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 14 very successful seasons, we are happy to announce that this fall BrightSide Theatre Youth Project production will be Trolls Jr.
2026 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.
Trolls JR. is based on the irreverent DreamWorks Animation movie franchise and features a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters. The show follows the overly optimistic Trolls, constantly with a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have Trolls in their stomach.
The Troll thespians in Poppy’s company live by their motto: the show must go on. But when a tyrannical foreign emissary arrives in Bergenland, expectations are raised, forcing the Trolls to totally rework their show or risk being served up in the name of diplomacy by a Chef rehired and out for revenge.
Auditions: August 10 & 11 6pm-8pm
Rehearsals:
Aug. 25 through Sept. 26, 2026.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 6pm-7:30pm
Saturdays 12pm-2pm & Sundays 1pm-4pm
Tech Week: Sept. 27 – Oct 1 5pm-8pm.
Performances will be October 3-4, 2026.
Rehearsals will be held at BrightSide Theatre’s Rehearsal Studio 1989 University Lane, Unit D, Lisle, IL
The Performance will be at The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth, 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
Music Director
Production Assistant
Stage Manager
Take a Look at Past BrightSide Theatre Youth Project Photos
Thomas McMahon – Director/Choreographer
Thomas is ecstatic to be Directing/Choreographing Trolls Jr and having just choreographed BSTYP Legally Blonde Jr. and 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.
SADIE WYNNE – Music Director
Sadie has previously music directed The Music Man Jr. at the Beverly Arts Center and she is the Youth Choir director at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Naperville. She has appeared on the BrightSide stage in A Little Night Music (Mrs. Segstrom). Other credits include The Sound of Music (Mother Abbess) and All Shook Up (Mayor Matilda) with Summer Place Theatre, and The Christmas Schooner (Martha, Enid).
JAKE KELLER – Production Assistant
Jake is ecstatic to bring the zany world of Trolls Jr. to life! He recently earned degrees in Musical Theatre and Theatrical Directing & Dramaturgy from North Central College, most notably completing his senior capstone directing RENT. This summer, he made his Chicago producing debut at Theo with the “Community IS” project and stage managed FAME with The Beautiful City Project. You can catch him on stage as Pugley in Brightside’s Addams Family these coming weekends! IG: @jakeakeller
EVAN C. SUMMERS-OSLUND – STAGE MANAGER
is a Chicagoland theatremaker originally from Pittsburgh, PA. He is elated to be debuting at BrightSide as the SM for The Addams Family and Trolls Jr! Additional current work: Stage Manager for Love Bytes (PM&L Theatre), Director of Merry Christmakkah (Three Brothers Theatre), Vice-Chair of the Short Play Festival and Nominations Committee Member for SETC. Much love to Brooke, Roland, Janet, Sneaker, Dumpling, and Red Bull.