Enroll your child today for any one of our exciting programs.
PERFORMING ARTS CAMP : PARIS : Last camp of the year!
* Paris camp begins next Monday, August 2nd and has a few slots available. Enroll today!
CONVERSATION / Q&A w. Andrew Wade
* Former Head of Voice for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Free to the public!
FALL & WINTER CLASSES ANNOUNCED
MAINSTAGE: Auditions for 59th Season
* Auditions dates announced!
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As an introduction to Davenport Junior Theatre, check out our PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
Listen to our new Podcast Radio Show.
* To keep permanently, click SAVE instead of OPEN, this will allow you to save the Podcast in a file (create a new file or save to "My Music") and download the episode to your I-Pod.
Episode 1 : Interview with Artistic Director, Daniel DP Sheridan
Episode 2 : A Review of Our 57th Season
Episode 3 : Interview with Bonnie Guenther, Former Porgram Coordinator
Episode 4 : Learn About Our Classes & Meet Our Teachers
Episode 5 : Meet Some of Our Mainstage Actors
Episode 6 : Interview with Kristin Meyer, Former JT Student & Volunteer
* Check back soon for more great podcast episodes!
 Letter from the Artistic Director
Daniel DP Sheridan
As Davenport Junior Theatre (JT) moves further into the 21st century, we must pause and acknowledge the 58-year history that stretches out behind us. It is a history rich with sweat, hard work, determination, and the absolute joy of theatre. A history filled with thousands of children who carry a greater sense of confidence and purpose in this world because of the skills they harnessed at JT.
It is by acknowledging our history and honoring the mission of Davenport Junior Theatre’s founder, Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander, that we begin our steps into the future; Steps that will continue on with the mission of providing “theatre for kids, by kids.” It is that mission that has made JT a vital organization in this community and led us to becoming the second oldest children’s theatre in the nation to maintain such a mission. We know that by investing in our youth, we are directly investing in our future.
At Davenport Junior Theatre our goal is to give children the opportunity to thrive in any social situation. To do this, we educate with the tool of theatre. Theatre training consists of exercises, games, improvisations, and performances that prepare children to face the world in a well supported voice, speaking clearly, confidently, and creatively. Best of all, it is great fun! I myself was a member of JT from 1994–2001. The program gave me the strength and confidence to succeed, while getting to know some of my dearest friends.
At times, the task ahead seems daunting. Supplying a strengthened foundation for Davenport Junior Theatre to thrive upon in this new age will continue to be a challenge. But the passion of those around me is evident, from the employees at Parks and Recreation to the students to the Junior Theatre Board to the amazingly talented teaching staff. The progress we have made thus far is impressive. And when I tire, I turn to the words of Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander, Davenport Junior Theatre’s founder, for inspiration. At the end of her career, well into her 80’s, Mary said:
“People ask me why I don’t retire or stop or slow down or something. They can’t seem to understand it. It’s just the strangest thing. Why would I want to? This is what I do. It’s what I do, it keeps me going…. It’s not some dreary exercise routine, honey. It’s life. I wouldn’t trade mine for anyone else’s in the world. Why should I?”
Ditto.
Daniel DP Sheridan, Artistic Director
Davenport Junior Theatre
PS – Click on this link to view a video to understand even more about the mission of Junior Theatre. For alumni, it will be nostalgia.
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UP NEXT AT JUNIOR THEATRE
Performing Arts Camp : Paris
* Paris camp begins next Monday, August 2nd and has a few slots available. Enroll today!
Online Registration is now available! After you select the link below, you will be taken to the homepage of Davenport Parks and Recreation. There you will select ONLINE REGISTRATION, Junior Theatre Classes and Workshops are located under PERFORMING ARTS. Our camps are found in CAMPS. Here is the link: www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/parks.
To register in person, Davenport Parks and Recreation's Main Office is located in the Wiese Building next to the Putnam Museum/IMAX (1757 W. 12th St. / Davenport,IA 52804). 563-326-7812. Classes fill incredibly quickly, so don't delay!
Contact Us
Davenport Junior Theatre
2822 Eastern Avenue
Davenport, Iowa 52803
563/326-7862
Located on the Annie Wittenmyer Complex in Cottage 15 and the Nighswander Theatre
Daniel DP Sheridan
Artistic Director
563/888-2216
Dsheridan@ci.davenport.ia.us
Volunteer
Organizations like Junior Theatre are only able to exist thanks to the support of volunteers. Learn more on how you can get involved.
Our Digital Future
This is just the first iteration of a much bigger web project. Learn how (and why) we plan to use technology in the future,
Our Show History
Revisit the names of every Mainstage production that has happened over the last 58 years. Visit our Mainstage Production List. It is this body of work that makes us the second oldest children's theatre in America. Can you find shows you were in as a child?
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