2026-27 school year
Are you a leader?
This is a leadership program for students who have proven they can lead their fellow cast mates by setting an example at rehearsal and in their preparation at home.
They have strong foundational theater skills.
The advanced student knows they are only as good as everyone else around them. They work to make everyone else look great.
The advanced student is a bold performer on stage, knowing that taking risks and making mistakes help us to learn and grow.
They have shown they support and applaud all cast mates, not just the ones they know well, and lift each other up when needed.
WHO: dedicated, advanced 6th - 8th grade students by audition only.
We typically accept between 25 - 30 students, but every session is different.
This class is for students who have been in at least 2 PDC productions, but most have been in many, many more. This is PDC’s “varsity” team. Kids chosen are the ones who have consistently shown in the past they are capable of leading a show.
Please understand that while many kids are talented, kids who have performed in many PDC shows have a better understanding of the process and work that goes into a show at the PDC advanced level.
Students will be given more responsibility in this process- their emails will be part of the email group, they need to respond when information is requested, they need to talk to Caroline themselves if they will miss a rehearsal. If a student misses more than 2 rehearsals without prior arrangement or permission they may be dismissed from the production.
There will be other middle school programs that won’t require auditions. No matter the program, motivated, eager, talented kids will shine wherever they are!
What: This class will incorporate SCENE STUDY and a musical.
The show will be chosen after the students are chosen.
Students will spend the 1st 6 - 7 weeks studying 2-3 person scenes & present them in a Scene Night Tuesday October 20
PLEASE consider your child's enthusiasm for acting, their work load with school and with other activities before committing to advanced! This is PDC's leadership program. Getting in is not only about talent at this age. It's also not the end goal, but the beginning of a deeper exploration into acting. Kids should have a proven track record of a strong work ethic and desire to improve.
Where: Imago Theater; 17 SE 8th ave (in the reheaarsal room upstairs)
When: Tuesdays (and a few possible Fridays and Saturdays in Feb/March)
5 - 7pm
September 1 - March (show weekend still TBD) hope to know soon
PARENTS - CAROLINE HAS A STRICT ATTENDANCE AND COMMUNICATION POLICY - all kids will submit a conflicts form with ALL known conflicts before officially being selected for the advanced group. THEY WILL SUBMIT ONE AGAIN before casting of the musical. All vacations or school performance requirements/absences must be cleared with Caroline. While Caroline is willing to make some exceptions for hard working, communicative students, it is expected that some activities will take a backseat to PDC every once in a while, too. If your child has a history of not coming to rehearsals or not coming to rehearsal prepared that will factor into their acceptance. ALL students must get in the habit of talking directly with Caroline about conflicts, questions, concerns, etc and not rely solely on parents to handle their schedules. IT IS POSSIBLE that students will be asked to leave or not be invited back if they do not work toward and uphold the Advanced Kid mentality and habits that are required.
This program is about so much more than vocal ability. We do not only consider a student’s one minute singing audition to determine placement into this program. It is important to note that even though we have many, many students who meet the above requirements some will still not get in this time.
We know there are a ton of talented, experienced, eager and capable kids in Portland. New-to-PDC middle school students- even if they are only new to PDC, but not new to musical theater performance- are encouraged to take one of our other programs where they can shine, too!
Auditions
June 8 - 10, 2026
NOTIFICATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE WILL GO OUT BY JUNE 12.
Registration for all Fall programs will be June 15
Auditions will require approximately one minute of a musical theater song of your choice + a short interview/discussion about your previous participation in PDC programs.
Video submissions are not allowed.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PROSPECTIVE ADVANCED STUDENT
We applaud kids who are involved in many activities and believe it is possible to be committed to more than one sport or artistic endeavor at a time. You do not have to eat, sleep and breathe theater to love it and do well.
A missed or early departure from rehearsal here or there should be brought to our attention far in advance as we schedule our rehearsal schedule very carefully. While we are willing to compromise for a responsible, experienced student, we still expect that other activities will sometimes need to make compromises for theater- especially during tech week. When you miss you are not the only one who loses out on valuable rehearsal time- your scene partners and dance partners also miss out causing many people to be unprepared. Students with a history of multiple unexcused absences, late arrivals or missing crucial rehearsals without prior arrangement in advance may not be considered for placement in the future.
Our show will not be chosen before auditions.
NOTES AND TIPS FOR KIDS
Auditioning can be very nerve wracking- especially after years of PDC shows where your parents just sign you up and you’re in the show.
WITH THESE SHORT AUDITIONS I AM NOT LOOKING FOR PERFECTION, but I will take note of your:
Preparation
Acting
Vocal ability
Energy/Essence- Did you put in the work to create a character? CAN I SEE THAT CHARACTER IN YOU?
