The Lion King JR.

Our spring 2026 show auditions will be held Friday, March 27th, with callbacks held on Saturday, March 28th. Auditions are open to students ages 8-18 who are registered for a spring session class.

Get ready to journey to the Pride Lands and bring one of the world’s most beloved stories to life right on our stage! Being part of The Lion King JR. is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore vibrant characters, powerful rhythms, and the unforgettable magic of the "Circle of Life." We can’t wait to see the unique energy and talent you’ll bring to this spectacular production!

Your audition will have 2 required elements:

• The vocal audition will be each student performing a 60-90 second clip of a musical theater song of their choice (not from The Lion King). Vocal auditions take place on Friday, March 27th, and will be performed in person, in front of the artistic team and anyone else who chooses to join as they are open to everyone! 
• The dance audition will also be in person. Once you have signed up for your spring class and audition slot, a few weeks before auditions you will receive an email with an instruction video for the dance audition. 

Shows
Friday, June 5th at 6:30pm
Saturday, June 6th at 2:00pm and 6:30pm
Sunday, June 7th at 3:00pm

Production Fee: $225
Show Access Fee: $25 (optional fee for access to view Lion King Jr. in the Show Library)
 
 

Discover the different ways your student can take the stage at CYT Tampa Bay:

Main Stage Productions

Our main stage productions offer students the chance to perform in a large theater with full costumes and staging. These shows are produced every fall, winter, and spring session.

• Eligibility: Students ages 8–18 currently enrolled in a CYT class.
• The Commitment: A rewarding but intensive 9 week rehearsal schedule (Friday/Saturday), culminating in a "Tech Week" and 4 public performances.
• Parent Involvement: As a community theater, parents serve on "Show Teams" (sets, costumes, props, etc.) to help bring the magic to life.
• Audition Policy: We value commitment. Students who agree to "accept any role" but drop after casting will be ineligible to audition for the following two sessions.

CYT Lite Productions

CYT Lite is ideal for newcomers or experienced younger students seeking featured roles. These shows are for students ages 8-12 and focus on building skills in vocals, choreography, and characterization in a lower-pressure environment.

• Format: Rehearsals take place primarily during class time, with one longer Saturday rehearsal and a streamlined tech process.
• Production: Simple sets and costumes with two public performances of a licensed 30–45 minute musical! ($5–$10 tickets).
• Cost: Standard class tuition + a $100 production fee.
• Requirement: Minimal parent commitment. We highly recommend at least one CYT Lite experience before auditioning for the Main Stage!
• Please note: Students who audition for a lite show are not eligible for that session's main stage production.

Show-in-a-Week (Summer Camps)

In just five days, students audition, rehearse, and perform a licensed 30–45 minute musical! It’s an energetic, high-speed introduction to the world of theater.

• Production: Students often help create the sets, and costumes are typically accessorized camp shirts.
• Parent Involvement: None! Just drop them off, help them memorize lines at home, and enjoy the free performance at the end of the week.
• Cost: Included in the price of summer camp.

CYT TAMPA BAY PAST PRODUCTIONS:
2024/2025 Season
Winter 2025- Willy Wonka Junior 
Spring 2025- Aladdin Junior - Dir. Hannah Rosenfarb and Sierra Boyd
Summer 2025- Finding Nemo Kids - Dir. Gracie Pitt

2025/2026 Season
Fall 2025- The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition - Dir. Gina Misenhelder
Winter 2026- Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella: Youth Edition - Dir. Owen Minor
Spring 2026-  Disney's The Lion King Junior - Dir. Lorna Wenzel
Summer 2026- Seussical KIDS - Dir. Gracie Pitt