Spring Productions - Registration Open!
SPRING '26: Teen Play Production (13+) "CLUE" - Mondays, 6-8pm - FULL
We are excited to announce our Teen Play Production Program will be working on a one-act adaptation of the comedic murder mystery, Clue!
ABOUT THE SHOW:
"Based on the popular board game, this comedy begins at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy, where he admits to blackmailing his visitors. These guests, who have been given aliases, are Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard. When Boddy turns up murdered, all are suspects, and together they try to figure out who is the killer."
Characters:
Wadsworth - a typical British butler: uptight and formal
Yvette - a French maid with secret aspirations
Miss Scarlet - dry and sardonic socialite interested in others secrets
Mrs. Peacock - the neurotic wife of a senator
Mrs. White - a morbid woman who may or may not have killed her ex-husbands
Colonel Mustard - a dense and pompous military man
Professor Plum - an arrogant academic and former psychiatrist
Mr. Green - a timid, somewhat clumsy rule follower
Actor 1 - Plays Cook, Motorist, Singing Telegram Girl, FBI agent
Actor 2 - Plays Mr. Boddy, Cop, FBI agent
ABOUT THE PROCESS:
Building on the foundation of our Kid's Play Production, this next-level experience is designed to challenge performers with a longer production, more complex staging, and richer dialogue. Actors will work on creating fully developed characters with clear motivations and objectives.
Auditions will take place on the first day of the program, and all actors who sign up will be cast!
If you are not interested in acting in the show and want to work on the design elements, please note this in the comments section when you register!
This program culminates in a weekend of ticketed performances!
Rehearsals and performances will take place at the NESPA Blackbox, located at 55 Concord Street, North Reading, Suite 106/107
Time: Mondays from 6pm to 8pm
March 9th - June 8th
No rehearsal: April 6th, April 20th & May 25th
TICKETED PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, June 13th at 6pm
Sunday, June 14th at 2pm
Please make sure that the dates work for your schedule. There are no refunds after registering.
Questions? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Kelly Walsh, at [email protected].
SPRING '26 - Kid's Play Production: "CINDERELLA!" (ages 8-12) Mondays, 4-6pm FULL
This Spring, our Kid's Play Production program will be working on a 30-40 minute, non-musical, adaptation of the timeless fairytale Cinderella!
OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS:
"When Prince Topher, and his band of knights return from protecting the kingdom, King Maximillian and Queen Constantina throw him with a ball. But to his surprise, it is not to celebrate his victory, but to find him a wife! Every eligible maiden is to attend, including young Cinderella, who has spent her life as a servant to her wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her bratty stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella. This magical story reminds us all of the importance of kindness and that goodness begets goodness."
With a wide variety of characters, such as Cinderella, her Stepfamily, Prince Topher and his Knights, the King and Queen, the Mice, and Marie, a seemingly crazy lady with a big secret, there's fun roles for both girls and boys in this timeless tale!
ABOUT THE PROCESS:
This program will teach actors how to take a script and bring it to life alongside faculty members who will inspire and guide. Young actors will build confidence in themselves as performers and as people in an encouraging environment. We have mastered the art of transforming young performers into dynamic actors.
Students will also get to learn about some behind the scenes elements, and assist with designing and painting sets and props for the show!
Auditions will take place on the first day of the program, and everyone who wants to be in the show will be cast!
This program culminates in a weekend of ticketed performances!
Rehearsal Dates: Mondays, 4pm-6pm. March 2nd - June 1st
No rehearsal: April 6th, April 20th & May 25th
Location: NESPA Blackbox Theatre - 55 Concord Street, North Reading, Suites 106/107
TICKETED PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, June 6th at 12:30pm and 2pm
Sunday, June 7th at 12:30pm and 2pm
Please make sure that the dates work for your schedule. There are no refunds after registering.
Questions? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Kelly Walsh, at [email protected].
SPRING '26 - Minis Musical: "THE LION KING!" - Tuesdays, 4-6:30 FULL
This program is full. Fall registration will begin in April.
OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS
"The story follows a young lion prince named Simba, who is exiled from his kingdom after his father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar to seize the throne. As he grows up, Simba must decide whether to continue his carefree life in exile with his friends Timon and Pumbaa, or return home to confront Scar and reclaim his place as king."
