Audition Information Season 72

Come ready to have fun!  Our auditions are part formal audition and part fun theatre workshop.  We try to make sure every student is comfortable, confident and ready to succeed!

  • Students must be 10 years or older at the time of the auditions.

  • Students must have participated and completed (or near completion) a DJT class or camp to audition.  Class and Camp info here. 

  • Students must pre-register for their audition day and time, completing comprehensive online form. Learn more on this page.

  • Students auditioning as actors should prepare a brief monologue, not to exceed one minute, to be performed memorized.

  • Students auditioning for a role in the show should expect to stay the entire time of the audition scheduled.

  • Students who are ONLY interested in Crew or Front of House are welcome to stay the full time, but only need to attend the first 30 minutes.

  • Auditions are open to residents of any city, not just Davenport.

  • Students only attend one audition day.  

What You Need to Prepare

  • A brief monologue, not to exceed one minute. This should be performed memorized.

What will happen at the audition?

  • When you arrive, you’ll sign in, and someone will give you your number and take your picture. This is just to help us remember who you are.

  • We will start with some group warm-ups and possibly a game.

  • We’ll practice introducing ourselves. Introductions are so important! Your introduction will be your name, school you attend and grade, and title of your monologue.

    • Anyone only wanting to be considered for Front of House or Crew will introduce themselves and tell us which position they would most like to be. They are not required to stay beyond this point, but are welcome to, if they’d like.

  • Next, you’ll perform your memorized monologue. The director may give you feedback or ask you to make changes.

What do I wear?

Students should wear comfortable clothes for theatrical warm-ups & games at auditions. No skirts, please.

When and where will the cast and crew be announced?

The Cast, Crew, and other positions for all shows will be emailed to all who auditioned. Date will be shared at auditions for announcing cast, crew, FOH, and more.

Are there any expenses?

There is no charge to audition. All students cast in the production will need to pay a $75.00 Mainstage Actor Registration Fee. All student crew will need to pay a $45.00 Crew Registration Fee.

What to submit for my schedule in advance?

  • Schedules for each show will be posted when shows are announced. With more details on pre-registration form online.
  • We now do all auditions by pre-registration online. This let's us collect all your schedule information. For the form, please be prepared to list all scheduled conflicts you will have during the rehearsal period (vacations, school commitments, other classes, DJT classes, etc). It is helpful to make this list in advance before beginning the online form.
  • Please register 24 hours prior to your preferred audition date.
  • We build our rehearsal schedules from your schedules. Every effort will be made to accommodate for students' schedules and conflicts. However, during our last 10 days of rehearsal, “Tech Week,” we ask that students be fully available.
  • Please include any Davenport Junior Theatre classses (Theatre or Dance). We may not catch you are already scheduled in one of our classes with so many kids auditioning.

How much time will my child commit?

Rehearsals typically happen over a period of 4-6 weeks. Typically students will rehearse 2 to 5 days a week, around 2 – 3 hours at a time.

During the final 10 days of the production, students will likely have 8 out of 10 days where we are rehearsing in the theatre.

Leading roles can rehearse as much as 4-5 days a week, approximately 3 hours at a time. An option to play a “supporting role only" is available, if your child is too busy or needs to meet other oblivations.

During the final 10 days of rehearsal we really insist the students commit to all rehearsals. Unlike a sport where you can change out the position, theatre is complicated and everyone’s role is unique.

Specific show details are released when auditions for each show are announced.

Suzette Who Set to Sea

Opening Rehearsal : Monday, March 18th

Performances Currently Scheduled:

Saturday, April 27th @ 1pm

Saturday, April 27th @ 4pm

Sunday, April 28th @ 3:00pm

Saturday, May 4th @ 1pm

Saturday, May 4th @ 4pm

Sunday, May 5th @ 3:00pm

Synopsis

In a small seaside village where men build boats and women do not, young Suzette knows she is different – she longs for the sea and believes she is meant for something greater than a life on land. So when a mysterious event occurs, Suzette is forced to do that most difficult thing – prove herself worthy of her destiny. Loading her loved ones onto a boat she has secretly built, Suzette, she sets to sea.

This creative show is one of self-discovery, acceptance, and teamwork. The cast should be ready to work closely as a team.

Meet the Director

Hello! My name is Cynthia Taylor and I am excited to be directing Suzette! Currently I am an English teacher at Moline High School and a mom to three awesome kids. I started DJT when I was 7 years old and worked on the junior staff all through high school. When I graduated from Davenport West I moved to NYC to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. I also worked on the technical staff at AMDA since DJT made me very qualified to do so. I moved to LA to finish my time at AMDA. Eventually I moved back home to get my Bachelors in Speech and Theatre Education from St. Ambrose University. I also came back home to DJT to where I taught classes and directed 5 Mainstage shows. Once I received my degree I moved to Denver, Colorado. There I got my Masters degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, started teaching, and worked with Adams Mystery Playhouse doing murder mysteries and improv. I moved back to the Quad Cities in 2015 where I have worked in Davenport Schools as well as Moline. I directed again at DJT with Ramona Quimby in 2016. I also have worked with Playcrafters Barn Theatre, Mocking Bird on Main, and with some movie production teams as a director, actor, producer, stage manager, tech, board member, and anything else!  I couldn’t be more excited to be back at DJT and am looking forward to creating with you all.