 The Woodland Opera House Announces Auditions for The JTF Troupe Production of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR. Words and Music by Book by BENJ PASEK and JUSTIN PAUL TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD Based on the book "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl James and the Giant Peach JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY, (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday, August 31st from 6:00 to 9:00 pm Directed/Co-choreographed by: Co-choreographed by: Andrea St. Clair Ernestine Balisi Music Directed by: Stage Managed by: TBD Bailey Baland This JTF Troupe Production is open to anyone between the ages of 12 years old through Rising High School Senior. **Please note that this opportunity conflicts with our MainStage Productions of Annie and 9 to 5.** MANDATORY INFORMATIONAL PARENT MEETING A virtual informational meeting is currently being prepared. Please complete the form here to be added to the notification list and receive the meeting invitation. *If you have already filled out this form, you do not need to fill it out again. The video will be sent to all on the list by July 20th, 2026. During the informational video, we’ll cover what to expect at auditions, the rehearsal and performance process, what the Junior Theatre Festival commitment includes, and generally “de-mystify” the process. To ensure everyone understands the audition process and expectations, parents/guardians must watch the audition information recording in its entirety before their child auditions for the production. LEARN THE AUDITION DANCE A video breaking down the audition dance combination will be posted by the end of business on August 14th on our website. We highly recommend that all those interested in auditioning learn this material before the audition day. We want everyone to arrive and feel their best the day of auditions. AUDITIONS Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm OR Monday, August 31st, 2026 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Theatre and Dance Annex located at 520 Court Street in Woodland. Please note that this is not at the Opera House! We are a block up the street, located across from the Woodland Public Library. To reserve your audition spot, please sign up here. You do not need to attend both days. FREE AUDITION BOOTCAMP Thinking about auditioning for James and the Giant Peach JR.? Join us for our free Audition Boot Camp on Saturday, August 15! Whether this is your first audition or your fiftieth, this workshop is designed to help performers feel confident and prepared for audition day. During the boot camp, participants will:
This workshop is free but registration is required. Participation is optional and is not required in order to audition. Reserve your spot here! REHEARSAL SCHEDULE James and the Giant Peach JR will start initial rehearsals Sunday, October 11th at 6:00 p.m. Regular rehearsals:
Tech Sunday: Sunday, December 6th TBD (usually 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.) Dress Rehearsals: Monday-Wednesday, December 7th through 9th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Performances: There are 2 School Matinee performances, and 4 public performances.
JTF: Once the show closes its main run, we return to rehearsals Saturday, January 2nd. JTF Rehearsals:
**There will be two additional rehearsals, February 2nd and 3rd from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a TBD rehearsal February 4th, if needed.** The Junior Theatre Festival is an all-day, all-weekend commitment. If cast, you may not have any conflicts the entire weekend. JTF 2027 will be held Friday, February 5th through Sunday, February 7th, 2026 in Downtown Sacramento. The festival features workshops by Broadway, Hollywood, and other industry professionals, workshops with other theatre companies, performance adjudications, concerts and new works showcases, and the ability to network with students, directors, and families from across the globe! Want to know even more? Check out this video we created last year! What to Bring to Auditions:
CALLBACKS Wednesday, September 2nd starting at 6:00 pm held at the same place as auditions: the Theatre and Dance Annex, 520 Court Street, Woodland. Expect this evening to last a couple of hours. We will call back actors by appointment. If you are invited to callbacks, this will be clarified through email. Those called back will be asked to read and sing selections from the script. We will only be calling back for certain roles. Those receiving a callback will receive an email by Tuesday, September 1st with all materials needed for this round of auditions. If you do not receive a callback, don’t worry! It just means we saw everything we needed to see from you at the initial audition. CAST LIST Casting should be completed by Friday, September 4th. The cast list will be sent to all who auditioned. We will email if casting is delayed. By auditioning for the Rising Stars Series, you agree to accept any role offered. Every role is an important part of the storytelling process and contributes to the success of the production. This is an incredible opportunity to grow as a performer while training and performing on the historic Woodland Opera House stage, as well as working with industry professionals at the Junior Theatre Festival. TUITION Tuition: $500 (Due in full by December 1, 2026) Payment plans are available through our Front Desk. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required upon casting to secure your student's spot unless tuition is paid in full at that time. What Your Tuition Includes A combined value of $685, bundled for just $500 (a savings of $185)!
