Stage Experience, The Alexandra, Birmingham’s trailblazing annual youth theatre programme, celebrates its 20th anniversary next year with the magical, musical fantasy The Wizard of Oz.
Presenting a fantastic opportunity for young people from across the Midlands and beyond to showcase their talents as part of a large-scale theatrical production, Stage Experience is offered to anyone aged 9 to 24 who can commit two weeks of their summer holiday to take part.
Tickets for the show are now on sale and applications for participants are open for 2025, with places available for budding performers and technicians alike.
Everyone who applies, no matter their background or experience, will be invited to auditions (or interviews), as long as they can make all the dates during the programme’s run in August 2025.
Successful applicants will go on to work alongside experienced industry professionals including directors, choreographers, and technicians to deliver a full-scale production of The Wizard of Oz within a tight, two-week timeframe.
The fortnight culminates in four performances at The Alexandra complete with a professional orchestra, set, lighting, sound and costumes. Auditions take place on Sunday 4 May 2025, with rehearsals starting on Fri 1 Aug and performances taking place from Thu 14 Aug to Sat 16 Aug.
Next year’s production has also garnered support from Solihull-based business, WIN Logistics Group Ltd. They will be offering a limited number of funded places to individuals who may not otherwise be able to access this exciting opportunity.
Becky Peers, Victoria Ellery-Slevin and Hannah Whitfield, Stage Experience co-producers, said:
“We are thrilled to announce our 20th anniversary production of The Wizard of Oz today. It feels incredibly exciting to move towards our twentieth production with a show that has never been performed as part of Stage Experience. We are hugely grateful to WIN Logistics for their support, theatre is transformative and being able to have a handful of funded places ensures everyone has a chance to be a part of this experience.
“We started the project as a way of connecting with young people in our community and involving them in our work. It’s now a firm fixture in our calendar and is a delight to work on. The talent on display along with the enthusiasm and sheer hard work of everyone involved is a joy to behold. I’m sure we’ll have another amazingly talented group of young people taking part. We can’t wait to put on a wonderful production of The Wizard of Oz.”
Comedian, artist and former star of Stage Experience Joe Lycett dropped into The Alex recently to help us launch next year’s production and to offer his support for the project. Joe added:
“I did my very first ever performance of anything here at The Alex in the Stage Experience production of Guys and Dolls when I was 16. It’s the best thing I ever did as a child. It got me into performing, working with professional directors, musicians and other young people to make theatre.
“If you’re a young person who wants to perform onstage at The Alexandra, apply now. It will be the best thing you ever did!”
Applications for Stage Experience 2025 are now open.
Apply as a performer (aged 9 – 24)
https://careers.atg.co.uk/job-search/job-detail.html?jobid=257316
Apply as a technician (aged 16 – 24)
https://careers.atg.co.uk/job-search/job-detail.html?jobid=257706
Application Deadline: Friday 11 April 2025, 23:59
Open auditions: Sunday 4 May 2025
Recall auditions: Monday 5 May 2025