2025 Main Stage Production
Willy Wonka Jr.
Jan 9 - June 8, 2025
CALLING ALL KIDS!
CALLING ALL KIDS!
Join us and become a member of the Willy Wonka cast!
Willy Wonka Jr.
Ms. NANCY ROSS Vocal Artist/Music Director/Teaching Artist will direct our Spring '25 MainStage production of Willy Wonka Jr.
Willy Wonka Jr. Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir is a golden ticket to adventure.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.
Willy Wonka Jr. Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir is a golden ticket to adventure.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.
- Grades 2-9
- 5 Month Weekly Program
- Learn Acting, Singing, and Dancing
- 6 Live Performances, All Kids Participate
- Includes Costumes, Props, and free Souvenir T Shirt
- Your Child Learns Teamwork, Self-Confidence and makes new friends
DETAILS
Auditions: Thursday, January 9 (4 - 6pm) Everybody will be cast.
Callbacks: Saturday, January 11 (10am - 12pm), Only for leading roles.
Rehearsal Days/Dates: Thurdays; January 16 to May 29 (No Rehearsal on April 3)
Rehearsal Time: 4 - 6pm
Rehearsal Location : Family Life Center, 3713 Udall St., Point Loma, 92107
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Super Saturday! May 31 (10am - 3pm), June 2, 3, 4, 5 (4 -7pm)
Dress Rehearsal and Performance Location : Westminster Theater, 3598 Talbot Street, Point Loma, 92106
Performance Dates/Times : June 6, 7, and 8. Total 6 performances.
Membership - $995 per child. If 2 children, second child is $895. (May be paid in full or split into 4 payments)
Membership fee includes 1 souvenir T Shirt per child.
Auditions: Thursday, January 9 (4 - 6pm) Everybody will be cast.
Callbacks: Saturday, January 11 (10am - 12pm), Only for leading roles.
Rehearsal Days/Dates: Thurdays; January 16 to May 29 (No Rehearsal on April 3)
Rehearsal Time: 4 - 6pm
Rehearsal Location : Family Life Center, 3713 Udall St., Point Loma, 92107
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Super Saturday! May 31 (10am - 3pm), June 2, 3, 4, 5 (4 -7pm)
Dress Rehearsal and Performance Location : Westminster Theater, 3598 Talbot Street, Point Loma, 92106
Performance Dates/Times : June 6, 7, and 8. Total 6 performances.
- Fri. June 6, 5pm and 7:30pm
- Sat. June 7, 2pm and 7pm
- Sun. June 8, 2pm and 6pm
Membership - $995 per child. If 2 children, second child is $895. (May be paid in full or split into 4 payments)
Membership fee includes 1 souvenir T Shirt per child.
The ActLiveNow Jr. Theater Program exists for one reason only: our firm belief that theater provides unique benefits to children, including enhanced self-confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. We believe that children learn best when they are given opportunities, which is why in our productions, every child has a substantive part, for meaningful exploration and growth of their new skills. Our outstanding creative team has years of experience helping each child to reach their full potential, and our low-impact format -- one class a week, one show a year— won't take over your life like some theater programs do. We invite you to join us and give your child his or her chance to shine!
Willy Wonka Jr. Creative Team
Nancy Ross - Director
It all began at one of San Diego’s most loved children’s music schools: Nightingale Music. It was there, in 2016, that Nancy began developing her childhood education philosophy which would later be know as Movers & Groovers. (Shaking & Peace-Making are still implied, but lost the battle against the laws of effective branding.) Nancy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has performed in musicals and plays across the country, and has taught music, theatre, and dance since 2012.
It all began at one of San Diego’s most loved children’s music schools: Nightingale Music. It was there, in 2016, that Nancy began developing her childhood education philosophy which would later be know as Movers & Groovers. (Shaking & Peace-Making are still implied, but lost the battle against the laws of effective branding.) Nancy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has performed in musicals and plays across the country, and has taught music, theatre, and dance since 2012.
Jo Jo Cadwell - Music Director
Jo Jo Cadwell Music Director is delighted to work with these wonderful kids again. Originally from San Francisco, Jo Jo has sung all her life and started playing the violin at age 3. She sang with the acclaimed San Francisco Girls Chorus for 12 years and participated in over 10 productions of the San Francisco Opera. She has a BA in Voice Performance/Music Literature from UCSD, and has performed locally with Pacific Camerata, Cappella Gloriana, Bach Collegium, sacra/profana, among others. She has performed in local productions of The Wizard of Oz (Vanguard Theater), and The Adventures of Patty Cat and Kittle (Coronado Playhouse). Jo Jo is currently a cantor at the Immaculata Church at USD, and a bilingual national anthem singer for various local events. Jo Jo is also an IT project manager, sushi chef, triathlete, Thai boxer, and a busy mom of 2 children who will both be participating in this year’s production.
Jo Jo Cadwell Music Director is delighted to work with these wonderful kids again. Originally from San Francisco, Jo Jo has sung all her life and started playing the violin at age 3. She sang with the acclaimed San Francisco Girls Chorus for 12 years and participated in over 10 productions of the San Francisco Opera. She has a BA in Voice Performance/Music Literature from UCSD, and has performed locally with Pacific Camerata, Cappella Gloriana, Bach Collegium, sacra/profana, among others. She has performed in local productions of The Wizard of Oz (Vanguard Theater), and The Adventures of Patty Cat and Kittle (Coronado Playhouse). Jo Jo is currently a cantor at the Immaculata Church at USD, and a bilingual national anthem singer for various local events. Jo Jo is also an IT project manager, sushi chef, triathlete, Thai boxer, and a busy mom of 2 children who will both be participating in this year’s production.
