Enrollment now available for ages 7-18

After a long slumber away from Benicia, Starbound Theatre will awaken with an adaptation of “Sleeping Beauty” rehearsed and performed right here in town.

The Suisun City-based youth theatre-program was founded in 2003 but expanded in 2009 to start doing productions in other municipalities in Solano and Napa counties. The company has performed a couple shows in Benicia, including a junior version of “Annie” in 2015, Managing Artistic Director David Rodgers said. The productions in Benicia stopped not long after when the company had difficulty finding space. However, Rodgers said they were able to find rehearsal space for “Sleeping Beauty” and are exploring a few different venues.

“We’re pretty excited to get back into Benicia,” he said.

Starbound Theatre is currently accepting enrollment for its production of “Sleeping Beauty” for children ages 7 to 18. Rodgers said there would be some changes to the classic fairy tale about a princess put under a sleeping spell.

“The typical Maleficent character is actually called Evelina in this script,” he said. “There’s a lot more comedy to it, little bits of comic moments through the show. It’s a cute fairy tale that has a lot of opportunities for the spectrum of talent to just a beginner in theatre to the more advanced to the bigger, meatier roles. There’s all sorts of fun parts in this production.”

Starbound Theatre takes a different approach to selecting actors, as it is not audition-based. Instead, Rodgers said that anyone who enrolls gets a part, but workshops are held during rehearsal which discuss the basics of theatre and prepares them for actual auditions.

“We have days where there’s a mock audition,” he said. “Students learn how to read for an audition. It’s not audition-based, it’s more an opportunity for anybody to participate.”

Rehearsals will be held at 404 Military East, and the performances will take place on Saturday, April 14. Rodgers said a number of venues are being considered, including the Camel Barns, Veterans Memorial Hall and Benicia High School’s auditorium, but he is still waiting to see how many people enroll and what format they want to do it in.

“It’s going to be based on the size of the cast,” he said. “We’re looking at those options right now.”

Rehearsals will be held at 404 Military East on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 20 and through April 12. No rehearsals will be held from March 31 to April 9 to coincide with Spring Break. The registration fee is $250, including a $100 materials fee. Those who register before Wednesday, Jan. 31 will receive $25 off their registration. To register online, go to starboundtheatre.com. For more information, call 416-8990 or email starboundoffice@yahoo.com.

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