What is the High School Project?
About the Grand 1
About the Grand Theatre…
World Curious. London Made.
● The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians.
● As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond.
● A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project.
Spriet Stage: 839 seats
Auburn Stage: 144 seats
Grand Theatre History…
We have a ghost?
● The Grand Theatre began its existence in 1901 as the Grand Opera House.
● The original owner and manager of the theatre was Ambrose J. Small. He ran the Grand as a touring house.
● December 2nd 1919 – Ambrose sold his chain of theatres to Trans Canada Theatres Limited of Montreal for $1.75 million (this is equivalent to around $31 million today!).
1866-1919?
● The same day that Ambrose sold his theatres, he disappeared!
GRAND GHOSTS
Want to learn more?
Book by Katie Daubs
Spriet Stage (2022) by Trina Davies
Directed by Jillian Keiley
AMBROSE J. SMALL
HSP: Overview 2
What is the High School Project?
● For 27 years, the Grand Theatre High School Project has offered an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre.
● Open to any high school student from the London area who will be enrolled in High School in the fall of 2025, or participating in home schooling (ages 14-18).
● No cost to the participants!
● High school students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments - performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, lighting, marketing, and more!
● Staged in the Grand’s 839 seat theatre: The Spriet Stage.
● The initiative provides leadership, creative skills, and communication aptitude that serve these students on and off stage - in every area of their lives.
The 3 Main Goals of the High School Project
1. To celebrate the talent of London and area's secondary school students, and the drama, music & art teachers who have helped develop that talent.
2. To create an opportunity for students from various schools to meet, connect and work with one another.
3. To enable the students to develop their talents through experience working with theatre professionals.
2025 HSP 3
THE STORY:
Director: Ray Hogg
Music Director: TBA
Choreographer: Krista Leis
The Grand’s production will feature approximately 35-40 students onstage and 20 students behind-the-scenes.
● New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsies make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” The Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World.
● Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice.
A note from Director, Ray Hogg:
Newsies is a story about young people coming together, claiming their space and claiming their rights, in the face of an uncaring capitalist. It's a story about community - a group of people who have each others’ backs, and slowly over the course of the play, realize the power of the collective.
Whether or not you've tapped into it yet, if you’re somebody who is curious to explore their power, if you value community, and want to have your fellow artist's back, then I want to meet you!
General HSP Timeline
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Rehearsals and production work will start August 5, 2025
• Stage Managers will start July 29, 2025
• Some production work will finish September 19, 2025
• Performances are scheduled September 16 - 27, 2025
HSP: Roles 4
Information About Each Role
Onstage, Production and Musicians
Production Roles
Production Roles
Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing
#1. INTERVIEW (10 Min. Slots)
● You will be asked some basic questions about your interests, experience, strengths, weaknesses, and goals. You will also present your portfolio.
#2. PORTFOLIO
● You will bring in something for your interview that you have created which demonstrates your artistic and/or crafting skills related to the Production placement you are interested in.
● Please be prepared to talk about your creative process (tools used, skills needed, materials used, what worked, what you learned etc.) for the items you bring in andhow they relate to the production area you are most interested in.
● Portfolio Examples: painting/designs/photography, garment that you have sewn, prop that you have built, book or script with Stage Management notes, etc.
Portfolio Examples
Wardrobe, Props, Scenic Art, Stage Management, Sound, Lighting, Photography & Marketing
WARDROBE
• Bring in finished pieces you have created yourself.
• Demonstrate your abilities with a sewing machine and hand stitching.
• Physical samples preferred over images.
SCENIC ART
• Visual art pieces demonstrating different artistic styles and mediums.
STAGE MANAGEMENT
• Examples of scheduling, organizing projects & groups of people, high level of communication, leadership, etc.
• Have you worked on projects that showcase some of these skills?
PROPS
• Bring in physical items you have built yourself. Items could be woodworking, metal, creative crafting, upcycled material projects, painted figures, etc.
• Physical items preferred over images. Think creatively!
PHOTOGRAPHY & MARKETING
• Different camera shots and angles showcased
• Demonstrating editing capabilities
• Social media graphics/posts created
• Written communication skills
SOUND
• Do you have experience with sound? This could be microphones, audio mixing, etc.
LIGHTING
• Do you have experience with lighting? Colour theory?
Performance Roles
Performance Roles
Performance Roles on the Stage / in the Cast
Audition Process:
● Auditions for HSP 2025 are unique to the ensemble nature of NEWSIES and will take a different format: Group Audition Workshops which will include an acting through song masterclass and movement call.
● Be prepared to share your talents, talk about your theatre experience, and demonstrate any special skills.
● Music to prepare for the Group Audition Workshop will be shared with you after you complete the application form. You will be told when you are scheduled via email, though you can tell us about your availability and conflicts in the application form.
● No monologue will be required. No sheet music to bring in. No Resume/CV required.
● A dance call and callbacks will be the next step after your Group Audition Workshop. You will be invited to the dance call and callbacks after your audition, with scheduled times confirmed then.
Musicians
of our Orchestra Pit
View
Musicians
Musician / Instrumentalist Roles in the Orchestra
There will be a few student positions in our orchestra pit band for the production of NEWSIES.
Instruments needed are still to be confirmed. Students interested in orchestra roles should fill out the application form, and will receive a response via email once audition details are set.
Audition Process:
All auditions will take place at the Grand Theatre. Orchestra auditions will be led by the production’s Music Director. *Please bring your instrument (unless you are auditioning on keyboard.)*
If you’d like to start preparing, past Orchestra auditions have required the following:
#1 - Prepare and present a piece of music of your choice. (No more than 2 minutes in duration). It should demonstrate your highest level of technical skill on your instrument. Please bring in an extra copy of sheet music.
#2 - Prepare and present an excerpt from the show to the best of your ability. You will be given the sheet music and an accompaniment track to practise + perform with.
I’m
interested in participating! ….but now what do I do?
Book your audition/interview time through this application form. Deadline to apply is February 18, so don’t delay!
Interviews for Production Roles will happen after school on April 7-10.
Auditions for Musicians are not confirmed. Fill out the application form and we’ll be in touch!
Auditions for Performance Roles will happen after school on Feb 25 - 28, with callbacks and dance call on March 1 & 2.
