Sleeping Beauty Junior Ensemble Auditions
Young performers across Conwy are being given the chance to step into the spotlight this Christmas as Venue Cymru announces open auditions for this year’s magical family pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
Saturday 5th September 2026
Time: Registration will take place from 9:30am
Location: Venue Cymru.
Age: Children must be at least 9 years old by 01/11/2026 and children cannot be older than 16 and still in year 11 on the last day of the performances. Children who do not meet these requirements will not be able to audition.
These auditions are for dance and performance only, children will not be asked to sing
Audition Guidelines
Audition Day Information and Guidelines
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the auditions and designated waiting areas will be appointed.
Venue Cymru and Imagine Theatre Ltd cannot be held responsible for any child not accompanied by a responsible adult while at the auditions.
Children must be at least 9 years old by 01/11/2026 and children cannot be older than 16 and still in year 11 on the last day of the performances.
Children who do not meet these requirements will not be able to audition.
What to Wear
Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes (ideally jazz, soft dance trainers or ballet shoes please. Heavy Dance trainers, outdoor trainers, boots, or shoes are not suitable as we cannot see the child's footwork properly in these styles of footwear.)
Avoid shiny leotards if possible as the identification stickers tend to fall off these.
Please tie long hair back, ideally in a bun.
Make sure your child has a soft drink with them (not fizzy) and slow energy release foods such as pasta, chicken, yoghurts, bananas, jacket potato etc. for snacks and lunch.
Medical Needs
Should your child be asthmatic, have allergies or any other condition which may require medication, please ensure they have this with them. Please do let us know when registering the auditionee if you have any concerns.
Registration Form
Please download the form below, print, complete and bring with you on the day.
Registration Form
How The Audition Day Works
The day will flow like this....
The children will be taught a dance routine on the day and do not need to prepare anything in advance.
The audition will be in two parts (NB – this may change dependent on the number of auditionees).
We will endeavor to give all auditionees a suitable break during the day.
If your child has been recalled please ensure that they are back in the venue by their designated recall time. There will be no singing or reading of scripts on the audition day unless you have been specifically told in advance regarding this.
All children will be auditioned in the morning. Those who are successful will be recalled later that day.
Those children who are unsuccessful will be allowed to go home.
Children recalled will be kept until the final cast are announced unless you are advised otherwise on the day.
Those children chosen for the panto Junior Ensemble, and their parents will be asked to stay after the audition sessions for a chat about licensing and panto guidelines.
General Information
What are we looking for?
We are looking for 2 teams of 8 members to perform in the show and additional reserve team members.
The teams will rotate the performances between them, but both teams will need to attend every rehearsal.
Throughout the day the audition panel will be looking for performers who show capability in terms of dance as well as performance ability, enthusiasm, and the ability to follow instructions.
What is a reserve team?
A reserve team member is effectively a standby for the main team.
A reserve could be pulled into a main team any time between the audition day and the first technical rehearsal.
A child may pull out of a main team for numerous reasons beyond anyone’s control or foreseeing in which case a reserve will be contacted.
Reserves are NOT called to rehearse the show and will not perform unless a main team member withdraws completely from the show.
If you are successful....
Once we have decided upon our final Junior Ensemble, those that are remaining will be split into ‘main team’ and ‘reserve team’ members. They will then be given some paperwork stating which team they’re in. To perform in the pantomime all children must be granted a performance licence.
A performance licence is a legal document that all children should be granted through their local council.
Imagine Theatre will email the application to parents which must be completed and returned by the deadline. Imagine Theatre will then submit the application to the relevant authority.
Without a performance licence, a child will not be able to perform. All children will be committed to rehearsals six days a week including weekend days and weekday evenings from Saturday 28th November. There will also be some daytime rehearsals during w/c 7th December (which does mean missing school).
The show runs from 12th December 2026 –3rd January 2027 inclusive. There are 36 performances in the run, which will be split between the 2 teams.
Your child MUST be available for the duration as no rehearsals or allocated performances can be missed.
What impact will the Pantomime have on school?
Some rehearsals and performances will be during school time and children must be educationally able to miss some schooling.
The Performers Head Teacher will be required to authorise the absences required for performances as part of the licence application. If the Head Teacher will not authorise the absences, your child will be unable to perform.
Most Importantly!!
Remind your child to bring their best smile with them!