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.

Tuition: $600 | RaueNOW Family Member: $450*
Includes show t-shirt and 2 complimentary tickets per enrollment.

No Tuition for Adult Actors.

Scholarships & Financial Aid Available.

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.

Adam Huckeby (Music Director) is thrilled to step into the role of Music Director for his first production with Raue Center School For The Arts! While this may be his first time music directing a production with them, Adam is certainly no stranger to the program. He has been a teaching artist for several sessions, sharing his passion for musical theatre with students through the Foundations of Musical Theatre class. He fell in love with the magic of theater back in 2009 when he first appeared onstage. In the 16 years since then, he has relentlessly pursued that passion and proceeded to build a fulfilling career in music and theater. He has worked with many local schools and theater companies, having taken on a wide variety of professional positions that include Private Instructor, Music Director, Pit Conductor & Performer, Sound Designer, Live Audio Engineer, Technical Director, and more. When not in the theater, Adam can be found at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles, where he serves as a Worship Leader and Technical Director, or at Piano Trends Music Company in Crystal Lake, where he works as both a Staff Member and Private Instructor.

Katie McConnell (Stage Manager) is a freelance Stage Manager in the Chicagoland area, but she often travels. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in theater in 2025, focusing on Stage Management but finding love in all things technical theater. For the last three summers, she worked with the Intermediate casts (middle school ages) at the Interlochen Summer Camp, helping to foster the passions of young, up-and-coming artists. She finds that artists of all ages can find something to love about theater, and that good theater can change someone’s life.

Dylan Hirt (Assistant Stage Manager / Props Master) is a Chicago-based freelance Professional Assistant Stage Manager. She earned her BA in Stage Management and Stage Combat at Columbia College Chicago. She is delighted to be working with Raue Center School For The Arts. She found her love for theatre when she was three years old and has been striving to bring the same love to the next generation!

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.

Kristen Brinati (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be back working on The Santa Switch with Raue Center School For The Arts after having recently been the Costume Designer for their productions The Little Mermaid Jr., Hadestown (Costume Assistant), A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Costume Assistant), along with being the Costume Designer for RCSA’s Summer Camp Production of Frozen Jr. Kristen is a Costume Designer local to Chicagoland. She is the Wardrobe Lead at Music Theater Works, working on her 18th consecutive show with them. Recent Costume Design credits include Legally Blonde and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Raelyn Burkhart (Teacher Assistant) is honored to be part of her first production at Raue Center School For The Arts. She has worked as an assistant on various productions, including Beauty and the Beast Jr., The Addams Family Jr., and We Are Monsters. Other credits include Little Shop of Horrors (choreographer), Beetlejuice Jr. (choreographer), Heathers (choreographer), Elf Jr. (choreographer), and Legally Blonde Jr. (director). Raelyn studied at Arizona State University, where she earned her degree in Performance and Movement along with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She would like to thank her husband for supporting her always crazy schedule, as well as the amazing cast and creative team for believing in her.

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/Projections & 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.

Rob Scharlow (Director of Education) is an award-winning theatre professional with more than 35 years of experience as a director, actor, and educator. His career has spanned the country, including 17 years with the internationally renowned Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York (recipient of the Broadway Theatre Museum’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education and has been featured in films, books, and numerous magazine articles), where he served as Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director and oversaw the Dramafest program, which developed new 10-minute plays by young writers in conjunction with Stephen Sondheim’s Young Playwrights.

Now entering his fourth year leading RCSA’s education program, Rob has overseen its growth into a dynamic pre-professional training experience for students of all ages. His recent RCSA directing credits include Hadestown: Teen Edition, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Static: Noise of a New Musical, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical, in which he also performed. He also returned to the Raue stage as both educator and performer in A Cripple Creek Christmas Carol.