Auditions: A Christmas Carol

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Rehearsals –

Rehearsals will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, within the range of  6 p.m – 10 p.m. Student actors will be released by 9 p.m, unless specifically requested

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Important Dates –

First Rehearsal – September 23rd
Saturday 9 to 5 – November 23rd
Q2Q – November 30th

Tech Week – December 1st – 4th. Rehearsals will be 6 p.m – 10 p.m for all involved.

Performances – December 6th – 24th

Some cast member will be asked to assist us in Pop Up performances on the following days:  Saturday, November 16th and Sunday, November 17th. Each day is in the time frame of 1 – 4pm.

PREPARATION

Woodstock Arts is deeply committed to building an inviting and inclusive arts community that celebrates individuality and diversity and treats everyone with fairness and respect. We invite artists of all genders, races, ages, sizes, and sexual orientations, as well as artists with disabilities to participate. We want to represent diverse communities in our organization and welcome you here.

Woodstock Arts is taking measures to ensure your safety and well-being. We want to make this experience as comfortable, safe, and fun as possible for everyone involved.

Auditions will be in-person on Sunday, September 8th and Monday, September 9th, from 6:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m

Video audition submissions will be accepted until Monday, September 9th at 8:30 p.m. Auditions received after this time may not be considered.  You can send your Video Submission to zach@woodstockarts.org. Please Slate before your video audition. (NOTE: you will still need to fill out the online audition form along with a video submission.) 

In-person callbacks  will take place on Wednesday, September 11th from 6:00 pm until 10 p.m.

Information about callbacks will be emailed separately.

If you have previously appeared in A CHRISTMAS CAROL with us, you may come straight to callbacks!

For your audition please prepare- Please prepare a 16 – 32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show (this can be a musical theatre song, a Christmas song, or any song that feels right in your voice) as well as a brief monologue of your choosing. 

There will be no accompaniment for this audition, so please send a track to zach@woodstockarts.org prior to your audition to be played in the room for you. 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Character Breakdown – we are able to cast a company of 16 adult actors.

• Ebeneezer Scrooge – 45 to 65 – A man who lost his father to creditors as a child and has grown up heeding his father’s advice to save his money above all else. Until he realizes how terrible he’s become, he is a grumpy, unsympathetic man and has no time for anyone or anything. Vocal range top: G5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Ghost Of Jacob Marley – 35 to 55 – A tormented and lugubrious ghost who, before his death, was Scrooge’s long-time partner in business. He returns to give Scrooge a chance to avoid the fate he secured for himself. Vocal range top: A5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Ghost Of Christmas Past – An ever cheerful, sprightly ghost who visits Scrooge to show him the events that led to his current state.  Vocal range top: G5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Scrooge’s Father – A man seen for the last time as he is sentenced to prison for non-payment of debts. His final words to Ebeneezer become his son’s lifelong obsession and undoing.
• Scrooge’s Mother – A woman who tries to instill values of compassion and love in her children. Though she dies while they are still young, her presence lingers long into their adulthood.
• Child Eben – 8 to 12 – A determined boy who dedicates his life to making enough money to avoid the same fate as his father.
• Child Fan – 8 to 12 – Scrooge’s sister from whom he is separated. She longs for an idealized sense of home, family, and belonging at Christmastime.
• Young Eben – 18 – 30 – A hardworking young professional who seems to be going places. Surrounded by others who come from money, he can not shake the feeling that he must prove his worth.
• Young Marley – 18-35 – A striking and gregarious young man for whom money and affection have always come easy. He is perfectly suited to a partnership with Scrooge until his untimely death.
• Emily –  18 to 30 – Scrooge’s fiancé from when they were young. She is a charming young woman who comes from a wealthy family and as such is not impressed or in need of money.
• Mr. Fezziwig – 35 to 55 -A jolly and charitable man who throws a huge Christmas party every year for the community. He is Scrooge’s first boss and after teaching him all he knows, he becomes deeply disappointed in the man Scrooge will become.Vocal range top: B5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Mrs. Fezziwig – 35 to 55 -A consummate and prideful hostess, Mr. Fezziwig’s wife revels in throwing the Christmas party every year. Vocal range top: A5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Ghost Of Christmas Present – 35 to 55, A jovial, larger-than-life spirit who comes to show Scrooge all the joy, love, and celebration he is missing out on.  Vocal range top: G5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Bob Cratchit – 30 to 40, A father and husband who cares deeply for his family, particularly his youngest son. Though he is a hard worker, he can not hope to meet Scrooge’s unreasonable expectations.  Vocal range top: E5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Mrs. Cratchit – 30 to 40, female – Tiny Tim’s mother and Mr. Cratchit’s wife. She is a loving mother who tries to provide the best for her children with what she’s got. Vocal range top: E5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Martha Cratchit – 13 to 18 – Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit’s oldest daughter. She does not see her family regularly as she must work in a factory to help support them, but always tries to make it home for Christmas.
• Tiny Tim – 8 to 12 – Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit’s youngest son. He uses a crutch to walk, and is the definition of loving Christmas spirit. He constantly reminds his family that as long as they all have each other, they will be happy. This role will be played as male by an actor of any gender, and will be double cast.
• Fred Anderson – 25 to 35 –  Scrooge’s nephew and only living relative. He is a pleasant young man who believes in the good a joyful Christmas spirit can make in the world and longs for a connection with his mother’s family. Vocal range top: F5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Sally Anderson – 25 to 35 – A staunch woman and Fred’s wife who is pregnant with their first child. She does not believe reconciliation with Scrooge is possible, but supports Fred’s efforts to do so. Vocal range top: B5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Ghost Of Christmas Future –  An inevitable and terrifying wraith, the Ghost of Christmas Future is strong and silent as she shows Scrooge what will happen to him and those around him if he continues down the path he is currently treading.  The oldest of the three spirits. Vocal range top: G5 – Vocal range bottom: A3
• Ensemble –  Bankers, Charity Collectors, Charwomen, Merchants, Urchins, Ghosts, Judge, Bailiffs, Party Guests, Showgirls, Gravediggers, and People of London