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The Wind in the Willows

Grades PreK-12

Get Tickets | Registration for this program is now closed. To join the waitlist, email theatre@cfcarts.com.

Students in Grades PreK through 12 this school year: Join us for our Youth Theatre Companies and Jr. Troupe Spring 2024 Play: The Wind in the Willows! 

The Wind in the Willows, the beloved and classic children’s story, is hopping off the page and onto the stage in this brand-new, World Premiere adaptation!

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved books, this whimsical show follows forest friends – jovial Mr. Toad, kind-hearted Mole, confident Otter, charming Rat, wise Badger, and so many more – through their adventures in the Wild Woods. As spring approaches, the fun-loving Mr. Toad drags his furry friends into all kinds of mischief, from racing motorcars to fighting off ferrets! Will everything turn out right in the end for Mr. Toad and his beloved Toad Hall? Come and find out!

Featuring a storybook theatre pre-show featuring our Jr. Companies!

There are three ways for students to participate onstage in The Wind in the Willows:

  • Jr. Companies – All students in grades PreK-2, performing in a storybook theatre pre-show and as characters in the Wild Woods in The Wind in the Willows! No audition required. Monday rehearsals only until tech.
  • Company – Students in grades 3-12, playing various Ensemble and Featured roles in the Wild Woods. Auditions are encouraged but not required; everyone is welcome! Monday rehearsals only until tech.
  • Jr. Troupe – Students in grades 3-12, playing Supporting and Lead roles such as Frog, Toad, and more! Auditions required; everyone will be cast in either the Companies or Jr. Troupe! Rehearsals throughout the week as called.

Registration for this program is now closed. To join the waitlist, email theatre@cfcarts.com.

Important Dates & Times

How to Prepare for Auditions (Optional Grades 3-12)

  • Fill out your student’s Registration Form: Grades 3-12. Headshots and resumes are encouraged as well, and can be emailed to theatre@cfcarts.com at least 24 hours prior to your audition in PDF format. If emailed late or in a different format, we may not be able to access your resume. Please do not bring hard copies to your audition.
  • There is no need to memorize a monologue or prepare any other type of performance.
  • All auditioners will participate in cold readings from The Wind in the Willows as well as possibly Into the Woods even if not auditioning for that play.
  • Please bring a water bottle. Food and gum are not permitted.
  • Dance or athletic shoes required. No restrictive attire, open-toed shoes, flip-flops/sandals, heels, or skirts/dresses without leggings or shorts beneath.
  • Auditions, as well as rehearsals, are closed to parents and other visitors. For safety reasons, only students and approved staff/volunteers are permitted.
  • Want to audition for the Jr. Troupe - Supporting and Lead roles? Students in grades 3-12 may choose to attend our Audition Prep Workshop on Wednesday, February 28, 5:30-7:30 PM at our audition and rehearsal location of First Congregational Church of Winter Park (225 S Interlachen Ave, Winter Park FL 32789.). Students will gain familiarity with the shows and characters, have the opportunity to participate in a mock acting audition and receive feedback, and participate in a Q&A session with casting staff. You can register your student for the Audition Prep Workshop on their Registration Form: Grades 3-12 and use the links below to pay. We offer a sibling discount for this workshop!

Feb 28 | Audition Prep Workshop (Optional Grades 3-12)

Want to audition for the Jr. Troupe - Supporting and Lead roles? Students in grades 3-12 may choose to attend our Audition Prep Workshop on Wednesday, February 28, 5:30-7:30 PM at our audition and rehearsal location of First Congregational Church of Winter Park (225 S Interlachen Ave, Winter Park FL 32789.) Students will gain familiarity with the shows and characters, have the opportunity to participate in a mock acting audition and receive feedback, and participate in a Q&A session with casting staff. You can register your student for the Audition Prep Workshop on their Registration Form: Grades 3-12 and use the links below to pay. We offer a sibling discount for this workshop!

1 student - $20, click to pay
2 siblings - $35, click to pay
3 siblings - $50, click to pay

March 1 - 2 | Auditions (Optional Grades 3-12)

Auditions will take place on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 (callbacks for selected students on Sunday, March 3) at First Congregational Church of Winter Park (225 S Interlachen Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) and are fully optional for Grades 3-12. (Students in Grades PreK-2 may not audition in advance.) These auditions will determine the lead and supporting roles for our Jr. Troupe as well as featured roles for our Company. Auditions are for placement only - there’s a role for all actors in this production!

