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 year’s BrightSide Theatre Youth Project production will be nickelodieon The SpongBob Musical Youth Edition.
2025 Fall 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.
When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
Auditions will take place August 23 10am-1pm and August 24 1pm-4pm
Rehearsals will take place Sept. 6 through Oct. 23, 2025.
Performances will be held from Oct. 26 – Nov. 2, 2025.
Rehearsals will be held at BrightSide Theatre’s Rehearsal Studio 1989 University Lane, Unit D, Lisle, IL 60532.
The Performance will be at theThe The Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL 60540
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.
Youth Program Tuition is $475. (there is a $25 sibling discount). A commemorative T-Shirt is provided to each student.
MEET THE STAFF
Director
Music Director
Take a Look at Past BrightSide Theatre Youth Project Photos
De Haddard – Director
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 A Little Night Music. 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.
Shane Alexander Brown – Choreographer
Shane Alexander Brown is originally from San Francisco, California– now lives and works in Villa Park as a dance and cheer coach. Shane was most recently seen in Brightside Theatre’s fall production of A Little Night Music. Prior to moving to the Midwest Shane was a fulltime shows and parades performer at Walt Disney World where he danced onstage in live television events with Ariana Grande and Derek and Julianne Hough, even a short segment with Whoopi Goldberg. Shane holds a BFA in Acting and Musical Theatre, and was nominated for the Kennedy Center’s Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship six times. Shane also received training through the Open Jar Institute in New York City, and the studio program at Black Box Acting Studio in Chicago. Favorite roles include Baby John in West Side Story, and Cornelius in Hello, Dolly!