ABOUT RISING STARS: 
 

What is Rising Stars Youth Theatre Co.?
Rising Stars Youth Theatre Co. is Sussex County's only nonprofit youth theatre dedicated exclusively to young performers ages 7–18. Broadway World nominated and a Top 3 Best of Sussex County finalist for Live Theatre four years running, we have been transforming young talent into confident performers since March 2017 — now in our 10th year of programming.
 

Where are you located?
All rehearsals and performances are held at Pehrson Hall, The First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, 32 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871.
You do not need to live in New Jersey to participate — but you must have reliable transportation to and from our location every rehearsal day and on show dates.
 

Are you a nonprofit?
Yes. Rising Stars Youth Theatre Co. is a registered nonprofit organization.
Donations of all kinds are welcome. Monetary donations can be made via PayPal through our website.

 REGISTRATION: 
 

How do I register?
Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of spots are available for each intensive and workshop — enrollment is not guaranteed. Visit our Summer Intensives page to register.
 

What is the registration fee?
The standard registration fee is $575 per child plus a mandatory costume fee of $25–$100 depending on the show.
Late registrations (after posted deadlines) are $600 plus the costume fee.
 

How quickly do I need to pay after registering?
Registration and payment must be completed within 24 hours of accepting a role. Failure to pay within that window may result in the role being offered to another participant.
 

Can I register for more than one intensive?
Yes — each intensive is a separate registration. Spots are limited so we recommend registering early for each program your child wishes to participate in.
 

Do you offer payment plans?
Please contact us directly at RisingStarsYTC2@gmail.com to discuss payment options.
 

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

 AUDITIONS: 
 

Are auditions required?
Yes. Auditions are mandatory for everyone seeking a lead or supporting role in any of our intensives or workshops. Some programs may require auditions from all participants regardless of role.
 

How do auditions work?
All auditions are submitted via video only — there are no in-person auditions. Visit our Auditions page for complete instructions on what to prepare and how to submit.
 

What should my child prepare for the audition video?
Your child will need to record a 2–3 minute song using a karaoke or backing track, and perform a monologue. Full instructions are on our Auditions page.
 

My child has never performed before. Can they still audition?
Absolutely. Rising Stars welcomes all experience levels — from first-time performers to students already working professionally. We proudly cast 95%+ of all who audition because we believe every child deserves a place on our stage.
 

When are audition deadlines for Summer 2026?

• Bye Bye Birdie — March 17

• Lion King Jr — March 24

• Newsies — March 30

 CASTING: 

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How will we find out if my child was cast?
Casting notifications are sent via email.
Please ensure we have your correct email address and check your spam and junk folders regularly.
 

How long do we have to accept a role?
Once cast, you have 12 hours to accept or decline.
If we do not receive a response after two follow-up emails, we will assume the role has been declined and may recast the part.
 

What happens if we miss the acceptance window?
If a role has already been recast, your child's participation will be limited to the ensemble only. No exceptions.
 

What is the difference between a lead role and ensemble?
Lead and supporting lead roles are awarded through the audition process.
Ensemble roles are available to all cast participants and are an equally important part of every production.

 SCHEDULES & ATTENDANCE: 
 

What are the Summer 2026 Intensive dates?

• Bye Bye Birdie: June 22 – July 10 | Shows: July 10 & 11

• Lion King Jr: July 13 – July 24 | Shows: July 24 & 25

• Newsies: July 27 – August 7 | Shows: August 7 & 8
   

What are the daily hours for Summer Intensives?
Monday through Friday, 9AM–3PM. Lead roles stay until 4PM.
 

What are the Spring and Fall Workshop schedules?
Workshops run on Sundays. Junior Division: 1–4PM. Teen Division: 4–7PM. Additional rehearsals may be added at the director's discretion.
 

What is Tech Week?
Tech Week occurs the week prior to each performance and includes full run-throughs with costumes, lighting, microphones, and all final production elements. Attendance during Tech Week is mandatory — no excused absences are permitted.
 

