Unless otherwise noted all auditions will be held at:
Old Courthouse Theatre
49 Spring Street NW
Concord, NC 28025
Registration is from 7pm-8pm
AUDITION DATES:
September 21:
4-6 years old: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
7-12 years old: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
September 22 & 23:
Teens and Adults: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
PRODUCTION DATES: December 5-8 & 13-15, 2024
SYNOPSIS:
A holiday classic from the writer of the musical theatre classic, The Music Man!, and based on the movie of the same name, Miracle on 34th Street features a book and score by none other than Meredith Willson.
Is he, or isn't he? That's the question this enchanting musical based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name sets out to answer. Doris Walker is a single mom raising her 6-year-old daughter, Susan, in New York City. When Doris' charming neighbor, Fred, volunteers to take Susan to meet Kris Kringle at Macy's Department Store, holiday magic is let loose all throughout the Big (Candy) Apple! Filled with delightful music and a spirit of hope, Meredith Willson's Miracle on 34th Street puts cynicism on trial and invites audience members of all ages to believe in Santa Claus again!
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS:
There are many opportunities for a variety of roles including kids, parents, vendors, shoppers, clerks, secretary, nurse, marines, policemen, mailman, spectators, parade participants, toys in the toy ballet, etc. There is lots of fun for all!!
A thematic note for those auditioning. We are immersing ourselves top to bottom in the late 40s...nostalgia, fashions, movements, speech patterns, pacing, traditions, and the belief in Christmas Magic!
For great examples of the acting style of the time and if you are so inclined, feel free to check out any of these movies:
*1947 The Miracle On 34th Street with Edmund Gwenn and Maureen O'Hara
*It's A Wonderful Life
*His Girl Friday
*The Philadelphia Story (with Kathryn Hepburn)
AUDITION INFO:
CHILDREN/YOUTH - Parents may stay with children in the "holding area" in the annex. Children aged 4-6 can have a parent accompany them into the audition area. All may leave after they've auditioned. We reserve the right to hold children who are being considered for speaking roles. Those in contention for the role of Susan will be called back into the auditions Sunday/ Monday.
AUDITIONS, 9/21, 11:00-12:00 PM - Minimum age: 4 (Yep! We'll have a group of Littles in the Parade Sequence, ages 4-6 for these little ones.
Singing is not required but they will need to follow a simple movement routine.
AUDITIONS 9/21, 12:00-3:00 PM - Youth: age 7-12 (also a group in the parade sequence but additional opportunities to be part of the ensemble.
24 bars of a prepared song and learn a dance sequence; prepared monologue might help the younger ones though cold reads will be utilized as a general practice. All children auditioning for the role of Susan must participate in cold readings.
AUDITIONS 9/22 and 9/23, 7:00-9:00 PM
TEENS/ADULTS: cold readings, prepare 24 bars in the style of a Broadway Standard or music of the time (1947 or prior); accompanist will be provided/bring 2 copies of your sheet music
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Doris Walker (lead)
Special Event Coordinator for Macy's Department Store. She is a driven career woman and free thinker who has recently divorced. Hard-working and cynical.
Gender: female
Age: mid-20s/30 to 40
Vocal range F3-F5
Fred Gaily (lead)
A handsome Military Captain mustering out into civilian life. Smart, hopeful and warm.
Gender: male
Age: 20s/30 to 40
Vocal range/Baritone: Ab4-Ab2
Kris Kringle (lead)
Kind old man who believes he is Santa Claus. He embodies all of the classic characteristics of the jolly, friendly, warm-hearted icon; speaks and sings Dutch during one scene (actor must be able to learn phonetics to manage Dutch)
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 70
Vocal range: E4-B2
Susan (supporting)
Daughter to Doris. She is wise beyond her years and a self-sufficient city girl.
Gender: female
Age: 6 to 9, petite 10
Vocal range: G3 - Eb5
Marvin Shellhammer (supporting)
An aggressive but somewhat bungling junior executive and the head of Public Relations.
Gender: male
Age: 25 (30) to 40
Vocal range: F#4-C3
R.H. Macy (supporting)
The boss of Macy's. Very concerned with public opinion.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65
Vocal range: E4-Bb2
**Mr./Ms. Sawyer (supporting/non-singing, possible ensemble or doubling) The corrupt store psychologist
Gender: male or female
Age: 45 or older
**Miss Crookshank (supporting, possible doubling) Mr. Sawyer's secretary
Gender: female
Age: 21 or older
**Judge Martin Group (supporting, possible doubling) A judge for the New York State Supreme Court
Gender: male or female
Age: 45 or older
**Tammany O'Halloran (supporting, possible doubling) A political boss
Gender: male or female
Age: 40 or older
Vocal part: tenor
Thomas Mara, Sr. (supporting) The District Attorney
Gender: male
Age: 35 or older
Harry Finfer (featured) child who sits on Santa's lap
Gender: male
Age: 6-9
Henrika (featured/lines and singing) A Dutch Girl, orphaned and newly arrived; initially scared and crying, warms as interacts with Santa - she speaks and sings Dutch (actor must be able to learn phonetics to manage Dutch)
Gender: female
Age: 6 - petite 12
Tommy Mara, Jr. (featured)
Gender: male
Age: 7-12