Young Company 2025
Dates: July 27th – August 23rd
Fee: $450/child
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 (July 28th – Aug 15th) will take place at Simcoe Little Theatre where the kids will learn about producing live theatre and rehearse for their production of Snow White. 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.
Read the Young Company FAQs
Audition Information
Young Company Auditions: May 27th 4pm – 8pm
Location: Simcoe Little Theatre
Interested youth are asked to prepare a song, monologue or poem to perform at their audition. Auditions will be 10 minutes in length. Following auditions parents of interested youth will be contacted for full registration information.
To book an audition time, please contact the Port Dover box office at 519-583-2221 or portdover@lighthousetheatre.com.
2025 Young Company Production
Snow White
Adapted and Directed by Marcus Lundgren
August 20 – 23, 2025 – Lighthouse Theatre, Port Dover
Get ready for a fairytale with a twist as Lighthouse Festival’s Young Company presents a hilariously fresh take on Snow White this summer! These talented young performers are trading the usual sleepy dwarfs for a team of spirited, poutine-loving misfits who might just challenge the wicked queen with outrageous antics and unexpected hockey skills. Imagine Snow White swapping a poisoned apple for a double-double and an attitude as bold as a true Canadian. The production promises cheeky humour, lively escapades, and plenty of maple-sweet charm, making it a performance as heartwarming as a Tim Hortons hug on a chilly day. Audiences will delight in the reimagined classic, full of witty surprises and quirky twists that put a playful spin on a timeless tale. Tickets will be on sale soon, so keep your tuques handy and your sense of adventure primed for this unmissable theatrical escapade! Don’t miss the magic.
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.