The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition Auditions

Every summer, CCT brings together performers in grades 1–12 for one fully produced musical. Actors rehearse side by side, learning from experienced directors and from each other while building confidence, friendships, and real skills on stage.

This summer, we're headed to Oz! Follow Dorothy and Toto down the Yellow Brick Road in The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, featuring all the iconic songs and characters you love. Whether your young performer is brand new to the stage or a seasoned pro, this is their chance to be part of something unforgettable.

Auditions: What You Need to Know

Who: Actors in grades 1-12 (25-26 school year). 

When: Audition dates are below.

• Friday, May 8th @ 5:30-7:00 (grades 1-5) and 7:30-9:00pm (grades 6-12) 
• Saturday, May 9th @ 3:00-4:30pm (grades 1-5) and 5:00-6:30pm (grades 6-12) 
• Monday, May 11th @ 6-8pm Callbacks (we will let actors who are called back know via email after their audition session if they need to return for callbacks on this date) 

**If you need to swap dates after you submit the form or cannot make it to the dates/times listed below, please contact Sadie Carr at sadie@columbiachildrenstheatre.com

Where:  Washington St. United Methodist Church (1401 Washington St, Columbia, SC 29201) 

*Please arrive prior to the start time listed above, as we will audition as a group. Parents will drop their actors off after check-in and come back at the end time listed above. 

Rehearsals will begin May 18th, 2026. 

Steps to take: 

• Fill out the Online Audition Form and Conflict Calendar (Google Form)
• Review the Production Information Sheet(pdf file) carefully. **By signing the audition form, you agree to adhere to all listed requirements on this sheet. 
• Auditionees in grades 6-12 will be asked to perform a selection of a song from the show. Audition Selections will be sent out via email closer to the audition date.
• Actors will also learn a short dance routine and may be asked to read lines from the script at each audition session 
• Actors only need to attend one audition session unless they are asked to return for a callback audition (May 11th). 
• Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothing suited for movement (NO CROCS, please!). 

IMPORTANT INFO 

• The cast list will be sent out via email by Friday, May 15th @8pm. Here you will accept or decline your actor’s role. 
• There is a one-time $150 ($300 max per family) participation fee payable on our retail page or by check/cash at the first rehearsal. If you are unable to pay this fee, a limited number of scholarships are available to help lower the cost. 
• Rehearsals begin May 18th. Rehearsals will generally be held Monday through Friday evenings, Saturday times vary, and Sunday afternoons at Washington St. United Methodist Church. The rehearsal schedule will be released after the first rehearsal. 
• There will be a mandatory parent meeting at the first rehearsal for each cast on May 18th (Ruby Cast) and May 20th (Emerald Cast) at 6pm. The meeting will take approximately 30 minutes. 
• Participation fees and retail items will be available for purchase on our retail page on May 15th. 
• The Wizard of Oz will have two casts, one performing a 4-show run each weekend at CA Johnson High School. 
• RUBY CAST July 24-26
• July 24th @7pm
• July 25th @ 2pm and 7pm
• July 26th @ 3pm
• EMERALD CAST August 4-6
• August 4th @7pm
• August 5th @ 2pm and 7pm
• August 6th @ 3pm

There will be no conflicts  accepted for either cast July 13th-18th. There will also be no conflicts for RUBY CAST July 20th-26th and no conflicts for EMERALD CAST July 27th-August 2nd. CCT will be closed June 29th-July 5th. 

****Any actor with more than 10 conflicts with rehearsals may not be considered for a role unless conflicts are negotiated. Conflicts must be finalized by audition date. Additional conflicts will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Conflicts listed on audition form will be honored as excused absences, and unexcused absences may result in an actor being cut from songs and/or scenes or recast.