The Lion King Minis features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated feature film, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” "Be Prepared," “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.”
ABOUT THE PROCESS
Casting will happen at the first rehearsal, and everyone who registers will be cast. This is an excellent learning experience for young actors who want to perform in a fully-staged musical. We create a safe learning environment where everyone will feel like an important part of the production. We value inclusion, creativity and fun.
We limit the number of actors in our program so that we can build one-on-one relationships with them. We individualize their experience, to help them develop the skills necessary to thrive in the theatre arts. We pride ourselves on creating top-notch learning experience on stage and off.
Rehearsal dates: Tuesdays, February 10th - May 12th
No rehearsal on: February 17th, April 7th & April 21st
Location: Rehearsals and performances will take place at the NESPA Blackbox Theatre, located at 55 Concord St. in North Reading, MA. We occupy suites 106 and 107.
TICKETED PERFORMANCES
Saturday, May 16th at 12:30pm and 2pm
Sunday, May 17th at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm
The show is anticipated to be 30-40 minutes long
Please make sure that the dates work for your schedule. There are no refunds after registering.
Questions? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Kelly Walsh, at [email protected].
SPRING '26 -"THE LION KING!" - Wednesdays, 4-6:30pm FULL
OVERVIEW/SYNOPSIS
"The story follows a young lion prince named Simba, who is exiled from his kingdom after his father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar to seize the throne. As he grows up, Simba must decide whether to continue his carefree life in exile with his friends Timon and Pumbaa, or return home to confront Scar and reclaim his place as king."
The Lion King Minis features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated feature film, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” "Be Prepared," “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.”
ABOUT THE PROCESS
Casting will happen at the first rehearsal, and everyone who registers will be cast. This is an excellent learning experience for young actors who want to perform in a fully-staged musical. We create a safe learning environment where everyone will feel like an important part of the production. We value inclusion, creativity and fun.
We limit the number of actors in our program so that we can build one-on-one relationships with them. We individualize their experience, to help them develop the skills necessary to thrive in the theatre arts. We pride ourselves on creating top-notch learning experience on stage and off.
Rehearsal dates: Wednesdays, February 4th - May 6th
No rehearsal on: February 18th, April 8th & April 22nd
Location: Rehearsals and performances will take place at the NESPA Blackbox Theatre, located at 55 Concord St. in North Reading, MA. We occupy suites 106 and 107.
TICKETED PERFORMANCES
Saturday, May 9th at 12:30pm and 2pm
Sunday, May 10th at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pm
The show is anticipated to be 30-40 minutes long
Please make sure that the dates work for your schedule. There are no refunds after registering.
Questions? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Kelly Walsh, at [email protected].
SPRING '26 - Bridge Musical "SHREK" - Thursday, 4-6:30pm FULL
The Bridge Program: A Pathway for Emerging Actors
The Bridge Program is a specialized theatre track designed to support and elevate beginning actors as they transition into more advanced levels of performance. This program serves as a crucial step between the minis and the middles.
Actors in the Bridge Program receive increased one-on-one coaching, allowing them to refine their skills in a more personalized setting.
Participants will engage in a more ambitious production than those in the minis. This includes:
- A longer and more complex show, providing greater depth of character and storytelling.
- Expanded opportunities for solo work, including monologues, featured scenes, or vocal solos.
- More intricate choreography and staging, challenging actors to grow physically and mentally as performers.
The Bridge Program nurtures a love for theatre while encouraging discipline, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. It’s an ideal next step for students who are ready to grow s a performer.
SHREK (Ages 8-12)
"Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way."
Auditions will take place on the first day, and everyone registered will be cast.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 4-6:30pm. February 5th - April 30th
No rehearsals on: February 19th, April 9th & April 23rd
Location: Rehearsals and Performances will take place at NESPA Studios, located at 55 Concord Street, Suite 106/107
TICKETED PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, May 2nd at 12:30pm and 2pm.
Sunday, May 3rd at 12:30pm and 2pm.
Please make sure that the dates work for your schedule. There are no refunds after registering.
Questions? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Kelly Walsh, at [email protected].