Parents still have time to register their children for auditions for multiple productions this summer at Hoquiam’s 7th Street Theatre, according to the nonprofit.

The auditions, by appointment only, are this Saturday and the first group of auditions are set for 9 a.m. There are six audition group times and they will end at 6 p.m.

The auditions are for “Annie KIDS” and “Elf Jr.” Children must be between the ages of 7 to 16 years-old as of June 15 in order to participate in the auditions and the plays. They will be able to give a preference as to which show they’d like to be considered, the nonprofit states.

According to 7thstreetkids.org, this is the 32nd year that the nonprofit has provided musical theater education and live entertainment. No experience in acting, singing or dancing are needed for the prospective thespians. 7th Street Kids is a tuition-based program.

“Just bring your wonderful self,” the 7th Street Kids’ website states.

Annie Kids runs from July 14-16 at 7th Street Theatre —313 7th Street, in Hoquiam. Elf Jr. runs from Aug. 3-6 at the theater.

Before signing up children to audition, parents ought to be aware of the attendance policy, which is as follows.

Barring illness, participants are only allowed two absences, the website states. No absences are allowed during the final week. Cast members in lead roles, as identified by the directors, are only allowed one absence. Children who hold those roles are not allowed to be absent during the final two weeks.

If the audition times are filled up, theater staff will start a wait list. Staff will send confirmation emails about registration and about audition times to the parents or guardians of the children. People should check their spam box if they haven’t received a confirmation email.

Call backs for auditions will be held on Sunday at 7th Street Theatre, the nonprofit states. For children who receive a call back they will be contacted individually.

To prepare for the auditions, registration for it and information including song and dance tutorials can be found at 7thstreetkids.org, according to the nonprofit.

“Be brave, show us what you can do and most of all have fun,” the nonprofit states about what the children need to know. “You will get a chance to learn the songs and dances on the day of the audition.”

The nonprofit encourages the children who do not get cast to try again in 2024. The nonprofit also reminds children should wear closed-toe shoes or dance shoes and comfortable clothing for movement. Also, the auditorium can get a bit cold inside, so children might want to layer up. Parents are also advised to bring a water bottle for their prospective, young thespians.

Parents are to drop their children off at the front of the theater and are to pick them up on the J Street side of the theater. The auditions are closed and no parents are allowed to accompany their children.

The children cast to act in the plays will need to show up for rehearsals on June 22. Schedules for the shows will be given to the actors and actresses.

There will be required parent-guardian meetings for each show. The meeting for the Annie Kids’ cast is set for June 13 at 6 p.m., at the theater. The meeting for the Elf Jr. cast is set for June 14 at 6 p.m., at the theater.

Scholarships are available to help pay tuition. There’s a different fee for Annie KIDS than there is for Elf Jr., as they run for different lengths of time. Children who are cast spend most days from Monday through Friday at the theater to rehearse and learn about theater.

While there is tuition required, “very generous supporters” have ensured every child who wants to participate has the option.

“Getting a scholarship is filling out a simple form requesting the amount of scholarship money the child needs to participate,” the nonprofit stated. “We do encourage families to pay what they can afford and all families have to contribute some money toward tuition. Everyone that applies for a scholarship gets one.”

Children will be able to borrow dance shoes.

For any further questions, email audition@7thstreetkids.org

7th Street Theatre update

7th Street Theatre has undergone substantial exterior work on the building’s J Street side and it wowed a couple people who walked down J Street on Thursday afternoon.

Annemarie Babineau, of Aberdeen, was walking with a friend and stopped to give her thoughts on the job EverGreene Architectural Arts, of New York, has put in.

“It’s just wonderful,” Babineau said. “They’re just fixing up Hoquiam.”

The work to the exterior’s J Street side included painting, which is complete, according to Ray Kahler, 7th Street Association Board president.

“The painting work included restoring some original decorative details that have not been present for many years, including stenciling under the eaves and stenciling above and below where the Assyrian panel will be replaced on the J Street side of the building,” Kahler said. “The work on the J Street side of the building also included replacement of rotten wood in several areas and sealing of cracks in the concrete stucco that EverGreene found during the course of the work.”

Kahler said EverGreene will return the week of June 12 to install the three Assyrian bas-relief panels, which includes two panels on the front of the theater and one on the J Street side.

“In addition to the exterior restoration work, the remaining LED lighting fixtures were installed in the auditorium at the end of May, which has significantly improved the lighting in the auditorium,” Kahler said.

Babineau loves how while the theater has undergone work, it’s kept its historic charm.

“It’s old school in there,” Babineau said. “They’ve remodeled but they’ve kept the uniqueness. It helps the Harbor. That’s just what we do here.”

The color on the J Street side — Renwick beige — will be used on the front of the building when the theater raises enough money, according to Jamie Brand, 7th Street Theatre’s manager. About $175,000 is still needed for the front facade.

“There is a lot more detail on the front to be repaired when the work is done,” Brand said.

For now, EverGreene’s detailed work has impressed.

“We are very pleased with how the J Street side of the building looks after the project and now will be working on grant applications and fundraising to restore the front facade of the building as our next major project,” Kahler said.

To donate to the theater and help its restoration, people should go to 7thstreettheatre.com/donate. They can also send donations to “7th Street Theatre P.O. Box 777, Hoquiam, WA 98550.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.