Mission
Our mission is to provide young performers with meaningful opportunities to engage with pivotal works of the musical theatre canon. We achieve this through intensive training in voice, dance, and acting, full-scale performance experiences, and thoughtful exploration of the themes and questions each work presents.
Vision
Our vision is to cultivate a professional-caliber environment where students can train, grow, and be challenged. We encourage them to respect themselves and their peers while striving for excellence in the three core disciplines of musical theatre: voice, dance, and acting.
Program Values
Our foremost priority is fostering an atmosphere where students learn to be respectful, supportive colleagues. Respect for oneself and for others is the foundation of every aspect of the program.
We intentionally include exercises in team-building and collaboration, ensuring that every student—regardless of role—is encouraged to be inclusive and engaged.
We recognize that confidence is a vital component of a positive theatrical experience, and we welcome students with diverse levels of training and experience. Casting decisions are made with each student’s growth and success in mind, ensuring that all participants are challenged while supported.
We select repertoire that students may not otherwise have the chance to perform, providing as many opportunities as possible for involvement, exploration, and artistic discovery.
We engage students in thoughtful discussions about the challenging themes and issues within each work. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we empower them to ask questions, reflect on how the material resonates with their own lives, and learn how to navigate complex topics in a theatrical context.
Finally, we hold our SSIP productions to the same high production standards as StoryBook Theatre’s main season. This ensures students experience the invaluable opportunity of applying their developing skills in a professional-caliber setting before appreciative audiences.
Students aged 14 to 20 who wish to enroll in the program will be asked to participate in the audition process. This year, we are committed to finding new ways to be more inclusive of students who demonstrate natural ability and a genuine interest in musical theatre, regardless of their previous training.
We recognize that not all students have had the same access to opportunities or experience as their peers, and we want to ensure that our process allows everyone the chance to succeed. Our goal is to create a fair and supportive environment where every student can shine, no matter their history or level of experience with this art form.
If you require assistance or accommodations during the audition process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@storybooktheatre.org so we can support your needs.
Auditions will take place as follows:
Sunday, February 22, 2026 - 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Sunday, March 1, 2026 - 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Sunday, March 8, 2026 - 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Monday, March 9, 2026 - 6:30pm to 9:30pmStudents who wish to be considered for the program are asked to prepare:
-
One two-minute song of your choice showcasing your talent
-
One one-minute monologue
We will reach out prior to your audition to have the track for your song sent to us for your audition date. Invites to join us for callbacks will be sent by Monday, March 16, 2026.
Callbacks: March 22, 6:30 to 10:30pm
-
All students will receive an email to the address used during registration by Monday, April 13, 2026 with the results of the audition process. Students will also be notified by an announcement shared on StoryBook Theatre’s social media that same day listing all those accepted into the program.
Students accepted into the program must commit to attending at least 90% of all scheduled dates listed below.
Each student may miss a maximum of four rehearsals during the program period (April 26 – August 3 2026). If additional absences are required, this must be discussed with the team during the audition process.
Please note that no absences will be permitted after August 3, 2026, as the program enters its critical final phase leading into performances.
We encourage all students and families to carefully review the Full Program Schedule before auditioning to ensure they can meet these commitments.
Over the past 13 years, the Student Summer Intensive Program has grown into one of StoryBook’s most rewarding annual commitments. Each summer, students dedicate themselves to more than 300 hours of intensive training, balancing a demanding rehearsal schedule with masterclasses in voice, dance, and acting.
The program begins in early July with daily rehearsals that mirror a professional production process, leading up to full-scale performances that officially launch StoryBook Theatre’s season. This structure ensures that every participant experiences the rigor, discipline, and excitement of working in a professional-caliber environment while developing their artistry and confidence.
We are thrilled to continue this tradition with the upcoming summer production of Hadestown: Teen Edition, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of passionate young artists who will bring it to life.
Casting for the production takes place during the program itself. Throughout the early stages, students will participate in workshops and sessions designed to give the creative team a deeper understanding of each performer’s abilities and potential.
Following these sessions, all students will be provided with audition materials to prepare and present. This process ensures that casting decisions are thoughtful, fair, and based on each student’s strengths and growth opportunities.
Casting will be officially announced by Sunday, June 14, 2026.
StoryBook takes great pride in offering students the highest level of musical theatre training in Western Canada. Students enrolled in the program will receive over 250 hours of professional training and more than 80 hours of on-stage performance experience.
Program Tuition:
$1,675.00 + tax
-
Early Payment Discount: Full payments made by April 1, 2025 will receive a $175 savings.
-
Registration Bonus: Tuition includes four complimentary tickets to performances.
Payment Plan Option:
To help support families, StoryBook offers a payment program as a courtesy. This plan divides tuition into four equal monthly payments made on:
-
April 20
-
May 20
-
June 20
-
July 20
Please note:
-
Full and final payment must be completed by July 20 2026.
-
All payments are non-refundable. Once a student begins the program, full tuition is required regardless of continued participation, and monthly payments will continue to be processed.
Bursaries:
StoryBook is proud to consider bursary applications for students seeking financial assistance through the Ellie Tims Project. Applications must be submitted no later than March 19, 2025. Apply Here.
-
StoryBook understands that some students may be preparing to leave for post-secondary studies in the fall. We are committed to working with you to accommodate your departure while ensuring you still receive a high-quality experience in the program.
If this applies to you, please indicate your plans on your submission form. If your situation is not yet confirmed, simply keep us informed as details develop so we can plan accordingly and best support your transition.
Student Summer Intensive Program
Overview
The Student Summer Intensive Program, initiated in the summer of 2014, has witnessed over 370 students undergo rigorous musical theatre training. Aimed at individuals passionate about the performing arts, the program provides a platform for artistic and leadership development alongside prominent musical theatre professionals from Calgary, and occasionally, even Broadway luminaries. Encompassing more than 300 hours of training both on and off the stage, participants immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum designed to refine their skills and nurture their personal growth.
Each year, a carefully curated show serves as the focal point, allowing students to delve into various aspects of musical theatre. The program encompasses singing, dancing, and acting masterclasses, ensuring engagement and participation from every member of the cast, regardless of their assigned roles. For the 2026 season, the team has chosen Hadestown: Teen Edition, featuring book, music, and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin.
From day one, students collaborate on an equal footing, fostering friendships and establishing a supportive environment conducive to artistic exploration. Ego and negativity find no place within the program, as each student is encouraged to shine, support one another, and grow collectively.
The program eagerly anticipates nurturing the next generation of musical theatre artists, fostering their talents and propelling them toward success in their artistic endeavours.