The 2025 Opening Number is Raise You Up from Kinky Boots!

Two of the most exciting moments of the California State Thespian Festival are the opening and closing performances. This is a great way to represent your school and show off your talent on the main stage.

The Opening Number is great for: 

  • Thespians who love to dance and perform. 
  • Thespians who want perform on the mainstage at festival. 
  • Thespians who want to collaborate and create with their peers in a fun up tempo number. 

This high energy dance number kicks off the first night of Festival, and is open to dancers and movers. 

 

2025 Festival Theme: Celebrate the 2025 State Festival theme Together We Bloom with a fully choreographed dance to Raise You Up from Kinky Boots! 

 

What it is: The Opening Number is dance only (no vocals or dialogue) and we need all levels of dancers and movers. Each Thespian Troupe can have up to 5 students audition for the opening number; each troupe that applies is guaranteed 1 spot. Choreography will be sent out via video prior to festival, and there will be rehearsals the first day of festival in order to put the piece together.

 

Expectations:

  • Dancers are required to attend all rehearsals at festival. Rehearsals will be during Friday morning and afternoon. Dancers will not be able to attend Friday workshops. 
  • Dancers who are participating in Thespys or auditioning for Playworks will be dismissed from rehearsal for their designated time slots. 
  • Dancers are expected to learn their choreography and behave in a professional manner backstage and while working with the artistic staff.
  • Dancers will need to bring dance shoes (black character heels, black jazz shoes, or solid black street shoes) to rehearsal and the final performance. Some costume pieces may be provided. A detailed mood board of what to wear for the performance will be provided two weeks prior to attending festival.
  • Schedule:
    • Rehearsals:
      • There may be one in-person rehearsal in Southern California. Stay tuned for details!
      • On site at Festival, Friday morning and afternoon.
    • Performance: The Opening Number will perform on Friday of Festival in Bridges Auditorium

 

Fee: This event is free to participate in. 

To apply to this event please audition here by November 30. This application includes a 1-minute self-tape.

Max 5 applicants per troupe. Each troupe is guaranteed 1 spot. 

 

For questions or inquiries, please reach out to Don Amerson at Don.Amerson@cathespians.org

 

California State Thespians is committed to promoting diversity on all levels. We embrace inclusive casting for every role, and fully support each student’s choice to select material that speaks to them. Race, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation should not influence the evaluation of student performances at California Thespian events and competitions.

(Special consideration may be taken where race is germane to the text.)

 

updated Nov 2, 2024