Pre-Professional Company

ZACH Theatre Pre Professional Company Showcase 2023

PPC Showcase: Stronger

May 22 – 26, 2024
The Topfer at ZACH Theatre

Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong? The kind of day where you wish you could just hit reset and start over? Join ZACH’s Pre-Professional Company in an exploration of this universal desire to pause, rewind, and celebrate the strength that comes from falling down, getting back up again, and powering through. With a diverse collection of familiar and exciting songs, dance, and scenes, Stronger invites audiences on a journey of renewal, self-discovery, and empowerment.

ABOUT THE PRE-PROFESSIONAL COMPANY (PPC)

PPC is an audition-based program for serious students looking for professional training in acting and musical theatre. Students study year-round in a conservatory-style structure and work closely with Broadway and Professional Teaching Artists in classes and rehearsal. Students train in the fall semester and take various technique classes in dance, music and acting. The spring semester focus shifts to rehearsal and performance.

PPC Senior Class (12th Grade) | Mondays, June 10- August 12 (4:30-7 p.m.)
PPC Elite Company (Grades 10-12) | Sundays (1:30p-8:30 p.m.)
PPC B Company (Grades 8-10) | Monday evenings (6-8:30 p.m.)
PPC A Company (Grades 6-8) | Monday evenings (5-8 p.m.)

We also have a PPC Apprentice Program (Grades 5-12)  for students who  are looking for additional training before formally joining PPC.

Auditions will be held on ZACH’s Downtown campus: 1510 Toomey Road, 78704.

PPC 2024-2025 Company Audition Dates:        

9-12 Grade Auditions: 

  • Tuesday, 5/28 (Priority for rising Seniors, but 9-12 grade students are welcome) | 5:30-10 p.m. 
  • Friday, 7/26 | 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
  • Friday, 8/9 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 8/13 | 11 a.m. -3 p.m. | 3-5 p.m. (callbacks)

Sign up HERE for 9-12th Grade Auditions

5-8 Grades:

  • Friday, 7/26 | 1-4 p.m.
  • Friday, 8/9 | 1-5 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, 8/13 | 3-4 p.m.

Sign up HERE for 5-8 grade Auditions

PPC Audition Requirements: 

  • Two contrasting songs (from a musical). 32 bar cuts.  
  • Please have accompaniment tracks prepared for your song. 
  • One 60 second monologue
  • Students must attend either a beginner or advanced dance call

Dance Call: 

Please arrive 15 minutes early to warm up. Students are encouraged to wear appropriate dance clothes and shoes, or clothes that you can move in. 

If you are interested in more training, please consider ZACH Academy, our private performing arts school (6th-12th grade).

The MT Track is for students who have a serious desire to pursue in-depth training in Acting, Dance, Voice and Music. MT students are offered a well rounded and professional training experience that prepares them for College Auditions and a career in the Arts. 

Musical Theatre Classes Include:

  • MT Scene Study
  • Dance: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Theatre Dance
  • Acting and Monologue Coaching
  • MT History
  • Production Project (This involves researching a specific Musical, presenting research about the Production and performing material from the Production. 
  • Choreography Lab
  • Acting the Song 
  • Audition Technique
  • Nutrition for Performance Athletes
  • College Audition Preparation

The Dance Track is for students who have a serious desire to pursue in-depth training in Musical Theatre with a primary focus in dance.  The Dance Track includes advanced level dance classes (in specific disciplines), choreography opportunities, commercial dance specific workshops and featured performances. The program prepares students for college auditions and a career in the industry. 

Dance Classes Include:

  • Dance: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Theatre Dance
  • MT and Dance History
  • Production Project (This involves researching a specific Musical or Choreography, presenting research about the Production and performing material from the Production. 
  • Choreography Lab
  • Audition Technique
  • Nutrition for Performance Athletes
  • Conditioning for Performance Athletes
  • Partnering
  • College Audition Preparation

The Acting Track is now the Acting Conservatory.

Please click here for more information.

(If you are going into Grades 6 – 8, please see this information about our Acting Company)

PPC SENIOR CLASS | COLLEGE AUDITION PREPARATION

PPC Seniors are offered a specific college audition course that prepares them for their college audition journey. PPC students are also invited to participate at the Moonifieds College Audition in Dallas. This means that once you are accepted into PPC, then you are eligible to participate at Moonifieds without an audition requirement. 

PPC Senior class includes:

  • Assistance with college audition material selection (monologues & songs)
  • College audition coaching (working material in class)
  • Access to College Audition Coach Dashboard “Get accepted”
  • Master classes with college reps and industry professionals
  • College “Mock auditions” 
  • Group travel to Dallas, TXfor “Moonifieds” college auditions
  • Group Travel to Chicago, IL for Unifieds college auditions

PPC Directors coordinate group travel and activites for two college audition trips: Moonifieds, Dallas, TX;  Unifieds, Chicago, IL.

