Discovery Productions

Since 1938, LCT has been producing productions for young audiences using young artists as actors and occasionally as technicians. As our productions became more and more popular with school groups, and our professional acting company expanded, we realized that fewer young people would be able to participate in subscription series productions. Many of our Main Stage shows require students to miss up to 20 days of school in a row! That makes it very difficult to keep up with school work. To ensure that LCT retained its tradition of offering young people a variety of performance and technical opportunities we began the Discovery Series in 1995. Our goals were relatively simple:

·    Provide challenging performance opportunities for young people by presenting plays with central characters that are also young in age.

·    Encourage and mentor students in the many areas of technical theatre.

·    Shorten the run of the show so as to limit the number of missed school days.

·    Provide LCT’s professional staff as support to improve the quality of our youth performances.

That depends on the calendar year. We have had as many as four and as few as two. Our Summer Family Musical is counted as one of our Discovery Production opportunities.

Discovery Shows hold open auditions, usually six to eight weeks prior to opening, to cast both student and adult performers (ages 9 to 99). Student actors are used in the majority of roles, serving as the protagonist, and, whenever possible, the antagonist, too. Family and community members are encouraged to participate. A professional director teaches cast members advanced acting techniques and character development, often honing their skills by pairing them with professional adult actors from either the community or our intern program.

LCT is a professional children's theatre performing on the Main Stage (a 3/4 thrust space seating 307) in our home facility and /or in The Lexington Opera House (a renovated full fly proscenium auditorium seating about 900). We perform weekdays for schools that are bussed in to our facility and weekends for public audiences. Weekdays performers are on-site from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Many students attend school prior to arrival or after performing, depending on their particular school’s schedule. It is always a good idea to check with teachers, principals and employers about the maximum number of days you can miss. Students should also check to see whether they will be counted as excused absences or not. Show information should include the number of school performance days. Most Discovery Productions have a total of eight week day performances, adult actors must be available all eight if they are cast.

In addition, LCT pairs students with professional designers and technicians to learn the craft of theatre firsthand. Through design work, they are taught the importance of texture, color and shape, while professional technicians instruct the students in the practical skills of creative arts. Learn more by visiting our Discovery Tech Pages.

Some seasons there are opportunities for students to participate in Main Stage productions ... which means they rehearse and perform on the same schedule as our professional actors. Depending on the rehearsal and performance schedules students involved in Main Stage productions may need to set up alternative education options (unless students are home schooled which usually has more flexible hours). Main Stage pro shows usually have at least some rehearsals during school hours.

Right here on the web is the most detailed information. Visit the Audition Homepage to see all the available opportunities. You may also call the Discovery audition hot line at 254-4546 extension 310. It changes on a per show basis to give you up to the moment information.

It depends on the shows. We usually look for students and adults ages 9 to 99 to play a wide variety of roles. Each audition announcement will have complete descriptions of cast requirements. You must have turned whatever the minimum age for the show is by callbacks to be eligible to audition.

We strongly suggest that ALL students have a parent attend auditions with them for at least the first 30 minutes, during this time we clearly outline all commitments for you and your child. Students ages 9 to 12 are required to bring a parent for at least the first 30 minutes. Parents are welcome to stay the entire time if they so choose.

Adults and college students need not bring a parent but should bring their calendars. Information sheets will be included as to whether a show is a volunteer position, stipend position or part of a long- or short-term contract.

Yes, you may audition. Taking a class at LCT is not a prerequisite to auditioning. Auditions are open to any and all, though more often than not students who are cast in Discovery and Main Stage subscription series shows have had some form of training at one time or another either from LCT or another institution.

Yes. To attend an audition you must pre-arrange an appointment. That way we know how many scripts to prepare for a given day. Some directors even split up days according to age groups.

Call the Discovery hotline 859-254-4546 ext 310. You leave the required information and an LCT representative will call you back to confirm your appointment.

The name of an adult we can call to schedule the appointment.

A daytime phone number (9AM to 5 PM) for that adult.

The name and age of any children auditioning.

Any other information that is described on the hotline for a particular production.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move without risk of embarrassment, but does not mask the size and shape of your body.  If you are called back it is a good idea to wear the same clothing you wore on the day of the audition.

All auditionees should bring a pen or pencil, and some “quiet” activity (homework or books are highly recommended as the process can be a lot of hurry up and wait) and don’t forget your $1.00 for your photo. If you are a student you should bring a parent.

No. But if you're serious about this business and have been in several productions or taken several classes you should create one. Bringing it with you will mean it takes you less time to fill out your audition form.

When you arrive at the theatre you will go to the check-in desk and turn in your audition packet (provided to you after you arrange your appointment) and then have your picture taken, (Don’t forget to bring $1 to pay for the picture). During the actual audition you may play some improvisational games and or/ you may be asked to read from the script.

It’s best to think that you are auditioning at all times from the moment you walk in the door until you leave the building. We do watch how you behave while waiting, while standing in line, while others are performing... all of these things tell us how you will behave during the rehearsal and performance process.

The front has your vital statistics so we know how to get hold of you (and your parents), your availability for callbacks and rehearsals, a space for listing conflicts, a photo waiver, and a place to indicate the maximum number of school days you (and your teacher) think you can miss.

The back of the audition form is a place to list your theatre experiences, training and special talents. Resumes are encouraged but not required.

There is a space for your mugshot. They will be taken that day by LCT staff. A photo is mandatory, no substitutes. With the number of people coming through the door it is important that your picture is of you, in the clothes that you wore to the audition that day.