JUNIOR INTERN COMPANY
WHO ARE THE
JUNIOR INTERNS?
The New London Barn Playhouse’s Junior Intern Company is comprised of approximately 25 to 30 performers and 5 technicians ages 12-18 who, over the course of nine weeks, rehearse, build, and perform plays and musicals for young audiences as part of the annual Children’s Theater Series.
Want to be part of the JI company? Learn about auditions and interviews below!
The Junior Intern Company performing in Larger Than Life, A Musical Revue, 2023
Photo by Anika Auman
NLBP EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PRESENTS:
2026 SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATRE SERIES
The Little Mermaid JR
Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.
Puffs
Puffs is a play based around a very familiar wizarding world!This clever and inventive play gives you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be dangerous for the students . Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders who join forces . This epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.
Puffs is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or play.
The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition
Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
2026 JUNIOR INTERN ENCORE SERIES
The Junior Intern Encore Series is newest addition to our Children Theatre Series that provides additional performance opportunities through more in depth work on material that offer deeper themes and subject matter than our CTS Main Stage Shows . These performance are deconstructed and simpler but are just as rigorous and professional.
Shakespeare Scene Study
Designed to introduce young actors to the language, stories, characters, and ideas in Shakespeare’s plays in imaginative and playful ways. Students will dive into iconic two and three person scenes from various Shakespeare plays, receiving coaching on incorporating voice, movement, and acting to Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
Hadestown Teen Edition
This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and lady Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.
2026 AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS ARE NOW LIVE
For those looking to participate in our 2026 Children's Theater Series , please use the link below to sign up to audition and interview for our 2026 Junior Intern Company .
Junior Intern Rehearsal Dates
This year, we will have 3 productions in the Children's Theatre Series, as well as 2 events in the Encore Series.
This revamped schedule will prevent overlapping shows, so each production gets the same amount of rehearsal time. The Encore Series will provide more opportunities for students to take on featured roles and receive individual instruction.
Children's Theater Series
The Little Mermaid Jr: Rehearsals June 15–July 1, Performances July 2 & 3
Puffs (One Act Version ) : Rehearsals July 6–22, Performances July 23 & 25 ( Note : There will be a tech day on July 18th )
The SpongeBob Squarepants Musical : Rehearsals July 27–August 12, Performances August 13 & 15
Junior Intern Encore Series
Shakespeare Scene Study Participants perform iconic two- and three-person scenes from various Shakespeare plays, receiving coaching from JI staff. Rehearsals will occur during the production process of The Little Mermaid/Puffs. The performance will be July 11th.
Hadestown: Teen Edition Participants will perform the full script and score of Hadestown with minimal production elements. Rehearsals will take place throughout the summer based on participants' availability. Most rehearsals will during July 13th to July 31st. A few rehearsals may be scheduled outside of regular JI rehearsal based on availability. The performance will be August 1st and 2nd. Please note that due to the ends of this musical if casted in Hadestown you will not be eligble to be casted in Puffs.
Junior Intern Tuition Rates
Full Summer (9 weeks - all 3 shows): $1800
Children’s Theater Series Per-show Rates & Dates:
Little Mermiad Jr : $600
Puffs : $600
The SpongeBob Musical: $600
Encore Series Rates & Dates (charged separately from the Children’s Theater Series shows):
Shakespeare Scene Study: $100
Hadestown Teen Edition: $400
TUITION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE!
Tuition assistance is available thanks to a generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust with a shared commitment to make theater education accessible to all. Tuition is due after casting , please email the JI Program Director at gavin@nlbarn.org tuition assistance options.
ABOUT THE JUNIOR INTERN PROGRAM
Besides mounting highly professional shows, this performance- and production-based program fosters individual growth in performance and backstage skills as well as nurturing an ensemble experience where each member supports and encourages their fellow company members. Theater exercises and educational workshops, in conjunction with the work toward each production, develop the skills of each member of the company.
The Junior Interns not only play all of the roles in each of the productions, but they also help with organizing and planning technical and design elements, as well as help in the running of the shows. JIs get a chance to work with professional guest directors, designers, choreographers, and actors.
JUNIOR INTERN PROGRAM FAQs
Who is eligible to participate in the JI program?
Our company is open to students currently enrolled in 6th–12th grade. Students who graduate high school in 2026 are still eligible to participate. Students who graduate 5th grade in 2026 or going into 5th grade are welcome to contact Gavin about auditioning, but the program is very competitive and preference will be given to students who have completed at least one year of middle school.
Will everyone who auditions/interviews make it into the company?
We try to accept as many students as we can, but we limit our numbers to maintain the program’s quality. We plan to accept approximately 20–30 performers and 3-5 tech students per production.
If I have been in the Junior Intern Company before, am I guaranteed a spot this year?
Once someone makes it into the JI company, we try to welcome them back each year, but their spot is not guaranteed. However, if you show up to auditions unprepared, disruptive, or have multiple conflicts, that may affect your chances of casting.
Do Junior Interns have to participate in all 3 shows?
No, students will be placed in shows based on their availability and interest. Please share your full summer availability at auditions.
If I don’t make it into the company this year, can I still be involved with something at the Barn over the summer?
Yes, please reach out if you’d still like to get involved. We sometimes need additional help with sensory-friendly previews and show days. We are also looking for student volunteers at elementary school camps. High school students may be able to receive compensation if teaching assistant spots are available.
If I have conflicts during a show process, am I still eligible to participate in that show?
We realize that you have lives outside of the Barn, and we will try to accommodate as many conflicts as possible, as long as everyone involved feels like the show would not suffer. Please share conflicts as early as possible.
Questions?
For questions regarding the 2026 Junior Intern Company,
please email education@nlbarn.org
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TUITION ASSISTANCE
We at the Barn believe an education in the performing arts should be available and accessible to everyone. We know many people are currently dealing with loss of income and financial instability in light of COVID-19 and the subsequent economic disruptions. So it is with great pride that we offer Tuition Assistance at any level needed.
We know how meaningful theater can be, and we understand the impact of that shared experience. Especially in these difficult times, coming together to sing, act, design, and laugh can be transformative.
Tuition assistance is available thanks to a generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank and Trust with a shared commitment to make theater education accessible to all. If you are in need of tuition assistance, please CLICK HERE to download our Tuition Assistance Form and email the completed form to education@nlbarn.org before registering for our education programs.
We also offer TRANSPORTATION to students upon request. If students would like a staff member to walk them from KRES-NL, they can mark that option on their registration form for each program. Students who need transportation via car can CLICK HERE to download our Transportation Form, and email the completed form to education@nlbarn.org.