StagelightUNIVERSITY’s session takes place at SALT in West Chester and is designed for students Grades 6-12 who have experience in performing and are on a track of either pursuing it professionally or are desiring to grow in their skills and abilities in a challenging and uplifting setting. This will be a special experience whereby a max of 30 students will journey together for a semester through advanced-level training while also putting together a full-scale production. This program is designed for those who have taken at least 4 semesters of StagelightPLUS, or have several years of outside training in singing, acting, and dance under their belts. After a student completes at least one session of Stagelight University in the 2025/2026 school year, they will then be eligible to audition for our Summer Stock show, whereby they are paid to perform.
FALL 2025
ANASTASIA: YOUTH EDITION for grades 6-12
West Chester & Chester Springs Location | $750.00
Her past is a mystery. Her future is an adventure. This dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con-man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. Anastasia: The Musical is the spectacular new musical about discovering who you are and defining who you’re meant to be.
This session is for the experienced performer who wants intensive training in singing, dancing, & acting while also putting together a full-scale musical production. The show for this session will be Anastasia: Youth Edition, which will be performed on our NEWLY BUILT SALT 2.0 stage at Chester Springs, including our MASSIVE video wall and BRAND NEW immersive sound system! Auditions will be on Saturday, August 23rd from 12-3PM at our WEST CHESTER location (19 Hagerty Blvd). Rehearsal Training Sessions will take place Sunday afternoons from 1-4PM and Tuesday evenings from 5:45-8:45PM beginning August 31st and going through October 26th at the WEST CHESTER location. They will then move to our CHESTER SPRINGS venue (1645 Art School Road) for their last 3 session days before tech week - October 28th, November 2nd, & November 4th.
Tech Week is Sunday-Wednesday, November 9-12th from 5:00-10:00PM. Performances are November 13th at 7PM, November 14th at 7PM, and November 15th at 10AM & 2PM. Attendance at all tech rehearsals and performances is MANDATORY! Tickets for the performances will be sold separately.
COST of the session is $750. Space is limited to 30 students per session. Discount Code when registering siblings receives 10% off entire order: siblings
*See below for our REFUND POLICY and ATTENDANCE POLICY
WINTER/SPRING 2026
FOOTLOOSE The Musical for Grades 6-12
West Chester Location | $750.00
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But, he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness.
This session is for the experienced performer who wants intensive training in singing, dancing, & acting while also putting together a full-scale musical production. This session will begin with weekly masterclasses in singing and dance, and will then segue into rehearsals for Footloose The Musical (90 Minute Version) which will be performed at our WEST CHESTER venue. Auditions will be on January 25 from 1-4PM at our WEST CHESTER location (19 Hagerty Blvd). Sessions will take place on Sundays ONLY from 1-4PM starting February 1 and going through May 3. There will be a few additional sessions once we get closer to tech week, including April 28 (6-10PM), May 2 (12-8PM), May 5 (6-10PM), and May 9 (12-8PM).
Tech Week is Sunday-Wednesday, May 10-13 from 5-10PM. Performances are May 14th at 7PM, May 15th at 7PM, May 16th at 2PM & 7PM, and May 17th at 2PM. Attendance at all tech rehearsals and performances is MANDATORY! Tickets for the performances will be sold separately.
COST of the session is $750. Space is limited to 30 students per session. Discount Code when registering siblings receives 10% off entire order: siblings
*See below for our REFUND POLICY and ATTENDANCE POLICY
SUMMER 2026
TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
| Chester Springs Location |
Those who participate in at least one session of StagelightUNIVERSITY this upcoming school year (Anastasia Youth Edition or Footloose the Musical) are then eligible to audition for our Summer Stock show, which will take place at our Chester Springs location. Audition and session information will be sent to those who are eligible by April of 2026.
*REFUND POLICY:
You may receive a FULL refund if you cancel your registration more than one week in advance of the start date.
You may receive a 50% refund if you cancel within one week in advance of the start date.
Refunds are not offered once the session begins. There are no exceptions.
If one session day needs to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (inclement weather, power outage, building complications, etc), partial refunds or registration credits will NOT be offered. In the event that two or more session days need to be canceled, a make-up session date will be offered.
In the event of a government pandemic shut-down, all students will be offered compensation options for the days in which they miss.
*ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Actors are permitted 2 rehearsals off if needed (for sickness, unexpected life conflicts, school events, etc). If they miss any rehearsals beyond the 2, they cannot be in whatever scene or number is rehearsed on the days that they miss, and/or their role in the show may need to be altered or removed. Attendance at tech rehearsals and performances are MANDATORY, so we will not excuse conflicts for those dates. This will ensure a smooth and FUN rehearsal process and confidence in ALL of the kids across the board, which is always our goal!