Kids on the Local Stage

        For kids who love performing, who love being on stage and the fun of putting on a show, moving up into the more adult world is a huge step. Perhaps they’ve been taking dance class at a local studio and have performed in the annual dance recital, but now they’d like to audition for something bigger. Or they take lessons on an instrument, and now they’d like to see how they stack up against other musicians.
         It’s natural for performers to aim higher than their current level—a bigger stage, a larger audience (more than just the relatives), and hopefully a larger part. Sometimes this requires classes and perfecting their craft; other times it requires auditioning, which always carries a risk of not being selected. It’s all part of show business. Here are a few opportunities for talented youth.

Theater/drama

Boise Music Week always includes a musical, with plenty of parts available for children. Auditions are held in the spring for the show in May. This year’s production will be Fiddler on the Roof. www.boisemusicweek.org.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival operates a drama school, summer camps, and the apprentice program. The school and camps provide professional instruction in all aspects of the theater. The apprentice program is by audition, and requires students to dedicate 200 hours to perfecting their skills. idaho www.shakespeare.org

Music Theater of Idaho holds auditions for its entire season in the fall each year. Children audition in a professional atmosphere of intensive competition. Even the tiniest parts require dedication to attend a busy rehearsal schedule. The payoff is performing on stage with adults and being treated as “real” actors. www.mtionline.org.

Prairie Dog Productions is a small community theater with the goal of providing family entertainment through the silliness of musical melodrama. Many shows have parts for youth, and they have to audition like everyone else. www.pdplayhouse.com. 

        See the related article, “Arts on a Budget” (page 15) for some additional community theaters and opportunities for interested youth. And, be sure to take every opportunity to explore their talents by auditioning for school productions as well.

Instrumental Groups

        Aside from school band and orchestra, there are opportunities for youth with talent and who are willing to practice on their own for several hours a day. Most communities have honors band and honors orchestra, which are filled by auditions. Then there are all-state and regional groups. Students in high school usually have the option to audition for select groups within their own school as well. Community groups that are open to student musicians include:

Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is a full orchestra open to high school musicians who rehearse weekly and perform three concerts each year. Youth also receive coaching from the musicians of the Boise Philharmonic. Auditions are held at the beginning of the school year.   www.boisephilharmonic.org/bpyo

Meridian Symphony Orchestra community symphony has included youth musicians in the past. As long as an individual has the ability to play at the musical level expected, they may audition when openings arise.  And checkout the Young Artist Competition held January 23, 2010. www.meridiansymphony.org.

Eagle Chamber Orchestra string ensemble includes some select high school players. Contact the conductor if you are interested.  www.eaglechamberorchestra.com.

Idaho Choral Symphony community orchestra has no age limits and is flexible about scheduling.idahochoralsymphony.com.

Dance

        Once your child shows a talent and interest in pursuing dance at a high level, he/she has probably already taken several years of dance classes. That should always be their first priority, as the classes will continue to work on progressive skills. There are also additional opportunities.

Ballet Idaho. Of course, one of the first things most little children dream of is performing in Ballet Idaho’s classic, The Nutcracker. While competition is fierce, your young dancer will probably really, really want to audition. Go for it. www.balletidaho.com.

Eagle Performing Arts Center. Membership in the Eagle Performing Ensemble is by invitation or audition only, open to dancers ages 12 and up. They perform several times each year.  www.epacdance.com.

Choral Groups

        As with instrumental groups, school choir programs in the area offer a wide variety of challenging musical repertoire and training. Church choirs can be varied. How many pop stars got their start in church choir?

The Boise Intergenerational Choir under the direction of Vashti Summervill and Will Martin, includes over 100 voices spanning several generations. No auditions are required, as the goal is to provide a venue in which people of all ages can enjoy making music together. www.opendoorchildrenstheatre.org.

The Opera Idaho Children’s Chorus. The program includes two vocal groups: The Opera Idaho Children’s Chorus for grades 5–10, and Opera Idaho Angelus Chorus for grades 2–4. Linda Berg is the director of both choruses.  www.operaidaho.org.

Miscellaneous

The Slam of Steel is an all-ages poetry slam every second Tuesday at Woman of Steel Gallery. The Loud Writers Program makes poetry slam accessible to Treasure Valley youth poets. For more information, go to www.boisepoetry.com. 

Neysa CM Jensen is a Boise writer, mother, musician, and teacher. She has performed as an instrumentalist, a singer (not very well), an actor, and even a dancer (as a young child). She believes performing in front of a live audience is a joyous way to share your passions.