Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesDavid Smith, Maggie Smith and Lu Baxa with Gunner Smith and Baxa Campbell are opening Drama Kids Theatre Guild with 'Beauty and the Beast Jr.'

VALDOSTA — There’s a new kids theatre organization in town.

And it’s looking for kids to open with a big show.

Drama Kids Theatre Guild will hold its first audition for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug. 4, Bemiss Road Baptist Church, 3307 Bemiss Road, according to the founding directors. Callbacks and second auditions are scheduled for 10 a.m., Aug. 11.

Husband and wife David and Maggie Smith and Lu Baxa as well as other parents met while their children participated in another area theatre program.

They said they enjoyed working together and wanted to start a children’s theatre program.

“We have a different vision for children’s theatre,” Baxa said. “We want a program based more on what the children enjoy, with plays and songs they already know and want to perform. And we want the parents and volunteers to have a say in how we operate the play.”

Shows such as “Beauty and the Beast.” The “junior” designation means the script has been abridged for children; more mature themes have been removed and the show has been shortened. “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” runs about an hour and 20 minutes, they said.

Valerie Gales, a Valdosta State University student, will direct the show, the Smiths said.

The rehearsal schedule is also designed to be family friendly, the Smith said. Rehearsals will be held 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the church.

Performances are scheduled for Oct. 27, 28, at Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center. 3101 N. Forrest St.

Drama Kids Theatre Guild is for youngsters ages 5 to 18 years old. Kids can also choose to work back stage rather than perform on stage, they said.

While there will be a season of shows, organizers are focused on producing the first show now.

And raising funds.

Baxa hosted a yard sale to benefit Drama Kids. The Smiths work the concession stand at wrestling matches held at Mathis City Auditorium.

Now, they said, Drama Kids is ready for its debut.

More information: Call Maggie Smith, (229) 269-2871.