CASTING YOUTH AGES 6-17
The Grunch
The Grunch is the story of a grumpy kid who just isn't feeling the Musical Theatre spirit and steals, literally, the show!
Our Performance Dates:
- Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 7PM
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 12PM
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 2:30 PM
- Sunday, April 19, 2026 @12PM
AUDITION PREPARATION WORKSHOP
The Audition Preparation Workshop helps students prepare for auditions including song selection, preparing and cuing music, selecting a monologue and impressing the casting panel!
AUDITION PREPARATION WORKSHOP:
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Location: NEW SPACE - 2560 Catamaran Way, Chula Vista, CA 91914
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Price: $65 per person
Ages 6-17
Limited Spots! Must register in advance.
Sign up and Click the Button Below to be redirected to Ticketleap.
*REMINDER: Students must have at least 20 coins due at the time of their audition appointment.
AUDITION APPOINTMENTS
All students must audition in order to be considered for the show.
- Students must be able to slate (name, age, and song and/or monologue title)
- Sing a 60-second song of Broadway or Disney contemporary song
- Optional: Prepare a 60 second comedic monologue.
AUDITIONS:
Sign up for (1) five minute time slot via SignUpGenius. Click button below.
Date: Friday January 9 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. or
Saturday, January 10 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: NEW SPACE - 2560 Catamaran Way, Chula Vista, CA 91914
Price: $40 per person
Ages 6-17
Each student must schedule a 5-minute audition appointment.
*REMINDER: Students must have at least 20 coins due at the time of their audition appointment.
CALLBACKS (by invitation only)
Sunday, January 11 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
CAST LIST POSTED:
Monday, January 12 by 9:00 PM
COMMITMENT CONTRACTS DUE:
January 15 by 5PM
All Technical Rehearsals, Dress Rehearsals, and Performances will take place at:
Maraya Performing Arts
2560 Catamaran Way Chula Vista, CA 91914
Rehearsals Begin Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 and are every Friday and Saturday as follows:
- Fridays from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
-Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
*WE RELY UPON PERFORMERS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT AND WORK AS A TEAM - WHICH MEANS THEY NEED TO ATTEND REHEARSALS. WE WILL ONLY ALLOW 2 EXCUSED ABSENCES DURING THE REHEARSAL PERIOD. IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE COMMITMENT, PLEASE DO NOT AUDITION.
- STUMBLE THROUGH - TUESDAY, APRIL 14 @ 5PM - 9PM
- TECH - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 @ 5PM - 9PM
- DRESS REHEARSAL - THURSDAY, APRIL 16 @5PM - 9PM
4 total shows* ALL MANDATORY
- FRIDAY, April 17, 2026 @ 7PM
- SATURDAY, April 18, 2026 @ 12PM
- SATURDAY, April 18, 2026 @ 2:30 PM
- SUNDAY, April 19, 2026 @12PM
PRODUCTION FEE:
If cast in the show, the production fee will be $595 per person. This can be paid in full, or made into two (2) installment payments with an additional $25 fee added (for a total of $620, making it (2) equal installment payments of $322.50. Payments in full of $595 must be received by: January 15 by 5:00 p.m. The 2 installment payment option can be made as follows: 1st payment on January 15 by 5:00 p.m. and the 2nd payment on March 15 by 5:00 p.m.
The production fee and ticket sales helps cover only a fraction of the production costs to put on a show. There are many expenses involved such as rent, utilities, creative and administrative staff, marketing, licensing, sound, props, costumes, sets and more that we rely upon to make the show a reality. We do our best to do additional fundraising to keep costs affordable for all and rely upon ticket sales and fundraising to cover all of our production costs. This is a true community effort and demonstration to our children of what it looks like to work collectively as a team.
TICKET SALES:
We rely on the collective efforts of our families to post on social media, post fliers, texts, emails, and word of mouth to sell tickets. Each participant will be required to sell a minimum of 8 total tickets for the run of the show. Parents will be required to pre-purchase the tickets in advance, and then sell them individually to friends, family, co-workers. Alternatively, parents can do a buyout for their required tickets. We want to ensure that the seats are filled and we can cover all production costs. Tickets are $25 per person.
FUNDRAISING:
Each student is required to fundraise $200 to help offset the cost of the production costs. Our team will provide them with all the tools to fundraise including fliers, social media posts, payment links, and fundraising ideas (bake sale, car wash, lemonade stand, asking friends/family). This is similar to the Girls Scouts model of leadership and entrepreneurship and making a commitment to a goal and working towards it.
TRAINING IN CLASSES:
At Maraya, we firmly believe that consistent training keeps young artists in top performance shape at all times. As such, each cast member is required to be enrolled with Maraya Performing Arts by January 15 by 5:00 p.m.
