Theatre Program

Theatre Information

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 adult mentors 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.

2025 Summer Camps

Theatre- Behind the Scenes!

Taught by our current directing team with professional special guests, this class will give students a behind the scenes look at the technical aspects of theatre both onstage and off! We’ll be covering topics such as set design, free movement, stage managing, prop/costume building, lighting design, and more!

Summer Theatre at Next Generation

Show Auditions- June 4th 4-7pm

Shows first weekend in August (auditioners must preschedule a time slot)

From auditions to the show, we will work on it all. Watch the finished product in August as the actors show you their hard work!

($20 discount for those that sign up for both AM and PM theatre sessions. Students in both sessions should bring a lunch for the 30 minutes between sessions)

Go to the above Dance Programs and Art Programs Tabs for more camp descriptions.

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 2-4 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? Commitment?

Production Tuition- $295 (sibling discount available)

First deposit of $100 deposit is due when you sign up for an audition slot, second deposit of $100 is due at auditions, and final $95 payment is due by the first rehearsal. All deposits are non refundable.

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.

Everyone that auditions gets a part! We are looking for commitment from our students, and every student is needed at every rehearsal. We cannot accept students that know that they will be missing 4 or more rehearsals.

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 every day. Students should also bring a pencil, highlighter, water bottle, and a snack or money to purchase one at our concession stand (our prices range from $0.75-$2).

Upcoming Shows

Summer Theatre Auditions- June 4th 2025 Please call for a time slot

Ariel Grenier Owner/Head 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, and acting in numerous shows from Young Frankenstein to Hello Dolly. Her choreography credits include Matilda, Head Over Heels, Wizard of Oz, and Elf at WOH as well as countless productions at Next Generation, Studio One, Cassie’s School of Dance, Maine Arts Camp 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 the journey of ownership in 2019.

Hailey Bouchard Head Director

Hailey is 17-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.

Gabe Tibbetts Stage Manager

Gabe Tibbetts is a 17 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.

Elliott Adams Assistant Director

Elliott is happy to help Next Generation in any way he can.

Elliott is sixteen years old attending Adams Private Academy

He has been acting for 6 years, 2 of those years with Next Generation.

He has been part of the Next Generation Directing team for the last year, and he also attends dance lessons through Next Generation's Dance Program.

Elliott has vocal training along with experience working with people at The Rock Church.

He is looking forward to seeing the theatre grow to new heights at which it's never been before. He is glad to be here for it.

Emma Kinnear Jr. Director

Emma is a 13 year old 9th grader at Bangor High School. She has been acting at NGT for over 4 years and has been on the Directing team for over a year. Emma has professional vocal training, performing experience, as well as experience working with kids. Emma loves all aspects of the theater and is excited to share that passion with others.

Eila Hendrix Jr Director

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.

Adalyn Tan Jr Director

Adalyn is a 14 year old 9th grade homeschool student. She has been in 18 plays at Next Generation Theatre since 2016. Addie has dance experience and takes voice lessons. She also has participated in multiple theater tech workshops to help her learn more about costuming, set design, lighting, choreography, and vocal instruction. Adalyn is thrilled to share her love of theatre with the younger students. Even though she loves to be on stage performing, she's equally excited to work behind the scenes, and help shape the next generation of theater performers.

Lexi Hikel Jr Director

Lexi Hikel is a 15 year old sophomore at John Bapst Memorial High School. She has been a part of Next Gen for 5 years and has been on the directing team for 3 shows. Lexi is very grateful to have become part of such an amazing family and has learned so much from her theatre friends.

Corina Barrera Intern

Corina is a 12 year old 7th grade student at Dr. Lewis S. Libby School. She has been acting at NGT for 6 years and dancing for 7 years. Between NGT and school, Corina loves to travel and write. She has had experience in competitive dancing and has taken professional guitar lessons. She would like to gain more experience in theatre to one day be successful in the field of performing arts. Corina is excited to be a part of the directing team and cannot wait for what is next!

Emma Sites Intern

Emma is a 15 year old 10th grade student at Brewer High School. Emma has been doing theatre at next gen for about a year and has been on the directing team for two shows, but she has been doing theatre since she was 7 years old.

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 her 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 youth 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 dance classes, art classes and a variety of additional resources. We invite you to come to Between Friends Art Center and “Dream Big.”

Next Generation Theatre