FAIRFIELD CENTER STAGE
YOUTH WORKSHOP
@ ROCKWELL DANCE CENTER
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
(youth edition)

for Ages 8-18 REGULAR SESSION
Saturdays, 10am-1pm (plus one Fri eve tech see below)
Feb 7 - Apr 11 2026

Workshop dates/times:
Saturdays Feb 7 - Apr 11
no rehearsal Feb 14 (winter break @ RDC—studio closed)
Saturday mornings from Feb 7-Apr 11, Ages 8-18: 10am-1pm

Performances for families:
Sat Apr 11 @ 3pm & 7pm
(+ added MANDATORY tech rehearsal Fri Apr 10 from 5-9pm—adding costumes/lights/sounds this date)

About the Workshop:
During our seasonal youth sessions, we will mount a workshop style production of a show, starting with the initial audition and followed by a rehearsal process, culminating in an exciting performance with costumes where family and friends can enjoy your hard work. No previous experience required!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC - YOUTH EDITION OVERVIEW:
for Ages 8-18 (must be 8 years old in Apr 2026, email us if on the edge!)

AGES 6-7 seeking the role of GRETL only : the casting has been complete for this role, we have cast two local 6-7 year olds who submitted videos per the audition notice for this role specifically. All other roles will be open to regular participatnts For this particular session, we are only seeking two actresses in this younger age range to share the role of the youngest Von Trapp child, Gretl. (one child will do the 3pm performance, another the 7pm performance, and both should be able to cover in case of illness). Because of this unique situation, for this role only we are taking video submissions for auditions. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO AUDITION INFO FOR THIS ROLE ONLY (only seeking 6-7 year olds for this role—if you are 8+ feel free to register for the program; however this role will be unavailable to regular participants ages 8+. All other roles open to 8+). CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFO FOR THE ROLE OF GRETL.

REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE TIMES/SCHEDULE
SATURDAYS, from 10am-1pm
Feb 7 (auditions), (no rehearsal Feb 14 due to winter break @ RDC—studio closed), Feb 21, 28, Mar 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr 4
ALSO:
Mandatory TECH REHEARSAL Fri Apr 10 from 5-9pm (adding costumes/lights/scenery/sound)
PERFORMANCES: Sat Apr 11 @ 3pm & 7pm

SATURDAY Apr 11 mandatory dress rehearsal & performances:
10am-noon DRESS REHEARSAL
12pm lunch break (families should pick up)
1:30pm ACTOR CALL TIME
3pm show #1
4:30-6pm dinner break (families should pick up)
6pm ACTOR CALL TIME
7pm show #2

Weather cancelation policy: We have built into the existing schedule a ‘buffer week’, meaning an extra week to account for any potential cancelation of a single rehearsal. If we lose a rehearsal due to weather that forces a studio closure, it would most likely not need to be made up. But, if we miss more than one rehearsal we would seek to add a Sunday or extend time on a Saturday etc, details tbd.

Rockwell Dance Center in Trumbull
Live performances for families Sat Apr 11 @ 3pm & 7pm (each actor is allocated 4 total tickets at no charge; after initial ticket assignments, additional tickets will then be released for sale for $15 each, typically max 2 per family, we will alert when all this happens!

Cost:
Regular session (ages 8-18): $645 + $50 costume/makeup fee* (pay-in full option, or $100 minimum non-refundable deposit due at signup to reserve your spot; any remaining balance due in full by Jan 17 = $695 total commitment.

About the Show:
The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

In this adaptation for pre-high school students, the content has been edited to better suit younger attention spans, but all the elements that make this show a classic are still in place. The participants get to experience timeless story and dazzling score, while at the same time learning about theater and its production.

Double casting policy:
In order to provide as many opportunities for speaking roles as possible, we may decide to double cast some principal roles. Each actor sharing that role would get one performance in that part. They may appear in the ensemble for the performance during which they aren’t playing their principal role, or they may be assigned as an off stage singer. This is at the discretion of the production team, as we have a very short rehearsal window.

Sample Day: 
10-10:15am Vocal and physical warm-ups 
10:15-11am: Music Rehearsal 
11-11:15am: snack break
11am-1pm: Choreography/Blocking Rehearsal

Performance/Ticket Policies:
Performances will take place inside Studio 1 which is a small black-box style dance studio. Space is limited, therefore each performer will be limited to 4 tickets total (may be split over the two performances, i.e. 2 tickets to the 3pm performance and 2 tickets to the 7pm performance). (If siblings are both signed up, that family would qualify for 8 tickets). With that said, we always try to get in everyone who wants to come support your little one — we are occasionally able to release a couple extra tickets for families who need them. Families will be provided a link to reserve their tickets about a month before the show.

Additional ticket release:
After the initial ticket reservations have been claimed, additional tickets will then be released for sale for $15 each, max 2 per family, we will alert ahead of when all this happens!)

Rehearsal/Performance location:
Rockwell Dance Center
18 Lindeman Dr., Trumbull 06611

Costume/Makeup gameplan:
The $50 costume/makeup fee will cover the performer’s costume and fun makeup for the show. Any allergies please alert us, meanwhile we will communicate along the way the gameplan for costuming and makeup. In addition to the costume fee, families are expected to provide appropriate footwear (dance shoes, style tbd) for rehearsals and the performance (FCS does not provide footwear, nor does the costume fee cover footwear).

