The Santa Switch

Written by
JEREMY DESMON

Arrangements and Orchestrations by
JESSE VARGAS

Directed by Christina Giorgi
Choreography by Rose Kurutz

The magic of Christmas is about to be rewritten!!!

When Santa Claus decides it’s finally time to hang up the red suit, the magical Bells of SinterKlaas select an unlikely successor: Jack, an ambitious New York advertising executive who has spent his life chasing success, climbing the corporate ladder, and leaving little room for Christmas magic. But when the magic of Christmas begins to disappear, Jack finds himself swept into something he could have never predicted.
There’s just one problem though…Jack doesn’t believe in Christmas!!!

Or magic. Or much of anything that can’t be measured on a spreadsheet.

Join us for an unforgettable adventure alongside a plucky and aspiring artist, Lucy, a determined Mrs. Claus, a lovable crew of elves, and a mysterious charity worker who may know more than they’re letting on. Expect larger-than-life characters, dazzling ensemble numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, heartfelt moments, unexpected twists, romance, adventure, and a soundtrack that will have you singing along long after you leave the theatre. At its heart, The Santa Switch is a story about redemption, hope, and finding your way back to the things that matter. And it’s about discovering that your true purpose may be hiding somewhere you never expected to look.

Featuring an incredible soundtrack of recognizable hit songs including “Best Day of My Life,” “Breakaway,” “Fight Song,” “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah),” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” and many more, The Santa Switch is a holiday jukebox musical packed with big personalities, big musical moments, laughter, heart, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

But there’s something that makes this production particularly special.

THIS IS MORE THAN A SHOW. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE!

What makes this production especially exciting is that RCSA students will share the stage and rehearsal room with adult community actors and professional performers, creating a truly unique intergenerational theatrical experience. Our students will have the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals, observe their creative process, learn what it takes to approach a production at a professional level, and gain first-hand experience in collaboration, rehearsal, character development, performance, and ensemble building. This isn’t simply an opportunity to perform in a show. It’s an opportunity to experience what it’s like to work in a professional-style theatrical environment and learn directly from artists who do this work for a living.

For our community and professional performers, it’s a chance to help inspire the next generation while becoming part of an exciting holiday production. For our students, it’s a chance to stretch their skills, build confidence, make connections, and create something truly special alongside experienced artists. And for our audiences, it’s an opportunity to experience a fresh, energetic holiday musical that brings performers of different ages and backgrounds together on one stage.
This holiday season, get ready to laugh, sing, believe, and discover that the greatest gift of all may be finding your true purpose.

Come be part of The Santa Switch. Come experience the magic. Come believe again.

Enrollment Fee: $600 Non-Members | $450 Raue Members
Enrollment is for students ages 7 – 18 ONLY

Enrollment guarantees every student a role in the show. Enrollment fees include:

• a show t-shirt
• all materials
• Enrollment fees also help cover the costs of the production and provide for our staff.

ADULT COMMUNITY ACTORS:
There is no enrollment fee for adult community actors ages 19+. Audition info will be posted and anyone interested will need to sign-up for an audition slot. We are looking for ensemble members to play numerous roles (Elves, city folks, diners, dancers, guards, and more)

PROFESSIONAL NON-EQUITY ACTORS:
There is a stipend based on the role you may be cast in. The stipends range from $300 to $500 total based on the role. We are seeking 4 possible non-equity professionals. Further info will be provided with the audition notice.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Auditions: Week of September 28, 2026 – Info and audition time sign-ups will be sent sometime at the start of September. Please make sure we have your correct email on file to send to.

Rehearsals: October 5 – November 12, 2026

• Sundays | 12 – 5 PM
• Mondays | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
• Wednesdays | 5:30 – 8:30 PM
• Thursday | 5:30 – 8:30 (TBD – backup day for any additional rehearsals IF needed)

Tech Rehearsals Begin: Sunday, November 15 – November 19, 2026

Performance Dates:

• November 20, 21, December 3, 4 & 5 @ 7 PM
• November 21, 22, December 5 & 6 @ 1 PM
• Special Festival of Lights Performance: Friday, November 27 @ 4:00 PM
• There will be a tentative pick-up rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, to be confirmed at a later time.

Christina Giorgi (Director) is a Chicago-based director and actress who earned her BFA in Acting and Film from Illinois Wesleyan University. This past summer marked her third season and fifth production with the Raue Center School For The Arts, having recently directed the Summer Camp Production of The Little Mermaid Jr. Passionate about arts education, Christina has worked as a teaching artist and director for young performers here at the Raue, New London Barn Playhouse, and Wagon Wheel Conservatory for the Arts. Her recent directing credits include RCSA’s Dancing Through Life Spring Break Intensive, Disney’s RCSA’s summer production of Frozen Jr., Pure Imagination: A Musical Revue, Huntley High School’s production of Little Women, and RCSA’s summer production of Moana Jr. A Crystal Lake native, Christina is thrilled to have the opportunity to create an environment where students can grow their confidence and creativity, just as she did at their age.

Rose Kurutz (Choreographer) is thrilled to be back working with RCSA, having most recently choreographed their production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat along with their Spring Break Musical Theatre Workshop of Dancing Through Life. She has also taught the Fosse Dance: Style, Swagger & Story for the program. Rose is a Chicago-based choreographer and performer with a collaborative and narrative-forward approach to movement. She began her training at age three with the Des Plaines Dance Academy and later with the Artistry in Motion Dance Company. In those formative years, she discovered her passion for storytelling and premiered her first work at age 14. During her collegiate career, Rose became a member of Miami University Dance Theatre and created six original concert pieces. Her musical theatre choreography credits include The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Addams Family Musical with MU Stage Left, followed by The Rocky Horror Show with BrightSide Theatre. She currently continues to train while exploring the intersections of dance and performance art.

Rob Scharlow (Director of Education) is an award-winning director with 35+ years in the performing arts, working nationwide as a director, actor, and educator. For 17 years, he helped shape the legendary Stagedoor Manor in New York – home to the Broadway Theatre Museum’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education – rising from director/teacher to Director of Education and later Associate Artistic Director. He also led Dramafest, mentoring young playwrights in partnership with Stephen Sondheim’s Young Playwrights. Before stepping into leadership at RCSA, Rob cut his teeth at the Raue as a marketing intern, performed in WSRep’s productions like Sweeney Todd (BroadwayWorld Best Actor Nominee) and Hands on a Hardbody, and directed Search for Signs of Intelligent Life. He returned to the Raue stage with WSRep and their production of Avenue Q where he played the role of Brian.

Most recently, he was back on stage this past holiday season as Zachariah Gooch in RCSA’s production of A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol. Rob will soon be rounding out his fourth year at the helm of RCSA’s education program, where he continues guiding its growth into a dynamic pre-professional training experience for students of all ages. With 150+ directing and acting credits, Rob’s portfolio ranges from developing the first high school edition of Ride the Cyclone to helping craft the High School Edition of Evil Dead: The Musical. Other favorite credits include BKLYN, Evita, Spring Awakening, In the Heights, The Toxic Avenger, Rock of Ages, and You Can’t Take It With You. For RCSA, he directed Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical (also appearing in the cast), the summer workshop of Static: Noise of a New Musical, and Hadestown: Teen Edition.