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The Addams Family!

About The Show: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family whom her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Click here to Enroll in Seeds I for 5-7 Year olds!

Click here to Enroll in Seeds II for 8-11 Year olds!

It’s Casting and Audition season! We loved reading this article by our friends at Orange County Children’s theater and wanted to share it with all of you! Wonderful reminders and helpful tips as we enter the hardest part of theater - even for the professionals! - auditions!

Why Am I Not the Lead?

by Stacee Tweedlie Willis

Orange County Children’s Theater

"Why am I not the lead?"
"How can I get a bigger part?"
"When will I get a head mic?"
"Why is 'so and so' the lead and I'm not, is she better than me?"

These are just some of the questions I get asked as a director by actors and parents. We know everyone wants to be Ariel, Belle, or Fantine. But unfortunately we can’t have 30 Ariels, 30 Belles, or 30 Fantines – it’s just not possible. Here's how you can work towards getting that role you or your child have been dreaming about.

Musical theatre is, of course, about performing but it is so much more than that! Auditioning, learning, and performing a musical develops many useful skills that children and adults can use in their everyday life. But that's not why you're reading this, you want to know how to get that starring role you've been after, right? Well, let's talk about that... 

Students that get cast in a lead or supporting lead role are more often than not leaders (not leads) in previous shows. They have shown that they can learn their lines quickly and correctly, they don't follow the choreographer or others for the choreography, they know all the lyrics to the songs, and they help others whenever they can. They are self-starters and don't interrupt the director with questions that don't pertain to what's going on in the rehearsal. They look for ways to help those around them, whether that be keeping their cast mates quiet or helping them get on stage for the next song.

Things Directors look at that you may not have thought about:

First of all, how do actors respond when cast in a smaller part? Are they angry? Do they act upset or annoyed with their part? Or do they do have a great attitude with any role they are given?

Second, once they're cast, how quickly do they learn their parts? If you can't learn a small speaking part in a timely manner, how can you learn a part with over 20 speaking lines and solos?

Third, once they learn their part, how are they performing in the group numbers? Do they know the choreography or are they looking around to remember the moves? Do they think that their solo parts are more important than the group numbers and scenes?

Fourth, what's their work ethic like backstage? Do they know when they enter and exit and what side of the stage they do it on? Do they know what song is next? Leads are responsible for knowing ALL their own blocking (where they go on stage).

Fifth, are they looking for other ways to shine without speaking? If the director says to act excited, are they doing that? Are they going above and beyond when they're on stage without being distracting?

Sixth, what's their behavior like?  Are they always talking backstage (or at auditions or rehearsals) or are they leading by example? Do they ask smart and thoughtful questions? Are they disruptive in rehearsals?

These are just some of the things we look for when we are casting. Sometimes an actor will blow us away in the audition and then we cast them as a lead and they don't live up to their potential. Most importantly, it's not always about talent... Talent is great but a prepared and reliable actor is better.  We look to cast LEADERS in the LEAD ROLES. So, the biggest advice we can give you is be a leader; don't be bossy, come prepared to audition, know your stuff. Don't ask for a bigger part, show us you deserve one.

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Apple Shakes Presents:

Romeo And Juliet!

About our Shakes Program: This class is a non-musical class introducing the works of William Shakespeare to middle and high school aged participants. (AGES 11 - 18) Participants learn the historical context and performance practices of Elizabethan actors as well as the rehearsal process of the time. A large portion of classes for the first two months places an emphasis on the verse and delivery of the prose and verse of the script. Participants are cast in rolls in the second month to begin the traditional “rehearsal” process while using games as skill builders as well as Shakespearean Insult, Stage Combat, voice, and theatrical make-up workshops. Rehearsed for a long period of time to encourage full textural understanding, performance confidence and polish.

About Romeo and Juliet: An age-old vendetta between two powerful families erupts into bloodshed. A group of masked Montagues risk further conflict by gatecrashing a Capulet party. A young lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet, who is due to marry her father’s choice, the County Paris. With the help of Juliet’s nurse, the women arrange for the couple to marry the next day, but Romeo’s attempt to halt a street fight leads to the death of Juliet’s own cousin, Tybalt, for which Romeo is banished. Will Romeo be reunited with his Juliet? “Aye, there’s the rub.”

Click Here To Learn More

Apple Players Presents:

The Addams Family!

Audition Only

About our Players Program: Our Players Program (ages 9-15) is an audition only class that expands upon the basic performance skills gained in Apple Seeds II and III. Participants learn more complex performance skills.

About the Show: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family whom her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Click Here To Learn More

Apple Teens Presents: Mean Girls!

Audition Only

About our Teens Program: Our Apple Teens Program (Ages 13 - 18) is an audition only production experience (the differing from a class!) that challenges Teen Actors in skill, dedication, and artistry of musical theater performance. This troupe participates in the Junior Theater Festival West or Atlanta annually in the winter, as well as mount a fully designed and produced theatrical production.

About the Show: Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady and her friends devise a "Revenge Party" to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Adapted from Fey's hit 2004 film, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards.  This queen-bee took Broadway by storm and has joined the musical in-crowd.

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An Interview With Our Actor Of The Week: Caroline Mcdonald

Introduce yourself, and tell us how old you are!

Caroline McDonald, 15 years old

Why do you love theatre?

I love theatre because I am able to connect with the audience emotionally through wonderful music, dance, and text. I love acting at Poison Apple because it is like one big family.

How long have I been at Poison Apple?

I have been at Poison Apple since I was 4 years old--so that's over 10 years!

What has been your favorite show that you've performed in?

My favorite show that I have performed in is The Sound of Music.

Favorite Role?

My favorite role was King Julian in Madagascar Jr.

What’s something you’ve learned from participating in theatre?

I have learned how to communicate and empathize with people, that there are many ways to express emotion, and how to make a character come alive on stage. In addition, I have also learned how to become a better singer and dancer.

Can you tell us about a moment onstage when something didn't go as planned? How did it turn out?

There was a moment in Beauty and the Beast Jr. when I was dancing and two other actors accidentally knocked into me. As a result, my bow fell out of my hair. When the lights went down, I grabbed my bow as I walked off stage, then got an ice pack, and finally returned to the stage for my next scene. The show must go on!

What's one piece of advice you'd like to give to someone stepping onstage for the first time?

Do not look at the lights--they will blind you. Don't be intimidated by the audience--they are there to enjoy the show. Also, if something does not go to plan, just smile and wait until the lights go down to fix it. Every mistake can be worked into the show and the audience will not know the difference.

Is there anyone you'd like to give a shout-out to for supporting you on your acting journey?

I would like to thank Miss Noelle for giving me the opportunity to grow as an actor and in my confidence. I would also like to give a shout out to Miss Angelica, because she is such an amazing music director.

Tell us the shows you have participated in with Poison Apple!

Since I have acted at Poison Apple for so long, there are quite a few shows that I have participated in--but getting to participate in the same show multiple times in different roles gives you the opportunity to interpret the show many different ways: Matilda, Moana Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., 3 Aladdin Jr., 2 Lion King Jr., 3 Annie Kids and Jr., 2 Peter Pan Jr., 2 Shrek Jr., 3 Alice in Wonderland Jr., 2 Snow White and the Seven Dorks, 2 Madagascar Jr., and 2 Honk Kids.

Click Here to view the Poison Apple Productions News - August 19, 2023