The BrightSide Theatre Youth Project was developed to provide a professional and educational learning experience for grade school to high school students interested in exploring musical theater. In this program, children work directly with professional directors, musical directors, choreographers, designers, and artists to develop their own theatrical skills.
After 13 very successful seasons, we are happy to announce that this spring BrightSide Theatre Youth Project production will be Leaglly Blonde the Musical Jr.
2026 Spring Youth Program
Participants will learn the art of musical theatre acting, including what it means to be a character and how to portray their character through dialogue, choreography, and song.
Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally BlondeThe Musical JR. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show’s instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass — leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!
Auditions will take place December 6 10am-1pm and December 7 1pm-4pm
Rehearsals will take place Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays 6pm-7:30pm, Saturday 12pm-2pm & Sundays 1pm-4pm Jan. 10 through Feb. 19, 2026.
Performances will be held from Feb. 20 – 28, 2026.
Rehearsals will be held at BrightSide Theatre’s Rehearsal Studio 1989 University Lane, Unit D, Lisle, IL
The Performance will be at Yellow Box Theatre, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville, IL
Roles will be assigned based on an audition after registration and fees are paid. There will be no refunds based on casting decisions.
Cast size is limited to 45 participants aged 8-18 years.
(there is a $25 sibling discount).
A commemorative T-Shirt is provided to each student.
MEET THE STAFF
Director
Choreographer
Take a Look at Past BrightSide Theatre Youth Project Photos
De Haddard – Director/BST Education Manager
De holds a BFA in Musical Theater with a dance minor from Millikin University. She has been a theatrical director in the Naperville and surrounding area for 16 years. Favorite Directing credits: Spamalot, Addams Family, She Kills Monsters, The Hobbit. Favorite acting roles: Gabriella – High School Musical, Mother Superior – Sound of Music, and Marty – Grease.
Meghan Kessel – Music Director
Meghan holds a degree of Music Education from Loyola University New Orleans. She joined BrightSide in 2021 as a performer in Promises, Promises. Most recently she was onstage in Pippin. Meghan also teaches voice and piano at Old Town School of Folk Music and performs in TYA musicals with AlphaBet Soup Productions. As a music director, some of her favorite shows have been Joseph…Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia, and Sister Act Jr.
Thomas McMahon – Choreographer
Thomas is ecstatic to be choreographing Leaglly Blonde Jr and having just choreographed BSTYP The Spongebob Musical Youth Edition! Thomas was last seen on the BrightSide stage in The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. Recent choreography credits include: Six the Teen Edition, Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man, Joseph…, Little Shop of Horrors, Disaster, Annie and Willy Wonka Jr.