When are production auditions?
Production audition dates vary by show. Please check our website for the most up-to-date audition announcements and details. 

When are company auditions?
Company auditions will take place April 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Students may audition for Acting Company, Shakespeare Company, or Musical Theatre Company.

Do students need to sign up for an audition time?
Students will sign up for a specific audition time slot through our website. 

What should students prepare for auditions?

• Acting Companies: Prepare a 30-second monologue.
• Musical Theatre Companies: Prepare a 30-second song.

Do students have to audition for all academy classes?
Our company classes require an audition, but our open enrollment classes are available to students of all experience levels and do not require an audition.

What happens at auditions?
Auditions typically include a short song or monologue and sometimes a short dance combination depending on the show. Specific audition instructions will be shared ahead of time.

What if my child has never auditioned before?
That’s completely okay! Many of our students are new to auditions. Our team works to make auditions a positive and educational experience.

How can I help my child prepare for auditions?
Encourage your child to choose a song or monologue they know well and enjoy performing. Remind them to think about who their character is speaking to and what they’re trying to tell them, and to have fun with the process—auditions are meant to be positive and stress-free!

When will casting/placement be announced?
Production casting and company placement is typically announced within several days after auditions via email. Registration for companies will open after placement is announced.

What is the difference between classes and companies?
Our Academy offers two types of programs during the school year: open enrollment classes and performance companies.

Open Enrollment Classes
These classes are open to students of all experience levels and do not require an audition. Classes focus on building skills in acting, singing, movement, and stage performance in a supportive learning environment.

Companies
Companies are audition-based training groups for students who are ready for a deeper level of commitment and performance experience. Company students rehearse regularly, develop advanced skills, and participate in Academy productions throughout the year.

Students may participate in classes, companies, or both depending on their interests and goals.

Are musical theatre companies divided by age?
Our Musical Theatre Companies are primarily skill-based rather than strictly age-based. While we consider age when placing students, the goal is to group students where they will grow the most artistically.

How are students placed in Musical Theatre Companies?
Musical Theatre Companies are primarily skill-based rather than strictly age-based. While age is considered, our goal is to place students in the group where they will learn the most and be challenged appropriately. Following auditions, students will be placed into the company that best supports their artistic growth.

Students audition by preparing a 30-second song, and faculty evaluate performance skills such as:

• Vocal ability
• Acting and storytelling
• Stage presence
• Readiness for the rehearsal process

Why might a student be placed in a company with students of different ages?
Our companies are designed to be skill-based learning environments. While age is considered, students are ultimately placed where they will be most challenged and supported in their artistic growth. This approach allows students to develop at their own pace and ensures that each company maintains a balanced and collaborative ensemble.

What if my student is strong in acting or singing but less experienced in dance—or strong in dance but new to acting or singing?
No problem! Our Musical Theatre Companies offer eight levels of dance training (two per division). Students are placed in the dance level that matches their skill, while still participating fully in all company classes. This ensures every student develops in all areas at their own pace without missing rehearsals or performance opportunities.

Do students move to a different company every year?
Not necessarily. Company placement is based on a student’s current development, training needs, and readiness for the next level of work. Some students remain in the same company for multiple seasons as they continue to build skills and confidence. Our goal is always to place students where they will learn the most and have the strongest artistic experience.

What is the pricing and required hourly commitment for companies?
Please see our current companies pricing and schedule HERE.

Who gets to participate in productions?

Fall Musical

 Auditions for the Fall Musical are open to the public. Continuing our tradition of making high-quality theatre accessible to the community, this production gives students both inside and outside the Academy the opportunity to participate.

Holiday Gala

 All Musical Theatre Company students participate in the Holiday Gala. This annual production is written specifically for the Ruth Academy and combines traditional holiday songs with original music. Similar in structure to The Nutcracker, each company performs a featured number, allowing audiences to see the progression of our Musical Theatre Companies from beginning to advanced levels.

Spring Musical

 Auditions for the Spring Musical are open to all Academy students. This production highlights the training and growth happening within the Academy and provides students across programs the opportunity to perform together.

