Membership is open to all students in grades 6 through 12 who are either Hardin County residents, or enrolled in an accredited Hardin County school (as of the date of Auditions). A membership fee of $100.00 covers the entire year, providing access to all our Workshops, Auditions, and social events. Families with more than one child joining in the same year pay only $75.00 for the second child, and $50.00 for the third. Financial aid is also available to qualifying families.
All Hardin County residents, or students enrolled in an accredited Hardin County school, who are in grades 6 through 12 at the time of registration are eligible to join YTHC (this includes home schooled Hardin County residents in those same grades). There is an annual membership fee of $100, with discounts available for a second or third child from a given family joining during the same season. Membership ensures coverage by insurance and is required to participate in workshops, auditions, and performances. Each member also receives a YTHC T-shirt. Members cast in the show must sign a contract, provide medical information (for emergencies) and must attend all rehearsals after the third week of June and all performances. Families seeking financial aid may fill out an application form and bring it to at any of our Workshops (forms are also available at the workshops). Aid only applies to the Membership fee.
YTHC produces a fully-staged musical every summer.
2025 Workshops
To help students prepare for April auditions, we offer three workshops:
January 11, 11:00 to 2:00
February 8, 11:00 to 2:00
March 8, from 11:00 to 3:00 (one hour longer)
All Workshops are held at the John Hardin High School Performing Arts Center. Please arrive early to check in. More information below.
2025 Auditions
Auditions are held the Friday evening and Saturday day on one weekend in April (dates to be determined).
(only attend one of these auditions)
2025 Show dates will be announced as soon as they’re scheduled. We typically perform on two consecutive weekends in April, with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoon.
Workshops and Auditions are held at the John Hardin High School Performing Arts Center (PAC). Workshops are optional — you aren’t required to attend a workshop before auditions — but you must be a YTHC member to attend a workshop or audition and to perform in the show. When our documents are ready there will be links below.
During auditions (also held at the PAC) our Director, Choreographer, and Music Director observe members as they sing, dance, and act. Members who attended any of the workshops will have been taught some of the material. As soon as auditions are complete, the artistic staff meets to choose the cast. They take into account rehearsal days you will miss, attitude, appearance, and foremost the member’s performance during the audition. As soon as the cast is chosen, emails are sent out to all those who auditioned to let them know whether or not they were cast, and what part they are being offered.
AUDITION DETAILS
You must be a member of YTHC to audition (you can join the day of your audition — but please arrive early so your paperwork is done on time). All members who wish to audition must have a complete Audition Packet, with signatures. We recommend filling it out BEFORE you arrive for your audition. And remember that you should arrive before the doors open. We provide hard copies at our third workshop on March 9.
* NOTE the documents below will be available for download soon.
YTHC Audition Packet Cover Sheet & Checklist
YTHC Audition Form
YTHC Contract (coming soon)
Conflict Calendar (to be determined)
YTHC Medical Release Form
YTHC Liability / Publicity Release Form
Some video help about your audition, contract, and packet (will open a new page):
Audition FYI
Audition Packet
Rules and Regulations
Contract Highlights
SPONSORSHIPS
We absolutely rely on sponsorships by individuals and businesses in our area. Here is our Sponsorship Form for download (which is also included in the Audition Packet). The Sponsorship form is available year-round.
Rehearsals and Performances
Rehearsals are held from late in May until the first performance. The exact dates depend on what weekends our performances are scheduled and are published with the contract. Most rehearsals are from 4:00 to 7:00, but closer to Opening Night they are longer. You will have a complete schedule with your contract.
Who We Are
YTHC is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from individuals and businesses to bring quality performing arts education to Hardin County youth. We are the longest running youth theatre program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with annual performances since 1972.
YTHC was recognized by the Honorable Ron Lewis, United States Representative from Hardin County who entered the following into the Congressional Record:
As the oldest educating and performing community youth theatre program in the Commonwelath of Kentucky, it has been an integral part in promoting and advancing theatre among Kenucky’s youth for over a quarter of a century.
Hon. Ron Lewis
WORKSHOPS
Attend up to three Workshops, each offering instruction and experience in Music, Dance, and Drama. You’ll be introduced to the season’s show, and prepared for your audition.
AUDITIONS
You have two Audition dates to choose from, Friday in the evening, or Saturday during the day. You may only attend one of the two Auditions.
PERFORMANCES
We offer six to seven performances each season, following weeks of rehearsals. You will act, sing, and dance to a live orchestra in the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center, a state of the art venue.