Audition Information Season 74

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 or Showtime Pal should prepare a short monologue, 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, to 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!

    • 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 monologue.

    • Your monologue should be memorized and not exceed one minute.

    • You may receive feedback from the director, or given specific direction, and asked to start again. This helps us know how well you listen to direction, and gives us the opportunity to see more breadth of your talent.

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 $100.00 Mainstage Actor Registration Fee. All student crew will need to pay a $70.00 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.

Swiss Family Robinson:

Quinn and Sky do not want to read The Swiss Family Robinson. They'll do just about anything to avoid completing their homework, including spending way too much time on their phones. But, when a thunderstorm turns their book into something straight out of Jumanji, the siblings find themselves living out the story-- marooned on an island filled with exotic animals and the treehouse of their dreams. There's only one problem: they don't know how to get home. Swiss Family Robinson is inspired by Johann Wyss' classic tale. 

Auditions

Thursday, March 5th 5-6pm - Theatre

Saturday, March 7th 10:30am-11:30am (time change) - Theatre

Students only need to attend one of audition dates.

ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION

All students must pre-register.

Please note you will need your schedule handy to complete this form. Schedule details are found on this page too.

Typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Please complete with your child or your parent. It should be done together. 

Please register 24 hours prior to your preferred audition date.

register here

Cast of Characters:

Quinn ... A child transported to the world of The Swiss Family Robinson. Dramatic, surprisingly responsible, but deeply obsessed with the digital world. Sibling to Sky.

Sky ... A child transported to the world of The Swiss Family Robinson. The voice of reason in most scenarios, equally obsessed with the digital world as their sibling.

Mom ... Quinn and Sky’s mother. She has a dry sense of humor and can rival her children with sarcasm and wit.

Dad ... Quinn and Sky’s father. He is silly and always ready to join Mom in a joke. Despite his willingness to mess around, he is always one to pull out a good lesson or two.

Robinson ... The father and head of The Robinson Family. He is resourceful, calm under pressure, incredibly knowledgeable, and old-fashioned.

Fritz ... The eldest Robinson son. He strives to be like his father. He is protective and a natural leader.

Elizabeth ... The mother and wife in The Robinson Family. She is the perfect mother: caring, loving, kind, and encouraging. She rivals Robinson for resourcefulness.

Jack ... The youngest Robinson son. He is joyful, full of life, and always ready for fun and excitement.

Ernest ... The second-eldest Robinson son. Though he looks for ways to show his maturity, he still finds time to fight with his brothers.

Francis ... The second- youngest Robinson son. He is the least adventurous of them all, but he’s still ready to put up a good fight.

Jocko ... The baby monkey adopted by Jack Robinson. Jocko is mischievous and always hungry. He is a puppet.

Adult Fritz ... The 10-years-older version of Fritz Robinson. He is eager to start his own family and prove his worth and place in the world. Eventually falls in love with Jenny Montrose. (FRITZ after the monologue at the top of scene five)

Teen Jack ... After 10 years, Jack has grown into a smart young man. He still finds ample time for his monkey and for adventures, even so. (JACK after the monologue at the top of scene five)

Adult Ernest ... He is much calmer and more serious 10-years-later. He’s growing in his desire to return to their native land. (ERNEST after the monologue at the top of scene five)

Teen Francis ... 10-years-older and Francis still finds ways to make light of situations. He takes great pride in the island. (FRANCIS after the monologue at the top of scene five)

Jenny Montrose ... A woman marooned on the island. Daughter of Sir Edward Montrose. She masquerades as him in an attempt to protect herself, showcasing her cleverness. Eventually falls in love with Fritz.

Sir Edward Montrose ... A Captain, bold and forthcoming. He is dedicated to his family.

Passengers 1, 2, and 3 ... Passengers aboard Sir Edward Montrose’s ship.

Puppeteers ... These may vary in number. They puppet the monkey, the boa constrictor, the pigeon, and create the sound effects for the thunderstorm.

Use this to plan your conflict schedule.

Below are windows where rehearsal may fall. We build the schedule around student availability, and we will not use these full times every week. However, please provide your conflicts for these times so we can plan rehearsals effectively.

March 23rd-April 24th
Mon-Fri : 4:00pm-8:30pm
Sat: 9:00am-8:30pm
Sun: 1:00pm-8:30pm

Tech Time April 12th-24th

(Please no conflicts during these days. It is vital that students are there throughout tech process and for final rehearsals. Unlike a sport, we cannot have just anyone fill in at a position.)
(Master schedule will be created after auditions. We try to take into consideration student schedules.)

If cast, students will need to attend the following:

First Rehearsal- Monday, March 23rd


Performances Currently Scheduled:

Saturday, April 25th @ 1pm

Saturday, April 25th @ 4pm

Sunday, April 26th @ 3:00pm

Saturday, May 2nd @ 1pm

Saturday, May 2nd @ 4pm

Sunday, May 3rd @ 3:00pm

Strike will occur immediately following final show. All Cast, Crew, Front of House, and Showtime Pal are required to attend strike.