Rancho Cucamonga Kids Have Talent -- Auditions Completed For: "Alice in Wonderland, Jr."

Valverde School of Performing Arts (VSPA) is currently producing the musical "Alice in Wonderland, Jr." scheduled to show this coming April 10-11, 2009 at Alta Loma High School's Auditorium in Rancho Cucamonga. In addition to VSPA's students, local children & teens were invited to audition for the opportunity to perform at the VSPA musical. About 6 weeks before the audition date, flyers were distributed to local schools in the community in search of this year's cast for "Alice in Wonderland, Jr."

The audition was held at Valverde School of Performing Arts on a Saturday afternoon last January 10. Over 53 children/teens registered to audition for the chance to secure a role in the musical. The holding room was filled with anticipation & excitement while parents & siblings patiently waited for their performers to audition.

Divided into three sessions, the audition allowed the Director: Frank Valverde, Assistant Director: Megan Sexton, and Choreographer: Yesenia Valverde to score each prospective participant in their individual ability to dance, sing and act. For the first part of the audition, each participant was required to learn an upbeat dance routine on the spot and be able to perform it within groups of 5-10 children/teens. The second part of the audition called upon the participant's ability to sing; they had to prepare to sing 16 bars of a song they personally selected.

After the dance & vocal auditions, lead selection began. When the participants exited the vocal audition room, they were either given a script to read or were not given one. The receipt of a script indicated whether or not the participant was a contender for a lead role. Like the "GOLDEN TICKET" in American Idol, all those selected were allowed to move onto the third session of the audition where they had to demonstrate their ability to act. Those who were not selected to read a script were given permission to leave and instructed to check their email for further information of the audition results.

The final selection of cast members was announced the following Monday. Although not all those who auditioned were selected (due to lack of attention span or age appropriateness), many of the performers were given supporting roles to play in various scenes throughout the musical. According to Frank Valverde, "Alice in Wonderland, Jr." is not a show for just ONE STAR; it is designed to be a great learning experience to be in 'theater" for ALL the children.

Tickets are being sold at $10/each for general seating and will go on sale Friday, March 20th at VSPA.