Hadestown: Teen Edition is a full-length adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences. This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. 

Director's Vision Statement:
“All aboard!” The train is leaving for Hadestown and you don’t want to miss it! Hadestown has captivated audiences across the globe, winning 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 4 Drama Desk Awards, a Grammy Award, and is currently the longest running musical at the Walter Kerr Theater on Broadway.

Told entirely through song, Hadestown - Teen Edition is a musical reimagining of the Greek myth of two ancient love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and Lady Persephone. Interspersed with Greek Gods and mortal men, this show invites you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, singers and dancers, Hadestown - Teen Edition asks audiences to imagine how the world could be. With music, lyrics and book written by critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, this folk-opera intertwines their stories while pitting industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. 

I am honored to be directing my favorite musical of all time. When the opportunity presents itself, I never turn down the chance to sit in the theater and be taken on the journey to Hadestown. Having the freedom to collaborate with an incredibly talented Artistic Team to bring our version of Hadestown - Teen Edition to the CYT stage this fall is a blessing, and our creative minds are already on fire!  

This is a fully sung-through show, so we have decided that audition monologues are OPTIONAL. If you want to prepare a monologue, then we are excited to see you perform it, but if you choose to use your two minutes to sing only, then you are welcome to do so. Remember that if you sing only we need to see a lot of acting in your performance! You can sing one song for two minutes or sing two contrasting musical theater songs in the style of  Hadestown. This show lends itself to many song styles - folk, jazz, blues and rock, so take a risk and show us what you‘ve got! A dance call will also take place on your audition day. You do not need to prepare anything in advance. Our choreographer will teach you a choreographed piece to perform with a small group. Your Artistic Team is not looking for perfection, but rather your personality and joy for performing. 

The show content of Hadestown - Teen Edition does lend itself to a more mature cast. The character breakdown of this show will require our actors to be believable as college-aged young adults (Orpheus, Eurydice, workers) and older adults (Hades, Persephone, Hermes). Hadestown is a beautiful and deeply emotional show, and emotional maturity will be needed to tell the story and stay true to Anaïs Mitchell’s thoughtful vision. 

***NOTE REGARDING AGES: All actors in this production should present as teens or adults in appearance. We do not plan on casting young actors as workers, but CYT does not limit our shows by specific age, since some students appear older than their specific age might suggest. Please use your discretion and choose the show that is best for your student, realistically determining how their age will present on stage. 

There are many lessons that can be learned in the story of Hadestown - Teen Edition, but the one I want you to take away from this experience is that YOU ARE NEVER ALONE! Our show verse is Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. In this verse, God speaks directly to Joshua, who has taken over leadership of the Israelites after Moses. This moment is crucial; Joshua is about to lead his people into the Promised Land, a task filled with uncertainty and challenges. In the same way, Orpheus has been given the opportunity to lead Eurydice and show Hades’ workers the road out of Hadestown and back to the outerworld - but with parameters that fill him with fear and self-doubt. There are many other moments in this show where uncertainty and fear is the tie that binds, so as a cast, we will explore ways to lean on God in these moments. Our show song is “Warrior” by Hannah Kerr. I encourage you to listen and learn the lyrics. I will also soon share our Spotify playlist of worship songs that we will use throughout our show journey together! 

The Artistic Team is praying for each of you and we can’t wait to see you shine!

Jen Shoemake
Hadestown Teen Edition Director