Theatre Program

Theatre Information

Elf The Musical JR. (Ages 5-18)

A title known the world over, Elf The Musical JR. is a must-produce holiday musical that can easily become an annual tradition for any theatre. Based on the cherished New Line Cinema hit, Elf JR. features songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. .

More about our Theatre Program

The Next Generation Theatre program is open to students, ages 5 through 18, and sometimes beyond. Each session runs several weeks and ends with a spectacular show open for the entire community to enjoy. Each participant learns many skills as they are exposed to every aspect of the theatre production process. Students begin to understand choreography, set design, acting, vocals, stage direction, as well as costuming and use of props. Over time, the students will have the opportunity to use their talents in different roles, thus gaining a greater understanding of the entire theatre process.

One of the most unique features of the Theatre Program is the directing team. At Next Generation Theatre each production is led by not only an adult mentor but also teen directors, Jr directors and interns, all of whom are highly motivated natural born leaders. They each have high levels of talent and years of experience in dancing, singing, choreography, set design, and costuming. The leadership team makes this program extra special; their age and experience allows them to bond and relate to actors in a way that bridges the gap between the students and adult directors. They also inspire the younger students to visualize themselves as the next generation of teen leaders.

Audition and Rehearsal Information

Basic Information

How do auditions work?

To audition, each student will need to prepare one song (one verse and the chorus will be sufficient) of their choice. Older students may be asked to read a scene with the directors.

When auditioning in person, there is a time sheet for sign ups. Students will sing on the stage in front of the casting team. The directing team will ask you for your name, age, and what show you're auditioning for. Students will not need to stay the entirety of the audition time; most auditions normally take 3-5 minutes.

There are also registration papers and students biographies that need to be filled out and emailed to us or brought in. These will be sent to you in an e-mail after signing up.

What is the cost?

Full tuition for the session is $275 per student, $255 for a second child (or 2nd tuition of a child participating in two shows), and $235 for a third child. A $75 nonrefundable deposit is due on the date of auditions, and this deposit is deducted from the total tuition fee.

Each student's tuition helps pay for the show royalties, scripts/chorus books, costumes, props, set pieces, backdrops, makeup, rehearsals and any additional costs that may come up during each show.

What should my student bring to rehearsals?

All students should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that they can dance and move around freely in. Once they have received their scripts, they will need to bring them to rehearsal everyday. Students should also bring a pencil, highlighter, water bottle, and a snack or money to purchase one here (our prices range from $0.75-$2).

Upcoming Shows

Elf the Musical Jr.

Performances

Nov 30-Dec 3rd

Dec 7-10th

Winter/Spring Sessions

Auditions - Dec 20th 3:30-8PM

Ariel Grenier Owner/Artistic Director

Ariel is the owner, artistic director and head of the Directing Team for Next Generation Theatre/Dance Studio and on Faculty for Studio One for Dancers in Oakland, ME. She comes from a long line of performers and had her debut on stage at the age of 2. She is a Board Member for Maine Dance Teachers Club and has been a dance and theatre educator for over a decade locally as well as in the UK and Ireland. She received her Bachelors in Psychology and Early Development with a minor in Dance from the University of Maine.

Ariel’s musical theatre performance credits include soloist in the US Premier of Fame Forever, Joseph, Rocky Horror and as dance captain for Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and Hello Dolly. Her choreography credits include Wizard of Oz and Elf at WOH as well as countless productions at Next Generation, Studio One, Cassie’s School of Dance and Bradley’s School of Dance.

Ariel has been involved with Next Generation since 2011 and was ecstatic to have the opportunity to take on ownership in 2019.

Brady Rautiola Head Director

Brady is a 18-year-old Senior at Hermon High School. He has been involved in theatre at Next Gen since he was 8 years old, and he has been a part of the directing team for over 5 years. Brady has had professional voice lessons, leadership training, and has experience in theatre education. He is currently in school for business leadership, and small business management, while being enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard as a Human Resources Specialist (42a). Brady hopes to help foster the growth of young minds through the arts, and create a brighter future for our "Next Generation".

Gabe Tibbetts Assistant Director

Gabe Tibbetts is a 16 year old Junior at Brewer High School. Gabe has been acting at Next Gen for 11 years, and has been a part of the directing team for 3 years. Gabe has leadership experience through student council, sports team captain, and scouting organization positions. Gabe is in school to become a mechanical engineer.

Hailey Bouchard Assistant Director

Hailey is 16-year-old Junior at Brewer High School. She has been doing theatre at Next Gen since she was 8 years old and she has been a part of the directing team for over a year. Hailey has professional vocal training and public speaking/performing experience.

Emma Kinnear Jr. Director

Emma is 13 years old and is a eigth grader at William S. Cohen Middle School. She has been acting at Next Generation for two years, and this is her first session on the directing team. Emma has professional vocal training, loves working with young children, and is on the student council at her school. Emma loves all aspects of the theater and is excited to share that passion with others.

Elliott Adams Jr. Director

Elliott is a 15 year old homeschooler who has been with us at NGT for about a year. Elliott has been doing theatre for around six years now. This is his first experience interning with a theatre company, but he does have experience working with younger kids. Elliott is happy to help Next Generation in any way he can.

Annabeth Moody Intern

AnnaBeth Moody is a 16 year old homeschooled student. She has been at Next Generation for almost 7 years across the theatre, dance, and art programs. Annabeth has been dancing for almost her whole life, and has experience caring for children.

Eila Hendrix Intern

Eila is a 12 year old seventh grader at William S. Cohen Middle School and she has been with Next Generation Theatre since 2018. She currently takes voice lessons and dance, and is thrilled to be able to be a bigger part of the NGT community.

About Us

Founders

Former owner and Founder, Tracey Marceron created Between Friends Art Center, home of Next Generation Theatre, with the help and vision of her daughter Lexi Marceron and friend James Bartol. While still in high school, Lexi and Jamie brought their dream of a “year round” theatre program to life. They believed that for students, like themselves, who wanted a career in the Arts, a once a year summer camp theatre program was just not enough. With that in mind, they created the area’s first year round children’s theatre program and later that summer they opened a dance studio for kids of all ages and levels.

Next Generation Theatre was created with the key idea that “Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow.” With this in mind, Tracey decided to make her Arts program accessible to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds; to give all the children in the community an opportunity to experience the Arts firsthand.

Our Start

Next Generation Theatre’s first class was taught in June of 2007. It began with only 6 kids who later performed “The Velveteen Rabbit” in August of that same year. The first musical production, “Wind in the Willows,” had a cast of only 15 children. Today the Next Generation Theatre’s Youth Program has more than 300 students attending year round and has expanded to include art classes and a variety of dance classes. We invite you to come to Between Friends Art Center and “Dream Big.”

Their foundation will always live on through our students.

Next Generation Theatre