Auditions
Each year SPARC produces a season of plays and musicals designed exclusively for youth and teens to take center stage. Auditions are required to participate in these productions. Find information about upcoming auditions below!
Radium Girls
Auditions:
Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30pm-7pm
OR
SUBMIT A VIRTUAL AUDITION BY 11/17
Open to 8th-12th graders
- Directed by Heather Falks
- Stage Managed by Amy Almond
Synopsis:
Radium Girls tells the true story of young women working in factories in the 1920s who were poisoned by the radium they used to paint watch dials. Initially unaware of the dangers, the women, encouraged to "lip-point" their paintbrushes, begin experiencing severe health issues. As they fight for recognition and justice against their former employer, they face not only corporate resistance but also skepticism from their families and communities. The story culminates in legal battles and ultimately, landmark changes in workplace safety regulations.
Content Warning: As this is a play about true events, rehearsals will include discussions around the interaction of radium in the human body and how it ultimately led to the painful deaths of these young women. It is a necessary story to tell and though laced with tragedy, also features the immense bravery of the Radium Girls and their resolve to fight for others.
Rehearsals begin January 11.
Performances will take place at SPARC February 26-28, 2027.
QUESTIONS? Contact Courtney Thompson at cthompson@sparcrichmond.org.
Audition-Based Programing FAQs
What kind of audition-based programming does SPARC offer?
SPARC produces four to six plays or musicals each year! Age ranges differ for shows depending on the content, but auditions are typically open to 6th through 12th graders.
SPARC also holds auditions in the spring for Touring Ensemble, comprised of 8th through 12th graders. These students do musical theatre revue-style performances at many private and public events around Richmond throughout the course of the year!
Does my student need to be enrolled in one of SPARC’s training classes in order to audition for a show?
No, SPARC does not require students to be enrolled in any additional SPARC class (or have taken one in the past!) in order to be eligible to audition for a show. Students with all backgrounds and levels of experience in the performing arts are welcome to audition. We always love to see new faces!
What does SPARC require at auditions?
Though specific requirements may vary, students should plan to prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song or a one-minute monologue. Exact details on how to prepare for auditions will be posted to the auditions page with each new round of auditions.
What does it cost to be involved in a production at SPARC?
SPARC does not have an audition fee. However, there is a cost associated with participating in a show after a student is cast, as the rehearsal process is an enriched educational experience. That fee varies by program, and it covers all costs. There is no additional cost or fee for costumes. Families are also welcome to apply for a scholarship or create a payment plan to help with the cost of participation in one of SPARC’s productions.
How are families involved in the production process at SPARC?
SPARC doesn’t require families to contribute to the production process for any of our shows! We hire professional technical artists and designers to create the magic that brings our shows to life. If family members would like to volunteer somehow, they’re welcome to serve as ushers at a performance of their choice.
Have questions about auditions? Please reach out!
We are always accepting new students for upcoming classes, camps, and programs!
If you have any questions about SPARC or any of our offerings, please reach out to us by filling out our contact form on this page or by giving us a call at our office at (804) 353-3393.
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SPARC is supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
