About Theatre Bugs and Adelaide Theatre Academy

Theatre Bugs & Adelaide Theatre Academy is South Australia’s largest performing arts school for children. Throughout the last 25 years more than 30,000 students have benefited from our diverse range of classes, workshops, and production activities. We are dedicated to producing high quality stage productions and training in the performing arts for Adelaide’s youth. Our recent productions Little Shop Of Horrors, Oliver! Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Wizard of OZ and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory received critical acclaim and award nominations from the Adelaide Theatre Guide and the Theatre Association of South Australia.

Following the outstanding success of our 2025 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we are now inviting actors, dancers, and singers aged 10–21 to audition for Adelaide Theatre Academy’s 2026 Fringe production of…

Audition for the Magic – Peter Pan Takes Flight at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe!

Do you dream of flying through the stars, battling pirates, and dancing with fairies? This is your chance to step into the magical world of Peter Pan – the classic 1954 Broadway musical coming to life at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe.

We’re looking for enthusiastic, talented young performers 10-21yrs of age at the time of auditions, to join the cast of this unforgettable production. Whether you’ve been on stage before or you’re ready for your first big adventure, Peter Pan is packed with excitement, laughter, and heart. With iconic songs like “I’m Flying,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Never Never Land,” this show has roles for all ages, including Lost Boys, Darling children, pirates, mermaids, fairies, and more.

This bold new staging will blend classic charm with high-energy storytelling, aerial effects, and joyful ensemble work. It’s a chance to build confidence, make new friends, and shine under the Fringe spotlight.

If you love to sing, act, dance or simply want to be part of something magical – we’d love to see you at auditions.

Don’t just watch the magic – be part of it. Neverland is calling!

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

DIRECTOR

HANNNAH SMITH

(SHE/HER)

Hannah Smith is an emerging director and producer based in Adelaide. Growing up in Murray Bridge, she was driven to create opportunities within the local theatre community, founding her own production company at fourteen and producing multiple independent productions.

Her passion for theatre led her to pursue further studies in Technical Production at the Adelaide College of the Arts, and a Bachelor of Performance (Honours) at Flinders University in Directing. Alongside her studies, Hannah teaches Performance Academy at Adelaide Theatre Academy and is the Youth Theatre Coordinator at Murray Bridge Players and Singers Inc.

Hannah has contributed to major arts festivals, including the Adelaide Fringe and the Festival of Ideas. Her directing credits include Bumming with Jane (2020/2021), The Book of Everything (2023), Jumpers for Goalposts (2023), Dance Nation (2024/2025), First Love Is the Revolution (2025), FROZEN Jr (2025) and Spongebob Jr (2025). Additionally, she has directed short films, including King. (2022), CRUSH (2023), SYNERGY (2023), and SUPERORDINARY (2024). She has undertaken a secondment with State Theatre Company of South Australia on Eureka Day, Dir. Rosalba Clemente (2021), Kimberly Akimbo Dir. Mitchell Butel and has assisted on Flinders University productions, including Sweet Road, Dir. Christopher Hurrell (2022), Coming of Age in Australia, Dir. Wayne Harrison (2022), and Love and Information, Dir. Tiffany Lyndall-Knight (2022).

In 2023, her production company won the Adelaide Fringe Holden Street Theatres Award for its devised work BIMBO.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Emma Dalton

(SHE/HER)

Emma has a rich background in competitive dance and musical theatre and uses these skills to inspire young performers. She began her journey in the performing arts at a young age, competing in a variety of dance styles and performing in many musical theatre productions.

Passionate about teaching, Emma thrives on nurturing confidence, creativity, and a love for the arts in her students. She is dedicated to creating a positive and encouraging environment where young performers can explore their potential, refine their skills, and discover their unique artistic voice.

At Theatre Bugs/Adelaide Theatre Academy, Emma is proud to share her knowledge and enthusiasm, helping students grow not only as performers but also as confident, expressive individuals. She finds immense joy in guiding the next generation of artists to achieve their dreams and embrace the magic of performing.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Amelia Rooney

(SHE/THEY)

Amelia is an autistic composer and writer working across theatre and film in Adelaide. Their practice blends ambient and neoclassical soundscapes with strong narrative sensitivity. With a background in classical composition, Amelia now focuses on collaborative projects that centre accessibility and inclusivity.

They are passionate about improving disability accommodations within the South Australian arts sector, drawing from personal experience to advocate for structural change.

Currently studying Creative Writing and Sonic Arts at the University of Adelaide, Amelia brings both craft and care to every project, creating emotionally resonant work across disciplines while pushing for systemic equity in creative spaces.

Audition details

When booking your audition

Please note you are only required to book one audition time for a role in the show, PETER PAN If you choose to audition for a lead/minor role, you will automatically be considered for ensemble if you are not offered a character role.

