TIME TO SHINE. In about two weeks, Kids From Wisconsin will be hosting auditions for its 56th year across the state, including in Eau Claire.

Ahead of their 56th year, the Kids From Wisconsin – known as the only elite pre-professional performing tour experience of its kind in the entire country – are bringing auditions to Eau Claire on Feb. 24.

The Kids From Wisconsin are looking for the best of the best in the state to form a 36-member traveling troupe – which includes 22 dancers/vocalists and a 14-piece show band – performers aged 15 to 20 are eligible to apply and audition. More than 1,000 performers have taken part in Kids From Wisconsin over the past five decades, putting on Broadway-caliber shows for nearly 120,000 people every single summer since 1969.

There is no fee to audition for the longstanding group, though if selected as one of its 36 members, be prepared to commit to a May 24-26 Mini Camp, and a traveling performance schedule of June 9-Aug. 16, this summer.

Traditionally, two keyboards, two percussion, one electric guitar, one bass guitar, four trumpets, one tenor trombone, one bass trombone, and two woodwinds are selected each year. About 11 women and 11 men are chosen to fill the singer/dancer roles.

If you can’t make it to an in-person audition, no worries! Video audition submissions are accepted as well. Find more information on what to expect at an audition and some tips from the singer/dancer or band side of the equation online.

Locally, in-person auditions will be held at UW-Eau Claire’s Haas Fine Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10am-2pm. Auditions will also be held in La Crosse, Madison, Wausau, Green Bay, and Milwaukee.

Sign up for auditions online today. Video auditions must be submitted before Feb. 23.

Learn more about Kids From Wisconsin online, and sign up to audition today. Reach out with any additional questions at info@kidsfromwisconsin.org.