ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR. YOUTH MUSICAL THEATRE COURSE DESCRIPTION:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
This course is for participants ages 8 to 16 years old (as of September 3, 2026). No prior musical theatre experience is required.
Rehearsals and performances take place at the Swamp Donkey Theatre in Bragg Creek. Regular rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m.
The course culminates with a fully staged musical. All costs including scripts, scores, costumes, props, etc. are included in the registration fee.
SYNOPSIS:
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 (synopsis from www.mtishows.com).
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Course participants should be available for ALL regular rehearsals, tech week rehearsals, and performances listed below UNLESS approval is provided by our Artistic Director, Melanie Baux in writing PRIOR to registration (artisticswampdonkeytheatre@gmail.com).
Please review the schedule below for conflicts and record it in your family calendar.
Performance call time (the time participants must arrive) is 1 hour before the performance. For Saturday performances, students must be picked up by parents between performances.
Regular Rehearsals (11 total including 1 workshop) September 3, 2026 to November 12, 2026:
- Thursday evenings 5:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Workshop:
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
NO Rehearsal:
- October 15, 2026 ( Taste of Things to Come Tech Week)
Tech Week (November 16 to 19, 2026):
- Tech and Dress Rehearsals: November 16 to 19, 2026 daily from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m.
Performances (4 total) November 20 to 22, 2026:
- Friday, November 20, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
AUDITIONS:
Students should be prepared to sing a song of their choosing, preferably a musical theatre song, at the first rehearsal. Please email your accompaniment track for the song to artisticswampdonkeytheatre@gmail.com prior to the first rehearsal. This song sharing opportunity will help us to get to know each other and assess which role is best suited to each student. All students will be cast in roles in the performance.
REQUISITE FORMS:
Participants must complete the requisite youth forms in order to participate in the course. Students are NOT permitted to participate until ALL forms are submitted.
The electronic forms can be found on our website here: Forms and Waivers – Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre Society (swampdonkeytheatre.ca). Parents/guardians need to complete the following forms for youth participants:
- Code of Conduct: Minors
- General Waiver Form: Minors
- Image and Name Consent: Minors
- Medical and Emergency Contact Information: Minors
Registration for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr. will open on July 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Check back here for a link or register on www.showpass.com.