Please only book into an ensemble audition time if you wish to be considered for ensemble only.

A “How to Audition” information pack will be sent to you after you have registered for an audition. Please note that this information pack will be sent to your registered email address on or after Monday July 14^th.

AUDITION DETAILS

WHEN

Friday August 8^th – Sunday 10^th August

(bookings essential-CLICK HERE)

WHERE

Theatre Bugs Hall,

79 Beulah Rd, Norwood

Character audition information

Character Roles

Wendy Darling

John Darling

Liza (maid)

Michael Darling

Nana (Newfoundland Dog)

Mrs. Darling

Mr Darling

Tinkerbell

Peter Pan

Captain Hook

Smee

Wendy (as a grown-up lady)

Jane (as grown-up Wendy’s daughter)

Lost Boys:

Slightly

Tootles

Curly

Nibs

1^st Twin

2^nd Twin

Pirates

Starkey

Cecco

Noodler

Mullins

Jukes

Linville

Holland

Marasco

Kargo

Tookoyan

Indians

Tiger Lily

The Lion (Indian Double)

The Kangaroo (Indian Double)

The Ostrich (Indian Double)

Trees (Indian Double)

REHEARSALS

Rehearsal Commitments

Pre-Xmas Rehearsals

Sunday, 30^th November 9am-4pm

First read through and workshop followed by welcome drinks for cast/parents.

Rehearsal week during January 2026 school holidays:

(TBC)

Sunday 4^th January – Thursday 8^th January (9am – 4pm)

Sunday Rehearsals (9am-4pm) at 79 Beulah Rd, Norwood.

Sunday 11^th January

Sunday 18^th January

Sunday 25^th January (Please note – this is a long weekend, but you will still be required to attend rehearsal)

Sunday 1^st February

Sunday 8^th February

Sunday 15^th February

Sunday 22^nd February

Production Week at the Norwood Concert Hall:

• Thursday February 26 (Cast 1 from 12pm – 9pm)
• Friday February 27 (Cast 2 from 9am – 6pm)

Performance Dates

• Friday 27^th Feb
• Saturday 28^th Feb
• Sunday 1^st March

Production Fees

The production fee for Peter Pan includes:

• Over 90 hours of performing arts training
• Peter Pan t-shirt.
• Adelaide Theatre Academy rehearsal bag filled with script, song words, water bottle, treats and stationery item
• Costume hire (you will only need to supply basic items such as dance shoes, stockings, undergarments).
• Welcome drinks and nibbles for parents and
• An incredible and unforgettable performance

The production fee for Peter Pan is:

• Instalment 1: $265 payable by Friday 4^th September 2025
• Instalment 2: $320 payable by Friday 7^th November 2025
• ( a 10% discount is offered to an additional sibling)

Why do youth theatre companies charge a fee to be involved in large scale stage productions?

The fees enable producers to cover the costs of directors, choreographers, professional theatre hire, technical requirements and staffing, costumes, sets and much more. Ticket sales and/or presenter fees alone would not cover the expenses which are necessary to provide the outstanding production experience which comes with performing in a major venue such as the Norwood Concert Hall.

BOOK YOUR AUDITION NOW! CLICK HERE

Or visiting: https://www.trybooking.com/CZHLB

For further information, email admin@theatrebugs.com.au

Monday 14th July 4:30-7:30pm. Auditionees will need to stay for the 3 hour block.

Are you a talented young musical theatre performer looking for classes which focus on developing your existing acting, singing and dancing skills and also include a minimum of two major production opportunities each year! In July 2025 our senior students will be performing FROZEN JR Musical at the Goodwood Theatre and also will be performing in our upcoming End of Year show (Dec 8th – 13th) at The Arts Theatre.

Successful auditionees will be invited to perform in the end of year show at the Arts Theatre as well as the July 2026 public performance, which will be announced in Term 1, 2026. Weekly term classes are held on Wednesday evenings 5:15-8:15pm at 79 Beulah Rd. Norwood. Please note this is a minimum of Term 3 and 4 commitments.

BOOK YOUR AUDITION HERE!

OPEN AUDITIONS for our most senior class, Performance Academy, are for students aged 12 – 18years.

Auditionees MUST have turned 12yrs no later than 21st July, 2025.

Performance Academy is an ‘invitation only’ class and creates a specialised training environment exclusively for our most talented and hard-working students. The class is led by experienced teachers, specialising in either singing, dancing, and/or acting/drama. Performance Academy weekly term classes are held on Wednesday evenings 5:15-8:15pm at 79 Beulah Rd, Norwood.

We are looking forward to meeting some more of Adelaide’s most talented young performers very soon.