Student New Works Series

PARTICLE
Book: Selda Sahin, Derek Gregor, Autumn Reeser
Music/Lyrics: Selda Sahin, Derek Gregor
(For students entering grades 9–12 and 2026 high school graduates)

Synopsis: PARTICLE is a multi-dimensional coming-of-age story set in the world of elite gaming. Cora, a physics-loving teenager, has always been her twin brother Seth’s online gaming sidekick… until she makes an unexpected move while they’re streaming live together. Suddenly Cora finds herself internet-famous… and not at all sure that she likes it (and, surprise—Seth feels the same way). Our heroine finds herself launched from her family home in Roswell NM into the special world of Team Origin, an esports team of talented misfits. While she anxiously tries to find her footing, Seth faces challenges of his own—he’s sick. Very sick. Pulled in opposite directions, our twins try to find how to stay connected to each other while also surrendering to their own individual destinies. Will Cora meet her team’s expectations and help them win the high-pressure Interglow championships? And what does this mean for her twin brother, the one left behind, who finds himself facing a very different future? At its heart, ‘Particle’ isa story about connection, separation, time &space…and most importantly, the transcendent power of love.

• Rehearsals: July 27 – August 1
• Performance: August 1 at 2 p.m.
• Tuition: $700 – tuition is due by July 1.
• TUTS Education has 30 spots available for this production.

Lake Normal
Book: Yianni Papadimos
Music: Ben Chavez
(For students entering grades 9–12 and 2026 high school graduates)

It is Christmas once more in the sleepy town of Lake Normal. Lilly is hosting her annual Christmas Eve dinner. This dinner has become an unofficial reunion for the friends that have known each other since their high school days. A cornucopia of familiar faces are in attendance: Noel and his husband Gunner. Diane (now the head anchor for the local news station) and her husband Evan (slated to begin his tenure as Lake Normal’s Sheriff in the New Year). Even the mayor’s son Jack and his wife Stephanie were able to make it this time around. 

However, this Christmas Eve has a somber tone. As is customary, they raise their glasses to Cara – their friend who died ten years ago to the night in what the denizens of Lake Normal consider the most tragic accident in the town’s recent history. As the night chugs on and the temperature drops, questions surrounding Cara’s death begin to defrost. It seems the party may be divided on whether her accident was just that: an accident. But with the snowstorm whipping harder and harder outside, it appears no one has anywhere to go just yet… 

• Rehearsals: August 3 – 8
• Performance: August 8 at 2 p.m.
• Tuition: $700 – tuition is due by July 1.
• TUTS Education has 30 spots available for this production.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available for each show. Applications for scholarships open Friday, May 1 and recipients will be notified by Monday, June 1.

Come back here to apply!