Purple Door Youth Theater (PDYT) Celebrates it’s 10th year!
Purple Door Youth Theater is an educational division of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater
In Purple Door Youth Theater, students are led by our staff of theater artists to produce a quality theatrical production. Students receive training and hands-on experiences in acting, technical and administrative theater. Students may choose an acting or a technical theater track. In addition to mounting the show, PDYT emphasizes building character off stage with skills like collaboration, critical thinking and citizenship. Check out what’s coming up!
What’s next…..
Purple Door Youth Theater is excited to announce AUDITIONS AND TECHIE INTERVIEWS for Legally Blonde, Jr., our 10th anniversary production.
Director: Rachel Haider, Music Director: Kat Middeldorp, Choreographer: Jana Hirsch, Technical Director: Kade Middeldorp, Costumer: Kate Stuart
ACTOR AUDITION AND TECHNICIAN INTERVIEW DATES:
Monday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 10. Register for a 30-minute slot between 6:00 and 8:00pm.
Audition Form: https://forms.gle/
LOCATION: Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street W, Northfield, MN
ACTOR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS (GRADES 5-12): Those auditioning for the cast should prepare 32 bars of an upbeat song similar in style to Legally Blonde. Thirty-two bars of music are usually around 1 to 1.5 minutes long. Suggestions might include songs from Shrek, Into the Woods, Wicked, Chicago, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Kinky Boots, or Six, but other musical choices are great, too. The most important thing is to find something you like to sing. You may bring a karaoke style track to accompany you, or you can sing acapella (without accompaniment). Those auditioning will also have the opportunity to dance and read for roles. Whatever you do, don’t stress out about auditioning. Just relax and have fun.
TECHIE INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS (GRADES 6-12): Those interviewing for a Dedicated Technician role need not prepare anything in advance.
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE PERIOD: January 3 – March 3 (Breaks may not follow the school schedule exactly.) We will begin January 2, 2025. Cast rehearsals generally run Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 4:00 – 6:30pm. Tech times generally run Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 6:30 – 8:30pm, and some Saturday mornings. Cast and techies will all meet together on January 2, during tech week (the week before performances), and during performances. Tech week rehearsals are typically longer.
Legally Blonde, Jr. performances are February 21-23 and February 27-March 2, 2025. Students must be available for every tech week rehearsal and every performance.
ABOUT THE SHOW: Fabulous fun is about to burst onto the Northfield Arts Guild stage with memorable songs and vibrant dances- beginning with the rousing, high energy number “Omigod You Guys.”
Legally Blonde Jr. follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle’s boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she’s not “serious” enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands, crafting a showy song-and-dance personal essay and charming her way into law school. Befriending classmate, Emmett, and spunky hairdresser, Paulette, along the way, Elle finds that books and looks aren’t mutually exclusive. As Elle begins outsmarting her peers, she realizes that law may be her natural calling after all.
Although the 2001 movie version of Legally Blonde wasn’t particularly racy, the full-length Broadway musical was. However, Legally Blonde, Jr. is a family-friendly version of the Broadway musical. It’s a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show’s instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass — leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
ELLE WOODS Elle may appear like a typical blonde California sorority girl, but don’t count her out. She is hardworking, optimistic, loving, earnest and tenacious.
WARNER HUNTINGTON III
Elle’s ex-boyfriend and caught between his former life with Elle and his newfound serious East Coast life with Vivienne. He’s serious and career focused.
EMMET FORREST
He’s had to work hard his entire life to get into Harvard Law School, and nothing is going
to come between him and becoming a partner in Callahan’s law firm, except maybe his surprising love for Elle.
PROFESSOR CALLAHAN
The most-feared professor at Harvard Law School.
VIVIENNE KENSINGTON
The very opposite of Elle, if judging only by demeanor. She comes from a very conservative East Coast background and is everything that Warner needs to make a serious
move to become a lawyer.
PAULETTE
A hairdresser that befriends Elle when she needs it most.
BROOKE WYNDHAM
A famous fitness video guru on trial for killing her husband.
KYLE
The UPS delivery man who Paulette has her eyes on each time his job brings him to the
Salon.
MARGOT, SERENA AND PILAR
Elle’s trio of best friends and Delta Nu sisters.
KATE
A featured Delta Nu sister -the academic of the bunch.
WINTHROP, LOWELL AND PFORZHEIMER
Three admissions officers of Harvard Law School who eventually admit Elle into the program after some critical evaluation.
AARON SCHULTZ, SUNDEEP AGRAWAL PADAMADAN AND ENID HOOPES
Three featured law students with academic credits that would intimidate anyone.
WHITNEY
Vivienne’s law school friend and partner in mischief when it comes to bringing down
Elle.
DEWEY
Paulette’s brash ex-husband who lives in a trailer and holds her dog captive.
CHUTNEY WYNDHAM
Has a bad perm and an even worse attitude. She is Brooke’s unhappy stepdaughter who is (spoiler alert…) actually guilty for killing her father and framing Brooke.
