James and the Giant Peach, Jr.

Our season of amazing destinations takes us on a fantastic voyage across the ocean in pursuit of a dream.  James Henry Trotter lives with his repulsive Aunts Spiker and Sponge, and a bleak life it is. Then one day he’s given some magic…things…and begins the adventure of a lifetime.  With music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the team behind the acclaimed musical Dogfight,  James and the Giant Peach Jr. features a wealth of wonderful roles for actors of all ages.

Right now you can download the entire James and the Giant Peach cast album, featuring stars including Megan Hilty, Christian Borle, Skylar Astin, Brian d’Arcy James, Jackie Hoffman, Mary Testa, Luca Padovan, Marc Kudisch, Daniel Breaker, and Sarah Stiles,  for free! Click here to receive your free download.

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition!  We have so much for everyone to do.  Please make sure to check and see if you are in both casts.  If you would like audition feedback please request it by emailing lhatten@pytnet.org no later than June 5th.  We’ll see you at the parent meeting at the PYT Studios on May 31 at 7pm!

Directed by Roberta Inscho-Cox
Choreographed by Marcie Shapiro
Vocal Direction by Holly Smolik
Set Design by Jerald Enos
Lighting Design by Travis McHale
Sound Design by Patrick Paul
Costume Design by Char DeRouin

Putting on a full-scale musical is an enormous undertaking. There are sets to paint, costumes to sew, lights to hang, and much more. Our shows would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers. 

Peninsula Youth Theatre requires a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer time from each family participating in a CenterStage production (15 hours for the second child and 5 hours per child after that). Without this contribution of time and energy, it would be prohibitively expensive for us to put these shows on stage. 

Don’t have a child in the cast but still want to volunteer? PYT will be happy to have your help! Non-parent volunteers must be fingerprinted and pass a routine background check.  For more information about how you can become a PYT volunteer, email lhatten@pytnet.org.
A few things to know about our show specific volunteer positions:

• Many volunteer positions require more than the minimum 25 hour commitment, particularly those in the theatre during the run of the show. These are very important positions that must be filled by committed people, so please understand what is expected of you before signing up for any of these roles. If you sign up for a position in the theatre, you should plan on working at ±5 performances as well as several nights of Tech rehearsal.
• For the safety of all our volunteers, performers and staff, volunteers must follow the instructions of PYT and MVCPA staff at all times
• Load-in and Strike (when we move the show in and out of the theater) are crucial to the success of the show and require a great deal of effort. ALL families are expected to participate in Load In and Strike. This is in addition to the expected 25 hours.
• When volunteers don’t show up as expected, the work still needs to get done. Either other volunteers will have to fill the void, or more commonly, PYT must hire professional crew at great expense. This is an especially big concern during Load-in and Strike.
• Enjoy yourself! Whether you have a special talent to contribute or want to learn a new skill, there is a place for you. Parent volunteers are an important part of the PYT community, and volunteering is a great way to feel connected to the process.

Now….which committee is right for you?

Backstage Crew
Do you like to be part of the action happening on stage during the show? The Backstage Crew moves set pieces between scenes under the direction of the Stage Manager. Must be reasonably fit and able to push, pull, lift, bend, etc. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Body Microphones
Are you interested in the fascinating world of live sound? The Body Microphone Committee is responsible for affixing mics to and removing mics from the actors. Must be available to work during tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Some heavy lifting may be required during load-in and strike.

Break-a-leg Messages
Want to put smiles on the faces of cast members and help chase away opening night jitters? Personal messages from parents and friends are compiled into a booklet for the actors. The Break-a-leg Committee usually consists of only 1 person who is responsible for collecting those messages and producing a booklet to be distributed to the actors at the theater. Most of the work is done from home. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Cast Bios and Lobby Decorations
Can you share your creative talents in order to showcase our wonderful staff and talented cast members? Headshots and bios for each of each actor are displayed attractively in the theater lobby. Some work will need to be done at home and the lobby displays are put up during tech week. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Cast Party
Do you love to throw a great shindig? The Cast Party committee is responsible for planning and throwing a party for the cast the Monday after the show closes, working with the producers to stay within a strict budget and meet other important criteria. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Costumes
Can you thread a needle with the best of them? The Costume Committee assists the Costume Designer with fitting and costume construction and well as all of the logistics needed to assign, distribute, maintain, collect and store the costumes. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Must have previous sewing experience.

