Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR

Fall 2025 Mainstage Production | Shine Bright Performing Arts
For Students in Grades 3–8

About the Show

Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

About the Experience

This is a fully staged production experience for students in Grades 3-8. While auditions help our team cast each role thoughtfully, everyone who enrolls will be cast in the show!

Rehearsals are structured, fun, and focused, and actors are expected to:

Attend all rehearsals they are called to
Arrive prepared and ready to work
Practice at home to memorize lines, lyrics, choreography, and blocking

Before auditions, you’ll receive a detailed rehearsal calendar showing what’s being rehearsed each day and who is called. Every rehearsal is different, and students may not be called every time!

Production Enrollment: $650 per student

A payment plan (a deposit plus a final payment due at the time of auditions) is available, and homeschool scholarship programs are accepted. If you have questions about payment plan options, please email our Director of Education at amanda@shinebrightperformingarts.com.

At Shine Bright Performing Arts, no student will be turned away due to financial need. If you'd like to request financial assistance, please contact our Director of Education at amanda@shinebrightperformingarts.com.

Read more about what your production fee covers here.

Audition Requirements

All enrolled students will be sent a link to sign up for an audition time on September 15. Each audition slot is 5 minutes in length. Students are asked to prepare the following:

A slate, which is a greeting used in auditions.
- Example: Hello, my name is Jane, I’m 8 years old, and I will be singing Part of Your World.
16-32 bars (roughly 30-60 seconds) of the song of their choice, preferably in the style of the show
Cold Reading: Students will read short scenes (“sides”) with a reader.

Production Calendar

Auditions at SBPA

October 7 - 5:00–7:00 PM
October 8 - 5:00–7:00 PM
Callbacks (by invitation): October 11 - 1:00–5:00 PM
Cast List Announced: October 12 by 7:00 PM via email

Welcome Meeting & First Rehearsal

October 14, 6:00–9:00 PM, Venue TBA

Rehearsals at SBPA

Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:00-9:00 PM:

October 14, 17, 21, 24, 28
November 11, 14, 18, 21

Select Saturday rehearsals:

November 1 - 1:00-7:00 PM
November 15 - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
November 22 - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

A detailed calendar with specific dates and call times will be provided after casting.

Please Note:

All rehearsals from November 18 through the final performance on December 7 are considered mandatory for all cast members. Because these rehearsals are essential for putting the full production together, we are unable to permit absences during this time.

Mandatory Production Week

Venue TBA

December 1: Q2Q (with cast) - 5:00–9:00 PM
December 2: Tech & Dress - 5:00–9:00 PM
December 3: Final Dress & Photo Call - 5:00–9:00 PM

Performances – 5 Total

Show 1, Opening: December 4 - 7:30 PM (Cast Call: 6:30 PM)

Show 2: December 5 - 7:30 PM (Cast Call: 6:30 PM)

Shows 3 and 4: December 6 - 2:00 PM (Cast Call: 1:00 PM), 7:30 PM (Cast Call: 6:30 PM)

Show 5, Closing: December 7 - 2:00 PM (Cast Call: 1:00 PM)

Production: "Matilda JR"