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 should prepare one of the below audition song cuts, 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.
Students who are ONLY auditioning for Showtime Pal may perform a brief monologue, not to exceed one minute.
Auditions are open to residents of any city, not just Davenport.
Students only attend one audition day.
What You Need to Prepare
one of the audition song cuts listed below
Audition Song Cuts
Please prepare one of the below song cuts. Each button will take you to a Google Drive folder where you will find sheet music, a cut of the track with vocals to practice with, and a track without vocals (NV) that you will sing with at the audition. We recommend picking a song for the character you’d most like to play. If you’re only interested in ensemble, the Nemo cut or Tank Gang cuts are probably the best bet. Please sing in whichever octave fits your voice best.
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, we’ll break into 2 groups.
One group will go learn the dance audition combo.
The other group will perform their preferred audition song cut one by one. The director may give you some adjustments or ask you to do it again.
Then we’ll swap groups. The group that learned the dance first will perform in small groups while it’s fresh in their minds, and then perform their songs one by one.
The group that learned the dance second, will come back and perform the combo in small groups.
Anyone auditioning for Showtime Pal ONLY will only need to perform their brief, memorized monologue (not to exceed one minute).
If time, students may read short scenes from the script.
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 $90.00 Mainstage Actor Registration Fee. All student crew will need to pay a $65.00 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.
HONK Jr.
AUDITIONS:
Tuesday, August 12th 5:30-7:30pm - Duck Creek Lodge
Saturday, August 16th 10am-12pm - Kimberly Campus
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.
Opening Rehearsal : FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND @3:30PM
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.
August 26th-October 10th
Mon-Fri : 4:00pm-8:30pm
Sat: 9:00am-8:30pm
Sun: 1:00pm-8:30pm
Tech Time September 29th-October 10th
(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- Friday, August 22nd 3:30pm
Performances Currently Scheduled:
Saturday, October 11th @ 1pm
Saturday, October 11th @ 4pm
Sunday, October 12th @ 3:00pm
Saturday, October 18th @ 1pm
Saturday, October 18th @ 4pm
Sunday, October 19th @ 3:00pm
Strike will occur immediately following final show. All Cast, Crew, Front of House, and Showtime Pal are required to attend strike.
Roles
Ducklings
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly's siblings - cute little kid types. They are among the "popular" ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.
Ugly
The ugly ducking and the main character of HONK! JR. Innocent, easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn't understand why it is wrong being different. However, his insecurities melt away as his character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem. He is the heart and soul of the show. He must be a strong singer and good actor.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Ida
Ugly's mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him. Ida and Ugly's relationship is a key ingredient of the show. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. Ida sings several solos, and therefore she should have a strong soprano singing voice.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: F4
Drake
Ida's husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father - often shirking his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn't afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife. He should have good comic timing and a strong singing voice. Drake opens the show singing "A Poultry Tale."
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Maureen
A moorhen and Ida's best friend. (Originally found on the moors, a moorhen is a hen that lives near the water.) Maureen genuinely loves Ida, but she can't resist a bit of good gossip. To the little ducklings, she is the typical annoying and overly affectionate "aunt." Maureen sings "The Joy of Motherhood" with Ida, so she should also be a strong singer.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: G#4
The Cat
The sly, cunning villain of the show. All of the other animals are deathly afraid of him. He is manipulative, cunning, witty and above all, HUNGRY. The Cat pretends to be Ugly's friend so he can eat him. The actor playing this role (which could be played by a male or a female) should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing. He sings a few songs, but his character allows for many of the lyrics to be "talk-sung." Improv skills are a plus.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Greylag
A somewhat pompous goose and washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities (i.e. migrating South) to the level of military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him. He sings a solo in "Wild Goose Chase."
Gender: male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A4
Dot
A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn't think that Greylag, her husband, is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his "over the top" actions. She sings solo as well as with Greylag in "Wild Goose Chase." Good singer.
Gender: female
Barnacles
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers.
Gender: any
Snowy
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers.
Gender: any
Pinkfoot
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase." Good singers.
Gender: any
The Bullfrog
A laidback, self confident frog with whom Ugly comes into contact in the second half of the show. The frog cheers Ugly up with his/her song, "Warts and All." Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand up comedian type of character will suited to someone with good improvisational sills and comic timing. This role can be played by a male or female.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Penny
The young, beautiful swan that Ugly saves from a tangled fishing net. She is able to see beyond Ugly's looks and she loves him for who he is. She does not sing solo.
Gender: female
Father Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: male
Mother Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: female
Berwick
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has dies, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate. They do not sing solos.
Gender: any
Grace
The most distinguished duck on the lake. Very aristocratic, she is considered the queen of the duck yard. All of the other animals look up to Grace and respect her. She, of course, is quite aware of this and is therefore a little bit haughty.
Gender: female
The Turkey
The headmaster of the ducklings' school. The Turkey is a bit snobbish and joins in the fun of teasing Ugly. There is of course one word that send shivers down his spine - THANKSGIVING! The Turkey does not sing solo.
Gender: male
Henrietta
A hen and another of Maureen's friends. Henrietta and Maureen gossip about the goings on in the duck yard. She takes great pleasure in making fun of Ugly. Henrietta does not sing solo.
Gender: female
Jay Bird
An investigative reporter. A very "in your face" bird, all she/he cares about is getting a good story. She/He is the typical TV news personality who one would find on a reality TV show like "America's Most Wanted." She/He reports a story about Ugly's disappearance. Note: If this character is played by a female, the name can be changed to "Maggie Pie."
Gender: any
The Farmer
The only humans in the show. They are never seen by the audience, only their voices are heard. These voices may be pre-recorded or said live from backstage during the show.
Gender: any
Ensemble
The remaining actors in the company play a number of different roles. Throughout the action of the play they take on roles as barn yard animals, geese, children at play, froglets, and part of the Blizzard scene.
Gender: any