Follow the TbT cast through the journey of putting on a full-scale musical productions! Read about highlights, challenges, and prayer requests throughout rehearsals and performances!
Rehearsals for The Sound of Music are quickly drawing to a close and tech week is fast approaching! In addition to hard work, there’s been lots of fun and laughter in the rehearsal room. Here are just a few of the cast’s “favorite things” about being a part of a TbT show!
You never feel left out.
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardoPhoto Credit: Galen King
I love how everyone supports each other.
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
I love the process of turning a mess into a complete show!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
The choreography.
Photo Credit: Galen King
I enjoy learning new skills and tips and styles in TbT!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
How everything comes together at the end of the process.
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Everyone is respectful towards each other.
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Making a lot of friends.
Photo Credit: Connor Kopko
These friends are incredibly excited for you to see The Sound of Music in just two weeks!
TbT shows include raffles, themed concessions and souvenirs all designed to create a memorable and family-friendly experience!
Want to bring a group to the show? Discount tickets are available for groups of 12 or more. Call 646-490-0654 or email info@tbtnyc.org
Visit us directly at tbtnyc.org or click the “Buy Tickets!” link at the top of the page to reserve your seats. We all hope to see you there!
With over half of the rehearsal process complete, we checked in with the students to see how they feel they’ve grown throughout the first several weeks!
“TbT helped me grow in my personal character and my acting skills, and has always taught me to go out and do it to the best of my ability.”
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
“I have learned that it’s okay to be outside of your comfort zone; everyone is at some point!”
“TbT has helped me grow my teamwork skills.”
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
“My growth so far has definitely been music-wise. The music of the Abbey is so incredibly beautiful and uplifting that it forces you to rise to the occasion. This stuff can’t be done halfway.”
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
“I hope to grow in my knowledge of harmony so I can help the nuns choir soar even higher.”
“Perseverance!”
Photo Credit: Connor Kopko
“TbT has helped me to grow more responsible.”
“I learned how to have and use more patience.”
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Get ready to go on an incredible journey with this cast!!!
TbT shows include raffles, themed concessions and souvenirs all designed to create a memorable and family-friendly experience!
Want to bring a group to the show? Discount tickets are available for groups of 12 or more. Call 646-490-0654 or email info@tbtnyc.org
Visit us directly at tbtnyc.org or click the “Buy Tickets!” link at the top of the page to reserve your seats. We all hope to see you there!
Considering the fact that she is one of the most iconic characters of all time, playing Maria is no easy task. But our leading lady is up to the task! Here’s what she had to say about tackling such a major challenge.
What did the audition process feel like for you?
The audition process pretty much felt the same to me. I sang a one minute song, had the dance audition, and then I was called back for Liesl and Maria. I always get nervous before auditions no matter how many times I do it and this year I was especially nervous for some reason. I think the only difference in my audition process was that I stayed at callbacks longer, but I didn’t mind because callbacks and cold reads are my favorite part of the audition process!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
What did you do when you found out you got the role?
When the cast list came out, I FaceTimed a friend of mine, who is playing Elsa, only to find out we were one block away from each other, so we met up and celebrated!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
What is your favorite part of the rehearsal process?
It’s so hard to choose because I love every part of the rehearsal process, but if I had to choose one part it would be seeing all my friends perform. I love to watch the scenes that I am not in and applaud them for their hard work!
Photo Credit: Paloma Parker
What are the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge for me is retaining energy. The first act of the show, I sing back to back big songs and it has been challenging to breathe deeply to support my sound while also skipping and laughing with the von Trapp children. But, I am so thankful to Ms. Julie for working with me and we are seeing progress!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
What are you most looking forward to in upcoming rehearsals?
I am really looking forward to when we run Act 1 with the entire cast. It will be amazing to see it all come together and to share what we have been working on!
Photo Credit: Elise LoSardo
Why should people come see the show?
Why should they not?!? This is seriously going to be an amazing show! The cast, and I am not exaggerating, is a dream team and an insanely talented group of kids. We have all been working hard to make this show the best it can be and I am positive our hard work will result in a fantastic and beautiful production! Come see it!!!!
TbT shows include raffles, themed concessions and souvenirs all designed to create a memorable and family-friendly experience!
Want to bring a group to the show? Discount tickets are available for groups of 12 or more. Call 646-490-0654 or email info@tbtnyc.org
Visit us directly at tbtnyc.org or click the “Buy Tickets!” link at the top of the page to reserve your seats. We all hope to see you there!
