Junior musical auditions: Newcastle, Lake Mac & the Hunter
What Theatre Company stages junior musicals that young performers can join through an audition. Your child doesn't need to be enrolled in our weekly classes. Casting is open now for two productions: Shrek The Musical JR on the Civic Theatre Playhouse stage in May 2027, and Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week at our Holmesville studio in January 2027. We're based in Holmesville and welcome families from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and right across the Hunter.
Who can audition
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Ages 7–18 across our junior musical auditions.
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Shrek The Musical JR: young performers aged 7–18.
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Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week: ages 11–18.
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No class enrolment required. Plenty of our cast members come to us first through an audition.
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Families travel to our studio in Holmesville NSW from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the wider Hunter.
How casting works
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Submit online – choose Shrek JR or Legally Blonde JR.
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Send your audition video via the form; we’ll email what happens next.
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Callbacks at Holmesville only if we need them; casting news after each show’s auditions close.
What to prepare
Prepare 1–2 mins of a musical theatre song of your choice with a backing track to showcase your abilities. Auditions are submitted online; callbacks (when needed) are in person at Holmesville.
Built so more kids get on stage
What Theatre Company's junior musicals are large-cast productions, and they're often double-cast. That means more young performers share the season and get real time on stage across multiple performances. Our current season, Beauty and the Beast JR at the Civic Theatre Playhouse, runs with two casts. You don't need to be enrolled in weekly classes to audition.
Shrek The Musical JR: casting now
Performances: 12–16 May 2027 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Venue: Civic Theatre Playhouse, Newcastle
Ages: 7–18
Casting: Open now
Auditions due: Thursday 10 December 2026
Shrek The Musical JR is our next full junior musical season. It's big and funny, with plenty of heart and a stage full of fairytale characters, and it's a chance for young performers to rehearse as a company and perform on the Civic Theatre Playhouse stage.
This is a large-cast production, so there's room for leads, featured roles and a busy ensemble. Whether your child is new to musical theatre or already has a few shows behind them, we'd love to see them at an audition.
Legally Blonde JR: Musical in a Week
Intensive week: 11–15 January 2027
Venue: What Theatre Company studio, 22 George St, Holmesville NSW 2286
Ages: 11–18
Lead & supporting role auditions close: 14 December 2026
Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week is our January intensive. Over one focused week at the Holmesville studio, young performers learn and stage Legally Blonde JR together. It's high energy and full on, and the payoff is a real performance.
Places are limited. Auditions are still open and we're building a committed cast who can give the week their full focus. If that sounds like your young performer, we'd love to see them. Lead and supporting role auditions close on 14 December 2026, so submit while places remain.
Want a feel for the format? See how our last Musical in a Week came together on the 13 JR page. More about Legally Blonde JR →
Next dates
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Beauty and the Beast JR: 25–29 November 2026, Civic Theatre Playhouse. Tickets on Shows, not casting.
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Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week: 11–15 January 2027, Holmesville studio. Casting now; lead & supporting role auditions close 14 December 2026.
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Shrek The Musical JR: 12–16 May 2027, Civic Theatre Playhouse. Casting now.
Audition FAQ
Does my child need to be in WTCo classes to audition?
No. Anyone aged 7–18 can submit an audition, and you don't need to be enrolled in weekly classes.
Where are auditions and shows held?
Auditions are submitted online. If we need a callback, that's in person at our studio at 22 George St, Holmesville, an easy drive from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter. Shrek The Musical JR performs at the Civic Theatre Playhouse in Newcastle. Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week runs at the Holmesville studio.
Is Legally Blonde JR still open?
Yes. Auditions are still open, but places are limited. Lead and supporting role auditions close on 14 December 2026, so we recommend submitting soon.
How much does it cost?
Fees depend on the production:
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Shrek The Musical JR (season, Civic Theatre Playhouse, May 2027): about $1,085 in total across Term 1 ($415), April holidays + Term 2 ($375), and a production fee ($295). The production fee covers costumes, licensing, set, lighting/sound, venue, scripts and props. Full due dates and late-fee notes are in the parent info pack.
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Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week (Holmesville, 11–15 Jan 2027): $350 including GST for the intensive week (includes cast T-shirt and script).
Download the parent info packs for the full breakdown:
Shrek The Musical JR parent info pack (PDF)
Legally Blonde JR Musical in a Week parent info pack (PDF)
Or email info@wtco.au / call 0493 391 669.