HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION –SOLD OUT! – ONLINE ENROLLMENT IS NOW CLOSED.
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

Rob Scharlow (Director/RCSA’s 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 will 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) and the summer workshop of Static: Noise of a New Musical. He is absolutely thrilled to be at the Director’s helm for Hadestown: Teen Edition and working with such an incredible team!

Aiden M. Johnson (Music Director) – is a music director, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist from Woodstock, Illinois, and is thrilled to be music directing RCSA’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. He is currently a rising senior at North Central College in Naperville, IL, where he is pursuing a B.A. in Vocal Performance. At NCC, Aiden also serves as President of the Concert Choir, Music Director of Sonata Problem A Cappella, as well as a tenor and student leader in the Chamber Singers. He was notably selected to perform in the 2026 Department of Music Honors Recital as a tenor. Aiden teaches voice and piano at The Vocal Academy and is active in music ministry at New City Church, serving as a tenor and auxiliary keyboardist, in addition to his role as Youth Worship Music Director and keyboardist. When not teaching or ministering, Aiden produces original contemporary music under his indie music label, Johnsound Productions LLC, and is eager to begin sharing his works with a larger audience soon. Onstage, Aiden was recently featured as Frederic in NCC Opera Workshop’s 2026 production of The Pirates of Penzance (Abridged), for which he also served as rehearsal accompanist. His background in musical theatre includes work with Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre and Woodstock High School, portraying roles such as Aslan (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Hans (Frozen Jr.), Bert (Mary Poppins Jr.), and King Julien (Madagascar Jr.), to name a few. Aiden would like to thank his family, friends, and former teachers/directors for their enduring support.

Victoria Medich (Choreographer) is thrilled to be a part of this amazing team. She is originally from Pittsburgh but now loves the Windy City! She holds a B.F.A in Musical Theatre Dance from Roosevelt University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude this past spring. Fun fact, Victoria’s first ever Broadway show she saw was the Original Broadway Cast of Hadestown, and has loved it ever since! Victoria is the Department Head of Dance at Downstage Arts. Choreographer Credits Include : Dreamsters, Theory of Relativity, Heathers, Wizard of Oz, High School Musical Jr, and Mary Poppins Jr. Professional Credits Include: Newsies, Swing!, Carousel, and The SpongeBob Musical. Outside of the stage you can find Victoria making pasta from scratch, water coloring, or tending to her plants. Instagrams @victoria.medich @victoriamedichchoreo

Brynn Engle (Stage Manager) – is extremely excited to be working on her first production with Raue Center School For The Arts (RCSA). Most recently, she stage managed The SpongeBob Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Monty Python’s Spamalot at Crystal Lake South High School. In the fall, she will be a freshman at The Theatre School at DePaul University pursuing her BFA in Stage Management. Hadestown is Brynn’s favorite musical, and she hopes you enjoy it just as much as she does. She would like to give a special thank you RCSA and this wonderful company for making this show possible.

Sophia Kuranda (Assistant Stage Manager / Props Master) – is an actress who has worked with RCSA as an actor and on the production team in past work and is so excited to be a part of this amazing team for Hadestown: Teen Edition as the Assistant Stage Manager and Props Master. Sophia’s work as an actress includes Julia in Lend me a Tenor, Margaret in 9 to 5: The Musical, and, most recently, played Hailey in Macb*tches. Sophia’s work behind the stage includes working as an assistant director for William Street Reps An Act of God and the RCSA’s production of Static: Noise of a New Musical. Sophia’s training includes Stagedoor Manor, RCSA, and Illinois State University as an acting major, and this fall, Sophia will be attending the Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute for a performance focus. Sophia is honored to be a part of this production!

Brandi Witt (Costume Designer) – is thrilled to be returning to Raue Center School For The Arts as the Costume Designer for Hadestown: Teen Editioon! Most recently she made her Costumer debut on RCSA’s Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat! While new to costume designing herself, Brandi is a seasoned veteran when it comes to helping with children’s theater productions. Brandi has assisted backstage and helped costume many productions over the past decade, ever since her daughter was in productions as a child. She’s worked with RCSA before as well, assisting with costuming last year’s Frozen Jr., as well as A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol. It’s her honor to costume your kids, and she hopes that she can help their passion and talent shine brightly on stage.

Raegan DuHamel (Teacher Assistant) is a 20-year-old musical theater major at the University of Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts, and demonstrates a strong commitment to her craft. She invests substantial time in singing, acting, dancing, and engaging with children. Recognized for her creativity and enthusiasm, Raegan has consistently exhibited remarkable talent and stage presence since childhood. Her experience encompasses both film and stage productions, and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts while aspiring to further her career in performance.

Ashley Leake (Teacher Assistant) – is a Chicago-based performer and is thrilled to be assisting Raue Center School For The Arts in their production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. Her favorite past performances include a touring Shakespeare production of Pericles as well as a leading role in the short film After Party. She’s recently completed a program at F.I.R.S.T Institute for Digital Filmmaking and Video Production and hopes to blend her love for performance and production in future projects.

Lisa Giebler (Set Designer & Technical Director) has worked in the Chicagoland area for over 15 years as a carpenter, painter, and mixed-material artist. She has worked in mostly educational theatre but is happy to join the Raue team as the Technical Director for WSRep and RCSA.

Chris Tumblin (Director of Production/Audio Engineer and Board Op) is excited to be back at Raue Center since his tenure from 2002-2012. After gaining additional experience at other venues, he returned in October 2022. Chris brings with him over 20 years of experience.

Ryan Meadow (Production Manager/Lighting Designer/ Board Op) has over ten years of experience in the theater and corporate audio-visual industries with a background in Production Lighting and video. Ryan enjoys planning and executing different projects and helping to bring someone’s dream and imagination to life. He also enjoys working in the performing arts on all levels from people with a newfound interest in the arts all the way to experienced acts keeping their passion alive and helping to inspire the next generation of performers.