BELOIT — DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit, a program of Family Services, is partnering with the Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC) on a production of the musical RENT, set for this fall. Their goal is for all cast to be LGBTQ+. Auditions are May 5-7; both in-person and electronically submitted auditions are welcome. The production is also sponsored by the Rock County LGBTQ+ Committee.

“We are excited to be working on this musical, which is about celebrating who we are as an LGBTQ+ community,” said Stephanie Hormig, LGBTQ+ advocate for DEFY and the show’s director. “The entire team producing this musical will ensure support, respect, and acceptance for every person involved in this show.”

For more information or to sign up for an audition, visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/114_FgcP4xpPkNQn-K175WkNKi8CcTM2QG3WWIKUycMA/edit?usp=sharing. Because of the show’s mature content, auditions are limited to people age 16 and up; if someone who is younger than age 16 wishes to audition, their parent or guardian should contact Hormig at shormig@familyservices1.org. 

The RENT musical will be performed Sept. 30, and Oct. 1 and 2 at JPAC, 408 S. Main Street, Janesville. 

As part of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc., DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit extends to survivors of domestic abuse all the support offered by Family Services. This includes parenting support; therapy and counseling; legal advocacy; and community outreach.

In addition to DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit, Family Services includes the following: Individual & Family Counseling Program; Sexual Assault Recovery Program; Praxis Employee Assistance Program; Youth2Youth 4 Change; and The Neighborhood Resilience Project. 

Family Services is a funded partner of United Way Blackhawk Region, United Way of Green County, and the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.