Original Holiday Show

Original Holiday Show

Grades 3-12

An ACT Original Play Initiative

What could possibly go wrong during tech week?

The Springfield Children's Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol is a hilarious original one-act farce that takes audiences behind the scenes of a community theater production where everything seems to be falling apart at exactly the wrong moment. The Springfield Children's Theatre has a new artistic director. A major blizzard is approaching. Tensions are rising backstage. Someone on the production team is dating the union actor playing Scrooge's mother. And somehow, despite all of this, opening night is rapidly approaching. Filled with eccentric characters, backstage chaos, theatrical mishaps, and plenty of holiday spirit, this fast-paced comedy lovingly celebrates (and pokes silly fun at) the wonderful world of community theater. Whether you've spent years on stage or have never set foot backstage, you'll find something to recognize and laugh about in this affectionate tribute to the people who believe that the show must go on.

ACT's Original Play Initiative

This production is part of ACT's Original Play Initiative, a new program designed to support local playwrights while providing young performers with unique opportunities to help bring new stories to life.

Each season, ACT will partner with artists from our community to develop and produce original theatrical works. Through this initiative, students have the opportunity to collaborate with living playwrights, originate roles, and participate in the creative process in ways that are rarely possible when producing established scripts.

We are thrilled to launch this initiative with playwright Max Moline, a longtime ACT artist and collaborator. Throughout the process, students will work directly with Max as they bring his original play from page to stage, gaining insight into the development of new work while helping shape the first life of a brand-new production.

At ACT, we believe that young artists should not only perform theater; they should help create it. The Original Play Initiative is one way we are investing in both the next generation of performers and the local artists who help make our creative community thrive.

Production Information

• Family Information Meeting: August 25, 2026
• Auditions: September 2026
• Rehearsals Begin: October 2026
• Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, plus select Saturdays as needed
• Performance: December 11, 2026

Tuition

Because rehearsals begin shortly after registration opens, full tuition of $300 is due at the time of registration.

Artistic Expectations

This production is designed for performers who enjoy comedy, character work, and creative storytelling. Students will develop acting skills, comedic timing, stage presence, and ensemble collaboration while bringing a brand-new script to life.

Because this is an original work, participants will have the unique opportunity to originate roles and collaborate directly with the playwright throughout the rehearsal process. Students should be prepared to experiment, take creative risks, and contribute ideas as the production develops.

Whether this is a student's first play or one of many, the rehearsal process will emphasize creativity, teamwork, and having fun while creating great theater.

Content & Themes

This production is a lighthearted comedy that celebrates the world of community theater through humor, misunderstandings, backstage drama, and theatrical chaos. Themes include teamwork, adaptability, perseverance, creative problem-solving, and finding joy even when things don't go according to plan.

The show is appropriate for family audiences and is especially likely to resonate with anyone who has ever participated in a school or community theater production.

Why This Play?

At ACT, we believe that theater is both an art form and a living creative process.

This production offers students the rare opportunity to work directly with a playwright, originate a role, and help bring a brand-new story to life. Along the way, they'll gain a deeper understanding of how plays are created while discovering that some of the funniest and most memorable moments happen when things don't go according to plan.