Fall – Stage 2: Junior Broadway

Grades 5-8

This year’s production will be Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR!

Registration opens on Sunday, June 1 at 8:00 am. To streamline the process on Sunday morning, you can create your account and fill out some registration details in advance. Just click the REGISTER button below to get started.

Junior Broadway’s focus is helping students learn and grow as performers, while building a full Broadway Junior musical that is performed on the Theatre Ancaster main stage. This program allows students the opportunity to enjoy showing off what they have learned with their friends in a larger performance. Our professional staff works to create costumes, set, props, and lighting to help our students get the full Broadway experience!

Stage 2: Junior Broadway is a popular program that receives numerous applications every year. Applicants are evaluated based on experience and available space. Due to limited capacity, we regret that not every applicant can be admitted.

Applicants will be asked to submit a short video of themselves singing part of a song. Instructions for this will be emailed once you have submitted your application through our registration system.

Fee:
$750 (Plus Handling Fee)
Grades 5 – 8

Dates and Times:
Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
September 6, 2025 – January 24, 2026
Additional rehearsals will be added as performance dates approach

Performances:
January 30, 31 at 7:00 pm
January 31, February 1 at 2:00 pm
School Matinees January 28, 29 at 10:30 am

Location:

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre

357 Wilson St. E

Ancaster, ON L9G 2C1

Sara-Ann Pacheco (Birken)

Director

Sara is thrilled to be the Director/Producer of the Stage 2: Junior Broadway Program! Sara holds her Bachelor of Music (Voice) with honours in Choral Music Education and a minor in Theatre Studies from Western University. She also has her Bachelor of Education from Western and works for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. Sara has taught at local Dance Studios, and is also the owner of her own music school where she teaches: Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Acting. Sara was also the Choral Conductor for El Sistema Aeolian where she had the opportunity conduct The Canadian Brass.

Sara has had the opportunity to use her teaching and educational background as Director and Choreographer for multiple companies, some of which include: Theatre Orangeville Youth Musical Theatre Program (Director and Choreographer), Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School’ Mamma Mia (Assistant Choreographer), Hillfield Strathallan College’s Into The Woods Jr. (Assistant Choreographer), ArtSmart 2023’s Seussical (Assistant Director), and Theatre Ancaster Stage 2: Junior Broadway’s Pirates of Penzance (Choreographer and Set Designer).

She has also been a performer in the industry for 15+ years. Sara has been dancing for 21 years and has danced competitively and professionally including being in Kim Chalovich’s Professional Tap Company, David Cox’ Professional Tap Company, and Everett Smith’s Professional Tap Company. Sara has been singing for 16+ years and has won awards provincially as well as in local music festivals. She has also sung in numerous choirs and has sung with The Kings Singers in their 50th Anniversary Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Sara has performed in both Professional and Community Theatre productions and has been in over 20 shows; some of her favourite include: Dorothy in Wizard of Oz (Orangeville Music Theatre), Oliver Twist in Oliver! (Eastwood Collegiate Institute), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Theatre Orangeville), Sally Simpson in Tommy (Pacheco Theatre), and Hermia in Midsummer Nights Dream (Theatre Orangeville).

Sara truly hopes that all participants and those involved in this program feel welcome and safe in this space and that they have the support to find their love for the arts while making long-lasting friendships and connections.

FAQ

What training and qualifications do your staff hold?

Our staff is made up of qualified and experienced educators, both in formal education settings and in the arts industry. Our staff have extensive training not only in their field of expertise but on child-development, safety, and effective teaching. All staff members hold their Level C First Aid/CPR training certificates and have a Vulnerable Sector Records Check.

How do auditions work?

Nobody has to audition to join Junior Broadway. Our application is by online form and is considered by our program staff for acceptance. Once enrolled in the program, students audition for roles in the current show on the second week of the program. Roles in the show are assigned according to audition.

Does my child require prior experience to participate in Junior Broadway?

It isn’t a requirement to have prior performing experience to apply for Junior Broadway. However, the audition and show rehearsal process can be difficult and overwhelming for students who have not been part of a musical before. Because of that, prior experience is considered as part of the application.

What kind of commitment is required for this program?

Junior Broadway relies on the cooperative work of over 40 students working together with our staff to create a show. There is an expectation that students will put in the time needed, both in rehearsal and at home, to learn the show material assigned to them, including lines, songs, and dances. Missing rehearsals, especially in January, makes it extremely difficult for cast members to keep up.

Can my child participate in a combination of Stage 2 programs (Skill Builders, Junior Broadway, GLEE)?

Yes! This is a great way to build the skills of a well-rounded performer, provided your student is old enough to register in Junior Broadway and GLEE (Grades 5-8).

How long are the final performances? How many are there?

Performances take place at the end of January and are typically an hour and a half long. Our students perform the show eight times for an audience. There is one parent preview performance during the final dress rehearsal, four matinee performances for Hamilton elementary schools over two school days, and three public performances over a weekend. All performances are mandatory for all cast members.

What is your refund policy

If a participant needs to withdraw from the program for any reason,

100% of the registration fee will be refunded before the beginning of the program.
75% of the registration fee will be refunded after the first class/rehearsal.
50% of the registration fee will be available after the second or third class/rehearsal.
No refunds will be issued after four classes/rehearsals.

All refunds at the participant’s request will be subject to a $25 administration fee.