a bulk of hours every so often, based on committee assignments and the shifts signed up for.
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On the Show Committee Preference Form, a Buy-Out option will be available for Pre-show committees (the committees working during rehearsals) and Show-Run Committees (the committees working to support during shows).
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These buy-outs must be paid in full and are not eligible for payment plans.
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The funds from buy-outs are used to purchase needed supplies and/or bring in paid assistance to support the needs of this specific production.
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Buy-out totals are based on the expected volunteer hours x $20/hr.
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For Fall 2026, the Buy-Out options are subject to change but are anticipated to be about $500 for show-run committees (being released from about 25hrs worth of volunteering), and $300 for production-run committees (being released from 15hrs worth of volunteering).
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Read about volunteer/parent/guardian involvement expectations here
Costs
- Show Fee: $190 (payable via a lump sum or installments) for cast members. No fee for crew members. This fee covers administrative costs and gets students a show sticker, digital link to photos, and 1 comp (free) ticket. (Max of 3 comp tickets per family unit)
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Optional Items For Purchase: When paying for the production fee, cast members are given the opportunity to purchase a show shirt (not required), and other additional items (Show Posters, digital recording, show button, etc.). Cost for these optional items listed here.
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Other Costs: Students/families should be prepared to have/provide:
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A simple base layer of clothing that will be under their costumes (Costumes are provide. Generic clothing items, like a t-shirt, may be requested from home.)
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Generic socks. (Specialty socks provided.)
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Appropriately sized Basic character & jazz shoes. (Specialty shoes will be provided)
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Generic make-up if required (Specialty make-up and training provided if required)
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*Please let us know if you do not have any of these items and we will happily work with you to find a solution.
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Scholarships: Scholarships are available for any Imagine Theatre program, including production fees. View our Scholarship Guidance document, and the required steps, here!
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Accepting Roles: Per Imagine policy it is assumed students will accept any role they are given. As an educational organization, we are focused on placing students in roles that will encourage growth. Imagine does not refund class/program costs due to casting drops post-cast list.
Attendance: Prior to the casting process, students/families will be given the opportunity to declare any date conflicts. These conflicts will be considered when casting and crafting the schedule. Conflicts disclosed after the casting process will be considered on a case-by-case basis as last-minute conflicts place a huge strain on the whole schedule and cast. Students who have unapproved/undeclared absences (beyond being sick or having family emergencies) may be pulled from the numbers/scenes that are missed. Multiple unapproved absences may result in being cut from the cast with no refunds.
Health & Safety:
Questions? Email our Studio Production Coordinator Kelsey Wallace at Kelseyw@imaginetheatre.org
Crew Participation Details
Age, Cost, Expectations, & More...
We are looking to fill the following crew roles for this production of Rudolph Jr.!
Cost: Free!
Attendance: Crew must attend Move-In, ALL of tech week, and each performance dates/times as listed above. Other rehearsals (such as stumble-throughs) may be added in coordination with the crew team's schedules.
Crew Role:
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Stage Manager (ages 14+): The Stage Manager keeps track of cast members, attendance, blocking, set movement and miscellaneous details during rehearsals and production of a stage performance. They also attend all rehearsals and shows as well as move in day at the theater. The Stage Manager will need to arrive 20 minutes before all call times. During show runs the Stage Manager will run music cues. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 4th
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Stage Crew (ages 12+): Crew members assist with props, light board, moving set pieces, charging glow tape, cleaning, etc. APPLICATION for this role DUE Sept. 11th
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Health & Safety:
Read our Communicable Disease Management Plan Here.
Community Commitment: Imagine's Student Expectation & Code of Conduct communicates the expectations of students who participate in Imagine Programming. This covers electronic/cell phone expectations, behavior expectations, and general safety considerations.
Students and families/guardians will be required to sign the Student Expectations document, affirming that they have read it and agree to uphold these standards. Read the document here.
Questions? Email our Studio Production Coordinator Kelsey Wallace at Kelseyw@imaginetheatre.org
Audition, Callbacks, & Casting
(How to Sign Up & What to Expect)
How to Audition:
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Sign up for an audition slot - Here. (Each 20-minute audition time will have space for 6-8 auditioners. Please come 15 minutes early to ensure you are checked in and have proper paperwork completed. You may bring someone with you into your audition time as a support person.) Audition slots and sign-ups close on 24hrs prior to auditions.
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Prepare A Song with Music: Please come prepared to sing 1 minute of a musical-theatre-show song with a backing track. Bring your own accompaniment (instrumental/karaoke, no vocals) on a phone, or tablet and we will play it for your turn. If you are using a phone, please have the appropriate dongle to connect to a speaker.
What Are Auditions & Callbacks Like?
The audition process is a fun and integral part of the production! We understand that auditions can feel stressful, but everyone you see is your biggest cheerleader! When you thrive, we thrive.
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ARRIVING: When you arrive for auditions, you will check in and make sure all your information is in order. You will have your headshot taken and receive any additional information. One adult may accompany each student into the audition room as moral support.
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AUDITIONING: You and seven other auditioners, along with their support people, will go into the audition room as a group. When it is your turn to perform your song, you will be called up. Hand your accompaniment device to the audio person cued up to the spot you want to begin singing. Stand in front of the artistic team and they will let you know when you may begin. When prompted, “slate”, which means introduce yourself by name and age, then tell us which song selection you have chosen. Then you will indicate for the audio person to begin your song and you can sing. When you have completed, say, “Thank you.” You will get to watch five other students audition, so please show encouragement by staying engaged and applauding when appropriate.
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CALLBACKS: Callbacks will be requested at the discretion of the Artistic Team. If you are called back, you will receive notice before 11pm on Friday. You will be notified if you are to attend the entire time, or just a portion thereof. If you are NOT called back, that does not mean you are not getting considered for a part. Being “called back” simply means the directors would like to see you read/perform something specific. For this production, callbacks will consist of a dance, music, and cold readings from the script.
Casting
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The Cast List will be sent out via email & posted in the shared Google Classroom on the Sunday after auditions at 3pm. As an educational opportunity we assume all students accept their role. The cast list will also be shared on social media that evening.
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The cast size of this show is capped at 30 due to space at the performance facility.
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Students who are registered for a Fall '26 Class/Lessons/Thespian Troupe are guaranteed a spot in the show and additionally receive $20 off the Production Fee.
Imagine Theatre values diversity on our stage and in our theater. In casting, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, body diversity, or national/ethnic origin. We aim to cast respectfully and appropriately to all cultures and identities.