Just over a month ago, a group of nervous and excited students of all ages gathered together to audition for The Sound of Music! Each rising thespian took the stage for a minute of song, ranging from lighthearted tunes to Broadway ballads. The audition process can be scary, but the TbT community creates a supportive environment which makes the process easier!
Cast members share about auditions…
“It seemed like everyone found confidence somewhere in their back pockets this year, and it was really cool to see every single person who got on the stage just shine and be who they were.”
Photo Credit: Galen King
“For me, I think I did much better than I’ve done [in previous auditions], because I actually chose the right song for myself, and because I realized that to do well, you have to look funny sometimes.”
Photo Credit: Galen King
“Even though I was disappointed with my individual performance, everyone was so supportive and encouraging.”
Photo Credit: Galen King
“Auditions were amazing. Everyone did incredibly and brought out their best. I was most excited to see my friends. I missed not being in the show last year and it was so great to see all the people I missed and to meet new people as well during the process!”
Photo Credit: Catherine Stansberry
After a few rounds of callbacks, the cast list is prayerfully deliberated over and decided on and rehearsals begin! Right now, rehearsals are in full swing, and a cast of over 60 TbT students from NYC & NJ are incredibly excited to thrill audiences with the spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family! It is a tuneful, heartwarming story that will delight and entertain all ages.
Photo Credit: Galen King
Thinking of auditioning next year? Here’s some encouragement from a TbT alumnus!
“My first TbT audition was one of the most nerve-wracking days of my entire life. I picked a really hard song that was super wordy, and I didn’t know it too well, but I was so anxious to impress everyone that I did it anyway. I ended up forgetting the words halfway through the song and mumbled through a whole section! I was mortified, but the teachers and my fellow TbT-ers were super encouraging about it, and I ended up getting a good part after all! I think that, as far as auditions go, TbT offers the most calming experience that it can in such a scary situation, and the teachers find out a lot more about your potential through your audition than just getting every note and word down perfectly. So if you’re interested in musical theatre but the idea of an audition scares you, don’t let it stop you! The results are definitely worth it, and all you have to do is show off your own personality as well as you can.”
Photo Credit: Galen King
Need more evidence to convince you to audition in a future year? Come see TbT’s production of The Sound of Music this year and we bet you’ll be ready to join the fun!
There are only 6 performances:
June 27 at 7pm
June 28 at 7pm
June 29 at 2pm
June 29 at 7pm
June 30 at 2pm
June 30 at 6:30pm
Location: Theatre at St. Jeans – 150 E 76th Street (btwn Lexington & 3rd Ave.)
TbT shows include raffles, themed concessions and souvenirs all designed to create a memorable and family-friendly experience!
Want to bring a group to the show? Discount tickets are available for groups of 12 or more. Call 646-490-0654 or email info@tbtnyc.org
Visit us directly at tbtnyc.org or click the “Buy Tickets!” link at the top of the page to reserve your seats. We all hope to see you there!
Annie was a huge success! Thank you to all our audience members who came out to enjoy the show. Here are some fun highlights from Tech Week to help with the post show blues! Production photos coming soon!
What are some highlights from Tech Week?
“Spending more time with everyone…”
“Gradually putting more and more elements into the show and seeing it all come together.”
“Everybody was able to work together and communicate effectively for a smooth and effective tech process.”
“Just being able to stage things on a real theatrical stage with all the lights and everything.”
“Being able to do the run through with costumes and makeup and lights. It’s exciting to do the show and rehearsing in front of the costume moms and people really helps.”
“Seeing my friends every day.”
What encouraging things happened during Tech Week?
“People are really encouraging. If you make a mistake, the teachers really help you out.”
“People are really good about communicating what is happening.”
“People have been really welcoming of the tech crew and have really embraced them.”
Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel
“When we were incorporating a new thing, the others…were really encouraging to each other about how well they were doing and learning it.”
What were some prayers requests from Tech Week? (all answered!)
“That the shows will all go smoothly, and even if they don’t, that we will trust God and be able to just pick up and go on.”
“That the people who are nervous will be able to calm down and have fun!”
“That we all have fun and make the best of being together with everybody.”
“That everyone has energy for all the shows.”
“That everything goes well and everyone has a fun time.”
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER at tbtnyc.org to stay up to date!
Truthbase Theatricals is a non-profit theater arts organization based in New York City offering a variety of classes, shows and camps for kids and adults. We are committed to building values-driven character through quality training in the arts, and producing wholesome entertainment that promotes a Scriptural worldview.
