What:
Open auditions for A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens and adapted by John Mortimer.
When:
1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26.
Where:
Pentacle Theatre
324 52nd Ave. NW, off Highway 22
About 6 miles west of downtown Salem, Oregon
Casting: Roles for approximately 30 men, women and children, ages 8-80. Approximately 9 men, 9 women, 6 young women 8-17 and 6 young men 8-17.For a full list of parts, genders and ages. All races and ethnicities are encouraged to audition.
This is an ensemble show with extensive doubling. The cast brings to life upward of 60 characters and utilize elements of puppetry, singing and dance to tell Charles Dickens’ story. Part of the long English tradition associating ghost stories with Christmas eve, Dickens utilizes those eerie, fun and frightening aspects to tell an always timely story of loss, hope, redemption and active love for one’s fellow creatures. The story is told theatrically with an onstage chorus providing narration and commentary, as well as stepping in and out of characters in the drama.
Pentacle Theatre encourages actors of all abilities and ethnic backgrounds to participate in its productions.
Things to know:
- Actors will read from the script, and you may be asked to learn and perform a brief song and dance.
- Please arrive promptly by 1 p.m. and plan to stay as late as 5 p.m.
- Please dress comfortably and be ready to move and dance.
- Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form, or download a copy at PentacleTheatre.org/auditions and complete it in advance. Please write clearly, especially your contact information.
- Please bring your calendar and provide a complete list of your conflicts through Dec 2.
- Copies of the script are available on loan for a $10 refundable deposit at the Pentacle Theatre Business Office, 145 Liberty St. NE in downtown Salem. Call 503-485-4300 ext. 22 to arrange for pickup.
Callbacks: To be announced.
Read-through: To be announced.
Rehearsals: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Pentacle Theatre’s rehearsal studio in downtown Salem. The director will set weekend rehearsals and work sessions as needed.
Show dates: Friday, Nov. 10, through Saturday, Dec. 2
About the show: Dramatized with flair and wit in a version first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this adaptation of the ageless story captures Dickens’ ironic point of view while it creates a panoramic picture of Victorian London. The play features period music and a large cast performing multiple roles of more than 60 characters in this classic holiday tale.
Cast of Characters:
Ebenezer Scrooge – Male – 55-70 – Hard and sharp as flint, secret, solitary, self-contained as an oyster, an excellent man of business.
Bob Cratchit – Male – 35-50 – Scrooge’s hardworking clerk, an attentive and loving husband and father. His affability is not just the necessary affability of the poor.
Mrs. Cratchit – Female – 35-50 – Bob’s equally hardworking, harried but devoted and hopeful wife. Strong and warm.
Martha Cratchit – Female – Late teens – Hardworking, caring and loyal.
Belinda Cratchit – Female – Middle teens – Helpful but mischievous.
Peter Cratchit – Male – Middle teen – Older than his years, he’s seen the inside of a pawnshop.
‘Tiny’ Tim Cratchit – Male – 10-12 – A sickly body with the stoutest of hearts. SOLO SINGER.
Small Boy Cratchit – Male – 7-10 – Hopeful, hungry and loving.
Small Girl Cratchit – 7-10 – Hopeful, hungry and loving.
First Portly Gentleman – 30-70 – A well-to-do man of a charitable disposition.
Second Portly Gentleman – 30-70 – Another well-to-do man of a charitable disposition.
Scrooge’s Nephew, Fred – 25-35 – A comfortable member of the middle-class with a giving and conscientious nature.
Scrooge’s Niece – Female – 20-35 – The sweet-natured and playful wife of Scrooge’s Nephew, Fred. SOLO SINGER.
Ghost of Jacob Marley, 45-65 – The specter of Scrooge’s one-time business partner. Condemned to wander the world for his actions in life. Also deemed an excellent man of business.
The Spirit of Christmas Past – A puppet operated and voiced by three actors.
Fezziwig – Male, 45-60 – The joyful shade of Scrooge’s generous, boisterous first employer.
Belle – Female – Young Scrooge’s first and only love. A generous, loving spirit.
The Spirit of Christmas Present – A puppet voiced by one onstage actor. Often ready to laugh but filled with deep feelings for their human charges.
OTHER ROLES INCLUDE:
4 Phantoms
Shades of the Past:
- Child Scrooge – 8-12
- Headmaster
- Ali Baba – Dancing
- Sinbad – Dancing
- Morgiana – Dancing
- Robinson Crusoe with Parrot – Dancing
- Man Friday – Dancing
- Young Scrooge – 17-30
- Fan
- Dick Wilkins
- Fezziwig
- Mrs. Fezziwig
- 3 Misses Fezziwigs
- Belle
- Belle’s Husband
- Belle’s Daughter
- The Spirit of Christmas Present
Reflections of the Present
- Niece (Fred’s Wife)
- Miss Rosie, the Plump Sister
- Topper
- Party Guests
- Ignorance, a boy
- Want, a girl
- The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come
The Yet to Come
- First Businessman
- Second Businessman
- Third Businessman
- Fourth Businessman
- First Important Man
- Second Important Man
- Man on Scrooge’s Corner of the Exchange
- Old Joe
- Charwoman
- Mrs. Dilber, a laundress
- An Undertaker’s Man
Christmas Day
- Boy in Sunday Clothes
- Poulterer’s Man
- Fred’s Maid
For more information: Contact director Jeff Sanders at [email protected] or call 503-551-1445.
# # #
