A-Diamond-Celebration-for-Rock-Valley-College-Starlight-Theatre.php

A Diamond Celebration for Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre

  • Theatre
  • 01/05/2026

Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre will celebrate its 60th anniversary season in 2026 with a dynamic lineup of beloved musicals, bold comedies, and special events that honor the theatre’s rich legacy and its commitment to community engagement and artistic excellence.

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Join us for a special 60th anniversary season at RVC Starlight Theatre!

“For 60 years, Starlight Theatre has existed because people chose to build something together, season after season,” said Starlight’s artistic director, Christopher D. Brady. “This anniversary is not about looking back. It’s about building upon our legacy to share the experience more beautifully - bringing audience and artists together through memory, moments, and a continued sense of adventure.”

The milestone season features four mainstage musicals performed under the stars on the iconic Bengt Sjostrom Theatre stage:

  • The Wizard of Oz, directed by Rebecca Jensen
  • Once on This Island, directed by Christopher D. Brady
  • Something Rotten!, directed by Mychall Miller-Cornejo
  • 9 to 5: The Musical, directed by Tessa Castaneda

In addition to the mainstage productions, RVC Starlight Theatre will host several special performances. While these performances are not a part of the season ticket package, season ticket holders have special early access to purchase tickets for these events.

The theatre’s StarBright program will showcase its next generation of performers, ages 10-18, with a production of The Addams Family from August 5-9, 2026. This is the program’s third consecutive year. Previous StarBright productions include Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins.

“There is an extraordinary amount of talent coming up through Starlight, and it became clear that it deserved its own space to shine on our stage. StarBright was created intentionally - not as a side program, but as a way to give young performers meaningful opportunities, leadership, and ownership of the work they are capable of doing,” explained Brady.

As our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, RVC plans to mark the Semiquincentennial with a staged concert presentation of 1776 on July 2, 2026.

To close out the 60th Anniversary season, Starlight will host its annual fundraising event, Stars of Starlight. This annual event features a raffle and silent auction as well as performers from Starlight through the years. Many notable Starlight alumni return to dazzle audiences with solo performances, the season's choreographers shine in impressive dance numbers, and current and up-and-coming Starlight stars take center stage. It all happens on August 14, 2026, under Brady’s artistic direction.

With a lineup like that, hundreds of volunteers will be needed to bring the season to life. Auditions for the 2026 Starlight Theatre season are open to individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels. Individuals can sign up today for auditions that will take place February 26 – March 1, 2026, and March 5 – 7, 2026, in the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre on RVC’s Main Campus.

starlight had always been a place where people come together to tell stories under the open sky – where artists of all ages and backgrounds gather to create something bigger than themselves. What begins as an audition becomes a summer of collaboration, excellence, laughter, and growth. Be a part of it. Audition. The very worst that can happen is that you will be asked to audition again. The very best thing that can happen is that your life will become richer, fuller, and more adventurous than ever before!
Christopher D. Brady, RVC Director of Theatre & Arts Park

One audition is all it takes to be considered for casting in the six productions. All auditioners will be asked to:

  • Sing 16 bars or 30 seconds of a song
  • Read from a short scene (provided)
  • Execute a dance sequence (learned and scheduled in advance)

Whether on stage or in the house, Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre encourages you to join the 60th anniversary season.

Complete audition details are available at:
https://rockvalleycollege.edu/community/starlight-theatre/auditions

Purchase season tickets at: https://rvcstarlight.ludus.com/passes.php

 

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