“Don’t argue, my dear child, please don’t argue!” cried Mr. Wonka. “It’s such a waste of precious time!”

Follow Willy Wonka’s advice and don’t waste any time in making your way to auditioning for Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory with Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., on Jan. 13-14. Open auditions will be held for children and teens 8-18 at the Sandpoint High School auditorium beginning at 3:30 p.m. both afternoons. Audition applications will be accepted until 5:30 p.m. each day. Auditions will last until about 7:30 p.m. Callbacks, if necessary, will happen on Jan. 15 at the same time and place. Students are asked to arrive a few minutes early and plan to stay for the entire audition.

Come prepared with a memorized one-minute monologue (see the Growing Dreams Productions Facebook page for monologue suggestions). Youth only need audition on one of the days to be considered for a role. Auditions will include performing your prepared monologue, cold reading lines, dancing and singing. Young children can recite a nursery rhyme or favorite story. There are also parts for aspiring puppeteers available. Expect to stay for the entire audition as the afternoon will entail both group and individual performances. There are 50-60 roles available, some of which require no singing. Bring snacks and water.

The cast list will be posted on the Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., Facebook page by Wednesday evening, Jan. 15. Rehearsals will begin Jan. 16. Rehearsal specifics will be available when the cast list is posted. Full and partial scholarships are available for children in the cast. Tuition this year will remain at $150, which includes a pair of tickets to the show and a T-shirt for your child, as well as a high quality theater experience.

“Willy Wonka, The Musical”, will be directed by Jeannie Hunter, with musical direction by Jon Brownell, assistant directed by Natalie Aller, choreography by Becky Lucas of Danceworks Studio with costumes by Angie Aller, and the help of many dedicated parents and volunteers.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunity information are available by contacting Mimi Feuling at [email protected]. Supporting youth theater is such a great way to get your name out there and help our community’s youth participate in an amazing and professional setting full of support and team building. A big shout of appreciation goes out to Panhandle Alliance For Education for awarding a generous grant towards paying for the part of the rights and royalty fees for this production.

This year there will be four special shows — the opening night gala show on April 10 (come dressed for the part as the red carpet is rolled out for a classic opening night gala); the family show on April 11, a matinee with special treats and low price tickets for small folks is an annual pleaser. “Student night” will be Thursday, April 16, with a free popcorn for students 18 and younger. The final show will be a senior show on April 18, honoring the 12th graders in the cast. Final night is always a very high energy show and we’re looking forward to honoring our seniors!

“Willy Wonka, The Musical”, is presented through special Arrangement with Musical Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (mtishows.com).

For more information, please see the Growing Dreams Productions Facebook Page or email [email protected].