After five years as a DJT stage manager, Valerie Moore takes the director’s chair to lead the production.

“What I love most about DJT is the safe space that it creates for students,” said Moore. “No matter what is happening at school, or at home, or online, when they are here they are welcomed with open arms. All we ask is that they try and be themselves.”

Beauty and the Beast involves 30 students from 9 different area cities and towns in the QC. The kids, who range in age from 9-18, are the actors, crew members, tech board operators, front-of-house team members and more.  Local professional theatre artists work alongside the kids to create a dynamic theatre experience while training kids in theatrical production.

“I don’t think people realize that once we open the show the adults involved are just there to observe,” added Moore. “Yes we instruct and lead the way, but the kids take over from there.  We are teaching life skills that will transfer to any line of work these students may choose, helping them move forward with confidence.”

Beauty and the Beast is a classic story that has been told time and time again. As punishment for rebuffing a powerful witch, a selfish prince becomes a true ’beast’ until someone will love him for himself. Many years later, a poor widow stumbles onto the castle and innocently plucks a forbidden rose. The Beast sentences her to death, but first allows her to return home and bid farewell to her family. The poor widow’s daughter, Beauty, offers to go in her mother’s place to reason with the Beast.

“The story reminds us that we are not defined by what we have or what we look like but how we treat others and the kindness in our hearts,” said Moore.  “With everything happening in our world I think that we all need reminded that outward appearances are not what they seem and if you only take the time to look, people (or beasts) might surprise you.”

Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the nation’s second-oldest children’s theatre.  Classes and camps are offered year-round in theatre and dance for students ages three to eighteen. Classes are as varied as acting, improvisation, broadway, puppetry and theatrical design. In the quickly-growing dance division – which is now six years old – young dancers learn poise and confidence while having fun and making friends in a non-competitive dance environment.  Summers see a myriad of camps and other activities for kids of all ages.  Through all these opportunities, DJT prepares kids for a lifetime of success, no matter what path their lives may take.

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Beauty and the Beast
By Vera Moss

Performances:                                                                         Tickets:

Saturday, October 12 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm                                 Ages 3-17: $6.00
Sunday, October 13 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm                                   Adults: $8.00
Saturday, October 19 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm                                 Under 2: Free
Sunday, October 20 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm                                   Tickets sold at the door, no reservations