Roles: 12 Roles + Ensembles
Rated: G
Acts: 2
Songs: 10
Running time: 90 minutes

ACT I – The Illusion of Brightside

Imagine That! opens in the meticulously curated town of Brightside, where perfection is not just admired—it is performed.

As Matt, Beth, Newton, and Milly arrive alongside Athena and her influencer triplets—Prada, Dior, and Armani—the town bursts into life with the opening number, “Welcome to Brightside.” The ensemble celebrates polished homes, elite status, and aspirational living, but beneath the glossy surface, cracks are already visible. Jarah Jones subtly undercuts the celebration, hinting at a community disconnected from anything real.

That illusion is shattered almost immediately.

In a chilling tonal shift underscored by the theme “The Dark,” Mayor Veronica Claude announces an incoming cosmic event that will plunge the world into darkness—cutting off electricity, internet, and all modern systems. Panic ripples through Brightside, exposing just how dependent the town is on the very things it prides itself on mastering.

Amid the growing fear, the story shifts to the kindergarten, where Milly meets Savannah. In the joyful and whimsical “Imagine That,” the children create entire worlds through play—flying, transforming, inventing. This moment stands in stark contrast to the adults: while the town braces for collapse, the youngest characters instinctively demonstrate resilience through imagination.

Elsewhere, Athena begins redesigning an old home, determined to strip it of its character and history. Jarah confronts her, leading into his deeply reflective solo “Lost.” Through memories of family, community, and shared traditions, he mourns the erosion of identity in a town obsessed with uniformity and progress.

At the high school, the influencer triplets dominate their peers in the high-energy number “Glow.” Through stylised choreography and relentless performance, they reveal the exhausting reality of maintaining a curated online identity—where self-worth is measured in likes, and authenticity is replaced with spectacle.

That same theme of lost identity continues at the community centre, where Beth takes the stage for open mic night. In “It Was Me,” she reflects on her past as a performer and the life she feels she has left behind. The song builds with emotional intensity as she reconnects with her former self—only to be abruptly cut short.

At the height of her performance, everything goes dark.

The lights vanish. The sound disappears.

The Dark has arrived.

Act I closes in silence and uncertainty as the world Brightside depends on collapses in an instant.

ACT II – The Breaking Point and Reawakening

Act II opens in a transformed Brightside—two weeks into The Dark.

The town is fractured, fearful, and desperate. Without power or communication, everyday life has become a struggle. Tensions boil over as the community gathers, searching for answers. Rumours spread rapidly, escalating into chaos, and this collective panic explodes into the satirical, high-energy number “Results May Vary.” Led by Ferdinand Fox, the song exposes opportunism at its worst—he profits from fear by selling false solutions, while the townspeople cling to anything that promises control.

Yet even in the chaos, a quieter transformation is beginning.

Mayor Veronica Claude reflects on the dual nature of the crisis, softly echoing the emerging theme of “Come Alive,” recognising that while fear has brought out the worst in some, it is also awakening compassion, empathy, and connection in others.

At the STEM school, Newton delivers a powerful critique of modern society in the percussive, rhythm-driven “Wasted Light.” Through sharp lyrics and coordinated movement, he argues that humanity has squandered its potential—technology that once promised innovation has been reduced to distraction and profit. His perspective reframes The Dark as both a disruption and a consequence of misplaced priorities.

Meanwhile, in the old house, Matt reaches his emotional breaking point. In the raw and intense “Blueprint,” he confronts his dissatisfaction, frustration, and loss of identity. The life he has built no longer feels like his own—he is trapped in a system where he creates for others but feels no sense of purpose or pride.

It is Milly who shifts everything.

In the gentle but transformative “The Magic’s in the Making,” she introduces Matt back to the simple act of creating. Through drawing, imagination, and play, she shows him that creativity doesn’t require perfection or approval—it simply requires beginning. As the song builds, Matt rediscovers a part of himself long buried, reigniting his sense of identity and possibility.

From this moment, Brightside begins to change.

Without technology, people are forced to connect in new ways. Community groups emerge, creativity flourishes, and Beth becomes a central figure—leading songwriting sessions and helping others rediscover their voices. What began as crisis is slowly becoming renewal.

