Soda City Studios 2027 Winter youth production
The Pride Lands Are Coming to Soda City!
Soda City Theatre Company is thrilled to bring Disney’s The Lion King Jr. to the stage in February 2027!
With more than 25 roles available, this beloved Disney musical offers young performers ages 7–20 the opportunity to sing, dance, act, and become part of an unforgettable theatrical experience.
No previous theatre experience is necessary.
Our production team is committed to making auditions fun and low-stress while creating a positive, nurturing rehearsal environment where young performers can learn, grow, and do their best work.
Auditions
- Sunday, November 8 at 6:30 PM
- Monday, November 9 at 6:30 PM
- Brookland United Methodist Church
541 Meeting St.
West Columbia, SC
No appointment or advance sign-up is required. Simply choose one of the two audition dates and arrive a few minutes early.
This is a regular audition-only production, rather than an enrollment or workshop-style production. All roles are available.
What to Prepare
- Prepare approximately 16 measures of a song. Please choose a song other than one from The Lion King.
- Audition songs must be performed with accompaniment. Bring sheet music or a recorded accompaniment that can be played via Bluetooth.
- Auditions will also include cold readings from the script and a choreography audition.
Rehearsals & Performances
A small number of rehearsals will take place before Christmas, with the primary rehearsal period beginning after the holidays.
Performances will take place in February 2027 at Brookland United Methodist Church in West Columbia.
Participation Cost
There is no audition fee.
Performers who are cast will pay a $35 activity fee, which helps cover their script and show T-shirt.
Need-based scholarships are available. It is part of Soda City Theatre Company’s mission to make theatre accessible to everyone, and financial need should never prevent a young performer from participating.
Questions?
For questions about auditions or the production, contact the director at artsdirector@sodacitytheatre.com.
Everything You Need to Know
Production Title:
Disney's The Lion King Jr.
Directed By:
Debra E. Leopard
Choreography By:
Christie Burgess
Music Direction By:
John Norris
Who Can Audition:
Ages 7 - 20
Audition Sign-Up:
None Required
Activity Fee:
$35 (If Cast. Need-based scholarships available.)
Rehearsal Location:
Brookland United Methodist Church
541 Meeting St.
West Columbia, SC
Performance Location:
Brookland United Methodist Church
541 Meeting St.
West Columbia, SC
Ticket Information:
Details Closer to Performance Dates
Performance Dates:
February, 2027
Contact Us:
For inquiries, email us at info@sodacitytheatre.com
Soda City Studios Winter Youth Production Staff
Director Debra Leopard
Choreographer Christie Burgess
Music Director John Norris
With over 45 years of theatre experience, Debra E. Leopard is a true force in the world of performance and education. As an accomplished actress, director, and educator, Debra has directed more than 100 productions and performed in over 150 shows. Her extensive expertise includes professional voice-over work, improv performance, and even playwriting.
Debra holds a BFA in Acting and an MFA in Directing, with over 40 years dedicated to teaching at universities and modeling agencies. She’s also the founder of three successful children’s theatre programs in the Midlands, where she’s inspired countless young performers.
Passionate about every aspect of theatre—onstage and behind the scenes—Debra’s leadership promises to bring our Summer Youth Production to life in extraordinary ways.
Music Director John Norris
Choreographer Christie Burgess
Music Director John Norris
John is excited to join the Soda City Theatre Company for this production! With extensive experience as a music director and performer, his credits include Nunsense Jamboree, 9 to 5, Little Shop of Horrors, Hairspray, Gilligan‘s Island: The Musical, Oliver, The Diary of Adam & Eve, Footloose, Rock of Ages, The Addams Family, and Mary Poppins.
As an actor, John has appeared in productions such as Gilligan’s Island: The Musical (Alien), The King and I (Kralahome), Bull in a China Shop (Kramer), and The Diary of Adam & Eve (Serpent).
A graduate of Furman University and the University of South Carolina with degrees in music theory, John currently serves as the pianist at North Trenholm Baptist Church in Columbia. Outside of the arts, he works as a claims analyst for Palmetto GBA.
John would like to thank God for His continuous blessings and extends his gratitude to the patrons and supporters of the arts who make these productions possible.
Choreographer Christie Burgess
Choreographer Christie Burgess
Choreographer Christie Burgess
Christie Burgess is the proud owner of Dance Elements Academy in Batesburg-Leesville, SC, where she inspires students of all ages with her passion for dance and the performing arts. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Christie has choreographed and taught a variety of styles and served as Associate Choreographer for productions like Seussical Jr. and The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken, Christie earned her degree in Communications with a minor in Fine Arts. During her college years, she choreographed and participated in numerous theater productions and served as captain of the USCA Dance Team in her junior and senior years.
Outside of the studio, Christie is a proud mom to three children, who are active in dance, sports, and musical theater. She is thrilled to bring her creativity and expertise to this year’s Winter Youth Production, sharing her love for the arts with the next generation of performers.