Summer Musical

 Auditions for the Summer Musical are limited to students in the Ovation and Spotlight Musical Theatre Companies. This production represents the pinnacle performance opportunity for our most advanced Musical Theatre students.

Are there additional production fees?
Yes. The Holiday Gala participation fee is required for Musical Theatre Company students and is due at the time of registration. For all other productions, a $350 performance fee is only charged if a student is cast. This fee helps cover the costs associated with producing a fully staged show, including costumes, sets, and technical production.

Can students participate in more than one production?
Yes, depending on the program and audition outcomes, students may have opportunities to participate in multiple productions during the year.

What happens if my child misses a rehearsal?
Regular attendance is essential for productions. Because theatre is a collaborative process, absences can affect the entire cast and rehearsal schedule. If a student must miss a rehearsal, please notify the stage manager, director, or the Academy office as soon as possible so the team can plan accordingly.

What if my child does not get the role they hoped for?
Casting decisions are based on many factors including vocal range, acting ability, ensemble balance, and the needs of the production. Our goal is always to place students in roles where they can learn, grow, and contribute to the overall success of the show.

How much do classes cost?
  Tuition varies depending on the class and program. Current pricing can be found HERE.

When is tuition due?
Tuition is billed monthly, though families also have the option to pay the full tuition amount at the time of registration. Production fees are separate from tuition and are due at the time of registration or once casting has been confirmed, depending on the production.

Is there a production fee?
All productions include a production fee that helps cover costumes, materials, and performance expenses.

What does the production fee include?
Production fees help support the many elements that bring a theatrical production to life. These fees allow the Academy to provide students with a fully realized theatrical experience while maintaining high production standards. These costs may include:

• Costumes and costume materials
• Set construction and scenic elements
• Props
• Lighting and sound equipment
• Music licensing and scripts
• Technical staff and production support

Are refunds available?
Refund policies vary by program. Please review the Academy policies during registration or contact us with questions.

Do you offer scholarships or financial assistance?
At this time, the Academy does not offer formal scholarships. Families with financial questions are welcome to contact the Academy office.

When do classes begin?
Our school-year Academy season typically begins in mid-August and runs through mid-May. Specific dates will be listed on the Academy calendar. Summer camps run June-early August.

Can my child enroll after the semester starts?
Late enrollment may be possible if space is available. Please contact the Academy office to check availability.

Can students participate in more than one class?
Yes! Many students take multiple classes depending on their interests and schedule, but they may not be enrolled in more than one company at a time.

What happens if my child misses a class or rehearsal?
Consistent attendance is one of the most important ways to support your student’s success in the Academy. Classes and rehearsals build on skills learned each week, and absences can make it difficult for students to keep up with the work. If a student must miss a class or rehearsal, please notify us through the Academy app as soon as possible so instructors can stay informed.

What ages can participate in the academy?
Our academy offers programs for students in grades K–12.

Does my child need theatre experience?
No experience is required for many classes. We welcome students at all experience levels.

What should students wear to class or rehearsal?
Companies require a dress code. Please see your parent portal for details. For open enrollment classes, comfortable clothing they can move in is recommended. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety.

Will there be performances?
Many classes and productions culminate in a performance or showcase for family and friends.

How will we receive updates and announcements?
All academy communication is sent via our app and via email based on your communication preference. We highly recommend using our app as it will have all of our most updated information all in one place. Please make sure your contact information is always up to date.

How do drop-off and pick-up work?

•  Parents must walk their students into the building and sign their student in at the front desk kiosk. 
•  Parents picking up their students must enter the building to get their students unless they have signed our “walker” waiver.
•  Students arriving more than 10 minutes late must be escorted into the building by a parent or guardian and checked in.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are considered under Academy supervision only after they have entered the building and been checked in through the Academy attendance system. 

Who do I contact with questions?
For academy questions, please contact our academy office at academy@theruth.org or call us at 801-226-8605.

Mark your calendar!