This transformation culminates in the final scene on the footy oval.

The entire town gathers, each person holding an unlit candle. In the powerful closing number “Glorious Flame,” the community comes together, lighting their candles one by one. What begins as a single spark grows into a collective blaze—symbolising unity, hope, and the rediscovery of what truly matters.

As the music swells, the darkness lifts.

Light floods the stage.

But the real shift has already occurred—within the people themselves.

The show concludes with a reprise of “Welcome to Brightside,” now transformed in meaning. No longer a celebration of surface-level perfection, it becomes a reflection of a community that has rediscovered creativity, connection, and authenticity.

MATT
A hardworking builder carrying the weight of responsibility and slowly losing sight of himself. Quiet, grounded and emotionally layered.
Vocal requirement: Strong actor with secure, expressive singing. Does not require an advanced vocalist but needs emotional connection.

BETH
Matt’s sister and a former singer-songwriter who rediscovers her voice as the story unfolds. Warm, vulnerable and heartfelt.
Vocal requirement: Strong singer required. Needs a confident, expressive performer capable of leading a feature song.

JARAH JONES
The community liaison officer, deeply connected to the town’s history and driven to rebuild genuine connection. Honest and sincere.
Vocal requirement: Strong singer required. Requires vocal strength and emotional depth.

ATHENA
A driven, image-focused house designer obsessed with perfection and appearances. Bold, fast-paced and commanding.
Vocal requirement: Comfortable mid-range voice. Strong character and confident delivery are more important than advanced vocal ability.

MILLY
Beth’s imaginative young daughter whose creativity becomes a turning point in the story. Open, playful and emotionally honest.
Vocal requirement: Exceptional young singer required. Needs a clear, confident voice with the ability to carry a key emotional moment.

VERONICA CLAUDE
The mayor of Brightside, working to maintain order during uncertainty. Authoritative with underlying compassion.
Vocal requirement: Primarily spoken with light singing.

FERDINAND FOX
A charismatic property developer who thrives on opportunity. Theatrical, persuasive and comedic.
Vocal requirement: Character singer with strong rhythm; flexible vocal demands.

PRADA
One of Athena’s influencer triplets. Stylish, image-driven and highly performative.
Vocal requirement: Strong contemporary singer. Confident with pop-style vocals, rhythm and group harmonies.

DIOR
One of Athena’s influencer triplets. Trend-focused, sharp and energetic.
Vocal requirement: Strong contemporary singer. Needs vocal confidence, timing and the ability to blend in tight group work.

ARMANI
One of Athena’s influencer triplets. Bold, dramatic and fully committed to the group’s persona.
Vocal requirement: Strong contemporary singer. Requires energy, accuracy and confidence across singing and rhythmic sections.

NEWTON
Matt’s highly intelligent son, questioning the world around him. Clever, intense and quietly rebellious.
Vocal requirement: Mostly spoken with rhythmic elements. Strong delivery more important than singing.

SONYA SINCLAIR
The school principal, practical and focused on structure and achievement.
Vocal requirement: Mainly spoken with limited singing.

DARCY
Newton’s thoughtful friend who offers balance and perspective.
Vocal requirement: Primarily spoken with minimal singing.

SAVANNAH
A kind, imaginative child who connects easily through play.
Vocal requirement: Light, simple singing. Can be performed by a capable young singer.

Ensemble

The ensemble can be performed as one main group or divided into multiple choruses, including Main Chorus, ‘Adult’ Chorus, ‘Teenage’ Chorus, ‘STEM’ Chorus and ‘Kindergarten’ Chorus, depending on the production needs.

Vocal requirements:
Mostly unison singing with optional harmonies, supported group vocals, and rhythmic/chant-based sections. Suitable for a wide range of abilities.

Performance requirements:
Energy, movement, character work and strong stage presence. Ensemble size is highly flexible and can be expanded to include large groups.

Full script: in PDF and editable Word formats
Recordings: Backing track, rehearsal track and vocal track for all songs
Scores: Full scores in PDF and editable MusicXML files