Liability Forms:
FCS staff will be in touch at some point over the process regarding standard medical forms and other waivers. Please remember that your child’s forms must be filled out before the first rehearsal or they will not be able to participate.

Right to Refuse Service and/or Removal Policy: In order to maintain a high standard of service and provide a safe work environment for its staff and artists, this program and organization reserves the right to refuse or remove participants from the program, at the discretion of the directors.

Fees/Discounts/Policies:
Total fee is $695 ($645 program fee + $50 costume/makeup fee)$100 minimum deposit due at signup to reserve your spot, or pay-in-full option; any balance due by Jan 17. Sibling Discount: $100 discount per sibling (i.e. brother and sister would pay a total of $1,290 including their costume fee). Deposit is non-refundable at all times. After the Jan 17 tuition deadline, any/all fees paid are non-refundable. In the unforeseen case of a full cancelation of the program, a full refund would apply. If an individual rehearsal is canceled, our goal would be to make up the rehearsal on another Saturday by starting earlier or ending later. With that said, we have built in a week extra padding in our planning in the case of a canceled rehearsal. Late pickups: most of our staff do have other commitments immediately following the rehearsal day -- if you are later than 15 minutes late, we will require a $25 late fee, which goes directly to the affected counselor/staff member.

refund policy: deposits are non-refundable at all times. Tuition is non-refundable after January 17. In the unforeseen case that the program needs to be canceled, a full refund will take place.

Questions?:
christy@fairfieldcenterstage.org

DIRECTOR/COSTUMER: Christy McIntosh-Newsom.Christy is a professional actress and Artistic Director of Fairfield Center Stage. As a voice teacher and audition coach, her students have appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, locally and on national television and feature films. Christy is proud to have helmed BTC Jr. (which then merged into DCT Jr. at the Downtown Cabaret, where she served until 2018 as Associate Artistic Director). In her tenure with these programs and Summer Stage, she has produced over 20 children’s productions. She was also an instructor for the Playhouse on the Green summer program, Project Broadway, Coleytown Middle School, and Broadway 101 for the Trumbull Youth Association. She is currently the Drama Director at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Some directing highlights include “CATS Youth Edition”, “Footloose”, “A Christmas Carol Experience,” “Matilda,” “The Secret Garden,” “Barnum,” “The Music Man,” (Fairfield Center Stage) “The Hunchback of Norte Dame,” "In the Heights," "Hairspray," "Memphis," "Fancy Nancy," and "Rapunzel,” (Downtown Cabaret). Proud mommy to CJ and Melody.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Marcelle Morrisey. Marcelle is a 4th grade teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Fairfield, and has been a theatre educator in various capacities all over CT for nearly 15 years now. She is currently the Drama Director at Joel Barlow High School, and John Read Middle School. She has worked alongside Christy and Eli for years now as an actor, director, stage manager, and so much more, and can’t wait to work on these productions. Some of her directing highlights include, “Elf”, “Aladdin JR”, “Seussical the Musical”, “Carrie the Musical”, “Once Upon a Mattress JR”, “Addams Family JR”, “Peter and the Starcatcher”, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, “Cinderella JR”, “Beauty and the Beast JR” Marcelle likes to hang out around Fairfield and Black Rock with her family and friends, and spend time with her two fur babies! 

CHOREOGRAPHER: Kelsey Kaminski. Kelsey Lynn Kaminski (Maiolo) is an award winning choreographer who is grateful to be part of the FCS family! Her most recent works include Carrie the Musical, Les Miserablé (Halos 2025 Best Classical Musical), Singin in the Rain (Halos 2024 Best Classic Musical), Hello Dolly, Elf the Musical, & recently performed as Jeanie in FCS production of HAIR at 9mo pregnant! Kelsey holds a BFA from Ohio University, studied at ABT and teaches recreational and competitive dance at Thrive; the Essence of Dance. Kelsey is proud to bring theater education to Fairfield county where she grew up and now raising her family with her husband Rob! She is especially grateful to share her love of theater with her favorite choreographer sidekicks, Lucy Rae and Colby Jay!

PRODUCER / MUSIC SUPERVISOR: Eli Newsom. Along with running the day-to-day operations for Fairfield Center Stage, Eli staffs and supports all of the production teams throughout the season. He also works as a Director/Music Director/Producer for various Fairfield county school productions throughout the year. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, after many years in non-profit and professional theatre as a singer/actor/dancer, he eventually discovered he much prefers directing and producing. Eli is a proud resident of downtown Fairfield with his wife Christy (also FCS Artistic Director!) and kids CJ and Melody.

PARENT LIASON: Maggie Meath. Maggie has worked in theatre education across Fairfield County for nearly 20 years. She has been a part of Fairfield Center Stage since its inception, and has worked with Christy and Eli Newsom since 2010 as a producer, director, stage manager, performer and more. She has worked in various capacities for summer camps, including Fairfield Summer Stage, BTC Jr., Broadway Boot Camp and Camp Gan Izzy. She worked in after school programs in Darien, Bridgeport and Fairfield Public Schools, and she was director of Kids’ Theatre at The Bijou and Darien Arts Center. In theatre administration, she was previously Artistic Director of The Bijou Theatre and Operations Manager at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Maggie is a small business owner at SukiShima.com and is a proud mom of two.