Sugarloaf Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Winnie the Pooh
Monday, January 05 2026 | 6 – 8:30 pm
Bluffview Montessori School
1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN
The holidays will soon be behind us and January and February often feel so lifeless. Sugarloaf Community Theatre offers just the bright-and-merry, warm and full-of-heart creative solution to pour yourself into: auditions and performances of Winnie the Pooh and the Birthday Surprise, written by Ash Wicka.
Director Jamie Schwaba tagged Wicka’s play as “a beloved story, new adventure.” As you might imagine, when your favorite characters like Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Tigger, Rabbit, and Eeyore try to put together a surprise party for Christopher Robin, things go a little sideways, but in the end, their big hearts win the day.
Even if you have zero theater experience, we welcome you to come audition in a friendly at-ease environment. Sugarloaf Community Theatre folks enjoy bringing new talent into the fold. Winnie the Pooh and the Birthday Surprise Playwright Wicka, 16 years old, says even if you’re scared of speaking in front of people, theater is like exposure therapy. And if you’re comfortable on stage, you’re already a natural!
The following is all it takes for auditions, which isn’t as daunting as it might seem. All adults and children 12+ are welcome to audition on Jan. 5 (sign up for a 10-minute slot between 6-8:30 pm) and if cast, participate free of charge. Those auditioning should prepare a monologue (short speech from a play or film delivered by a single character, including animated films and cartoons) that is approximately 1 minute long and will show off your ability to portray a character and memorize lines. During your 10-minute audition time slot, you will also be asked to read a few lines out of the script. That’s it! Sign up on the AUDITION INFORMATION tab at www.linktr.ee/sugarloaf
All auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be held at easy-access Bluffview Montessori School (1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN 55987)
For those who are cast, a full cast (and parents of those under 18) meeting will be held on Jan. 7th at 6:30pm. Rehearsals will be held 3-4 days a week, Monday- Friday from 6:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 8- Feb. 20, however not every actor will be called to every rehearsal, we try to be very respectful of your time! Tech Week (the week of the performance) rehearsals will be held Feb. 23, 24, 25, and 26 from 6:00-10:00 pm. No absences are allowed during Tech Week or Performance, except in cases of illness or family emergency. We will do our best to honor any conflicts listed on the audition form or mentioned at auditions, but once the rehearsal schedule is finalized, additional absences may not be accommodated. Performances will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:00 am, Saturday, Feb. 28th at 10 am & 2 pm, and Sunday, March 1 at 2 pm.
The show has fun roles—SO many beloved Winnie the Pooh characters–for all experience levels, so come audition and join the positive theatre environment that Sugarloaf Community offers. If you have questions, please reach out to Sugarloafcommunitytheatre@
Sugarloaf Community Theatre is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.