2026 Young Company Production
Port Dover August 19-22
Hold onto your ruby slippers because Lighthouse Festival’s Young Company is following the yellow brick road this August with The Wizard of Oz, adapted and directed by Marcus Lundgren.
When a Kansas farm girl named Dorothy gets swept away by a tornado (as one does), she lands in the colourful land of Oz and is immediately tasked with a rather inconvenient mission: travel to the Emerald City and ask the mysterious Wizard for help getting home. Along the way, she picks up a Scarecrow who needs a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Lion who is very enthusiastic about courage… in theory. Toss in a vengeful witch who’s green, grumpy, and has a very strong opinion about who should (and absolutely should not) be wearing those ruby slippers.
Expect flying monkeys, magical mayhem, big laughs, and enough youthful energy to power a tornado. After all, there’s no place like Lighthouse!
Tickets are $17 each or four for $60. Appropriate for all ages (including munchkins and flying monkeys).
Support Young Company
Supporting the Lighthouse Festival’s Young Company means investing in the future of live theatre and in the young people who will carry it forward.
For many young performers, the stage is more than just a place to sing, dance, or deliver a line. It’s a place where they discover confidence, creativity, and community. The arts give young people a powerful outlet to express themselves, explore new ideas, and share their voices in a way that helps them feel truly seen and heard.
Through the Young Company program, youth gain invaluable experience working together, building skills in collaboration, storytelling, and performance while creating something magical for our audiences. The friendships formed and lessons learned often last a lifetime.
At a time when creative spaces for young people are more important than ever, supporting programs like our Young Company helps ensure that the next generation of artists, storytellers, and theatre lovers continues to thrive.
By supporting the Young Company, you’re not just helping put on a show; you’re helping inspire young people, nurture their creativity, and keep the spirit of live theatre shining bright for years to come.
2026 Young Company
Auditions & Fees
Audition Date: May 21, 2026 | 4 PM to 8 PM at Simcoe Little Theatre (33 Talbot Street North, Simcoe ON)
Program Fee: $525
Program Start Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Lighthouse Festival Young Company is a summer theatre program for kids aged 11 to 17. The program runs Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. The first three weeks of the program will take place at Simcoe Little Theatre where participants will learn about producing live theatre and rehearse for their production of The Wizard of Oz. For the final week, the program is moved to Lighthouse Theatre for on-stage rehearsals and performances.
All interested youth are required to schedule an audition time with the director of the program, Marcus Lundgren, to be eligible for admission. To schedule an audition, please contact Lighthouse Festival’s Port Dover box office at 519-583-2221 or by email at portdover@lighthousetheatre.com.
Read the Young Company FAQs
Lighthouse Festival is committed to making arts accessible to our youth and is pleased to sponsor the tuition for two youth for the Young Company each year!
FAQ’s
What is the Young Company?
Our Young Company, founded in 1995 by Robert More, is a program that gives participants an incredible glimpse into what being a professional actor is all about, from the audition process to the rehearsal hall and then performing on the Lighthouse Theatre stage.
The group assembles at Simcoe Little Theatre, which is used as the rehearsal space, for a three-week rehearsal period in July and August, which also includes team-building exercises and introductory theatre training. The cast, supported by Lighthouse’s team of professional technicians and designers, then moves to the Lighthouse stage in Port Dover and entertains audiences from across the region. Many Young Company graduates have gone on to study theatre arts post-secondarily, and some have continued on to professional careers in theatre, while others, who’ve chosen different career paths, include our Executive Director, Nicole Campbell, and Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin!
Who can be involved in the Young Company?
Anyone aged 11 to 17 with a passion for theatre. Experience is not required; we encourage all interested to audition!
How do I become a member?
Come to one of our audition dates and show us your creativity! Whether you come with a prepared song, poem or monologue, this is your opportunity to show us your talent. Auditioning helps our director know your talents and how many kids want to participate so he can adapt the play to best fit the kids.
About the Director: Marcus Lundgren
Marcus is delighted to return to beautiful lakeside Port Dover for his 22nd season with Lighthouse Festival and his 21st season as the Director of the Lighthouse Theatre Young Company. He is the Artistic Director of the “nearly world-famous” DuffleBag Theatre, now in its 31st season, and has toured extensively across Canada, the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
Gallery
For more information about the Young Company, please contact our Port Dover Box Office at portdover@lighthousetheatre.com or call 519-583-2221.