AND I WILL take into consideration how you have rehearsed, performed and worked well with others in previous programs. Do you arrive on time and have regular attendance? Do you have a great attitude? Are you a leader? Do you treat all people with respect (not just the teachers)? Can you uphold the PDC pledge?
AUDITIONS MUST BE MEMORIZED
Your audition starts the moment you walk in the room not when you start singing. In fact, with experienced PDC kids your audition started a long time ago. “Messing up” on your audition is not a catastrophe and will not necessarily keep you from being accepted.
*REMEMBER: THE PERSON OR PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ARE ROOTING FOR YOU. Everyone wants you to be great. We’ve all been in your shoes and we will be cheerleaders in that room so things stay as light and fun as possible. I’m already proud of you for showing up and walking in the room. Lots of kids won’t do it. Bravo, you.
Please also remember that a lot of things go into choosing people to be part of a cast. Sometimes it is not someone’s singing ability that gets them in but their kindness, ability to work well as a team, willingness to take risks, volunteer and try hard, commitment to their role in the show with a proven track record of coming to rehearsal prepared that gets them a spot. If you are not chosen please know it does not mean you are not worthy of being in a show. If it means a lot to you please try again for advanced!
*A NOTE ABOUT WHAT TO SING: Please prepare approx 30 - 60 seconds of a song to showcase yourself. Try not to choose the easiest part, but a part that shows your range or an emotional moment. I have already heard you sing in other show with me- probably a LOT! I am less interested in your singing ability and much more interested in you telling the story of the song. Work to understand what you as the character are saying. If you believe it we believe it. We will not have an accompanist available. You should sing with a backing track (we will have a speaker).
Please memorize your portion of the song you plan to sing. Do not choose a song with mostly talking or rap - please sing. Many new songs from modern musical theater are simply pop songs that I hope you will avoid. Don’t shout a song. Steer clear of songs with swear words - it is totally unnecessary in a short audition. We need to hear you sing.
It’s usually a good idea to choose a song you can personally relate to in some way- you will perform it more naturally and not be attempting to copy an actor you have seen play it.
Scroll down for a list of songs you can use if you want. You do not need to use any of the songs here, but I will have backing tracks available for them. You can find your own backing tracks by searching your song title and “karaoke” or “backing track” usually it comes up with a Youtube or iTunes link.
*ALWAYS TREAT YOUR SOLO LIKE A MONOLOGUE. It is never only about singing in musical theater. I am looking at your acting ability as well. Be sure the portion of your song is memorized and you have made clear character choices. You must always know who you (the character) are speaking or singing to in the song! It is not enough to say “I’m alone in my room”- we are always speaking to someone when we wish for or need something on stage. I don’t mean “I’m singing to the audience”or “the director”. I mean who does the character wish could hear these words? Usually there is conflict in the story or song- maybe you have been hurt by someone, you are trying to convince someone of something, you want someone to cheer you up, you love someone and you want them to know, etc. etc etc so many possibilities… so who is it? This is the essence and energy of the character.
DO NOT LOOK AT THE PANEL of people WHILE YOU SING. Your character is not talking to us. But who are they talking to?
Use your Actor’s Checklist! Who, What, Where, When, How
SOME SONG CHOICES
You do not need to use any of the songs here - there is no accompanist/pianist for these auditions.
Please have a backing track ready to go or notify me if you’re having trouble. If you want to use a song you already know well and love (and can relate to) and want to use the track at your audition you can just bring it on your phone and we’ll hook it up to our speaker.
PLEASE AVOID POP SONGS. PLEASE AVOID SONGS THAT ARE TOO MATURE/ADULT, SWEAR OR TALK/ONLY RAP IN THEM. I want to hear you sing and I want to see you become someone.
Over The Rainbow - The Wizard of Oz
Everlasting - Tuck Everlasting
Good Girl Winnie Foster - Tuck Everlasting
These Palace Walls- Aladdin (please ask about the backing track)
On Your Way Home - James and the Giant Peach
Corner of the Sky - Pippin (search for backing track on youtube)
What It Means To Be A Friend - 13 the Musical
One Jump Ahead (reprise)/Proud of Your Boy - Aladdin Jr
Part of Your World - The Little Mermaid Jr
Dance with You - The Prom
Reflection - Mulan
Santa Fe - Newsies
Popular - Wicked
Alone in the Universe - Seussical
In My Own Little Corner - Cinderella
Home- Beetlejuice
THE BODY BASICS FOR YOUR SONG: Breathing like in the picture above; strength and support for your WHOLE body (we don’t just sing with our mouths) and: “The lips! The Teeth! The Tip of the Tongue!” it’s a good warm up and important to think about when shaping your words! Be sure to warm up at home, in the car, in the hallway ahead of time. Whatever you need. Know the song well.
Remember that practicing good breathing will be especially important to help support your nerves!
You got this.