Be a Part of Our School Play!

Ira B. Jones Elementary is proud to present our 24th musical production, Willy Wonka, JR, directed by Heather Gallagher of the Asheville Performing Arts Academy, with music direction by Jenni Park.

AUDIO TRACKS

Audio Tracks (With Guide Vocals) for Practice at Home
Audio Tracks (Accompaniment Only) for Practice at Home
Acting Tips for Kids (PDF)

CAST Members (GRADES 3-5 ONLY)

Grades 3-5 rehearsals are on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm, beginning October 1. Additional rehearsals for select roles only (small group of leads and occasionally grades 3-5 ensemble members, varying each week) are held on Fridays from 2:35-3:30 pm, beginning October 2.

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.

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 rehearse on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm, beginning January 7.

STAGE CREW (GRADES 4-5 ONLY)

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 beginning January 7.

Performances

1. Thursday, March 4, at 9:30 am for Jones students, teachers, and staff.

2. Friday, March 5, at 9:30 am for students of other local schools.

3. Friday, March 5 at 6:30 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community.

4. Saturday, March 6, at 1:00 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community.

PRODUCTION Updates

Please bookmark this website and watch your email inbox for regular updates and rehearsal reminders. Be sure to mark ibjmusical@gmail.com as a safe sender to ensure play-related messages reach you.

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.

TRANSPORTATION

Students must be picked up from the car line in front of the school on time at the dismissal times indicated above. 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 October 1, 2026. There will be no afterschool care available for Tech Week rehearsals, March 1 thru March 3. The additional fee for aftercare is $100 for students in grades 3-5 and $40 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.