What Your Tuition Does Not Include:
SYNOPSIS Based on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR. is a brand new take on this "masterpeach" of a tale. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score and a witty and charming book, this adventurous musical about courage and self-discovery is destined to be a classic. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean, and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks, and plenty of disagreements along the way. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN All roles are open to performers of any gender; however, characters will be portrayed as written in the script. Performers may be cast in multiple roles, and role assignments may be adjusted based on audition turnout and the needs of the production. We anticipate casting approximately 24 performers. Due to the limited cast size, not all auditioners will be cast. James James is the hero of our story, on an epic quest to find where he truly belongs and discover the confidence within himself. This role is open to actors of any gender, but James will be portrayed as written, as a boy. The actor cast must have strong acting instincts, emotional honesty, and the ability to earn the audience's empathy from the very beginning. James sings the solo "On Your Way Home" and is featured prominently in many of the show's musical numbers. Gender: male Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G#3 Ladahlord Ladahlord is a mysterious figure who seems to have a hand in the magical events unfolding around James. Though he may appear a bit eccentric, he quietly watches over James, guiding him toward a brighter future. Ladahlord also serves as a narrator throughout the story, helping weave together James's extraordinary journey. This is an excellent role for a charismatic performer with strong singing, dancing, and storytelling skills. Ladahlord sings "Right Before Your Eyes" and "Shake It Up" and appears throughout the show as its narrator. Gender: male Vocal range top: Gb5 Vocal range bottom: G3 Centipede Centipede may be a bit of a grouch, but he is fiercely loyal to his friends. Though initially skeptical of James, he gradually comes to care for him, becoming the cranky uncle with a heart of gold that James never knew he needed. This role is ideal for a performer with a strong singing voice and the ability to make bold, specific acting choices. Gender: male Vocal range top: F#5 Vocal range bottom: G3 Grasshopper Grasshopper is the optimistic leader of the insects and a steady father figure to James, offering wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout their journey. We are looking for a performer with a warm, inviting presence, strong acting skills, and a confident singing voice. Grasshopper leads "Floating Along" and is featured in several of the show's musical numbers. Gender: male Vocal range top: F#5 Vocal range bottom: A3 Earthworm Earthworm is a gentle soul who can be a bit timid, but when it matters most, he finds the courage to help save the day. He comes to see James as the brother he never had. Earthworm also performs the show's big musical number, "Plump and Juicy," a comedic showstopper that requires a performer with a strong singing voice, expressive acting skills, and a willingness to fully embrace the character's wonderfully outlandish personality. Gender: male Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: B3 Spiker and Sponge Spiker and Sponge are the sort of aunts (or monsters!) no child would ever want to be stuck with. Though they take James into their home, they do so only to use him as their personal servant. Spiker is the calculating mastermind of the pair, while Sponge is more interested in food than forethought. We are looking for two strong singer/actors with excellent comedic timing who can create memorable larger-than-life villains. Together, they sing "Property of Spiker and Sponge" and "I Got You" and are featured throughout the show as its comedic antagonists. Gender: female Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3 Ladybug Ladybug immediately takes on a warm, maternal role in James's life, offering kindness, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout their journey. We are looking for a performer with a beautiful singing voice, a regal demeanor, and a nurturing stage presence. Ladybug is featured in "Everywhere That You Are," alongside Grasshopper and Spider, and appears throughout the show's musical numbers. Gender: female Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3 Spider Spider is a clever, resourceful insect who quickly becomes a fun-loving older sister figure to James, offering friendship, encouragement, and a bit of playful wit along the way. We are looking for a performer with a spunky personality, strong acting skills, and a beautiful singing voice. Spider is featured in "Everywhere That You Are," alongside Ladybug and Grasshopper, and appears throughout the show's musical numbers. Gender: female Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B3 Billy and Bobby Bobby-Cop Billy and Bobby Bobby-Cop are a perfectly synchronized pair of Scotland Yard policemen who work so closely together they almost seem to share a single brain. These fun cameo roles are perfect for two performers with great comedic timing, strong chemistry, and the ability to play off one another. Gender: Any Matron Nurse Matron Nurse runs the Painswick Orphanage, and it's immediately clear she hasn't had a vacation in years. Strict, no-nonsense, and completely in charge, she commands every room she enters. This is an excellent featured acting role for a young performer with a commanding stage presence and strong comedic instincts. Gender: female Ensemble Featured Ensemble Roles The world of James and the Giant Peach JR. is brought to life by a versatile ensemble of colorful characters. Performers may portray Vagrants, Reporters, New Yorkers, Hollywood Agents, the Ladies Garden Guild, Cruise Passengers, Zoo Crowd, Angry Crowd, Garden Chorus, Farm Animals, Sharks, Seagulls, and more. Ensemble members will play multiple character tracks throughout the production, helping create the many imaginative worlds James encounters on his journey. We are looking for energetic performers with strong acting skills who enjoy creating distinct characters, singing, and movement. Whether you're an experienced dancer or a strong mover with excellent precision, every ensemble member plays an essential role in bringing James's extraordinary journey to life.  Rising Stars/JTF Troupe: James and the Giant Peach JR. - open to ages 12 through HS Senior
Auditions August 29th and 31st, 2026. Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm AND Monday, August 31st from 6:00 to 9:00 pm (A Sign-Up Genius link will be sent to those on our notification list - link below). Callbacks will be Wednesday, September 2nd from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, by invitation. Performs December 10th-13th, 2026, with one school matinee on December 10th. Also performs at the Junior Theatre Festival West, February 5th-7th, 2027. **This show has 2 rehearsal periods/performance commitments that will be explained in detail in the Informational Video. ***Please note that this show conflicts with our Mainstage productions of Annie and 9 to 5. Unfortunately, students cannot be cast in either of those shows concurrently with JATGP JR. However, we will be auditioning after Anne's casting is finalized, allowing those who audition and are not cast to audition for this show. Families who join the Interest List will: • Receive access to our required Pre-Audition Informational Video • Be the first to receive audition updates and audition sign-up links • Stay informed as additional audition information is released Click here for James and the Giant Peach's Interest List. (Will be released by mid-July).  PLUS: We have two MainStage Shows with opportunities for younger performers:
Annie the Musical: Children's Auditions on August 15th. Finding Neverland: Auditions March TBA. Please check out our audition notices under "Get Involved" once those opportunities have been announced. |
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