“Mamma Mia!” here we go again! With “The Haunting of Hill House” done it was a quick turn around for the auditions of this year’s spring musical, coming to Van Nuys in March of 2025.

On Nov 18, 2024 vocal auditions for “Mamma Mia!” began.

With director and theatre teacher, Mr. Justin Baldridge, leading the panel of judges for the auditions, each auditioner went in in a group of three and sang the song that corresponded to their role.

Senior Madison Thacker believes that these auditions were stronger than usual because people were working harder.

“I think doing such a popular show has really attracted a lot of new students who bring new skills to an audition room,” said Thacker. “I think because there are more people auditioning, people worked harder to guarantee their spot in the show causing stronger performances from the auditioners.”

The nerves settled only for another wave to come on Nov. 20 when callbacks began.

Callbacks are a way to let the panel of judges see how everyone up for the leads connect, the chemistry between each pair and friendship is heavily needed.

For Junior Ami Singer she was fascinated by the many different choices portrayed in each pairing.

“It was really cool to see how scenes could look completely different when different people read for each role,” said Singer.

The chemistry between the many pairs was so good that callbacks didn’t just go for one day. On Nov. 21 callbacks continued. Thacker said that callbacks were at a very different level compared to past ones as well.

“Callbacks went really, really well,” she said. “I think it was definitely our strongest callback yet .”

For the past three days the students have been theorizing about who will get what and just where everyone is gonna go and with callbacks ending on the 21st the auditioners eagerly await the cast list which will be posted on Friday, Nov. 22. 

No matter what happens, stay tuned for the updates and shows of Van Nuys High School’s production of “Mamma Mia!” And like Ami Singer said, “I can’t wait!”