HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION – On Sale to Members 3/3/26 – Public On Sale 3/10/26
Ages 13 – 19
May 26 – July 18, 2026

Book, Music & Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
Teen Edition presented by special arrangement

RCSA is absolutely thrilled to be producing this incredible show! It’s one of the most sought-after titles in youth theatre right now, and for good reason! The music of Hadestown: Teen Edition is electrifying, a story that is deeply moving, and one that offers performers a chance to dive into rich, dynamic characters. Bringing this in-demand production to the Raue stage is an exciting opportunity for our performers and a true treat for audiences who get to experience its magic live.

So, what is Hadestown?
Step into the underworld this summer with Hadestown: Teen Edition, an intriguing and deeply moving folk opera that blends myth, music, and magic. This full-length production invites teen performers to tackle rich storytelling, complex characters, and a thrilling, sung-through score inspired by classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz.
Hadestown follows two intertwining love stories: the hopeful young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and the immortal, stormy romance of King Hades and Persephone. As Orpheus journeys to the underworld to reclaim his true love, the story explores powerful themes of doubt versus faith, fear versus love, and industry versus nature—delivering a theatrical experience that is both haunting and defiantly hopeful.
Participants will rehearse, collaborate, and grow as artists while mounting a fully staged production for live audiences. This immersive program is designed for experienced and passionate teen performers ready to dive deep into character work, vocal performance, and ensemble storytelling.

Auditions: May 26 – 29, 2026
Evening auditions will include 2 days of Vocal/Acting Auditions, Dance Auditions, and Callbacks.
Every student enrolled IS cast in the show. Auditions will determine what role they will receive. Understudies for certain roles may be cast. Understudies (if cast) will be guaranteed performances, which will be determined during casting. When not performing as the understudied role, those students will be ensemble members.

Rehearsals: June 1 – July 2
Cast members should have NO MORE than 2 total conflicts during the camp duration. Please note that beginning the week of June 29 – run of the show, conflicts will not be accepted.

Tech Begins: Sunday, July 5 – Thursday, July 9 (finalized schedule TBA)

Please note: Summer Break school schedule may determine rehearsal times during the first week, otherwise it will be the following:

Rehearsal Schedule: Monday – Thursday
Arrival: 9:45 – 10 AM
Rehearsal: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (there will be a 30-minute lunch break built into the schedule)
Pickup: 2:30 – 2:45 PM
Location: Raue Center For The Arts | 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake

Performance Dates (7 shows):
July 10 @ 7 PM
July 11 @ 1PM & 7PM
July 12 @ 1PM
July 17 @ 7PM
July 18 @ 1PM & 7PM
There will be a pickup rehearsal on the evening of Thursday, July 16, 2026 | Time: TBD

Tuition: $500 Standard | $375 RCSA NOW Members (Pricing subject to change)
Includes a show t-shirt and 2 complimentary tickets per enrollment.

Enrollment is now open and space is limited. Please note there must be a MINIMUM of 12 cast members.

✨ Come see how the world could be… and help bring this powerful story to life onstage. ✨

Standard Tuition: $500  | RaueNOW Family Member: $375 

Scholarships & Financial Aid Available.

Rob Scharlow (Director/RCSA Director of Education) is an award-winning director and has spent 35+ years working in the performing arts which has taken him across the country working as a director, actor, teacher and more. For the past 17 years, he worked for the internationally acclaimed performing arts training center, Stagedoor Manor in New York… a recipient of Broadway Theatre Museums Award for Excellence in Arts Education. During his time at Stagedoor, his journey began as a director/teacher, eventually transitioning into the role of Director of Education for 11 years and then most recently serving as Associate Artistic Director. Rob also oversaw the Dramafest program, which helps to develop new and exciting 10-minute plays by young writers. A program that worked in conjunction with Stephen Sondheim’s Young Playwrights.

Education in the arts has always played such a large part in his career and he couldn’t be more delighted to be helping develop and ignite the education program as he comes back to the Raue Center, where (what seems like a lifetime ago) he spent time working as a marketing intern, appeared in several productions including the role of Sweeney Todd in William Street Rep’s production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (BroadwayWorld.com Best Actor Nominee), Hands on a Hardbody and Barefoot in the Park. He also directed their production of Search for Signs of Intelligent Life and spent some time with SAGE Studios teaching an advanced acting class.

With 150+ directing credits under his belt, some of his most memorable productions include; Ride the Cyclone: High School Edition where he had the opportunity to direct and help workshop the first production designed specifically for high school-aged performers. Evil Dead: The Musical in which he helped in the creation of the High School Edition working closely with Dramatic Publishing and the creators of the show. Other favorite directing credits include Evita, High Fidelity, BARE, Spring Awakening, Carrie: The Musical, In the Heights, BKLYN the Musical, The Toxic Avenger, Big Fish, Rock of Ages, You Can’t Take It With You, and more. On the flip side of things, some favorite acting credits include; Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd (BroadwayWorld Best Actor Nominee), Billy Flynn in Chicago, Lockstock in Urinetown, Phantom in Phantom, Jon in Tick, tick…BOOM!, El Gallo in The Fantasticks and others.