What is the attendance policy?
Attendance is critical to every production.
If a child misses more than 4 days they may be removed from the program without a refund.
Lead or supporting roles missing 2 or more days may be recast to ensemble. Anyone late more than 4 times will be reviewed by the Board.
 

Are performances mandatory?
Yes. All performances are mandatory.
Please keep all show dates open when you register.

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 SHOW TICKETS: 

 

How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are available online only via Ticket Tailor at tickettailor.com/events/risingstarsyouththeatrecompany. Tickets are typically available for purchase by June 20.
 

 

How much are tickets?
Tickets are priced $15 to $20-person - depending on the show.
 

Can I get a refund on tickets?
Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged per Ticket Tailor's policies.

In the event of inclement weather, the Box Office will contact you with options to reschedule to another performance of the same show or a different show at no additional cost.

 

 REFUND & TRANSFER POLICIES: 
 

What is your refund policy?
Rising Stars maintains a strict no-refund policy with one exception: a certifiable medical emergency supported by a formal letter from a state-licensed physician, subject to Board review.
If a refund is approved, $200 is deducted to cover administrative fees. Discounted registrations are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances.
 

Are there any time restrictions on refund requests?
No refunds will be granted if the request is made 3 weeks or less before the start of an intensive or workshop, or once the program has begun and the child has attended one or more rehearsals.
 

Can I transfer my registration to a different intensive?
No. Registrations cannot be transferred between intensives or workshops under any circumstances.



 COSTUMES, T-SHIRTS & PLAYBILL ADS: 

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What is the costume fee?
A mandatory costume fee of $25–$100 applies to every program. The exact amount will be announced by the director before the start of the intensive.

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Are cast t-shirts available?
Yes — cast t-shirts featuring the show logo and Rising Stars branding are available for optional purchase.
Sizes up to XL are $20. Larger sizes are $25.
 

What is a Playbill Booster Ad?
You have the option to purchase a personalized ad for your child in the show Playbill, including a photo and custom text.
Order form links will be given to each cast member/family during workshop/intensive.
Families with multiple children may purchase one combined ad or individual ads.
Prices run from $40 to $70 for an ad. Playbill ads are optional and non-refundable.

 CELL PHONES & COMMUNICATION: 
 

What is the cell phone policy?
Cell phones must be put away during all rehearsals.
Phones may be used during designated break times only.
Repeated violations may result in confiscation and ultimately dismissal from the program under the behavior policy.
 

How does Rising Stars communicate with families?
All official communications are posted on the Band App and Facebook pages. All cast members and parents must join both.

Official emails come only from these addresses:

• Laura Rizzo: RisingStarsYTC@gmail.com | 973.346.2426

• Renata Ginter: RisingStarsYTC2@gmail.com | 908.827.1035

• Samantha Kemp: RSYTCJuniors@gmail.com 

• Auditions only: RSYTCAuditions@gmail.com
   

If you receive an email from any other address claiming to be Rising Stars, report it immediately.

 PICKUP & SAFETY: 

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How does pickup work at the end of rehearsal?
All children must be picked up from inside the building and signed out by an authorized guardian.
No child may leave unaccompanied.
This policy is mandatory and non-negotiable — it exists to ensure every child transitions safely from our supervision to their family.

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 BEHAVIOR & ENVIRONMENT: 

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What is your behavior policy?
Rising Stars maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, disrespect, negative attitudes, foul language, physical abuse, or inappropriate behavior of any kind — in person or online.
Any assault will be reported to local authorities.
Children dismissed for behavioral reasons will not receive a refund.
 

Does the behavior policy apply to parents too?
Yes. Parents and family members are expected to uphold the same standards of respect.
Any parent demonstrating disrespect, bullying, or violence will result in both the parent and child being removed from the program without a refund.

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 STILL HAVE A QUESTION?: 
 
Contact us at RisingStarsYTC2@gmail.com or call 973.346.2426.
We typically respond within 24 hours.

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