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Theater Program

Cast Members: click here for theater updates

Updates

Discover the Magic of Our Student Theater Program

Welcome to a world where creativity, confidence, and collaboration take center stage! Our Theater Program is a vibrant hub for aspiring young performers, offering a supportive environment to explore the art of theater and develop essential life skills.

What Sets Us Apart?

  • Weekly Rehearsals & Seasonal Shows
    We keep theater fun and manageable for busy families! Instead of rehearsing several days a week, our cast meets once a week for a three-hour rehearsal. At the end of each season (fall and spring), students shine in a full performance for family and friends.
  • Inclusive Opportunities
    Every child who auditions gets to be part of the show—no one is left out! We celebrate each student’s unique gifts and help them grow in confidence on stage.
  • Collaborative Community
    Our theater family is built on teamwork, kindness, and creativity. We cheer each other on, work hard together, and focus on doing our best—not on competing.

Benefits of Joining Our Theater Program

  • Build Confidence: Performing in front of an audience helps students overcome stage fright and develop self-assurance.
  • Enhance Communication Skills: Through dialogue, expression, and teamwork, participants learn to communicate effectively.
  • Foster Teamwork: Theater is a collaborative art form that teaches the value of working together toward a common goal.
  • Develop Creativity: From improvisation exercises to character development, our program encourages out-of-the-box thinking.

Registration for our Spring 2026season is open. Please see the FAQ section for details regarding the program!

Register

Spring 2026 Announcement

As we plan for our Spring 2026 season, we are facing a significant challenge: we do not yet have a venue secured for our spring productions. Although we have the Simpsonville Arts Center confirmed for the fall, finding consistent performance venues in the Upstate continues to be one of our biggest hurdles. Spaces book quickly, availability is limited, and long-term scheduling is difficult for programs like ours that are growing rapidly. If you know of a potential venue, have connections in the community, or feel led to help us bridge this gap, we would be deeply grateful for your partnership. As soon as we have secured a venue, we will launch our audition sign-ups.

FREE Shrek Theater Workshop with Josh Borges

If you plan on participating in World Upside Down’s Spring 2026 show, we invite you to step into the swamp and get ready for a fun-filled Shrek Theater Workshop! In this high-energy session, students will explore singing, acting, and dancing while working with material inspired by Shrek the Musical JR. 

Location: World Upside Down Arts Studio
Date: Saturday, December 13, 10:00am-12:00pm
Cost: FREE
Ages: 5-17

Register

Spring 2026 Theater Program Sign Ups

This section will be updated as soon as we confirm our venue for Spring 2026!

Read the FAQ section for information on tuition fees, auditions, mandatory dates, and more!

Leadership Team: We have a great team of directors and producers who are excited to pour their time and expertise into their students. Click here to read bios and learn more about our theater program directors. 

Step 1: Register on Procare

Fill out the registration form for new and old students so we have all of your latest information. We use the Procare app for communication, student profile, signing in and out, billing, and communication.

Register

Step 2: Sign Up for Auditions

Auditions will be on August 16 from 9am-2pm with callbacks at 3:00pm. Get more information about auditions and sign up for a time slot on the form below.

Audition Sign Up

Step 3: Attend the Mandatory Orientation Meeting

Join us for this important orientation to meet the director and production team, hear about the audition process and season expectations, connect with fellow cast families, and discover exciting volunteer opportunities.

Parent attendance is required. Students are strongly encouraged to attend.

Time: Thurs, January 8, 6pm-8pm
Location: World Upside Down Arts Studio

Step 4: Confirm your commitment

We will announce casts for both Shrek JR. and Shrek KIDS programs by noon on Monday, January 12, 2026. Notifications will be sent via Procare messages. You must reply to accept your role and confirm your participation in the program by 6:00pm, Monday, January 12, 2026.

Step 5: Start Rehearsals

Rehearsals start January 13 (Shrek KIDS) and January 15 (Shrek JR.). 

Theater Program FAQs

We will be targeting students ages 13-17 for the Junior show and students 5-12 for the Kids show, but age will not be the only casting determination. Younger students may be cast for the Junior show and vice versa.

No. One of the goals for doing two shows is to give more students more performance and growth opportunities.

Commitment to key dates is an absolute essential for cast members and families who participate in our program. Because we have such a streamlined schedule, our required events and meetings must be mandatory. Please read carefully before signing up.

Click here to access rehearsal and show dates for the Fall 2025 season.

Yes. Parents/guardians need to register their students each season through Procare (select the register button on this page). Your updated information helps us keep track of any changes that may occur regarding your grade, health, address, contact information, and more. The new registration will be merged with your existing account. 

Weekly rehearsals are held at World Upside Down Arts Studio. Tech rehearsals are held at the performance venue the weeks of shows. Attending rehearsals and performing in the Meet the Cast event are mandatory for participation in our theater program.

Every student in our program participates in the show. We hold auditions to determine cast roles. Register on Procare to get the audition signup link. We typically email it out one month before auditions. We will take a deep dive into the audition process at our Mandatory Orientation Meeting at the launch of the season. You can find audition dates under the Key Dates section in FAQs.

Students ages 5-17 are invited to audition for both the Kids and Jr. shows. Casting for both shows will depend on talent, schedules, and overall cohesiveness for each cast. 

We will have one cast for each show with understudy opportunities for principal roles in the Junior show. Depending on how they develop during the season, understudies may perform in the second weekend of shows.

The shows will be performed at the Simpsonville Arts Center in Simpsonville, SC, on November 14-15 and 21-22. There will be tech rehearsals at the Simpsonville Arts Center in Simpsonville, SC, Mon-Thurs before the shows for both weeks. 

The tuition fee for the musical theater program is $120/month per student.
Fall Season – August – November (four months of $120/month)
Spring Season – January – May (five months of $120/month)

**Monthly payments are due before the 1st of each month to avoid a late fee.**

Registration Fee $50 (per semester / non-refundable)

**Avoid registration fees by starting your seasonal payment plan on Aug 1 and Jan 1.** 

Additional Costs: Parents are responsible for costumes. We will try to keep these costs to a minimum. If your family is going through financial hardship, we can help you raise funds to cover the costume costs.

We offer 5% discounts for siblings, veterans, and full-semester payments.

See the Policies & Pricing page for details on payment dates, pricing, discounts, and scholarship applications.

Earn $50 off your tuition for each student who enrolls in our program thanks to your referral. Make sure your referral lists you on their registration form.

Previous Shows