The costumes and wigs have been finalized, and the cast has officially run through the full show!! Whooo! Tech Crew started to dive into the process today in their first workshop. In addition to meeting the cast and seeing the show, students in our Tech Workshop got to learn about lighting, make set models, and design costumes!
Lighting design presentation with one of our fantastic teachers!
What are some rehearsal highlights so far?
“Seeing the whole show come together.”
The full cast (62 students) filled our rehearsal room to watch each other’s scenes!
“I like eating lunch with everybody because we all get along really well and we know what makes each other laugh and it’s really fun.”
We’ll let you in on a secret about rehearsals…
There’s definitely time for some FUN…
….and games!
What encouraging things are happening at rehearsals?
“One girl asked for help when she was confused, which I think was a very responsible thing for her to do.”
“Two older girls standing in for boys who weren’t there was very sacrificial and selfless.”
The cast often stands in for each other, but our Creative Team members are quick to jump in too!
“Last week a girl got injured, and everyone rallied to help her and comfort her. It was so good to see everyone love her and make her laugh.”
Meet the Cabinet!
What’s the cast looking forward to?
“To move into the theater! The theater’s amazing.”
“I’m excited about getting to see the costumes and for Tech Week!”
Easy Street!
What would the cast like to ask you pray for?
“That I can stay in the moment and not be too in my head while on stage.”
Star to Be rocking her solo!
“That we don’t get sick!” (or injured!)
“I pray that this cast gets to experience the magic of theater and take all of its valuable lessons and community outside of this production and they will support the arts for the rest of their lives. And I pray that they do all things for the glory of God.”
CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER (CYT) STARTED IN 1981 IN SAN DIEGO AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST YOUTH THEATERS IN THE NATION. CYT IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING CHARACTER IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH TRAINING IN THE ARTS AND BY PRODUCING WHOLESOME FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, ALL OF WHICH REFLECT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES.
This show is coming together! Sandy (the dog) even started to put her rehearsal time in. The cast was very eager to meet her!
Everyone is working hard and making progress. We’re only three weeks away from opening night, which has already sold out! Our cast cannot wait to perform!
What are some rehearsal highlights so far?
“Besides seeing Sandy? We pretended to be reindeers and we sang a “New Deal for Christmas.”
“The moment we walked out and saw Sandy.”
Meet Sadie who play Sandy in our production of Annie! Photo Credit: Ian Schermann
“I like spending time with all my friends and building strong Christian relationships with the other actors. The family part.”
What encouraging things are happening at rehearsals?
“The amount of encouragement the cast gives each other is really incredible.”
Photo Credit: Katherine Goldman
“I see a lot of teamwork and encouragement. There are a lot of new people and a lot of older people, so I’ve seen a lot of teamwork with everyone.”
Photo credit: Katherine Goldman
What’s the cast looking forward to?
“I’m most excited about seeing the show come together as a whole and watching these incredible students transform into their characters.”
Photo credit: Katherine Goldman
“just to see how everyone gets into character and see what it looks like when they get into action and how they interact with other characters.”
These kids aren’t afraid of the spotlight!
What would the cast like to ask you pray for?
“I pray that everyone uses their talents to glorify God and we can change some lives with our production of Annie.”
It’s all smiles in the rehearsal room! Photo credit: Katherine Goldman
“Pray that we’re all healthy and strong and able to come to every rehearsal and be self-disciplined and work hard.”
These orphans have lots of floors to scrub! Photo Credit: Katherine Goldman
CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER (CYT) STARTED IN 1981 IN SAN DIEGO AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST YOUTH THEATERS IN THE NATION. CYT IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING CHARACTER IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH TRAINING IN THE ARTS AND BY PRODUCING WHOLESOME FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, ALL OF WHICH REFLECT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES.
We’re 3 weeks into the rehearsal process and this show is coming along! The cast is busy working on singing and staging and putting it together! It’s jazz square central over here.
Photo credit: Galen King
The brilliant costume committee is doing fittings and starting to pull the show together visually in between the cast learning dance numbers!
Preliminary Hooverville fittings!
The making of a servant at Warbuck’s Mansion.
What are some rehearsal highlights so far?
“Probably singing Hard Knock Life.”
“Learning the dance to “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here”. We got to be staged, and everything and that was a lot of fun.”
“It’s a Hard Knock Life” Photo credit: Elise LoSardo
What encouraging things are happening at rehearsals?
“Rachel always makes sure all the orphans know what they’re doing and when. It’s so helpful. I love it.”
Orphan fun! Photo credit: Elise LoSardo
“One girl wasn’t feeling well, and someone went over right away and made sure she was okay.”
