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 participate in the program will be asked to complete an audition. This year, we remain committed to creating a more inclusive process for students who demonstrate natural ability and a genuine passion for musical theatre, regardless of their previous training.
We recognize that not all students have had equal access to training or performance opportunities. Our goal is to provide a fair, welcoming, and supportive environment in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and shine, regardless of their experience with the art form.
If you require assistance or accommodations during the audition process, please contact us at info@storybooktheatre.org so we can support your needs.
Auditions will take place as follows:
Sunday, February 28, 2027 — 1:00pm to 9:00pm
Monday, March 1, 2027 — 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Tuesday, March 2, 2027 — 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 — 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Thursday, March 4, 2027 — 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Students who wish to be considered for the program are asked to prepare:
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One song of their choice, no longer than two minutes, that showcases their abilities
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One monologue, no longer than one minute
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Prior to your audition, we will contact you with instructions for submitting the accompaniment track for your song.
Selected applicants will be invited to attend callbacks.
Callbacks: Sunday, March 21, 2027 — 6:30pm to 9:30pm
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All students will receive their audition results by email at the address used during registration by Wednesday, March 31, 2027. That same day, StoryBook Theatre will share an announcement on its social media channels listing the students accepted into the program.
Students accepted into the program must commit to attending at least 90% of all scheduled dates.
Each student may miss a maximum of four rehearsals during the program period. If additional absences are required, they must be disclosed and discussed with the creative team during the audition process.
Please note that no absences will be permitted after August 2, 2027, as the program will have entered 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 14 years, the Student Summer Intensive Program has grown into one of StoryBook Theatre’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’s daily rehearsals mirror a professional production process and culminate in full-scale performances that officially launch StoryBook Theatre’s season. This structure ensures that every participant experiences the rigour, discipline, collaboration, and excitement of working in a professional-calibre environment while developing their artistry and confidence.
We are thrilled to continue this tradition in 2027 with Urinetown: The Musical. We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of passionate young artists who will bring this bold, hilarious, and thought-provoking production to life.
Casting for the production takes place during the program itself. Throughout the early stages, students participate in workshops and training sessions that allow the creative team to develop a deeper understanding of each performer’s abilities, potential, work ethic, and opportunities for growth.
Following these sessions, all students receive audition materials to prepare and present. This process ensures that casting decisions are thoughtful, fair, and based not only on each student’s existing strengths, but also on their potential to be challenged and grow throughout the program.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Student Summer Intensive Program is its double-casting model. Students are divided into multiple casts, giving more young artists meaningful opportunities to perform featured roles and explore the production from different perspectives. When one cast is performing, members of the other cast help operate and crew the production.
Every student receives hands-on technical theatre training and learns what it takes to support a production behind the scenes. Training may include sound and lighting operation, followspots, stage management, wardrobe, hair, makeup, props, and other backstage responsibilities.
Students will be asked to identify the three technical disciplines in which they are most interested. Based on those preferences and the needs of the production, each student will be assigned a primary crew discipline. Once the production enters the technical theatre phase, students will train and work in that assigned area throughout the remainder of the process and during performances.
This structure offers a uniquely comprehensive theatrical education. Students learn that a successful production depends on far more than the performers seen onstage. By experiencing both performance and technical roles, they develop greater versatility, responsibility, confidence, and respect for every artist and technician involved in bringing a show to life.
Casting and technical assignments will be officially announced by Sunday, June 27, 2027.
StoryBook Theatre takes great pride in offering students one of the highest levels of musical theatre training available in Western Canada. Students enrolled in the program receive more than 250 hours of professional training and over 80 hours of onstage performance experience.
PROGRAM TUITION
$1,675 + GST
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Early Payment Discount: Families who pay their tuition in full by April 1, 2027, will receive a $175 discount.
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Registration Bonus: Tuition includes four complimentary tickets to the production.
To help support participating families, StoryBook Theatre offers a payment plan as a courtesy. Tuition may be divided into four equal monthly payments, processed on:
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April 15, 2027
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May 15, 2027
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June 15, 2027
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July 15, 2027
Please note:
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Full and final payment must be completed by July 15, 2027.
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All payments are non-refundable.
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Once a student begins the program, the full tuition amount is required regardless of their continued participation. Any remaining monthly payments will continue to be processed as scheduled.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
StoryBook Theatre is proud to consider bursary applications from students seeking financial assistance through the Ellie Tims Project. Applications must be submitted no later than March 19, 2027.
Apply Here.
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StoryBook Theatre understands that some students may be preparing to leave Calgary to begin post-secondary studies in the fall. We are committed to working with those students to accommodate their departure wherever possible while ensuring they still receive a complete and rewarding program experience.
If this applies to you, please include your anticipated departure date and any related scheduling details on your submission form. If your plans have not yet been confirmed, please provide the information currently available and keep our team informed as further details develop. Early communication will allow us to plan casting and technical assignments appropriately while supporting your transition into post-secondary studies.
Student Summer Intensive Program
Overview
The Student Summer Intensive Program, launched in 2014, has provided more than 370 students with rigorous musical theatre training. Designed for young people passionate about the performing arts, the program offers opportunities for both artistic and leadership development while working alongside accomplished musical theatre professionals from Calgary—and, on occasion, Broadway. Through more than 300 hours of training on and off the stage, participants immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum designed to refine their skills, build their confidence, and nurture their personal growth.
Each year, a carefully selected musical becomes the program’s central focus, allowing students to explore every aspect of bringing a full-scale production to life. Singing, dancing, and acting masterclasses ensure that every member of the company is actively engaged and challenged, regardless of the role they have been assigned.
For the 2027 season, the program will present Urinetown: The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis. This irreverent and thought-provoking musical offers students the opportunity to explore bold comedy, complex characters, dynamic ensemble storytelling, and a uniquely theatrical score.
From the very first day, students collaborate as equals, forming friendships and creating a supportive environment in which artistic exploration can flourish. Ego and negativity have no place in the program. Every student is encouraged to shine, support their fellow artists, take creative risks, and grow alongside the company.
StoryBook Theatre looks forward to continuing to nurture the next generation of musical theatre artists, helping them discover their voices and empowering them to pursue success in their artistic endeavours.