Off Book
A New YPT Cabaret Experience
Key Dates
Registration Begins: August 26, 2026
Video Submission Deadline: September 21, 2026
Callback: September 28, 2026]
Rehearsals Begin: October 5, 2026
Rehearsals: Twice per week/Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00-8:30pm
Tech Week Dates: Monday, November 2, Wednesday, November 4 and Thursday, November 5, 2026 6:00-8:30pm
Performances: November 6 and 7, 2026 at 7:00pm; November 8 at 2:00pm
Location: YPT Black Box Theater
Ages: Grades 4–12
Expected Cast Size: Approximately 20–25 performers
What Is Off Book?
Sometimes the best way to make theater is to stop worrying about the whole show.
Off Book is a brand-new YPT cabaret experience designed to give young performers the freedom to explore songs, scenes, choreography, and characters that we couldn’t necessarily include in a traditional production.
Instead of one story with a fixed cast of characters, Off Book will bring together a group of young performers to create a collection of musical moments. Some performers may take the spotlight on their own. Others may share a duet, sing individual lines within a larger number, or be part of the chorus. Some numbers will also feature choreography.
The result will be a show built around the strengths, personalities, and creativity of the performers who join us.
Because this is our first Off Book, we’re intentionally leaving some things open. We don’t know exactly how many performers we’ll cast, but we anticipate a group of approximately 20–25 young people.
What we do know is that we’re looking for performers who are excited to try something new, collaborate with others, and step outside the usual boundaries of a traditional production.
How to Audition
NEW THIS YEAR: VIDEO AUDITIONS
For Off Book, we’re trying something new at YPT: video auditions.
There is no in-person audition for the initial round. Instead, you’ll submit a short video of yourself singing.
First: Register Your Interest
Registration Begins August 26, 2026.
Video Submission Deadline: September 21, 2026.
Everyone interested in auditioning must first register their information. Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you everything you need to know about recording and submitting your audition video.
Don’t Wait to Register
Because this is a new process for YPT, we’ll be able to review only a limited number of self-tapes.
If you’re interested in Off Book, we strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible. Registration may close before the published deadline if we reach our review capacity.
REGISTER TO AUDITION – Check Back for Registration Details
Your Video Audition
1. Choose a Song
Choose one song from the list below. Pick the song that best showcases your voice, musicality, and performance style.
You may choose any portion of the song that you feel gives us the best sense of what you can do.
Audition Songs
- “Mama Who Bore Me” — Spring Awakening
- “First Date/Last Night” — Dogfight
- “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now” — Hairspray
- “Superboy and the Invisible Girl” — Next to Normal
- “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” — The Book of Mormon
- “I Could Talk to You All Night” — The Outsiders
- “Good Morning Starshine” — Hair
- “I’d Order Love” — First Date
- “Killer Instinct” — Bring It On
2. Record Your Video
Your audition video should be 30–60 seconds long.
You can sing:
- A cappella
- With a live accompanist
- With a karaoke or instrumental track
- With the New York Philharmonic
Whatever works best for you.
One important rule: your video must be a new recording made specifically for this audition.
Please do not submit a video from a previous performance, recital, concert, competition, or other event. We want to see and hear you in a fresh audition recording made for Off Book.
Your video does not need to be professionally produced. We’re interested in your performance—not fancy editing, camera equipment, or production value.
3. Submit Your Video
Video Submissions Begin September 9, 2026 and are due by September 21, 2026.
We’ll review the submissions and invite some performers to the next step.
What Happens Next?
Callback: September 28, 2026
Some performers will be invited to a callback.
The callback will give us a chance to explore vocal range, blend, and ensemble possibilities. We’ll be thinking not only about individual performers, but about how different voices and performance styles can come together to create the Off Book ensemble.
Because this is a new project for YPT, we don’t know exactly how many performers we’ll cast. We’re currently anticipating a cast of approximately 20–25 young people.
What Might I Do in the Show?
There isn’t one standard role in Off Book.
Depending on your strengths and the needs of each number, you might:
Sing a solo
Take the lead on a song or musical moment.
Sing a duet
Share the spotlight and collaborate with another performer.
Sing individual lines
Have a featured moment within a larger song.
Sing in the chorus
Help create the sound and energy of an ensemble number.
Dance
Be part of choreography in numbers where movement is a central part of the performance.
You may do one of these things—or several.
We’re creating the show around the performers, so we’re looking for a group with a range of voices, personalities, and performance strengths.
Ready to Step Into the Spotlight?
If you’ve ever wished you could perform a song that didn’t fit into one of our regular productions, Off Book is your chance.
Try something new. Take a risk. See what happens.
REGISTER TO AUDITION – Check Back for Registration Details