HONK JR - Davis Musical Theatre Company Non Equity Auditions

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

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, Honk! JR. follows Ugly, an unusual-looking duckling who is treated differently by the other animals in the duckyard. When the cunning Cat lures him away from home, Ugly becomes separated from his family and must find his way back to his devoted mother, Ida.

Along his journey, Ugly encounters an unforgettable collection of animals, escapes the Cat’s attempts to eat him, and gradually discovers that what makes him different may also make him extraordinary. Filled with sparkling humor, memorable music, and plenty of heart, Honk! JR. is a joyful celebration of identity, acceptance, family, and finding where you belong.

Recommended for the whole family.

*Honk! JR. includes bullying, a predator attempting to eat another character, and brief references to presumed death.*

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 casting requirements are approximate and may be adjusted at the discretion of the production team.

Ugly: An unusual-looking duckling and the central character of the story. Innocent, impressionable, and initially uncertain about why he is treated differently, Ugly grows from a vulnerable outcast into a confident young swan. This demanding leading role requires a strong singer and actor who can convey humor, sensitivity, resilience, and substantial emotional growth.

Ida: Ugly’s fiercely loving and protective mother. Sweet but strong-willed, Ida refuses to abandon her son after he disappears and remains determined to bring him home. Her relationship with Ugly provides the emotional heart of the story. Requires a strong soprano with excellent acting ability, warmth, determination, and maternal authority.

Drake: Ida’s husband and the father of the ducklings. Sarcastic, self-important, and frequently eager to escape his parental responsibilities, Drake provides considerable comedy while still caring about his family. Requires strong comic timing, energetic characterization, and a confident singing voice.

The Ducklings (Beaky, Fluff, Billy, and Downy): Ugly’s cute and popular siblings. The ducklings enjoy belonging to the favored crowd and are quick to make Ugly feel excluded because of his appearance. These featured roles sing together and require strong group chemistry, lively characterization, and confident singing and movement.

Maureen: A moorhen and Ida’s affectionate but relentlessly nosy best friend. Maureen genuinely cares for Ida but cannot resist gossiping about everything happening in the duckyard. Requires a strong singer and comedic actor who can bring warmth, personality, and exaggerated “aunt-like” affection to the role.

The Cat: The sly, manipulative, and perpetually hungry villain of the story. The Cat pretends to be Ugly’s friend while repeatedly plotting to eat him. This major character role requires a confident actor with exceptional comic timing, charisma, physicality, and a strong sense of theatrical fun. Much of the music may be delivered in a talk-sung style. Improvisational ability is helpful. May be cast without regard to gender.

Greylag: A pompous goose and self-styled military leader who treats an ordinary migration as a grand tactical operation. Greylag’s exaggerated confidence makes him a prominent comedic character, though his wife Dot understands his limitations perfectly. Requires strong characterization, comic timing, and confident singing.

Dot: Greylag’s practical and motherly wife. Genuinely concerned about helping Ugly reunite with Ida, Dot patiently manages her husband’s theatrical military posturing. Requires a strong singer and actor who can balance kindness, intelligence, humor, and gentle exasperation.

Barnacles, Snowy, and Pinkfoot: Members of Greylag’s loyal goose squad. They participate in his dramatically overcomplicated migration and are prominently featured in “Wild Goose Chase.” These roles require strong singers who can work effectively as a comic ensemble.

The Bullfrog: A relaxed, self-assured frog who meets Ugly during the second half of his journey. Optimistic and funny, the Bullfrog encourages Ugly with the cheerful philosophy of “Warts and All.” This standout comedic role requires excellent timing, confident stage presence, and strong improvisational instincts. May be cast without regard to gender.

Penny: A beautiful young swan whom Ugly rescues from a tangled fishing net. Penny looks beyond Ugly’s outward appearance and immediately recognizes his kindness and courage. This featured acting role requires warmth, sincerity, and an openhearted stage presence.

Father Swan, Mother Swan, and Berwick: Members of Penny’s family who comfort Ida when she fears Ugly has died. When the swans migrate, they offer Ugly the opportunity to join their family. These featured acting roles require warmth, compassion, and a strong ensemble presence.

Grace: The most distinguished duck on the lake and the self-appointed queen of the duckyard. Aristocratic, admired, and fully aware of her social position, Grace carries herself with considerable authority—and more than a little pride. Requires commanding stage presence and strong comedic characterization.

The Turkey: The headmaster of the ducklings’ school. Snobbish and willing to join the others in teasing Ugly, the Turkey nevertheless has one overwhelming fear: Thanksgiving. This featured comedic role requires bold characterization and excellent timing.

Henrietta: A hen and one of Maureen’s fellow gossips. Henrietta closely follows events in the duckyard and takes considerable pleasure in making fun of Ugly. Requires energetic characterization, comic timing, and strong ensemble instincts.

Jay Bird: An aggressive and ambitious television reporter determined to get the biggest story in the duckyard. Jay Bird treats Ugly’s disappearance like a sensational breaking-news event and is always eager to place themself at the center of the action. This featured comedic role requires confident delivery, high energy, and an exaggerated broadcast personality. The character may also be presented as Maggie Pie.

The Farmer, Boy, and Girl: The only human characters in the story. They are heard but never seen by the audience, allowing them to be performed live from backstage or through prerecorded voices. These roles require expressive vocal acting and clear characterization without relying on physical performance.

Ensemble: The ensemble portrays the many animals and figures Ugly encounters throughout his journey, including barnyard animals, geese, schoolchildren, a play, frogs, and characters within the blizzard sequence. Ensemble performers may take on several distinct roles and are essential to the production’s comedy, music, movement, and imaginative storytelling.

Featured lines, vocal moments, dance opportunities, and specialty characters may be assigned from the ensemble.