Young Performers Workshop
Musical Theatre Training Program (Ages 8 - 18)
2026 Fall Workshop
October 3 - December 21
FALL PRODUCTION:
AUDITIONS: Saturday, September 19, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM by appointment.
Performances December 18 - 20
ALL applicants must audition prior to acceptance.
Registration due after casting.
Registration Deadline: Oct. 2, 2026
Contact CSC Administrative offices to schedule
(908) 979 - 0900 or e-mail boxoffice@centenarystageco.org
TUITION:
First Child: $175.00
Second Child: $125.00
(Additional discounts may be available for larger families)
Accident Waiver form must be submitted to CSC office with registration brochure.
PLEASE CALL THE CSC BOX OFFICE AT
(908) 979 - 0900 TO SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION APPOINTMENT.
This musical theatre program has been designed to meet the needs of beginning, intermediate and
advanced performers ages 8 - 18 interested in working in the
theatre. The hands-on program utilizes both the
classroom and the “production process” to train young
people in the theatre arts. The program culminates in a live presentation of select production(s) selected by program director Michael Blevins and is based on enrollment.
Once registered, students are guaranteed a part in at
least one production and, depending on ability,
experience, desire and commitment level, could feasibly
appear in more than one production.
No experience is necessary, however, applicants must audition for acceptance.​​
ABOUT STAGE BOUND: A YOUTH PRODUCTION PROGRAM
Formerly known as the Young Performers Workshop (YPW), Stage Bound: A Youth Production Program continues Centenary Stage Company’s tradition of providing young people with opportunities to learn about and experience the theatre arts.
Designed for young performers ages 8 to 18, Stage Bound gives students the opportunity to be part of a fully staged theatrical production while developing their skills, building confidence, and discovering what it takes to bring a show to life. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to participate, whether they are stepping onstage for the first time or looking to continue growing as performers.
Working alongside theatre professionals, students gain hands-on experience in acting, singing, dancing, and the rehearsal process. Along the way, they learn the importance of teamwork, commitment, and collaboration while forming friendships with other young people who share their love of theatre. From the first rehearsal to the final performance, Stage Bound gives students the chance to be part of a company working together toward a common goal.
Stage Bound takes place on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and is part of Centenary Stage Company’s ongoing commitment to arts education and providing opportunities for the next generation of theatre artists. Our goal is to create a positive, supportive environment where young performers can challenge themselves, try new things, and experience the excitement of performing live for an audience.
Research studies point to strong relationships between learning in the arts and fundamental cognitive skills and capacities used to master other core subjects, including reading, writing, and mathematics. Studies show that kids grow up participating in the arts score higher on the SAT by an average of 51 points on verbal and 38 points on math!
Meet the Program Directors!
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Katie O’Shea (Co-director & Stage Manager) is a musical theatre performer and theatre professional with a passion for storytelling and bringing characters to life. She studied Musical Theatre at Centenary University and has been a part of the Centenary Stage Company community as both a performer and staff member. Her professional credits with CSC include The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Nunsense II (Amnesia), Escape to Margaritaville (Ensemble), A Christmas Carol (Martha Cratchit), The Little Mermaid (Flounder), and Seussical (Bird Girl).
In addition to performing, Katie works with Centenary Stage Company’s box office and youth programming, helping bring productions and theatre opportunities to the community. She has a special love for children’s theatre, with credits including the children’s tour, Miss Nelson Is Missing (Allison), Miss Nelson Has a Field Day (Miss Nelson), and Grace for President (Clara). She also works with numerous princess party companies, bringing beloved characters to life at children’s birthday parties and community events. Through her work with young performers and audiences, Katie loves sharing her enthusiasm for theatre and helping create memorable experiences that inspire a love of the performing arts.
Audrey Jantzen (Co-director) is a performer and educator with a longstanding connection to Centenary Stage Company. Audrey earned her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Centenary University in 2023.
During her time at Centenary, she performed in numerous Centenary Stage Company productions, including The Addams Family as Pugsley and Alice, Living Dead in Denmark as Titania, Nunsense II: The Second Coming as Sister Mary Leo, The Marvelous Wonderettes as a cast swing, Cinderella as Joy’s understudy, and Rent as Alexi Darling. She has also appeared in numerous Young Audience Series productions, including Grace for President, a Year with Frog and Toad, Schoolhouse Rock, and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Her experience with Centenary extends beyond performance, with additional experience in technical theatre and serving as an Assistant Stage Manager.
Audrey is passionate about arts education and currently teaches acting to students ages 5–15 at Faith Center for the Arts, where she leads four acting classes and provides private coaching for acting and singing. Having experienced the transformative impact of arts education firsthand, Audrey is passionate about creating a safe environment where young performers can build their skills, confidence, creativity, and love of theatre.
As a Director of Stage Bound, Audrey is excited to return to the community that played such an important role in her own artistic journey and to help provide the next generation of young performers with the opportunity to learn, create, and grow onstage.
Michaela Thiessen (Co-director & Choreographer)
Michaela Thiessen is a well rounded artist, assuming various roles as a performer, director, writer, film artist, and choreographer. Michaela received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication: Film Studies with two minors in Dance and Theater from Centenary University in 2023. She has since returned to the Centenary Stage in numerous productions, most recently in Nunsense II: The Second Coming (Sister Mary Michaela) and Escape to Margaritaville (Dance Ensemble). She is an active performer and Tour Manager in the Young Audience Series operated by Lea Antolini-Lid. Touring children’s theater shows up and down the East Coast with recent shows like Grace For President (Anthony), Miss Nelson Has A Field Day (Kenny) and A Year With Frog And Toad (Dance Captain & Assistant Stage Manager).
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She has worked closely with Lea Antolini-Lid as she assisted in choreographing Nunsense II: A Second Coming and acted as her Dance Captain for numerous Centenary Stage productions. Michaela has also managed, choreographed for, and performed in multiple Centenary Stage Dance Concerts. Furthermore, she has worked with the Young Performers Workshop Director & Choreographer, Michael Blevins, and served as his Dance Captain for Centenary Stage Company’s production of Cinderella.
Outside of Centenary, she has worked behind the scenes as a Production Assistant and a Stage Manager in New York City for Wonderama in Times Square; hosted by David Osmond and produced by Howard Brooks. Additionally, Michaela is credited as the Choreographer for the 2022 Jury Award Winning musical short film It’s On Me, written and directed by Darius Valentine. The project had her working with stars like Alessandra Antonelli, known for performing in the Mamma Mia! North American Tour. Michaela has written, directed, and edited her own short films and dance for films as well as working as an assistant director and cinematographer on many other film projects.
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As she steps into this new role as Program Director and Choreographer for Stage Bound, she hopes to take all she has learned and transform that into an inspirational, artistic, safe, and educational environment for young performers as they begin their creative journey. Helping to build their talents, artistry, confidence, and passion for performing through opportunities to innovate, create, and grow on or off the stage.
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She is grateful to Centenary Stage Company for all the opportunities she has had to perform, create and to grow as an artist herself and hopes she can return the favor to the next generation of artists. Her established relationship with Centenary Stage Company, experience in film and dance, and personal work on passion projects are just the start for Michaela. Her enthusiasm for the arts is immeasurable and her mark on the creative world has only just begun.