Students may audition for the Troupe Spring 2024 Musical, Into the Woods, at the same time if desired. Please click the link for more information. Please note that students can only do either The Wind in the Willows or Into the Woods, but will not be able to do both.

If your young actor wishes to participate without auditioning, that is completely fine! You will be able to note that preference on your student’s Registration Form: Grades 3-12. We are happy to find a place in this production for your young performer, even if they are audition-shy!

Audition Blocks:

Audition blocks are listed below, and you can select which one your student will attend on your student’s Registration Form: Grades 3-12. Students must stay for the duration of their audition block.

  • Thursday, February 29th, 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Friday, March 1, 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 2, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 2, 1-3:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 2, 4-6:30 p.m.

Callbacks may be held for selected students on Sunday, March 3, sometime between 2-6 PM. Students will be informed of their callback status and exact call time by email no later than 10 PM on Saturday, March 2.

March 3 | Callbacks (Audition Follow-Up)

Callbacks may be held for selected students on Sunday, March 3, sometime between 2-6 PM. Students will be informed of their callback status and exact call time by email no later than 10 PM on Saturday, March 2.

March 25 - April 29 | Rehearsals (Required)

All students will rehearse on Mondays at First Congregational Church of Winter Park (225 S Interlachen Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) from March 25 to April 29. Rehearsals will take place at the following times:

  • Jr. Companies (Grades PreK-2): 5:15-6:45 PM (check-in from 5-5:15 PM, 1.5 hours of rehearsal)
  • Company and Jr. Troupe (Grades 3-12): 5:30-7:30 PM (check-in from 5:15-5:30 PM, 2 hours of rehearsal)
  • Jr. Troupe students may be asked to stay as late as 8 PM some Mondays.

Jr. Troupe students will also rehearse on an as-called basis on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays at First Congregational Church of Winter Park (225 S Interlachen Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) from March 26 16 to May 3 anytime between 5:30-8 PM. Important things to note for Jr. Troupe rehearsals:

  • Not every Jr. Troupe student will be called to every rehearsal! A full rehearsal schedule will be released after auditions by Wednesday, March 27. The number of rehearsals required will depend on the size of your student’s role.
  • All Jr. Troupe students should plan to attend rehearsal on Tuesday, March 26 for a read-through as well as every Monday rehearsal as listed above and of course, all tech and dress rehearsals as listed below.

May 6 - 9 | Tech & Dress Rehearsals (Required)

Tech and dress rehearsals will take place at the following days and times at the CFCArts Black Box Theatre (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804):

  • Jr. Company (Grades PreK-2):
    • Monday, May 6, 5:30-7:30 PM
    • Thursday, May 9, 5:30-8 PM
  • Company and Jr. Troupe (Grades 3-12):
    • Monday, May 6, 5:30-8 PM
    • Tuesday, May 7, 5:30-8:30 PM
    • Wednesday, May 8, 5:30-9 PM
    • Thursday, May 9, 5:30-9:30 PM

All cast must attend all their scheduled tech and dress rehearsals and performances or they will not be able to perform.

May 10 - 12 | Performances (Required)

Performances will take place on Friday, May 10 at 7 PM, Saturday, May 11 at 2 PM and 7 PM, and Sunday, May 12 at 2 PM at the CFCArts Black Box Theatre (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando, FL 32804). See below for show day schedules:

  • Friday, May 10, 5:30 PM call time, 7 PM performance, estimated end time between 8-9 PM
  • Saturday, May 11, 12:30 PM call time, 2 PM performance, estimated end time and dinner break start 3-4 PM
  • Saturday, May 11, 5:30 PM call time, 7 PM performance, estimated end time around 8-9 PM
  • Sunday, May 12, 12:30 PM call time, 2 PM performance, estimated end time around 3-4 pm
    • All Jr. Troupe and Company students in grades 6-12 must stay for strike until latest 5 PM
    • All Jr. Troupe and Company students in grades 3-5 are released following the performance end time as soon as their personal costumes are neatly hung and dressing rooms are clean

All cast must attend all their scheduled tech and dress rehearsals and performances or they will not be able to perform.

Audience members may purchase in-person tickets on the event page.