PPC Senior Class (12th Grade) | June 10- August 12th

PPC Seniors continue classes and merge into PPC Elite August 23-May 25. Senior Class starts Monday, June 10th from 5-8p. Parents and Students will be included in the first meeting on June 10th

Senior Class dates: 

  • June 10 | Seniors and Parents (5-8p)
  • June 17 (4:30-7p)
  • June 24 (4:30-7p)
  • July 1 (4:30-7p) 
  • July 8, (4:30-7p) 
  • July 22 (4:30-7p)
  • July 28 (4:30-7p)
  • August 5 (4:30-7p)
  • August 12 (4:30-7p)

PPC College acceptances include: Carnegie Melon University,  University of Michigan, Baldwin Wallace University, Otterbein University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, Texas State University (MT BFA), Penn State University, Rider University, Missouri State University, Elon University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory, Pace University, Montclair State University, Ohio Northern University, Costal Carolina, Oklahoma Central University, Texas Christian University, Belmont University, Wright State, University of Alabama, The University of Texas

To learn more about PPC Seniors and view college acceptances, click here. 

PPC Apprentice Program (Grades 5-11) 

For students who are looking for additional training before formally joining PPC. Apprentice classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30p. 

PPC Apprentice is an audition-based program for students who are interested in pursuing PPC but need additional skill prep. While students are not guaranteed a spot in PPC the following year, we strongly consider these students and assess their progress. Students are offered technique classes in Acting, Voice and Dance to help them grow and be considered for possible acceptance for the future. While these students will not participate in the showcase at the end of the year, this is a competitive program and highly recommended for students who want additional training.

PPC Important Dates and Schedule

Click below for important dates for each group/grade level:

Fall Semester |  August 23 – December 16

  • Friday, August 23- Sunday, August 25 | *Mandatory Fall Retreat @ Mo-Ranch
  • Sunday, August 25th | *Mandatory Parent and Student Orientation (4-5:30 p.m.)
  • Sunday, September 9-Sunday, December 15 (1:30- 6:30 p.m.)
  • Sunday, September 9- Sunday, December 15 (6:30- 8:30 p.m.) 
  • November, 20-24 | (Seniors only) Moonifieds College Auditions

 Spring Semester | January 12- May 25th

  • Sundays, January 12- Sunday, May 25th | 1:30-8:30 p.m.
  • February, 1-7 | (Seniors only) Chicago Unifieds 
  • Friday, April 5- Sunday April 7 | *Elite Rehearsal Weekend
  • Friday, April 26- Sunday April 28 | *Elite Mandatory Rehearsal
  • Friday, May 10- Sunday, May 19th |  *Elite Mandatory Tech
  • Tuesday, May 21- Sunday, May 25th | Showcase Performances

*B Company meets on Sundays and Mondays in the fall semester

Fall Semester | August 26 – December 16

  • Monday, August 26 | 6:00 p.m. | *Mandatory Parent and Student Orientation
  • Sunday, September 9- December 15 (1:30-5:30 p.m.) 
  • Monday, September 10- December 16 (6-8:30 p.m.) 

Spring Semester | January 13 – May 25

  • Monday, January 13 | First day Spring semester
  • Friday, May 10- Sunday, May 19th | Mandatory Tech
  • Tuesday, May 21- Sunday, May 25th | Showcase Performances

Fall Semester | August 26 – December 17

  • Monday, August 26 – December 17t (5-8 p.m.)

Spring Semester | January 13 – May 25

  • Monday, January 13 | First day Spring semester
  • Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 19 | Mandatory Tech
  • Tuesday, May 21- Sunday, May 25 | Showcase Performances

Audition Information for Pre-Professional Company/PPC Apprentice (Downtown)

Students will need to prepare:

  • Musical Theatre Track: two contrasting songs – 32 bars each, two 60 second contrasting monologues, and attend the dance call.
  • Acting Track: Two contrasting monologues

Voice and monologue auditions will be in person and by appointment only. All students will receive their specific appointment times in August.

Click below to sign up to audition and get more information:

Any questions? Send an email to education@zachtheatre.org

Students will be assigned to A, B, or Elite Company following the audition and acceptance process. The pricing structure is below. The tuition for the program includes the showcase in the Topfer Theatre. Monthly Payment Plans and Financial Aid are available.

For more information, email education@zachtheatre.org

A Company: $2,200
Monthly 9-month payment: $244.64

B Company: $2,400
Monthly 9-month payment: $266.88

Elite Company: $2,600
Monthly 9-month payment: $289.12
___________________________________

Elite Company Senior Year: $4,100 (Includes college audition fees and travel)
Monthly 9-month payment: $455.92

If you are looking for an intensive Acting program, please consider our Acting Conservatory program instead.