Registration for auditions is now open for Mayflower’s 2025 Summer Youth Projects, Grease: School Edition and The Last Rose of Summer.
The two new projects mark 12 years of Summer Youth productions at Mayflower which has seen over 1,600 participants get involved.
Grease: School Edition will bring the electrifying energy of Rydell High to Mayflower Theatre this summer, as Danny, Sandy, the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys bring the iconic story to life with unforgettable songs and dazzling choreography.
This new production will feature over 150 talented young people ages 11 – 18 from across the area as they capture the highs and lows of teenage love and heartbreak. The project will give the young people the opportunity to work together for two weeks with a professional creative team taking a show from the first read through to final performances on Mayflower Theatre’s stage.
These intensive rehearsal periods give a great opportunity to learn more about the performing arts whilst working towards a common goal and making new friends. There are opportunities for performers and off stage roles in the company.
The Last Rose of Summer is an exciting project which will coincide with the city’s Austen 250 celebrations, celebrating 250 years since Jane Austen was born in Hampshire.
The project will be a piece of new writing inspired by Jane Austen’s connection to the city and will bring her story to life through dance and musical theatre, providing young people with the opportunity to work alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
The Last Rose of Summer will also expand the youth project age band to 11 – 25, meaning that more young people from the surrounding areas can get involved.
The Last Rose of Summer will be developed over two weeks and performed at Mayflower Studios, and we are grateful to our partners at Southampton Forward for their support with the project.
“We are really excited that our Summer Youth Projects will return once again in 2025, now marking 12 years of projects, and that we are able to expand on this offering with The Last Rose of Summer which will form part of the city’s celebrations of Austen 250,” says Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Chief Executive.
“As one of the leading venues in the city, it has been exciting to look at how we can celebrate this poignant occasion and we are delighted that by tying it into our youth project offering, we can share this experience with so many young people from the local area.
“Audition registration for both projects is now open, and we look forward to seeing many new faces along with returnees at the auditions. Our team make the audition process fun and create an atmosphere where everyone can perform to their very best. I encourage anyone to register, come along, meet new friends and discover the pure joy of creating a new show.”
To get involved, participants must first register for an audition via the website.
Registration for Grease: School Edition closes on 18 February 2025 with auditions held on 2 March and 23 March and you must be available for both dates. The rehearsals will run from 10 – 23 August 2025 with performances on 22 – 23 August 2025 at Mayflower Theatre.
Registration for The Last Rose of Summer closes on 6 April 2025 with auditions held on 27 April and 4 May and you must be available for both dates. The rehearsals will run from 27 July – 9 August 2025 with performances on 8 – 9 August 2025.
There is a fee to take part in both projects but bursary places are available and auditions are free.
Register for an audition either online at mayflower.org.uk, or call the box office on 02380 711811.
Tickets for Grease: School Edition (Friday 22 – Saturday 23 August 2025) and The Last Rose of Summer (Friday 8 – Saturday 9 August 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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