Education & Outreach Classes & Camps Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.

Academy Productions

WCT Academy Productions are a theatre training program that gives students the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of participating in and creating a full musical production while learning skills that can be applied on and off stage - critical thinking, collaboration, mindfulness, and more.

Academy Productions Rehearsal

Join us for the 2026 Summer Academy Musical!

Camp Dates: June 22 – August 2, 2026

Performances:

GOBSTOPPER CAST: July 24-26, 2026

GOLDEN TICKET CAST: July 31-August 2, 2026

Director: Madison Penzkover

Music Director: Emily Keiner

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.

WCT Academy Productions are tuition-based programs run by professional theatre artists and designers that provide our students with a hands-on experience in the theatre.

Tuition: $300

Students will be divided into two casts, with max capacity of 30 students per cast.

Cancelled registrations will result in a 10% processing fee.

Registration opens on February 2nd at 7:00 PM!

Auditions and Rehearsals

Audition week: June 22 – 26 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM

Rehearsals: From June 29 – July 18, Monday – Friday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Tech week (Gobstopper Cast): July 20-23, 2026 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM

Tech week (Golden Ticket Cast): July 27-30, 2026 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM

Performances (Gobstopper Cast): July 24 at 7:30 PM, July 25 at 2:00 & 7:30 PM, July 26 at 2:00 PM

Performances (Golden Ticket Cast): July 31 at 7:30 PM, August 1 at 2:00 & 7:30 PM, August 2 at 2:00 PM

Strike (BOTH casts): August 2, following final performance

Up to 3 conflicts are allowed during regular rehearsal period; more than 3 conflicts may affect casting decisions. NO conflicts are allowed during tech week or performances for your cast. You can request one cast or another.

Parent Packet

What to Expect

Have fun and Learn something new! 

These are our two main goals for our summer together. Your directors and production team will provide you with the tools for an awesome show and you get to use those tools to make it incredible. We are very excited to get started, there are just a few things that are important to us, the group, and the show that we want to share with you!

REHEARSAL DATES AND TIME

Rehearsals are typically Monday – Friday from 2-5 p.m. Your directors will arrive at the theatre no later than 1:45 each day. Please do not drop off before 1:45 so we can ensure safety and supervision. If you need to drop your child off early, please your directors or stage manager know. Please pick up promptly after rehearsal ends. 

TECH WEEK REHEARSALS (The week of the show) 

Tech week rehearsals will be extended from 2-6 p.m.

CONFLICTS AND MISSING REHEARSAL

If you are going to miss ANY of the scheduled rehearsals, please write that down on your audition sheet. You may miss up to 3 rehearsals due to the short and speedy process of this production. If you are going to be absent for more than 3 rehearsals, it will need to be approved by the directors. 

Rehearsal Attire and Conduct

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING

Rehearsal Attire: Everyone will be learning choreography, so please wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in. If you’re wearing street clothes, please make sure that you have a belt for loose pants and shorts under skirts. Covered and comfortable is a general rehearsal guide. 

Bring your own water bottle with your name on it. 

REHEARSAL BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNITY BUILDING 

Respect: We are building a community of respect and consent. Please be respectful of your peers, directors, the building, costumes, props, set pieces, etc.. This program is built to teach you how to be a collaborative member of a production team and we need your help to foster this community of respect and collaboration. 

Patience: Be patient with yourself and your peers. We are all learning differently and a little kindness goes a long way. Please do not direct each other, focus on your work and what you can do to help the production. Sometimes we will have down time during rehearsal, so please bring a book, or something quiet to do while you wait. We recommend for you to spend time learning your lines, lyrics, and choreography when you have down time. 

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Each WCT Academy summer program involves not only kids in the cast, but families as well. We ask each family to volunteer at least 10 hours toward the Academy production. These volunteer options include helping build the set, costumes, parade float building, cast meals, backstage helping, ushering, and more. 

Sign-up coming soon! 

Parent Booster Club

The WCT Academy Booster Club works to fundraise for our nonprofit theatre to provide experiences and opportunities for our whole community throughout the year. 
  • Summer Musical Merch Sales Planning
  • Summer Musical Fundraising – Summer Team Challenge Planning
  • Summer Academy Picnic Planning

Email us to get involved!