WELCOME TO BYC FALL 2026/2027
More Than a Stage. A Theatre Family.
At Badanai Young Company, we believe theatre has the power to change lives.
Every season, young people walk through our doors looking for a place to belong, to make friends, to build confidence, and to discover what they are capable of. Along the way they learn to sing, dance, act, work as a team, and perform in front of live audiences — but the lessons go far beyond the stage.
For some, BYC is their first theatre experience.
For others, it becomes a second home.
Whether your child dreams of performing on Broadway or simply wants to try something new, our programs are designed to help young people grow in a supportive, encouraging, and creative environment.
We are excited to welcome new and returning students back for our biggest season yet.
Why Choose BYC?
At BYC, students receive much more than a weekly theatre class.
- Full-scale musical theatre productions
- Experienced and passionate instructors
- Safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment
- Opportunities for performers of all experience levels
- Confidence-building and personal growth
- Lasting friendships and teamwork skills
- Performance opportunities throughout the season
- A theatre family that supports one another
Our goal is simple:
To help every student discover their voice, their confidence, and their place on stage.
THEATRE BABIES
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The Farmer in the Dell
Ages 3-6 (Potty Trained)
Saturdays
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Program Begins September 12, 2026
Performance: December 5, 2026
Our youngest performers will explore storytelling, music, movement, imagination, and creative play through a charming farmyard adventure inspired by the beloved nursery rhyme.
Perfect for first-time performers.
Click here to register for Theatre Babies: The Famer in the Dell
KIDS COMPANY
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Annie Kids
Ages 7-10
TWO CLASS DAY OPTIONS. Pick from learning on Mondays or Saturdays.
Mondays
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Saturdays
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Program Begins September 12, 2026 (Saturdays) or September 14, 2026 (Mondays)
Performances:
Between November 26, and December 5, 2026
The sun will come out tomorrow!
Students will bring this Broadway favourite to life while developing acting, singing, movement, teamwork, and performance skills.
No previous experience required.
Click here to register for Kids Company: Annie Kids.
JUNIOR COMPANY
Trolls JR
Ages 11-13
or at Director's Discretion
We are assembling 2 classes / casts for this production!
Tuesdays & Thursdays
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Program Begins September 8, 2026
Performances:
Between December 14 to 19, 2026
A colourful and energetic musical adventure packed with friendship, fun, and unforgettable music.
Students continue building their theatrical skills while exploring character development, performance, and storytelling.
Click here to register for Junior Company: Trolls, the Musical JR
pre-senior COMPANY
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Hadestown: Teen Edition
Ages 14-16
or at Director's Discretion
Tuesdays:
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
AND
Wednesdays:
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Program Begins September 8, 2026
Performances between March 24 - April 3, 2027
Welcome to Hadestown.
This Tony Award-winning musical challenges performers through sophisticated storytelling, advanced vocal work, and powerful ensemble performance.
Designed for students ready to take the next step in their theatrical journey.
Click here to register for Pre-Senior Company: Hadestown; Teen Edition
special program
Canadian Pilot Production
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE JR.
Ages 10–18 (or at the Director's Discretion)
Wednesdays
5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
and
Saturdays
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Performances: November 11 to 14, 2026
🍁 A Canadian First.
Badanai Young Company is proud to have been selected to participate in the inaugural Canadian pilot program through iTheatrics and Music Theatre International.
This season, students will have the unique opportunity to help develop and perform LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE JR., a brand-new musical based on Bernard Waber's beloved books and the Columbia Pictures film.
Featuring music and lyrics by an award-winning creative team—including Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, alongside Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner, Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick, and Joriah Kwamé—this exciting new musical is being developed before its wider release, giving participants the rare opportunity to help shape a production that audiences across the wolrd will one day experience.
This isn't just another musical.
It's a chance to be part of the creative process from the very beginning.
A brand-new musical.
A Canadian pilot production.
An experience unlike any other.
Directed by
Candi Badanai & Shelley Neff
Please Note
This is an audition-based production open to registered Badanai Young Company students. Participation is by audition, and students selected for the cast will rehearse as part of this program while helping bring this exciting new musical to life.
Click here to secure your audition spot.
encore ensemble
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ENCORE ENSEMBLE
For performers looking for additional performance opportunities.
Some performers aren't ready to leave the stage when class is over.
Encore Ensemble is designed for students who love to perform and want even more opportunities to grow their skills, gain experience, and take the stage.
Participants focus on:
- •Vocal Performance
- Choreography
- Stage Presence
- Teamwork
- Performance Technique
Throughout the season, Encore students prepare for community performances, special appearances, festivals, an out-of-town performance opportunity, and select competition experiences.
While competition opportunities are available, the focus remains on personal growth, confidence-building, teamwork, and creating exceptional performances together.
Program Begins September 13, 2026
Led by Gabby Carlin.
Kids Encore
Ages 7-9
Sundays | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Junior Encore
Ages 10-12
Sundays | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Pre-Senior Encore
Ages 13-16
Sundays | 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Click here to register for Encore Classes. $250 per term
senior COMPANY
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can follows Frank Abagnale Jr., a young man who runs away from home and creates an extraordinary new life for himself, posing as a pilot, doctor and lawyer while FBI agent Carl Hanratty stays hot on his trail.
With a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the Tony Award-winning team behind Hairspray, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, Catch Me If You Can is fast, funny, stylish and packed with big Broadway musical theatre.
For our Senior Company, it also brings a new challenge: Complex characters. Challenging vocals. Big ensemble numbers. Choreography. Comedy. Storytelling. And the opportunity to take greater ownership of the work happening in the rehearsal room and on stage.
At BYC, our Senior program is about giving older performers a place to keep pushing themselves, developing their craft, taking creative risks and discovering what they’re capable of alongside a company of people who love theatre as much as they do. Because sometimes you have to take the leap to find out how far you can go.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Senior Company | Ages 17+ or at Director’s discretion.
Mondays & Thursdays: 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Program begins September 21st
Six performances between January 13–23, 2027
Full-length musical. Challenging material. A company of performers ready for their next step. Whether you’ve grown up at BYC or are looking for a new place to continue developing as a performer, there’s a place for you in Senior Company.
Click here to register for Senior Company.
special
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SIX: The Musical Teen Edition
Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived.
The six wives of Henry VIII are taking the mic and reclaiming their stories — transforming 500 years of history into a high-energy pop concert packed with powerhouse vocals, unforgettable music and QUEENS. Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX has become an international musical phenomenon, earning Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and acclaim on Broadway, in London's West End and around the world. SIX: Teen Edition brings the full-length musical to young performers in a version created specifically for teen actors and family audiences. And now it's coming to Badanai Young Company.
THE SEARCH FOR OUR SIX QUEENS IS COMING.
Six roles. Six powerhouse performers. And auditions are open to young performers from across Thunder Bay. BYC is searching for six exceptional performers under 18 to step into the roles of:
Catherine of Aragon
Anne Boleyn
Jane Seymour
Anna of Cleves
Katherine Howard
Catherine Parr
Six Queens. Six incredible roles. One stage.
SIX: TEEN EDITION
Badanai Theatre
April 12–17, 2027
Audition information coming soon.
At Badanai Young Company, theatre is about more than putting on a show. As an educational theatre program, BYC gives young performers the opportunity to learn, grow, build confidence and develop their craft while creating exceptional theatre together.
Click here to register for Senior Company.