We HIGHLY recommend doing a trial week of classes before auditions happen. Once you agree to participate in the production, you will have to enroll in one of our programs. before first rehearsal If you are interested in trying a new class, please contact us to schedule an intro class at: info@marayaarts.com or 619-934-2999. It’s not too late to start preparing to dance, sing and act now before auditions begin! All participants MUST be actively training as a student at Maraya, and enrolled in our program for a minimum of 6 months. No exceptions, please.
PARENT/FAMILY COMMITTEES:
You’ve heard the saying, “It Takes a Village.” Well...that is certainly true in show business! Working together as a community is one of the many benefits of theatre. The arts have the transformative power to unite individuals and communities together around a shared common goal. Family and community are core values at MARAYA, and as a brand new organization that opened during COVID, we rely on our MARAYA Family to contribute in any and all ways possible to ensure the success of their children and their peers in the show.
Accordingly, we will require each cast member’s friends/family to volunteer at least 10 hours towards the production of the show. We will provide the job descriptions and training, so don’t worry about a thing! Committees include performing tasks such as scenic building, driving/loading trucks, making minor costume alterations, ticket sales, posting fliers, social media, ushering, and more!
“There are no small roles, only small actors.”
Understanding that there are no small roles is essential in leadership. EVERY role is important and EVERY role matters. As does every person.
Please note that you may receive more than one role for the production.
OUTCASTS
RUDY GRUNCH- is a grumpy sixth-grader that despises musicals. He doesn’t fit in, so he takes his frustrations out on others. A natural leader with a disgruntled attitude who is unafraid to be mean and bossy.
MILLS- is GRUNCH’s younger cousin and side-kick. They follow GRUNCH around; obligated to do his bidding. Loyal to GRUNCH, but secretly likes musicals. Can deliver spoken language clearly and succinctly; doesn’t need to be a strong singer.
WHOOVER DRAMA CLUB
HARPER- is a musical theatre fanatic. She is passionate about musicals and has a large personality. • Confident, reminds everyone about the spirit theatre. Very strong actor and singer.
JAYDEN- is the student director .Very organized, punctual, keeps everyone on task. Displays leadership in a composed way. The “yin” to Harper’s “yang”. Can deliver spoken language clearly and succinctly; doesn’t need to be a strong singer.
LESLIE- is the drama queen. Very committed to her craft/art. Always the lead, melodramatic. Should not be self-conscious and should enjoy the spotlight. Have a strong voice.
CHRIS- is a theatre and sports enthusiast. Says exactly what’s on his mind.
COLLIN- is an aspiring Shakespeare actor. Attended Shakespeare summer camp and now speaks in Shakespearean prose and verse, ALL the time. Collin is “Over-The Top.”
RACHEL- is the stage manager, head of the backstage crew. “Motherly” toward others and enjoys being behind the scenes. She doesn’t seek the spotlight. Very helpful and thoughtful, considerate. Should convey sincere humbleness. Strong singer.
ROBYN- is the brains of the drama group. Studious, knows all the bylaws of the drama program. Clear, loud voice with good diction
JAVIER- is the aspiring star. Cool, confident, very comfortable with attention. Ability to portray a villain. Strong singer and character actor.
ALEX- is a talented piano player. Good miming skills, ability to convincingly mime piano
playing, cool and relaxed.
JAMIE- is the costume designer. Passionate about costume design. Very helpful and thoughtful, considerate. Should convey sincere humbleness. Strong singer.
ALLEN- is the lighting designer. Very committed to her craft/art. Modest, enjoys being behind the scenes. Strong singer.
ISADORA is the choreographer. She is a perfectionist, can be bossy, and an authoritarian. Patience is thin with the younger “Junior Stars”. High energy and ability to command others
DRAMA CLUB CHORUS
• All members should be passionate about theatre and convey that energy.
WHOOVER ACADEMY STAFF
PRINCIPAL AUGUSTUS- is the blundering principal of Whoover Academy. Constantly tripping over his/her words. Comfortable playing an adult figure. Strong character actor and doesn’t need a strong singing voice.
MRS WOODS- is the longtime Junior Stars choir director. Has been teaching young kids for waaay too long. Treats everyone like a precious kid, even adults. Adores the cuteness in every Junior Star. Conveys sincere admiration. Strong character actor.
ENSEMBLE
THEATRE CRITICS- All are credible theatre critics from New York City. Secretly worried about losing their jobs. Yearn to discover the next big thing. Comfortable playing adult figures. Clear, loud voices with great diction.
- NY Times (Mrs. Grunch)
- NY Mag
- Backstage
- NY Post
- Variety
THE JUNIOR STARS/ FLOWERS-. Flowers are the smaller Whoover Academy members. Disgruntled with always having to play the “cute” roles in a musical. Ability to express angst and strong emotion.
- Pip
- Apple
- Tot
- Ribbon
- Junior Stars Chorus
A YOUTH musical theatre experience
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