“there’s a lot of coming together and being like, ‘We can do this!’ because there’s a lot of people who can dance and a lot of people who are struggling — I’m always in the second group — and the dancers care for the “non-dancers” and are like, ‘Don’t worry, you got this.’ It’s just been really beautiful.”
What’s the cast looking forward to?
“I’m excited about doing new things with my friends and making new friends, too.”
“I’m really excited to see Easy Street and see how that comes together. Those characters have such complex relationships, and I’m excited to see how they deliver that. They chose really great actors for that.”
What would the cast like to ask you pray for?
“That I remember everything that I have to do.”
“My biggest prayer request is that I don’t lose my voice!”
“That everyone would have fun, no matter how big or small their role is, and that everyone would work together as a team to make the show amazing.”
CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER (CYT) STARTED IN 1981 IN SAN DIEGO AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST YOUTH THEATERS IN THE NATION. CYT IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING CHARACTER IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH TRAINING IN THE ARTS AND BY PRODUCING WHOLESOME FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, ALL OF WHICH REFLECT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES.
We had a fantastic round of auditions for Annie a few weeks ago!
Singing their hearts out! Photo credit: Galen King
Giving it their all! Photo credit: Galen King
And doing it all with a big smile! Photo credit: Galen King
And now…Introducing the Cast of Annie!
This is our beautiful cast!
Jazz hands, because we are a theater organization!
Rehearsals are now in full swing! Here’s what the cast is excited about in the weeks to come:
“I’m most excited about the relationships I’ll be making and strengthening in this process.”
Photo credit: Galen King
“I’m excited to see the show come together because we’re all doing different parts. We don’t always get to see what other people are doing until we all come together. Our efforts come together to make one art piece. It’s like a big puzzle.”
They have a few prayer requests, too:
“Pray that every day God has the show in His hands, and He’ll bless us all with it!”
Photo Credit: Galen King
“Pray that all of the cast members stay healthy and are able to move forward each rehearsal.”
Christian Youth Theater (CYT) started in 1981 in San Diego and has grown to become one of the largest youth theaters in the nation. CYT is dedicated to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values.
In the final preparations, every detail gets integrated into the show, even the smallest props. Photo Credit: Galen King
“The highlight of the week was being able to run through the entire show from start to finish! For the first few weeks of rehearsals, we all split up and work on little bits and pieces of the show. So to see it all come together to make one story is amazing.”
A group of actors in sync with one another has a powerful impact! Photo Credit: Galen King
“I love the feeling of unity we create when dancing.”
– Challenges –
Memorizing lines word for word takes a great deal of diligence! Photo Credit: Yadira Laguerre
“The most challenging part of the week was memorizing everything! We have to have the entire show memorized by this point, and since a lot of my lines involve interrupting other characters mid-sentence, I had to memorize all their lines too so I’d know where to cut them off.”
Our choreographer challenges our cast all while helping them look their best! Photo Credit: Yadira Laguerre
“The most challenging part of the week was polishing and perfecting everything. I am in the “Foot Bridge Ballet” and we had to change a dance move because we couldn’t get it. We had to go through a number of alternative dance moves to find one that worked and looked good. Finally we found one but it was a challenging process.”
– Looking Ahead –
Each carefully chosen costume pieces adds to the vibrancy and fun on stage. Photo Credit: Galen King
“I am looking forward to wearing our costumes to run the show. It is so fun to see other people costumes. It really brings the show to another level when you see the already spectacular numbers with everyone in their costumes.”
Tweaks have to be made to staging once moved into the theater space. Photo Credit: Yadira Laguerre
“I’m so excited to start working in the actual place we’ll be performing in. We haven’t used the sets yet either, so it’s going to be a fun challenge putting the show in a new space.”
– Prayer Requests –
The cast gives it all they’ve got every time they perform! Photo Credit: Galen King
“Tech/show week can get incredibly exhausting, so my prayer for the cast and crew is that God will give us the energy and strength to pull off six amazing performances as if we were doing it for the first time.”
Our cast looks out for one another and will continue to do so in the long days ahead! Photo Credit: Paloma Parker
“I pray that as we come closer and closer to opening day, the cast will finish strong and have patience and perseverance through Tech Week.”
CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER (CYT) STARTED IN 1981 IN SAN DIEGO AND HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST YOUTH THEATERS IN THE NATION. CYT IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING CHARACTER IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH TRAINING IN THE ARTS AND BY PRODUCING WHOLESOME FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, ALL OF WHICH REFLECT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES.
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