MET’s Teen Ensemble 2026 – 2027 Season & Audition Announcement
Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is excited to announce its 2026 – 2027 season for teen performers. MET’s Teen Ensemble is a program designed for students who are serious about pursuing a career in the performing arts industry. This program blends process and technique-based classes in addition to a final product (performance). These students are committed to the rigor and discipline it takes to have a thriving arts career.
The Teen Ensemble will hold its first round of auditions for BE MORE CHILL August 20 5 – 7 PM and August 22 12 – 2pm. Auditions for the spring play, The Giver, will be held at a later date. Students who audition for BE MORE CHILL and wish to be considered for The Giver will not need to audition twice.
We are seeking performers aged 13 – 19 for BE MORE CHILL and 12 – 19 for The Giver. Younger students may audition by invitation only.
FALL/WINTER MUSICAL
BE MORE CHILL
Music and Lyrics by Joe Iconis
Book by Joe Tacz
Based on the Novel by Ned Vizzini
Directed by Zack Callis
Music Direction by Angelica Ramos
Choreography by TBD
ABOUT: Jeremy Heere is just an average teenager. That is, until he finds out about “The Squip,” a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine, an invite to the raddest party of the year and a chance to survive life in his suburban New Jersey high school. But is being the post popular guy in school worth the risk? Be More Chill is based on the novel by Ned Vizzini.
KEY DATES
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Auditions |
Thrs. August 20, 5pm – 7pm Sat. August 22, 12pm – 2pm |
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First Rehearsal |
TBD – week of October 19, 2025 |
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Tech |
January 18 – 21, 2026 |
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Performance Schedule |
Th. 1/22 at 7 PM Fri. 1/23 at 7 PM Sat. 1/24 at 2 PM and 7 PM Sun. 1/25 at 2 PM |
Age Range: Seeking actors 13 – 19 years old.
BE MORE CHILL Character Descriptions
Jeremy Heere – (range A2 – A4) awkward high school junior
Christine Canigula (Range: F3 – D5) passionate high school theatre girl
Michael Mell (range: B2 – A4) Jeremy’s retro-obbsessed best friend
Jake Dillinger (range: Db3 – Bb4) high school awesomeness personified
Rich Goranski (Range Bb2 – A4 w. Opt. E5) five feet four inches of teenage bully
Chloe Valentine (Range: B3 – Eb5) the more popular girl in school, crass and confident
Brooke Lohst (Range Bb3 – Eb5) the second most popular girl in school, insecure
Jenna Rolan (range: G3 – G5) that girl who knows everyone’s business
Mr. Here (Range: Ab2 -A4) Jeremy’s dad, never wears pants. Also plays: Mr. Reyes*, Scary Stockyboy*
The Squip (Range F#2 – Ab4) the supercomputer in Jeremy’s Head
Ensemble: Students
*The production team reserves the right to split these into stand alone roles
Audition Preparation
Please prepare/bring the following:
- 16-bars of music in the rock/pop musical theatre genre;
- 1-minute comedic monologue from a published play or musical.
- A headshot and resume
NOTE: you should be off-book for your monologue and song. If needed, you may have a script with you to reference during your monologue. Audition materials should be well prepared and rehearsed.
Be prepared to:
- Learn a short basic choreography sequence
- Read from the script
- Demonstrate any special skills. Examples include, but are not limited to, tumbling, turns, jumps, acrobatics, baton, etc. (optional)
Course Information
Part of your tuition covers a class outside of the rehearsal process. Not being able to participate in class due to previous commitments won’t have an impact on casting decisions, though it’s strongly encouraged that you do attend class. We would not prorate tuition due to student absenteeism.
Course Title: Dancing for the Musical & Scene Study for the Actor
Course Description – Dancing for the Musical: This course focuses on the basic techniques and styles of musical theatre dancing. Be dressed ready to move.
Instructor: Becca Benson
Course Description – Scene Study for the Actor: This course incorporates script analysis and research, along with characterization, to assist students in preparing for any role.
Instructor: Zack Callis
Course Meeting information: Tuesdays, 5:30 PM – 7 PM, beginning September 9 and ending November 10.
Tuition: $475.00 (class & performance)
There is a required $75 audition deposit that must be paid to secure your audition date. In the event the student is not cast by the Production Team, the deposit will be refunded. In the event the students refuse their role or withdraw from the program, the audition deposit will be held.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR AN AUDITION
SPRING PLAY
The Giver
A play by Eric Coble
Based on the Book by Lois Lowry
Directed by Zack Callis
ABOUT: Jonas’ world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver – to receive and keep the memories of the community. The GIver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life – and the hypocrisy of his utopian world.
KEY DATES
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Auditions |
February 22, 2027 12 – 2pm |
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First Rehearsal |
TBD – week of March 23rd |
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Tech |
May 16 – 19 |
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Performance Schedule |
May 20 at 7 PM May 21 at 7 PM May 22 at 7 PM May 23 at 2 PM |
Age Range: Seeking actors 12 – 19 years old.
Cast
FATHER: Jonas’ good-natured father.
MOTHER: Jonas’ good-natured mother.
LILY: Jonas’ 7-year old sister.
Jonas: an 11-year old about to grow older.
ASHER: Jonas’ best friend, 11 years old
FIONA: another friend of Jonas’
Larissa: an old woman in need of care
The CHIEF ELDER: the master of the ceremony
The GIVER (OLD MAN): an old man about to change
ROSEMARY: a young girl from the past
Note: Some roles may be double cast and/or doubled (one actor playing two or more roles)
.
Audition Preparation
Students admitted into the Fall/Winter Teen Ensemble program (Be More Chill) who wish to be considered for The Giver will not need to audition again. Those who auditioned but were not admitted into the program or those who did not audition but would like to be considered for The Giver, will need to audition per the instructions below.
Please prepare the following:
- 1-minute dramatic monologue from a published play or musical.
Be prepared to:
- Read from the script.
Course Information
Part of your tuition covers a class outside of the rehearsal process.
Course Title: Scene Study II
Course Description: Expanding upon the work on Scene Study I, students will take a deeper dive into script analysis, creating a character
Course Meeting information: TBD
Tuition: $375 (covers both course and performance)