Info

Tuition

There is a seasonal $25 registration fee per student, which covers all enrollments in Youth Theatre Programs from January to May 2024. Click to pay.

Tuition for all performers is as follows (scholarships and payment plans available; see below):

  • Jr. Companies (All Grades PreK-2): $125, click to pay
  • Elementary, Middle and High School Company (Grades 3-12, Featured and Ensemble Roles): $150, click to pay
  • Jr. Troupe (Grades 3-12, Lead and Supporting Roles): $175 (A link will be sent to those accepted after auditions)

There are four ways to cover tuition:

  • Complete the tuition payment in full via PayPal using the links above, or by mailing a check (made out to CFCArts) to PO Box 720517 Orlando, FL 32872 (please email theatre@cfcarts.com once check is posted; checks cannot be accepted at rehearsals.) Payment is due no later than Monday, March 25. For Jr. Troupe, a link will be sent to those accepted after auditions.
  • Reach out to theatre@cfcarts.com to set up a tuition payment plan of two installments. The first installment will be due no later than Monday, March 25, and the second installment no later than Monday, April 22. Students must have tuition paid in full to perform in the production. Installment payments may be made online via PayPal (a link will be provided) or by mailing a check (made out to CFCArts) to PO Box 720517 Orlando, FL 32872 (please email theatre@cfcarts.com once check is posted, and be sure to set up your payment plan with us first.)
  • Complete the Financial Assistance Application no later than Monday, March 25 to be considered for a need-based scholarship for this program. Any remaining balance for your student’s tuition will be due no later than Monday, April 22. Students must have their remaining tuition balance paid in full to perform in the production. Payment of the remaining balance may be made online via PayPal (a link will be provided) or by mailing a check (made out to CFCArts) to PO Box 720517 Orlando, FL 32872 (please email theatre@cfcarts.com once check is posted.)
  • CFCArts is a Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES, formerly Gardiner Scholarship) direct pay provider, and the FES can be used to cover program tuition. Simply email your student’s FES ID number to us at theatre@cfcarts.com no later than Monday, March 25 and we will invoice FES for the amount of the program tuition.

Financial Assistance

CFCArts is a Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES, formerly Gardiner Scholarship) provider, and the FES can be used to cover program tuition! CFCArts scholarships are also available.

Music Therapy

CFCArts Youth Theatre Programs are proud to have a fully licensed, board-certified Music Therapist involved in our programs! Our Music Therapist consults on curriculum development, trains our staff members with arts-based classroom management and intervention skills, and is available as a resource for students and staff alike throughout the rehearsal and show process as needed.

Service Project

Central Florida Community Arts exists to serve and build community through the arts. With our mission in mind, our Youth Theatre Program students for each production have the opportunity to participate in a service project to benefit another non-profit organization in Central Florida - and to build friendships and bond with their castmates! These service projects are carefully selected to align with the message of the story that our students are telling on stage.

The Wind in the Willows shares the important message that nature is home to many small creatures that are vital to the health of our planet, and that it is all of our responsibility to care for the earth and environment. For this show’s service project, CFCArts Youth Theatre Programs are proud to partner with Mead Botanical Garden for a gardening and clean-up day, coming together to take care of and beautify this natural wonder and home to many critters!

Casting Policies

Please click here for a thorough review of our casting policies.

Please email Director of Education – Youth Programs, Leah Porrata, at Leah.Porrata@cfcarts.com with any questions.

Safety Procedures

Please click here for an extensive outline of our safety procedures.

Staff

Click here to meet the The Wind in the Willows staff!

Registration

NOTE: Registration for this program is now closed. To join the waitlist, email theatre@cfcarts.com.

Please follow these steps to register your student.

  • Students registering for an audition AND students participating without auditioning, please fill out one of the following:
    One per child
    • Registration Form: Grades PreK-2
    • Registration Form: Grades 3-12
  • Make the $25 seasonal registration fee payment.
    If applicable, also use the links in the drop-down menu above (Jan 10 | Audition Prep Workshop) to pay for the Audition Prep Workshop.
  • Students new to CFCArts OR returning from a season earlier than Fall 2021 will need to fill out the CFCArts Membership Application.
  • Once your Registration Form (Grades PreK-2 or Grades 3-12) is complete, you will be sent Spring 2024 paperwork via EverSign to your email.

Questions?

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