Despite setback, the show goes on for School of Rock

We’re so proud of our resilient School of Rock cast and crew for pushing through opening weekend despite an overnight break-in at the Casa del Prado Theatre on Friday, which resulted in four stolen guitars.
“I’m proud of the cast for bouncing back and putting on a great show. I spoke with my mom and she helped me put things in perspective. We prayed that the stolen instruments get used for a good cause. I recognize that we maybe have more than others and I hope that whoever has them is able to do some good,” said Pita Birkbeck (age 15), one directly affected student.
Oliver Davis (age 12), another student who was impacted by the theft, said “Props to everyone for sticking with this. My teacher said that the show must go on; sometimes you have to be prepared for the worst. And worse things could have happened. No one got hurt. A guitar is a guitar. That can be replaced. You can’t replace a person, or their health if they get hurt. We’re okay,”
The cast and crew are in good spirits and look forward to a successful closing weekend of shows Nov 1-3.

Welcome Back Ricardo Valenzuela, Director of Pippi Longstocking


Junior Theatre is pleased to announce that Ricardo Valenzuela will return to direct and choreograph our summer production of Pippi Longstocking! Auditions are April 29, 30, and May 1, 4-6pm.  Please call the Education Office at 619-239-1311 for more information and to reserve an appointment time.
Ricardo Valenzuela most recently directed Mr. Popper’s Penguins and Junie B. Jones. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC, and has performed at the Starlight Bowl, Moonlight Amphitheatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Hispanic Arts Theatre, San Diego Asian Repertory Theatre, Coronado Playhouse and Christian Community Theatre. Ricardo is also scheduled to teach Junior Theatre’s Advanced Musical Theatre Camp of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. this summer at City College (July 22, 2019-August 2, 2019).

A Message from Executive Director

2018 Newsies JR
San Diego Junior Theatre’s 70th Anniversary Season was a year of celebration and reflection – an opportunity to glance back at our legacy that began in the 1940s and to savor the many achievements and accomplishments that have made us the oldest continually producing youth theatre in the nation.
Our successful 70th Anniversary Party of the Decade event brought together Junior Theatre families both past and present, as well as many of JT’s most notable alumni including 2018 JT Honorees Ahmad Hereford, DJ Sullivan, and Clarke Thorell. Tony award winner Casey Nicholaw, currently represented on Broadway with Mean Girls, The Book of Mormon, and Aladdin, even flew in early to do a Q&A with our current students!
Season highlights included the San Diego premiere of Tuck Everlasting and an exciting collaboration with Disney Theatricals on one of their newest properties, Newsies JR.
Now we look to the future!
It’s Season 71, and Junior Theatre has planned a breathtaking banquet of classes, productions, and outreach programs that will inspire and challenge our students and audiences. We need your help to make it happen.
As you know, only a portion of SDJT’s annual budget is covered by ticket sales and tuition. Donations to the Annual Giving Fund enable Junior Theatre to reach more kids, innovate, and take artistic risks.
Junior Theatre has been the starting point for dozens of professional theatre artists, but for many, many more, it has been a playground to develop important life skills and core values, such as empathy, community, identity, resiliency, and responsibility.
Your gift will ensure that Junior Theatre will continue to be the place where dreams are realized in a safe and nurturing community, and where life-long friendships are born.
Sincerely,
James Saba
Executive Director
» Donate   » Download this Letter

Welcome Our New Education Director, Erin Roberts!


 
We are pleased to introduce our new Education Director, Erin Roberts!
Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from University of Minnesota and is an active performer, educator and entrepreneur whose participation in the San Diego vocal arts and theatre community has a wide span. Solo and ensemble performances include “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “RENT,” “Evita,” “Night & Day,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” choral performances with the San Diego Symphony, Sacra Profana Professional Chorus, private events and cabaret shows. Erin has taught since 2007 in private, community and K-12 settings including Gymboree, Young Audiences of San Diego, Junior Theatre of Balboa Park, San Diego Unified School District, and Cajon Valley School District. Erin founded Prodigy School of Arts, a school for the visual and performing arts in La Jolla, which was sold to new ownership in 2013, and worked in higher education administration for six years at the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District. In her spare time Erin enjoys languages, travel, food & wine, volleyball and dance.

San Diego Junior Theatre’s New Production Assistant

IMG_6499
 
Welcome Braylie Manson, San Diego Junior Theatre’s New Production Assistant!
“Howdy, I’m Braylie Manson!  I was born and raised in Texas and am a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Theatre. I was part of the Theatre Honors Society, Alpha Psi Omega where I was Vice President.  I also worked in the scenic design shop at TAMU for 3 years. I have a passion for Scenic design and Directing and am jazzed about becoming a part of the SDJT family. I have been everything under the sun in production from onstage and backstage. I am thrilled to be a part of the world of theatre creation again here in San Diego!”

Christian Rowley Scholars Announced!

christian_rowley
 
Thank you to everyone who applied for the Christian Rowley Memorial Scholarship. Join us on opening night of Newsies JR. on April 20 at 7:00 pm, when we will introduce our four new scholars and announce our 71st Season!