RITZ STAGE STARZ
Engage. Educate. Empower.
Ritz Stage Starz is the celebrated Youth Theatre Initiative of The Ritz Theatre Company, offering dynamic, year-round programming designed to ignite a lifelong passion for the performing arts. Through hands-on experience in acting, singing, dancing, and behind-the-scenes production, young performers are given the tools to grow as artists — and as individuals.
With a focus on creativity, collaboration, and confidence-building, Stage Starz empowers students to take center stage in a supportive, professional theatre environment. Whether stepping into the spotlight or working as part of a team, every participant is encouraged to explore their voice and share their story.
Join the Ritz Stage Starz family — where the next generation of theatre artists begin their journey. Check out our 2026 season below!
THE OLYMPIANS
February 13-14, 2026
Grades 6-12
Directed by Robert Repici
Music Direction by Chuck Hartung
Choreography by Lindsey Krier Repici
Stage Management by Evelyn Passanante
AUDITION REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! GET THE FORM HERE!
THE OLYMPIANS is a riotous adventure about the power of changing the narrative!
Three Greek goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, and Artemis, engage in a bet about how to best advance women’s place in the world. They make a wager to determine which is the most powerful tool: a top-notch mind, a loving heart, or a fighting spirit? Each goddess chooses one mortal girl, plucked from obscurity, and sets each of the three girls on a quest to prove their point. When the male gods catch wind of the mortals’ plans, they use their powers to make the quests much more treacherous than the goddesses intended. Ultimately, the mortal girls (and the goddesses) realize that it will take all three qualities to make a difference, and they realize that, rather than competing with each other, they must work together to prove that sometimes you can all be heroes.
Featuring an eclectic score of well-loved hits from Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Blondie, The Chicks, Pat Benatar, and many more, this tale of Ancient Greece has never felt more contemporary.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION
April 10-11, 2026
Grades 3-8
Directed by Kacy Hofstetter
Music Direction by Nick French
Choreography by Evelyn Passanante
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION is a one-hour adaptation of the beloved musical, designed for young performers.
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. After all, a princess is a delicate thing.
WORKSHOP WEEK
April 20-24, 2026
Grades 5-12
New for 2026! A dynamic five-day experience designed for aspiring and practiced performers! Each day features a unique master class led by a different theatre professional, offering students the chance to learn directly from the pros. Each session will focus on a specialized area of theatre, giving students valuable insight, hands-on training, and inspiration. Sign up for one day or all five and take your skills to the next level!
ATYPICAL BOY
June 5-6, 2026
Grades 7-12
Directed by Matthew Weil
In a fantastical world (not entirely unlike our own) where “conformity is compulsory,” Boy cannot conform. Others make a desperate attempt to fix him, but neither they nor he can change his nature. Labeled a monster by the experts, Boy is shunned until, heartbroken and alone, he disappears into a world of monsters. There, Boy struggles with Hugo, ruled by his monster side, and is drawn to Girl, who is still in touch with her true feelings. A metaphor for invisible disabilities and disenfranchised youth, this play asks the question: Will Boy hold on to his humanity and accept himself, or will he become a monster? A cautionary tale that presents a comic anti-model of behavior, this entertaining fable for all times and all ages tells about the beauty and danger of being different in a world where conformity is valued and individuality is feared.
DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM JR.
July 31 – August 1, 2026
Grades 3-8
Directed by Will Reid
Music Direction by Meg Bryan
Stage Management by Christian Randazzo
Disney’s DARE TO DREAM JR. is a 60-minute musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible. Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, DARE TO DREAM JR. features songs appearing for the first time ever in a Disney stage musical, including fan-favorites from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II. This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.
DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
August 7-8, 2026
Grades 8-12
Directed by Robert Repici
Music Direction by Chuck Hartung
Choreography by Lindsey Krier Repici
Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on your stage! Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.
It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical that is being led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.
ANNIE JR.
November 13-14, 2026
Grades 3-8
Directed by Kacy Hofstetter
Music Direction by Nick French
Choreography by Lindsey Krier Repici
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE JR. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.