HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON JR - Davis Musical Theatre Company Non Equity Auditions

How to Train Your Dragon Jr
AUDITION DATES
Attend one of the following:
Monday, January 18, 2027 from 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 from 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Actors should arrive by 4:15 p.m. to complete the required paperwork and should expect to remain for the entire audition period. Actors only need to attend one audition date.
Callbacks, if invited, will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2027 from 4:00–7:00 p.m.

LOCATION
Davis Musical Theatre Company
Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center
607 Pena Drive, Davis, CA 95618

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Performances run March 13–April 4, 2027.
School matinees will be held March 30, 2027, with performances at 9:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Actors must be available for all technical rehearsals, public performances, and school matinees. A complete rehearsal and performance schedule will be provided at auditions.

ELIGIBILITY
Actors ages 7–17 as of the first performance are eligible to participate. Actors who are 18 and currently enrolled in high school are also eligible.
No previous theatrical experience is required. Casting is determined by audition and is based on each actor’s ability and suitability for the available roles.
Cast size is limited to 35 actors.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Please prepare 16–32 bars, or approximately one minute, of a song in the style of the show. Bring sheet music in the appropriate key for the accompanist. A cappella singing and recorded accompaniment are not permitted.
Auditions will also include a dance combination taught by the choreographer. Please wear or bring clothing and shoes that allow you to move safely and comfortably.
Please bring:
• Sheet music for your prepared vocal selection
• A complete list of rehearsal conflicts
• A completed audition form signed by a parent or guardian
Walk-ins are welcome, but auditioners are encouraged to sign up online at dmtc.org. The audition form may be completed digitally in advance or on paper at the audition.
The callback list will be posted on the DMTC website following Tuesday evening’s auditions.
All rehearsal conflicts must be disclosed at auditions. Conflicts are not permitted during technical rehearsals, performances, or school matinees.

PARENT OR GUARDIAN COMMITMENT
Davis Musical Theatre Company is an all-volunteer organization. Every YPT production depends on active participation from the parents and guardians of cast members.
For each child cast in the production, a parent or guardian is required to:
• Complete 25 volunteer hours
• Attend required parent meetings
• Ensure the actor arrives at rehearsals and performances on time and prepared
• Communicate promptly with the production team
• Meet with the costume coordinator as required
• Provide costume pieces according to the costume coordinator’s instructions
• Complete all required forms and signatures
Parents and guardians should consider their own availability before their child auditions. The actor’s participation requires a commitment from the entire family.
For questions or additional information, contact ypt@dmtc.org or visit https://dmtc.org.

PLOT SYNOPSIS
On the island of Berk, Vikings are expected to be fearless dragon fighters—but Hiccup, the inventive and compassionate child of Viking chief Stoick, has never fit that mold. When Hiccup encounters a wounded Night Fury named Toothless, an unexpected friendship begins to challenge everything the Vikings believe about dragons.
As Hiccup and Toothless learn to trust one another, they uncover a threat that endangers both the Viking village and the dragons. Hiccup must find the courage to defy tradition, reveal the truth, and unite two worlds that have always considered each other enemies.
Based on the hit DreamWorks Animation film, How to Train Your Dragon JR. brings fire-breathing action, epic adventure, big laughs, and an unforgettable story of friendship to the stage.
Recommended for the whole family.

AVAILABLE ROLES
All roles are open. DMTC does not pre-cast. DMTC welcomes performers of all backgrounds and encourages actors to consider any role with which they identify.
Listed vocal ranges and casting requirements are approximate and may be adjusted at the discretion of the production team.

Hiccup: The intelligent and inventive child of Viking chief Stoick. Hiccup desperately wants to make his father proud but lacks the physical strength and fighting instincts traditionally valued by the Vikings. What Hiccup does possess is curiosity, compassion, courage, and an extraordinary ability to solve problems. After befriending Toothless, Hiccup begins questioning everything the Vikings believe about dragons. This demanding leading role requires a strong singer and actor capable of conveying sincerity, humor, vulnerability, and significant emotional growth. Vocal range: G3–F5.

Astrid: Everything a Viking recruit is expected to be—strong, fast, focused, and fiercely determined. Astrid takes her training seriously and initially sees Hiccup as an obstacle to her success. Confident without being arrogant, she gradually recognizes Hiccup’s courage and becomes one of his strongest allies. Requires a commanding singer, actor, and mover with excellent stage presence. Vocal range: G#3–D5.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut: Argumentative twins who talk like fearless dragon slayers, even when their abilities do not quite match their confidence. Competitive, chaotic, and constantly bickering, the twins provide substantial comedy while participating fully in the recruits’ adventures. These featured roles require bold characterization, energetic physicality, strong comic timing, and excellent chemistry as a pair.

Snotlout: A loud, competitive Viking recruit who is determined to impress everyone around him. Snotlout is not intentionally cruel but can be obnoxious, boastful, and desperate to prove that he is the strongest member of the group. Requires a fearless character actor who can command the stage and fully embrace the character’s exaggerated confidence.

Fishlegs: An enthusiastic recruit who is doing his best, even though Viking training does not come naturally to him. Like Hiccup, Fishlegs relies more on knowledge and determination than physical strength. Requires a warm, committed performer with strong comic instincts and the ability to create a memorable character within the recruit ensemble.
The Recruits: Dane, Frostbite, Lumi, Brita, Sungrass, and Tig train alongside Hiccup, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Fishlegs. These featured ensemble roles help create the competitive and energetic world of Viking training. Each recruit should have a distinct personality and requires strong characterization, movement, and ensemble skills.

