Be a Part of Our School Play!

Ira B. Jones Elementary is proud to present our 23rd musical production, Beauty and the Beast JR, directed by Heather Gallagher of the Asheville Performing Arts Academy, with music direction by Jenni Park. Performances will be held on January 29-31, 2026.

Registration for cast and chorus members is OPEN and must be completed by September 16 for grades 3-5 and by December 3 for grades K-2. Online registration is strongly preferred, but a paper option is also available by request from your student’s teacher, if needed. Important information for participant families follows.

Quick Links

Weekly Rehearsal Schedule
Cast List & Performance Assignments (linked here after auditions are completed)
Rehearsal Volunteer Sign-Up (coming soon)
Beauty and the Beast Script (PDF)
Audio Tracks (With Guide Vocals) for Practice at Home
Acting Tips for Kids (PDF)
Show Contract

AUDITIONS (GRADES 3-5 ONLY)

September 17 and 18 from 2:35-4 pm, with callbacks on September 19 from 12-1:30 pm

Auditions might sound a little nerve-wracking, but we strive to make them a fun and positive experience! Students will have the chance to sing a solo section from one of two show songs: Belle or Gaston. This is especially encouraged for anyone interested in a lead role, but don’t worry – there’s no pressure to go solo if you’re not ready.

Ms. Park will first teach a short section of each song to the whole group, and then everyone gets a turn to sing the lines from their chosen song. If time allows, we’ll wrap things up with some improv games, giving students a chance to show off their talents and have a blast together. Just bring your best energy and a big smile. We can’t wait to see you shine!

Both songs, along with the full audio soundtrack, are available under the Quick Links section above. For lyrics, select the PDF version of the script. All students in grades 3-5 will receive their actor’s script on or before the first rehearsal. These books cannot be replaced if lost.

Performances

  1. Thursday, January 29, at 9:30 am for Jones students, teachers, and staff.

  2. Friday, January 30, at 9:30 am for students of other local schools.

  3. Friday, January 30, at 6:30 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community.

  4. Saturday, January 31, at 4 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community.

Review the cast list (linked here after auditions are finalized) for information about performance assignments for students with double-cast roles. All other cast, ensemble, and chorus members perform in all four shows.

All actors (including those in double-cast roles) and crew are expected to be present for all four shows. Students in double-cast roles should plan to help with setup and then sit in the audience for their “off” performances.

PRODUCTION Updates

Please bookmark this website and watch your email inbox for regular updates. Be sure to mark ibjmusical@gmail.com as a safe sender to ensure play-related messages reach you. You can also check the Rehearsal Schedule for up-to-date information on which days your student should attend and what they will be working on.

Parent Volunteers

Our annual school musical is a beloved IBJ tradition, and an enormous endeavor each year – parent volunteers are needed throughout the process (no theater experience required)! You can sign up to help at rehearsals, or email us to let us know about other skills, time, or resources you have to offer.

As a reminder, all families with a kindergarten participant must volunteer for at least one regular rehearsal and for one performance. We appreciate your support!

CHORUS MEMBERS (All K-2 STUDENTS)

Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade students are our chorus members, singing large musical numbers with a group. They can look forward to auditioning for cast roles when they reach 3rd grade! K-2 students will join rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm, beginning December 4.

CAST Members (GRADES 3-5 ONLY)

Grades 3-5 rehearsals are on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm. Additional rehearsals for select roles only (small group of leads and occasionally grades 3-5 ensemble members, varying each week) are held on Wednesdays from 2:35-3:30 pm.

Please review our Rehearsal Schedule at the beginning of each week to learn what the cast will be working on and whether your student should attend rehearsal on Wednesday in addition to Thursday.

STAGE CREW (GRADES 4-5 ONLY)

Stage Crew is FULL and registration has closed.

This group works with Set and Prop Designer Rachel Gordon to create sets and props, and to assist with set management and scene changes during performances. They meet weekly on Tuesdays from 2:35-4 pm, unless otherwise specified on the Rehearsal Schedule.

TRANSPORTATION

Students must be picked up from the car line in front of the school on time at 4 pm. Transportation is not provided.

AFTERCARE

This year we are partnering with Growing Minds afterschool program to offer supervised outdoor play on Thursdays only from 4 PM, when rehearsals end, until 5:15 PM. This program will be available for each Thursday rehearsal beginning September 25. There will be no afterschool care available for tech week rehearsals, January 26-28. The additional fee for aftercare is $75 for students in grades 3-5 and $30 for students in grades K-2.

Behavioral Expectations

Students must follow CUBS behavioral expectations at all times, and may face consequences up to and including removal from the play if they do not meet those expectations. Please carefully read the Show Contract for details.

Registration Fee

The fee to participate is $125 per performing student in grades 3-5, $60 per student in grades 1-2, $50 for kindergarten students, and $60 for stage crew members, with a maximum of $175 per family. Scholarships are available upon request through your registration form, and fees are waived for the children of Jones Elementary staff members. All interested students are encouraged to participate, regardless of ability to pay!

Payment is due by Friday, October 17 for students in grades 3-5 and by Friday, November 21 for students in grades K-2.

Payment Options

  1. Send a check to school with your student. You may pay for multiple students with a single check. Please make checks out to “Ira B. Jones PTO,” and note “Beauty and the Beast” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the memo. Submit directly to the front office or in your child’s class folder.

  2. Pay online via PayPal or credit card. Add $5 per transaction to your total fee, for online payment processing. You may pay for multiple students with a single transaction. Please note “Beauty and the Beast” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the “Add a note to your donation” field that appears at the end of the payment process, just before you click “Donate Now.”

  3. Pay @irabjonesFTO (listed under “Charities”) on Venmo. Add $5 per transaction to your total fee, for online payment processing. You may pay for multiple students with a single transaction. Please note “Beauty and the Beast” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the Venmo payment notes.