YOUNG ARTIST COLLECTIVE
A PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS AGES 15-25
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Join Blindspot Collective and UCSD this summer for a four-week workshop of a new musical created for young artists between the ages of 15 to 25. The program is designed for young performers who have a serious interest in musical theater to participate in the development of Winner by Joe Barros and Nico Juber which culminates in performances at the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego.
TIMELINE
June 8th, 2025: Application and audition submissions are due. Applications submitted after June 8th will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, but are not guaranteed a callback. Callbacks will be scheduled in mid-June and invitations will be sent on a rolling basis. Callback slots are limited.
July 1: Registration Due.
July 14: Program begins. The majority of the program will be held in downtown San Diego at 1100 Kettner Boulevard. In the last week, some rehearsals will be held on the UCSD campus.
The program will operate Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm each day.
Participants will be required to provide their own lunch (however, they will be paid a small stipend each day to cover food, travel, etc.).
Evening rehearsals will be held during the week of August 4th, 2025 and take place at UC San Diego.
Culminating performances will be conducted on the UC San Diego campus.
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Applicants of all experience levels will be considered. Participants must be at least 15 years old when the program begins on July 14, 2025.
Because Blindspot Collective is committed to inclusivity and authentic representation, members of historically excluded or marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. These communities include but are not limited to: people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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“It has been so fulfilling and amazing to get the chance to collaborate with my peers and professional artists."
- Sashank Kanchustambam, previous participant
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ABOUT THE SHOW
Performers will present a staged workshop production of WINNER, an original musical about coming out and coming-of-age set against the backdrop of a rigged school election in Southern California in 1999. The show’s electrifying rock-pop score was created by Joe Barros (Artistic Director of New York Theater Barn) and Nico Juber (one of 2023's Women to Watch on Broadway) with a concept album launching next month.
Ticketed performances will take place on August 8th and 9th at the UCSD Epstein Family Amphitheater.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants must submit this form by 11:59pm on Sunday, June 8th (any submissions after June 8th will be accepted on a rolling basis however please note that late submissions are not guaranteed a callback). The form collects personal information, and the following attachments:
1. A resume (if a resume is not available, please do not create one but submit a paragraph describing any previous theater, dance, or singing experience.)
2. A headshot (if you do not have a headshot, please provide a recent selfie.)
3. A statement of interest describing why you are interested in this program and what you hope to learn or gain from the experience. The statement should be no more than 200 words.
4. An audition video of approximately 1-minute of singing. We encourage applicants to record a pop, rock, or musical theater song that showcases their emotional depth and storytelling abilities. The show includes a wide array of musical styles including folk, gospel, and world music.
Applicants will receive invitations to in person callbacks after our submission process has ended.
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CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
AUTUMN, 17, female-identifying, any ethnicity, nerdy, straight-A student, first person in her family to go to college, everything is riding on the school election because being student body president makes her eligible for a scholarship to a UC school campaigned all summer by knocking on doors to win this election and secure her spot, discovering her queerness and none of it makes sense to her, bisexual but not sure how to articulate it
STEVIE, 17, any ethnicity, female-identifying, comes from a wealthy family, her Republican father pressures her to be perfect and join the family business (he’s in finance), but she wants to be an actress, grounded and confident in her queerness but closeted
MIKE, 17, male-identifying, any ethnicity, host of the Riverside High School’s radio station, funny, friends with Cory, and somehow seems to be in control of everything
CORY, 17, male-identifying, any ethnicity, Autumn's gay (but not out to the school) best friend, a bit of a conspiracy theorist, thinks we’re living in a simulation (because of watching The Matrix), suspicious of the new election software
GIRL IN A HOODIE, 17, any ethnicity, female-identifying, misunderstood, self-hating, queer and closeted, believes that they can change their identity, bullies other queer students into doing the same
JESSE, 19, male-identifying, recent high school grad turned reporter for the local news, used to go to this school, Autumn's neighbor growing up and hooked up with Autumn before, still in love with her
ENSEMBLE, a diverse company of actors of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities an expressions, bodies, and abilities
TOM, 42, male-identifying, any ethnicity, Stevie’s dad, runs a financial firm, used to getting whatever he wants if he throws enough money at it, will settle for nothing less than perfection from his daughter, including Yale and a career in finance
MR. WARREN, 45, any ethnicity, male-identifying principal at the school, former Olympian who needs order, genuinely in love with Ms. James and is having an affair with her
MS. JAMES, 30, any ethnicity, female-identifying, teacher at the school, stuck in a no-win scenario, having an affair with Mr. Warren though she's married, her husband was laid-off from his job at Arco (the nation's seventh-largest oil company), primary caregiver for her parents and has no backup plan
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VIDEO AUDITION TIPS
Begin by introducing yourself. Tell us your name, age, what voice part you are (if you know), and any special skills you have.
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For best results, place your device on a stationary object such as a tripod or table.
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Record a wide shot that includes your full torso and arms.
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Do not sing acapella and make sure that we will be able to hear your singing and the accompaniment track.
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Stand in front of a blank wall or door.
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Do not send prior performances or a recording from a previous show.
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Do not put pressure on yourself to deliver the “perfect” audition. Be authentic and don’t forget to have fun!
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
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To promote accessibility and reduce barriers, this program
is not only FREE – each performer will be paid $10/day for
attendance.
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The program will primarily be held in downtown San Diego
at 1100 Kettner Boulevard which is ideally located near public
transit. Select rehearsals will be conducted on the UC San Diego campus.
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Participants must provide their own transportation. Housing and travel accommodations are not available
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Healthy snacks and water will be provided, but participants must provide their own lunch.
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Blindspot Collective believes in creating a safe and structured learning environment. Our teaching artists and staff are trained to cultivate a positive and professional rehearsal process. Workshops will include daily warmups, writing activities, ensemble-building, and introductions to multiple methods of developing original work.
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Should you have any questions or require assistance of any kind,
please email us at submissions@blindspotcollective.org.