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…..

Congrats to the Legally Blonde, Jr. Cast!

Director: Rachel Haider, Music Director: Kat Middeldorp, Choreographer: Jana Hirsch, Technical Director: Kade Middeldorp, Costumer: Kate Stuart

ROLE(S) STUDENT
ELLE WOODS Eleanor Groll
EMMETT FORREST Avari Parker
WARNER HUNTINGTON III Jack Wolf
PAULETTE Kyra Reverman
VIVIENNE KENSINGTON Megan Cina
PROFESSOR CALLAHAN Max Mazzariello
KYLE (UPS GUY)/ENSEMBLE ROLES Ezra Warren
BROOKE WYNDAM/ENSEMBLE ROLES Addie Perkins
GRANDMASTER CHAD/ENSEMBLE ROLES Theo Rustad
MARGOT/ENSEMBLE ROLES Emily Johnson
SERENA/ENSEMBLE ROLES Hanna Churchill
PILAR/ENSEMBLE ROLES Hazel Shuffelton
KATE/ENSEMBLE ROLES Hailey Kramer
GAELEN/ENSEMBLE ROLES Evie Bauer
DELTA NU SISTER/ENSEMBLE ROLES Lola Bauman
DELTA NU SISTER/ENSEMBLE ROLES Kate Johson
DELTA NU SISTER/ENSEMBLE ROLES Virginia Page
WINTHROP/ENSEMBLE ROLES Violet Froehle
LOWELL/ENSEMBLE ROLES Sparrow Janssens
PFORZHEIMER/ENSEMBLE ROLES Ryelynn Dietz
WHITNEY//ENSEMBLE ROLES Elizabeth Tracy
AARON/ENSEMBLE ROLES Hannah Holleran
SUNDEEP/ENSEMBLE ROLES Aubin Carroll
ENID HOOPES//ENSEMBLE ROLES Autumn Mastin
DEWEY/ENSEMBLE ROLES Shea Engle
CHUTNEY WYNDHAM/ENSEMBLE ROLES Luisa Thompson
HARVARD LAW STUDENT/ENSEMBLE ROLES Levi Stier
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Addison Enfield
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Rahm Epstein
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Aryanna Henderson
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Nika Hirsch
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Jessa Jorgensen
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Matteus Jothen
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Ella Kunkel
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Charlotte Otterblad
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Greta Peterson
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Ella Welp
DEDICATED TECHNICIAN Gabrielle Hamilton

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!”

“The Purple Door Theater is a real treasure.”

“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.”

“For my child, performing in the theater was a big highlight as were costumes. She also enjoyed making new friends. For me, I was thrilled to see her confidence increase and for her to have the opportunity to perform in multiple settings for a range of audiences.”
“The children came together as a ‘family’. They learned from each other and had a great time making new friends, having fun, learning new things.”
“I volunteered several days “wrangling” the kids, and they listened well and knew what was expected of them.”

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

The PDYT logo was designed by Louisa Lawler. Check out her work at https://society6.com/louisalawler.More educational theater is available all year-round.