Countdown To Opening Night!
FOOTLOOSE: YOUTH EDITION ~ Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. Footloose: Youth Edition is a one-hour version of the explosive musical specially designed for young performers!
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 17 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
Lap sitting is not permitted as every person must have their own ticket. No children under 3 will be permitted. No refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.
Approximate Run Time: 90 minutes without an intermission
SHOWTIMES @ LCC
Saturday, March 14 ~ 2:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 ~ 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 15 ~ 2:00 PM
FOOTLOOSE: YOUTH EDITION AUDITION INFORMATION
All those cast in FOOTLOOSE: YOUTH EDITION are required to become a KVTA member at some level (minimum $30) by the initial cast meeting/read-thru. One parent/guardian being a member of KVTA does cover the membership requirement for all family members 17 and under. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the cast member being removed from the production.
Director: Rhonda Stenzinger
Assistant Director: Patricia Ferris
Vocal Director: Darnell Crater
Choreographer: Danielle Shoven
PERFORMANCE DATES / LOCATION:
Lincoln Cultural Center 240 Warren Ave Kankakee IL 60901
There will be seven (7) mandatory performances of this production.
School Performances*: Thursday, March 12 & Friday, March 13
(There will be two school performances* each day at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm.)
Public Performances: Saturday, March 14 at 2 pm; Saturday, March 14 at 7 pm; Sunday, March 15 at 2 pm
*Every young person cast in this production will be required to miss two days of school for the school performances. Every cast member will be required to have a permission slip signed by his/her teachers and principal during the first week of rehearsal. Failure to return this slip by the deadline given may result in the cast member being removed from the cast.
AUDITION AND CALLBACK DATES / LOCATION:
AUDITIONS: Tuesday, December 16 & Wednesday, December 17 starting at 5:30 pm each day
CALLBACKS: Friday, December 19 starting at 5:00 pm
LOCATION: KVTA Studios 1 Stuart Dr Kankakee IL 60901
All auditioners must be at least 6 years of age and no older than 17 years of age by March 12, 2026. Proof of age may be requested. All auditioners must complete an audition form, a conflict calendar, and sign KVTA's policy acknowledgement form. Cast members are required to provide the following personal items: shoes and socks. In addition, cast members may be asked to supply other items such as: leotards, tights, etc. Optional expenses include: a digital download from the production, a picture CD or thumb drive, apparel items, production party attendance, cast/staff chill times, etc. PLEASE NOTE: Child care is not available during rehearsals and performances. Cast and staff members are not permitted to bring their children, or any additional family members, to rehearsals. All rehearsals are closed to the public unless otherwise stated. All KVTA facilities are smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free. Anyone found to be in violation of these policies may be removed from the production.
If you have already signed a policy acknowledgement form during our 2025-2026 Season, you do not need to sign this form again.
KVTA Policies: PDF
KVTA Policy Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF
All participants, on-stage or off-stage, will be required to sign KVTA's Social Media, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies. If said participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will sign for the participant. Any parent or guardian signing for their auditioner agrees to instruct and provide information to their auditioner regarding KVTA's policies. An Emergency Card and Waiver of Liability must also be completed and signed in order to participate. These forms will be distributed when you first volunteer with KVTA. If you have any questions please email: kvta@kvta.org
All auditioners must provide a completed audition form, a conflict calendar and a signed KVTA policy acknowledgement form. Please print out the forms and bring them to auditions. Please include weekend conflicts on your conflict calendar. List ALL conflicts including dance, youth groups, sports, school concerts, recitals, karate, gymnastics, vacations, etc. Being in a theatre production is a big commitment, so conflicts will be considered in casting! Anyone cast should not have conflicts (except school related) the last two weeks of rehearsals (March 2-15).
Please print and complete the three forms below and bring them with you to auditions. Please print neatly.
1. Audition Form can be downloaded here: MICROSOFT WORD PDF
2. Conflict Calendar can be downloaded here: PDF
3. KVTA Policy Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF
VIDEO AUDITIONS:
If you cannot make any of the dates/times to audition in person, please email the Director, and we will come up with a suitable option for everyone involved.
CLICK HERE to sign up for an audition time: https://forms.gle/zqMghXLCBUvtRp687
Time slots are currently limited to 10 auditioners per slot. Additional time slots will be added, if needed. The number of auditioners per time slot may be increased, if needed.
INITIAL AUDITION INFORMATION:
Each child should choose one (1) song and one (1) character reading for their audition. The dance should also be learned in advance.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDITION SONGS AND READINGS
CLICK HERE FOR CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
DANCE:
All auditioners will perform the audition dance within their small group. The audition dance has been recorded for the auditioners to learn on their own before the auditions. There is a front view of the dance and a back view of the dance, as well as an instruction video. We will not teach the dance at the auditions. All auditioners are expected to learn their audition dance before the audition and perform their dance without instruction at auditions. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to move in, as well as appropriate shoes for dancing.
An optional audition dance workshop will be held on Sunday, December 7th from 5:30-7:30 pm at Dance in the Light (431 W Broadway St Bradley, IL 60915). This is just an opportunity for the auditioners to go over the dance and ask any questions in advance.
IF YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR A NON-DANCING/ADULT ROLE, you can start the dance audition piece at, "Everybody cut, everybody cut!"
CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
CALLBACK INFORMATION:
Callbacks will be held on Friday, December 19th beginning at 5:00 PM. Some auditioners may be called back to read, sing, or dance for more than one character. Getting a callback does not guarantee anyone a role in the production. If you do not receive a callback, it does not mean you did not receive a role. Every auditioner should still check the final cast list.
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For anyone new to the audition process, callbacks are only for select auditioners that the show staff members (i.e. Director, Assistant Director, Vocal Director, and Choreographer) would like to see again.
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If for any reason you cannot make this callback date, PLEASE email the Director before your audition, or tell the board member working the check-in table at auditions.
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If you are called back, it is highly encouraged that you make every effort to attend the callbacks.
CLICK HERE FOR THE CALLBACK SONGS AND READINGS
CALLBACK LIST:
The callback list will be posted on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Wednesday, December 17th, after all auditions have been completed, so it could be late in the evening.
CAST LIST:
The cast list will be posted on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Friday, December 19th, after all callbacks have been completed, so it could be very late in the day. Thank you in advance for your patience as we will have many difficult decisions to make!
For those cast in the show, our CAST READ THRU and PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING will be on Saturday, January 3rd, at 1:00 pm at the KVTA Studios. This is a mandatory meeting. Parents/guardians are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer time for each cast member in this production.
Further questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting may be emailed to the Director, Rhonda Stenzinger, at: rhonda@kvta.org Please include Footloose: Youth Edition Auditions in the subject line.
Break a leg!
Sincerely,
The Staff of Footloose: Youth Edition