What is YAW?
The Young Actors Workshop (YAW) at The Portland Players offers youth the opportunity to learn about theater, performance, and stagecraft. It emphasizes skill-building, creativity, and self-expression through workshops and productions designed for young actors. The program is dedicated to fostering a love of theater in children and teens through hands-on experience, guided by seasoned instructors.
2026 Young Actors Workshop: Mean Girls Jr.
WHO & WHAT
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Open to aspiring actors ages 7–13, The Portland Players’ Young Actors Workshop (YAW) is a 13-week program where students explore acting, singing, and movement in a supportive, fun environment. Participants work as an ensemble to create a fully staged production of Mean Girls JR., learning valuable skills in confidence, collaboration, and stagecraft along the way.
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About the show: Mean Girls JR. brings all the humor and heart of the Broadway hit and movie classic to the stage in a fun, age-appropriate adaptation for young performers. The story follows Cady Heron, who moves from Africa to a new school and learns that being true to yourself is more important than fitting in. Packed with high-energy songs, colorful characters, and positive messages about friendship and self-confidence, Mean Girls JR. is a hilarious and empowering experience for young actors and audiences alike.
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WHEN
Workshops: Saturdays, January 10 – April 11, 2026; 10:00am–1:00pm
(No workshops on February 14 or 21)
Additional Rehearsals: Wednesday, April 15 and Friday, April 17; 6:00pm–8:30pm
Performances: Saturday, April 18 at 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Last day to register: January 3, 2026
HOW
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Registration: ​​
- ​Fee per registration: $250, which includes snacks for each workshop day.
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Payment is processed via a secure Stripe processing, and must be received to complete your registration. ​
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If you are registering more than 1 student, separate registration and payment will be needed.
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After you register through SignUpGenius, you’ll receive an automatic confirmation email. Additional enrollment materials and program details will be sent in late December or early January.
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- ​Fee per registration: $250, which includes snacks for each workshop day.
For questions, please email GigiTheater@outlook.com with any questions! ​​​
ATTENDANCE POLICY
To ensure a successful production, participants are asked not to miss more than two planned workshop days, except in the case of illness, and must be available for all final rehearsals and performances.
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We can't wait to see our young performer shine on stage!