The audition process will take a half hour and consist of the following steps:

1. Auditioners will play a name game with artistic staff to get to know each other.
2. Each child will sing Happy Birthday or Feliz Cumpleaños acapella.
3. Each child will sing a prepared solo of their choice acapella.
4. All children will learn Row, Row, Row Your Boat and sing it in small groups as a round.
5. Auditioners will play a movement game that will emphasize group play and imagination.

* Each child should prepare a short unaccompanied song to sing; this should be something simple that they are comfortable with and enjoy singing (something from school or camp, a carol, folk song, etc — no pop songs, please). If you’re unsure about what to choose, feel free to email James Templeton (Jtempleton@revels.org) to brainstorm an appropriate song.

Performing in Revels is a big commitment. Throughout October and November, we generally hold 1-2 weeknight rehearsals a week, with three “all-day” Saturday rehearsals. This year’s rehearsal schedule for the children’s chorus is as follows:

Rehearsal locations will be announced soon.

CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY REHEARSALS:  4 – 5:30 PM

Monday, September 16 (Mandatory Parent Orientation 4 – 5:30 PM)
Monday, September 23
Monday, September 30
Monday, October 7
Tuesday, October 15
Monday, October 21
Monday, October 28
Monday, November 4
Tuesday, November 12
Monday, November 18
Monday, November 25
Monday, December 2

SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM

Saturday, October 19
Saturday, November 16
Saturday, December 7

TECH WEEK:
December 9, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 10, 5 – 9:30 PM
December 11, 5 – 10:30 PM

DRESS REHEARSAL: December 12, 5:30 PM call

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):

Friday, December 13 – 7 PM
Saturday, December 14 – 3 PM
Sunday, December 15 – 1 PM & 5:30 PM
Thursday, December 19 – 7 PM
Friday, December 20 – 7 PM
Saturday, December 21 – 3 PM & 7 PM
Sunday, December 22 – 1 PM & 5:30 PM
Monday, December 23 – 3 PM
Thursday, December 26 – 1 PM & 5:30 PM
Friday, December 27 – 3 PM
Saturday, December 28 – 1 PM

The Midwinter Revels: A Celtic and Cape Verdean Celebration of the Solstice

In a small fishing village off the shores of Galway Bay, a community gathers in the local pub to celebrate the season. A child enters looking for a package that may have been delivered for her mother, her family being newly arrived from another coastal town – in Cabo Verde. Songs and dances are shared, and the bar cracks open as the pub becomes a portal for fantasy with a transformative retelling of the Selkie story, a Celtic myth about living between two worlds. Irish songs, jigs, and reels will share the stage with dance and a cappella choral harmonies from Cabo Verde. In the Revels tradition, new community is catalyzed, and with it hopes for a new year.

Diversity is a fundamental element in Revels’ musical and theatrical productions. Through music, dance, and storytelling, we celebrate the seasonal and cultural traditions of our world, honoring and upholding the differences that make individuals and cultures truly unique and reminding us of the universal values that connect us all. This principle guides our organizational approach with events, educational programs, performers, audience, volunteers, partners, and staff. We offer an open, creative space that welcomes every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences.

Revels commits to diversifying all aspects of our productions. To achieve this, we have created the Revels Opportunity Fund to make it possible for any interested person to participate in our volunteer auditioned chorus for The Midwinter Revels. The Opportunity Fund will help to cover the costs of transportation, childcare, and other expenses that might make it difficult to participate in our annual flagship production. We welcome every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences. More details on the Revels Opportunity Fund will be available later this summer.

The Revels Youth Protection Policy was adopted by the board in June 2016. All Midwinter Revels cast members eighteen and older will be required to pass a CORI check in order to be a member of the cast. If you have any questions contact Administrative Service Manager Jen Sur at jsur@revels.org.

Review Revels Youth Protection Policies here.

Review CORI Procedures here.

The safety and well-being of all our participants is an ongoing priority. The Revels Health and Safety Committee meets regularly to monitor public health data, trends and best practices, and strongly recommends that Midwinter Revels chorus members are up to date on flu and COVID boosters in the fall and RSV vaccination if applicable. Masking is currently optional, although Revels retains the right to institute protocols including testing and masking if indicated.