The program accepts only students in the 3rd through 8th grades in the Ross Valley School District. Students who are not part of the Ross Valley School District (home-schooled, Nova/Independent Study, etc.) may ask to be put on a waiting list and be placed in the production on a discretionary basis with special permission from the Theater Arts Committee (TAC). RSVD students may only participate in the production at their attended school site, unless the TAC gives special permission. All students grades and behavior must be in good standing in order to participate in the program. These standards are especially monitored at the middle school level.

Cast size may be limited and students allowed in on a first-come, first-serve basis. If this occurs, the cast limitation will be publicized with the initial registration information. In the musicals, all leading characters must be double cast. This expands the number of children who can participate in a significant part and protects the production in case of illness during performances.

All students who audition are cast in the show. Casting is entirely at the director's discretion. When presented with children of equal abilities, deference is given to the older child. All students must be fully auditioned, singing, dancing, and reading. Directors may call back students they are considering for leads for a second audition if necessary. All students should be either asked to prepare a song of their choice, no more than 2 minutes in length, or all students should be asked to sing the same song.