AJT'S SPRING SHOW: Guys and Dolls JR
WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: WE ARE PERFORMING DINNER-THEATER STYLE WITH A CATERED DINNER AND A CASINO-NIGHT FUNDRAISER!! FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE WEEKENDS!
Guys and Dolls JR. is an adaptation of the show considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. Its namesake ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950, and won numerous Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Frank Loesser’s brassy, immortal score and witty book makes Guys and Dolls JR. a perennial crowd pleaser.
Set in Damon Runyon’s New York City, Guys and Dolls JR. follows gambler, Nathan Detroit, as he tries to find the cash to set up the biggest crap game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years without ever getting married. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown. Guys and Dolls JR. takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but everyone eventually ends up right where they belong.
*This show is for mature performers who have had musical theater experience or are dedicated to learning. We recommend this show for kids ages 10+, but we are not ruling out younger kids. Please do your own research to make sure that this show is right for your family. Mature themes of love, gambling and gangsters/flappers are present.
Info you need to know
onceRehearsals: Begin February 23, 2025 (see below)
Performances: May 30, 31, June 1, 6, 7, 8 of 2025.
Rehearsal Schedule: Rehearsals are consistently on Fridays 4:00-7:00pm and Sundays 1:00-6:00pm after April 6th; before that, they will be some Sundays from 12-2pm and some Fridays. All kids will NOT be required at every rehearsal. Ensemble members will be called much less often than lead roles. We are running rehearsals for Guys and Dolls at the same time as Shrek and rehearsals will look a little different than usual.
Holiday Time Off: No rehearsal April 20 for Easter.
Rehearsal Location: South Asheville, NC
Auditions: Auditions will be held on February 15. Information about auditions will be emailed once you have been accepted to the company and have registered. This show is different than our normal shows because of the expedited rehearsal times; we will audition for each role and not all children will make it into the cast.
Fees: Full payment is due at the time of registration; if your child does not make it into the cast, a FULL refund will be given. No refunds are given for any other reason, even if your junior actor does not get their desired role.
New AJT Policy
AJT is adding a trial period for all actors in the first two to three weeks of rehearsals so that we can ensure that all of our cast is a good fit for our theater company and AJT is for them as well. Because our experience is far more than typical junior theater, we have high expectations of our actors. Some examples of what we expect is for children to be able to focus on a task at hand, keep their hands off other cast members, not destroy equipment, show respect to directors while they are talking and more. Cast members must be able to exercise self-control and maturity. If the directors determine that AJT might not be the best fit, we will refund your tuition, minus a non-refundable $100 deposit. While applying, please be honest and share any possible reasons that your child may struggle with behavioral issues, learning disabilities or social challenges because we are trying to make this experience positive for everyone involved.
Other Information:
- Ages 10-18 are welcome to Apply for the show, kids ages 8-10 will be allowed to audition with permission of the director. Not every child will be given a spot in our cast.
- There is a mandatory parent meeting from 12-1:00pm on Sunday, February 23.
- ONE scheduled absence is allowed and will be strictly adhered to; tech and dress rehearsals are MANDATORY during show week.
- Rehearsal times for the two weeks prior to the show are TBD and kids must be available to rehearse EVERY DAY, if necessary. Expect 4-5 rehearsals for the two weeks before the show.
- We require a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer time per family. Don’t have the time? Opt out for $300 so that we can hire help. If you have not volunteered for at least 10 hours by show week, we will charge you the opt-out fee automatically.
- Each family is responsible for helping sell tickets and spread the word about the show.
- Each family is expected to volunteer during show week for load-in, as a dressing room attendant, in hair/make up, as stage crew, or as an usher, etc. All families are asked to stay after the final show for load-out.
- We are not just another junior theater company, but we strive to be the best! Being a part of Asheville Junior Theater is a commitment. We require all kids to practice dances, songs and lines at home.
- Check out our FAQs.
- MINI CO (ages 4-7): Classes are 12-1:00pm from February 16-May 25, with no class on April 20. Learn more on our Programs page.
“What is the Process for joining the cast?
1) “Apply to Join AJT on our web site
2) Schedule a ten-minute interview/informational call with Kelly
3) If accepted, register your child in our system, pay the fees, and get a parent portal account with our NEW software system. Yes, even those actors in our past shows still need to register is our new system.
4) Prepare for auditions by learning a song from Guys and Dolls JR and be prepared to perform it for the directors on February 15.
Pricing
$25 Application Fee per Family
Main Company $450
Includes:
- three+ months of rehearsal time with two rehearsals per week and day-long rehearsals closer to performance time
- performance video, professional photos of dress rehearsal, a script to keep, access to performance tracks and more.
This price works out to less than $3 per hour!!! *Costumes will be provided for use in this musical but are the property of AJT.
Mini Company $195
Includes:
- one hour practice per week before the Main Company’s rehearsal
This group will focus on introducing kids to movement, choreography and singing with theater games and repetition. The Mini Company helps kids develop confidence and provides the foundation necessary to step on the big stage once they get older.
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