SALON EMPLOYEES
Part of Paulette’s entourage at the salon who are adept at the “Bend and Snap.”
GRANDMASTER CHAD
A rapper who shows up while Elle is trying to study.
ENSEMBLE:
Gaelen, Judge, Jet Blue Pilot, Saleswoman, Store Manager, Prison Guard, Bookish Client,
Sabrina, Waiters, Delta Nus, Frat Boys, Greek Chorus, Students and Inmates.
DEDICATED TECHNICIANS
Techie students will experience the process of working on the crucial “backstage” portion of our musical production including aspects of creating and running our set, costumes, props, lights and sound.
STUDENT TUITION Purple Door Youth Theater is an educational branch of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater. Tuition is $245 through the Northfield Arts Guild. Registration is only available to those in the cast or assigned to the crew. Scholarships may be available.
Legally Blonde, the Musical, JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
About Purple Door Youth Theater
Purple Door Youth Theater is an immersive educational theater experience. Elementary, middle and high school students are involved with every aspect of producing a show like performing, designing, building, marketing and ushering in a safe and supportive environment. Our actors are a part of telling the story onstage, and are also involved in backstage training and work. Our dedicated technicians are those interested in working with the essential “backstage” elements such as scenery, lights, costumes and sound. Actors audition for roles. Dedicated technicians interview for positions.
Who works with the students? Director Rachel Haider also manages PDYT and teaches acting, character and production skills. Depending on the production, she is joined by several other highly talented and good-natured theater professionals.
TUITION
PDYT is a tuition and audition/interview based educational theater program. Registration is available to those in the cast or crew following auditions/tech interviews. Scholarships may be available.
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
“Thanks for a great experience and a hilarious show!”
“(My daughter) had an absolutely fabulous time, and it’s been great to see her so happy and learning so much!”
“As a parent, I was beyond impressed and look forward to future experiences.”
“My daughter learned so much and made great friends! It is a safe and nurturing environment for her to take risks and try new things!”
“Seeing the friendships and cooperative spirit among the cast and crew was so inspiring!”
“The tour was a neat experience for the kids. The close friendships made/relationships built were a highlight. Wearing such elaborate costumes was fun. Leading audience members in activities after the shows gave the kids another chance to show their confidence.”
“These kids are so fortunate to have this opportunity!You do wonderful things! These kids lives are molded by your belief in their abilities and gifts.”
“Thank you so much for providing such exceptional opportunities for kids. Northfield is blessed by having the Arts Guild in our town. Our kids are so lucky to be able to learn and grow from your classes and the community you provide is supportive and fun! Excellent work!”
“Thank you so much for this program – it was a very positive experience for my child and for our family. I was SO proud on opening night!”
“I think the PDYT is a really great organization that fits in so well with Northfield and the arts that this town provides. It’s a bonus that children who are elementary age can participate and that they learn so much about theater as opposed to just performing in a play. We also really liked the fact that professionals were teaching the children. This just adds to the experience. PDYT is fantastic!”
QUESTIONS?
Contact PDYT Director Rachel Haider at rachel.purpledooryouththeater@gmail.com
GENERAL TIPS for both ACTORS and TECHIES
The audition/interview process is fun and low-pressure. However, the decision-making process begins the moment you walk through the door.
Be prepared, be nice, (never smug) and enjoy the opportunity to show your stuff. It’s okay… everyone is nervous. Try to stay positive, have a good attitude and enjoy the experience.
Previous acting or technical experience is not required.
We expect all artists with PDYT productions to be committed to doing and behaving their best – on and off stage.
It’s important that we’re able to assess each student’s independent abilities. Unless a special circumstance or need demands a parent’s assistance, this is your young artist’s time to shine. Parents will be asked to stay in another area.
ACTOR AUDITION TIPS
Pick a piece to perform as instructed. Memorize it and show us the appropriate emotion for the character. That face of yours is great for that. But keep it real. Crazy isn’t acting.
Move and speak simply, clearly and with confidence. Practice introducing yourself by name.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes in which you can freely move.
No need to use any props; just use your imagination.
Show us your best self, forget your nerves and have fun.
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN INTERVIEW TIPS
The interview won’t be scary; it’s more like a discussion. The tech director and costumer will chat with you about some of your strengths and about things you like to do. They might ask you about your ideas for things you imagine in the show. They might ask you why you want to be a technician. There’s not really anything to prepare in advance. Just relax and be yourself; that’s the best assessment as to if this will be a good fit.
Past Purple Door Youth Theater Productions
The Hobbit – 2024
Disney’s Newsies, Jr. – 2023
It’s a Wonderful Life – 2022
The Importance of Being Earnest – 2021
Peter Pan – 2021
Prince and the Pauper – 2020
The Wizard of Oz – 2019
Matilda! – 2019
The Wizard of Oz – 2019
The King’s New Clothes (touring Project Purple Door show) – 2018
Les Miserables School Edition – 2018
A Chrstmas Carol – 2016
You Can’t Take it With You, a radio play (touring Purple Door show) – 2016
Robin Hood – 2016
Alice@Wonderland – 2015
