It’s never too early to get prepared for the holiday season, and the Renaissance Theatre is gearing up for a great show in November.
The Renaissance Theatre announces auditions for “A Christmas Story the Musical,” in Mansfield, Ohio. Auditions will be held Saturday, September 16th from 10am-3pm on the stage of the Renaissance Theatre. The delightful new Tony-nominated holiday musical, from the creators of the Dear Evan Hansen, is based on the beloved classic film, about 11 year old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas presents, a Red Ryder Carbine-Action BB Gun. It will be directed by Michael Thomas, with musical direction by Kelly Knowlton and choreography by Shannon Maloney. It wil be presented as a part of the Richland Bank Broadway Series.
Auditions are open to children and adults ages 10 and up. Those auditioning will be asked to learn a dance combination. Interested performers should prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song, which may be from the show if they so choose. Those auditioning may also be asked to do a cold reading from the script at their audition. Rehearsals begin Oct. 11th. Performances are November 11, 12, 18 and 19, 2017. Main/featured roles are paid a stipend (non-union). Audition appointments are required, and can be scheduled by contacting Linda Chambers at 419-522-2726, ext 213 or via email at [email protected] .
Available roles include:
Narrator: Adult Male, Baritone. Charismatic storyteller with a dynamic speaking voice who can draw an audience in to the world of the play. An actor with presence and spark. A good-natured curmudgeon. Midwestern. Steps into the scene to play “cameo” roles.
The Old Man: Adult Male, Baritone/Tenor to a high G, must be a good mover with a strong character voice. He has a good heart, but it is buried under a rough exterior. He’s not the perfect father by any means – he is happiest when he’s tinkering in the basement. He usually expects the worst, but is secretly a dreamer. A devoted husband/father, who loves his family but does not feel the need to show it.
Mother: Adult Female, mezzo-soprano low G to high Dflat. She is more in charge than she would ever let anyone know. Warm but tough. Strong willed, straight forward, no nonsense, likable, midwestern – a kind of every-mom. VOICE: contemporary mezzo with a strong mix.
Ralphie: Young Male aged 9-13, high belt voice, low F#-high D. A regular kid – cute, but not precious. Bright, but not precocious; the boy next door. Ralphie above all is a dreamer. Seeking a young boy who is comfortable and honest on stage. Must be an excellent singer and able to carry a show. Tap dance is a big plus.
Randy: Young Male, aged 7-9, high belt voice, low F#-high C#. Ralphie’s younger brother. Can be a bit awkward and offbeat; admires his big brother, Ralphie, but won’t admit it. Seeking a young boy who is comfortable and honest on stage, cute, cuddly, & whiny but not a brat.
Miss Shields: Adult Female, 20s-60s, Alto belt voice. She is Ralphie’s elementary school teacher. Perhaps a little boring looking at first – ah but underneath! Great with comedy. An actress with a flexible voice who is comfortable singing both legit and contemporary Broadway – a belter. Great mover. Tap dance skills a plus.
Schwartz: Young male, 9-13, strong vocal and acting skills. Ralphie’s friend and neighbor. He’s smart-mouthed and sassy, but when Miss Shields is looking he’s the best little boy in the world.
Flick: Young male, 9-13, strong vocal and acting skills. Ralphie’s friend and next door neighbor. He’s a jokester, brags a bit too much, and always has a farfetched story to relate, but he can still be naïve and trusting.
Scut Farcus: Young male, aged 12-15. The classic bully; tough, perhaps taller than the other kids; there’s nothing about him you want to like. He’s that kid you always made sure to avoid in school. Gruff character voice.
Grover Dill: Young male, aged 9-13. Scut Farcus’ crummy little toady. Mean and rotten. Must be shorter than Farcus.
Ester Jane: Young female, aged 10-14, strong singer and dancer. Ralphie’s classmate.
Nancy: Young Female, aged 10-14, strong singer and dancer. Ralphie’s classmate.
Goggles Kid: Young Male, aged 10-14, strong singer and dancer. Weird kid in line with Ralphie and Randy to see Santa.
Santa: Adult Male, Tenor, 20s-60s. Ill-tempered, inebriated and unhappy with his job.
Santa’s Elves: Adult Male and Female, 20s/30s, strong singing voices. Comic roles. The last people you would ever expect to be working with children, they have no patience and no Christmas spirit.
Ensemble, (Adults): Schwartz’s Mother, Flick’s Mother, Policemen, Firemen, Black Bart, Doctor, Nurse, Townspeople, Parents, Neighbors, Pioneers, vocal/dance ensemble.
Ensemble (Kids): Classmates, neighbors, kids waiting to see Santa (solo singing lines), pioneers, gawkers, Farcus’ victims.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Assocation