Gaby LeBaron - Choreographer
Gaby is a recent UCSD graduate and she majored in Theatre and Dance. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and began doing musicals when she was 15. She was on her highschool dance team, Maroon Magic, and has always loved performing. Some of her favorites musicals she has been in are Bring It On The Musical, Legally Blonde, and Mamma Mia. She found a passion for teaching when she started giving ballet classes at a local dance studio a few years ago. She has joined ActLiveNow's production as choreographer for Seussical Jr and Annie Jr. Willy Wanka Jr is for her third role.
Gaby is a recent UCSD graduate and she majored in Theatre and Dance. She has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and began doing musicals when she was 15. She was on her highschool dance team, Maroon Magic, and has always loved performing. Some of her favorites musicals she has been in are Bring It On The Musical, Legally Blonde, and Mamma Mia. She found a passion for teaching when she started giving ballet classes at a local dance studio a few years ago. She has joined ActLiveNow's production as choreographer for Seussical Jr and Annie Jr. Willy Wanka Jr is for her third role.
Meranda Long - Assistant Director
Meranda Long grew up performing in Boulder, CO and has been an actress since she was 8 years old! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater and Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA, and went on to follow a career as a film actress and teaching the arts to all age groups. She spent the last 6 years in Southern CA teaching yoga, music, dance and acting in camps, theatrical schools, and working with young actors on various film and commercial sets. You can find her on screen in films such as “Fall City” or “The Last Laugh” on Amazon Prime, and soon on her upcoming film “His Monster.”
Meranda Long grew up performing in Boulder, CO and has been an actress since she was 8 years old! She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater and Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA, and went on to follow a career as a film actress and teaching the arts to all age groups. She spent the last 6 years in Southern CA teaching yoga, music, dance and acting in camps, theatrical schools, and working with young actors on various film and commercial sets. You can find her on screen in films such as “Fall City” or “The Last Laugh” on Amazon Prime, and soon on her upcoming film “His Monster.”
Kasey Paquette - Stage Manager
Kasey is thrilled to be the Stage Manager for Willy Wonka Jr. Previous productions include: The 24 Hour Experiment, The Tempest, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Three Musketeers and Nunsense. Her favorite part of stage managing is watching actors develop their characters and then put it all together to bring the audience into their world. The joy at the end of each show is worth all the pain in the middle of tech week! When she is not at the theater she enjoys family, pets, reading and drinking wine on the porch.
Kasey is thrilled to be the Stage Manager for Willy Wonka Jr. Previous productions include: The 24 Hour Experiment, The Tempest, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Three Musketeers and Nunsense. Her favorite part of stage managing is watching actors develop their characters and then put it all together to bring the audience into their world. The joy at the end of each show is worth all the pain in the middle of tech week! When she is not at the theater she enjoys family, pets, reading and drinking wine on the porch.
Robert Nickel - Executive Director
Robert, is thrilled to return to his role of Executive Director. His own lifelong love of live theater was kindled in a fifth-grade production of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing at Sunset View Elementary, and he has no greater joy than paying forward that enthusiasm to the next generation. With his Theater degree from Stanford University, and with over a decade of youth theater involvement here in the Point Loma/Ocean Beach community, he has helped hundreds of young people find their voice and come alive on stage. Robert lives in Ocean Beach with his wife, daughter, three dogs, and a motley collection of backyard chickens.
Robert, is thrilled to return to his role of Executive Director. His own lifelong love of live theater was kindled in a fifth-grade production of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing at Sunset View Elementary, and he has no greater joy than paying forward that enthusiasm to the next generation. With his Theater degree from Stanford University, and with over a decade of youth theater involvement here in the Point Loma/Ocean Beach community, he has helped hundreds of young people find their voice and come alive on stage. Robert lives in Ocean Beach with his wife, daughter, three dogs, and a motley collection of backyard chickens.
Willy Wonka Jr. Production Staff
COCO SEIN - Producer, Production Manager
Coco has been working for the Point Loma Playhouse since 2008 on the technical crew and the hospitality committee. Currently she is working as a Production Manager. She believes the most important responsibility of the Production Manager is the development of a highly motivated and collaborative team. Coco’s Production Manager experiences included; Tally’s Folly, Circle Mirror Transformation, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, Clever Little Lies, Building The Wall, Wally’s Cafe, and LOVE/SICK. Coco has been a Treasurer of Point Loma Playhouse since 2017. Coco is Production Manager for ActLiveNow Jr. for Seussical Jr. and Annie Jr.
Coco has been working for the Point Loma Playhouse since 2008 on the technical crew and the hospitality committee. Currently she is working as a Production Manager. She believes the most important responsibility of the Production Manager is the development of a highly motivated and collaborative team. Coco’s Production Manager experiences included; Tally’s Folly, Circle Mirror Transformation, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking, Clever Little Lies, Building The Wall, Wally’s Cafe, and LOVE/SICK. Coco has been a Treasurer of Point Loma Playhouse since 2017. Coco is Production Manager for ActLiveNow Jr. for Seussical Jr. and Annie Jr.