Cueing
Are you the person in your house who makes sure everyone gets to where they need to go on time? The Cueing Committee alerts cast members when they are needed onstage during dress rehearsals and performances. Committee members must be familiar with the script and all characters and be available to work during Tech Week and at least 5 performances including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes at the theater.

Dressers
Do you thrive on just-in-time activities? The Dresser Committee executes all quick changes, provides assistance to cast members who need help with costumes changes, and makes sure the dressing rooms are kept neat and organized. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Flowers
Who doesn’t love flowers? The Flower Committee is responsible for selling flowers at the theater during performances. Committee members must be willing to use their own vehicles to pick up the flowers. The estimate time commitment is 25 hours. For smaller casts the flower committee may not be available.

Followspots
Want to light up our performers? The followspot operators run the spotlights that illuminate the actors on stage. Must be willing to climb a tall vertical ladder and work on a catwalk in a relatively small space. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 Performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 30-35 hours. Must wear black and close-toed shoes.

Green Room
Do you love hanging out with and getting to know interesting kids? The Green Room Committee is responsible to supervising the cast members in the Green Room during Tech week and performances. The committee members will provide board games and other appropriate activities. The estimated time commitment is 25 hours.

Makeup and Hair
Can you French braid? How about put on eyeliner without gouging out an eye? The Makeup and Hair Committee applies specialty makeup, executes specialty hair designs and puts on and takes off all wigs. The committee also ensures that cast members responsible for their own hair and makeup look good before going on stage. Must be available to work during Tech week and at least 5 performances, including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25-35 hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Props
Are you a quick draw with a glue gun? Do you love the thrill of a perfect thrift store find? Props include set dressing, furniture, table settings, costume accessories, various items actors carry, and various other objects used by the actors on stage. The committee buys, builds or borrows to add artistic elements to the show. This committee works during the rehearsal period and at least 5 performances including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25+ hours. The committee loads-in and strikes its own items.

Publicity
Have you always wanted to be a town crier? How about hanging posters for our show all over the peninsula? The Publicity Committee is responsible for distributing posters in peninsula communities and helping to build the database of acceptable locations. The committee will also keep track of ticket sales and present the information to the in the lobby at PYT. Must be willing to use own vehicle for poster distribution activities and be willing to talk with local business owners. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.

Set Building
Is your dream birthday present a power tool? The Set Building Committee works with the Technical Director to build the sets for the show. Carpentry skills are useful. Must be reasonably fit and able to lift, push and pull heavy objects. Close-toes shoes and proper clothing are required. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. Sets are assembled during load-in and disassembled during strike.

Scenery Painting
Did you love to paint-by-numbers as a kid? The Painting Committee is responsible for painting the scenery for the show. Artistic ability is not required. Committee members must reasonably fit and able to lift, push, and pull heavy objects. Some ladder climbing may be required as well. The estimated time commitment is 25+ hours. This committee loads-in and strikes its own supplies.

Soundboard Operator
Want to perform one of the most challenging but rewarding jobs available? The Soundboard Operator preferably has experience with live theatrical sound. Attendance at all Designer Run Throughs and Tech week rehearsals is required. The Soundboard Operator must work every performance including the 90-minute call time for a total of 25+ hours. This responsibility may be shared if there are multiple Soundboard Operators.

Tech Dinners
Do you love to host big family dinners? The Tech Dinner Committee is responsible for serving dinner to the cast members, staff, and volunteers during tech week and strike and for cleaning up after dinner. This committee will require less than 25 hours of work, so committee members should supplement with another committee.