Stoick: The chief of the Vikings and Berk’s greatest dragon slayer. Powerful, respected, and devoted to protecting the village, Stoick struggles to understand a child who does not share his traditional strengths. Although he can appear harsh, his expectations for Hiccup are rooted in love and fear for Hiccup’s safety. Requires a mature performer with a commanding presence, strong singing ability, emotional depth, and the ability to balance authority with genuine parental affection. Vocal range: Ab3–C5.

Gobber: The village blacksmith and trainer responsible for preparing the recruits to fight dragons. Goofy, practical, and highly experienced, Gobber understands the dangers of dragons but is also an encouraging and capable teacher. This featured role requires a confident singer and character actor with excellent comedic timing, warmth, and energetic stage presence. Vocal range: Ab3–Ab4.

Phlegma: One of Berk’s Adult Vikings. Phlegma joins Hoarck and Gertrud in representing the village’s deeply established traditions and fear of dragons. This featured role includes spoken lines and a small solo and requires strong characterization, confident singing, and committed ensemble work. Vocal range: Db4–Gb5.

Hoarck: One of Berk’s Adult Vikings. Hoarck joins Phlegma and Gertrud in defending the village and reinforcing the Viking community’s long-held beliefs about dragons. This featured role includes spoken lines and a small solo and requires strong characterization and confident singing. Vocal range: Db4–F4.

Gertrud: One of Berk’s Adult Vikings. Gertrud joins Phlegma and Hoarck in bringing the energetic, battle-ready Viking community to life. This featured role includes spoken lines and a small solo and requires bold characterization and confident singing. Vocal range: Ab3–Db4.

Adult Vikings: Burnthair, Nore, Darby, Ack, Gudrun, and Frida are members of Stoick’s village who have spent their lives fearing and fighting dragons. These featured ensemble roles require expressive reactions, strong physical characterization, musicality, and energetic participation in the production’s large Viking sequences.

Toothless: A Night Fury and one of the most mysterious and feared dragon species. Initially cautious and defensive around Hiccup, Toothless gradually develops a powerful friendship with him. Their bond becomes central to changing the relationship between the Vikings and the dragons. This major role requires an expressive actor with strong physical storytelling, emotional honesty, movement ability, and confident singing. Vocal range: G3–C5.

The Red Death: A massive and terrifying dragon that controls the other dragons and serves as the story’s primary threat. The Red Death requires a performer—or coordinated group of performers—with commanding physicality, intense stage presence, and the ability to create a formidable theatrical creature. Vocal range: Ab3–D5.

Gronckles: Sturdy dragons capable of producing only a limited number of fire blasts before their power is depleted. Husky, Musky, and Lusky are used by Gobber to train the Viking recruits. Musky faces Astrid during training, while Husky and Lusky spar with the other recruits. These featured roles require expressive physical acting, strong movement, imaginative characterization, and excellent ensemble coordination.

Zipplebacks: Dangerous two-headed dragons represented by Farley and Charley. Because the two performers work together to create a single creature, these roles require precise coordination, strong physical storytelling, comic chemistry, and close ensemble work. Farley and Charley also have short solos and spoken lines. Vocal range: G#3–Bb4.

Timberjacks: Large dragons with relatively small wings. Tuna, Luna, and Bruna have featured moments and individual solos. These roles require confident singers and movers capable of developing distinct personalities while working as a coordinated dragon group. Vocal range: A3–Bb4.

Thunderdrums: Reclusive dragons that live in underwater caves and tide pools. Belly and Jelly have spoken lines and individual solos. These featured roles require strong characterization, confident singing, expressive movement, and effective partnership. Vocal range: A3–Bb4.

Skrills: Fast, agile dragons represented by Lash and Dash. These featured performers sing solos and have prominent moments throughout the production. The roles require energetic movement, confident singing, strong characterization, and the ability to work closely as a pair. Vocal range: G#3–B4.

Scauldrons: Dragons that live in tide pools and ponds and defend themselves by breathing scalding-hot water. Sparky and Marky have significant solos and individual lines. These prominent featured roles require strong singers and actors with bold characterization, expressive physicality, and confident stage presence. Vocal range: D4–D5.

Changewings: Unusual dragons capable of spitting acid. Tuck and Huck have featured lines and individual solos. These roles require confident singing, strong movement, distinct characterization, and excellent chemistry as a pair. Vocal range: G#3–G#4.

Deadly Nadders: Dragons protected by dangerous, sharply pointed spines. Blitz is a somewhat nervous dragon whose personality offers opportunities for expressive physical comedy and distinctive characterization. This featured role requires energetic movement, strong reactions, and committed physical storytelling.

Dragon Ensemble: The dragon ensemble brings the extraordinary creatures of Berk to life through music, movement, puppetry, physical storytelling, or other theatrical techniques selected by the production team. Performers may portray multiple dragon species and help create the story’s training sequences, battles, comic encounters, and most spectacular stage moments.

Viking Ensemble: The Viking ensemble brings the village of Berk to life as warriors, villagers, trainees, and other members of Hiccup’s community. These performers are essential to the production’s large musical numbers, action sequences, comedy, and sense of adventure.

Featured lines, solos, dance moments, stage-combat sequences, puppetry assignments, and specialty roles may be assigned from the ensembles.