AUDITION, EMPLOYMENT, & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Audition Notice: A Christmas Carol
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Music & Lyrics by: Chris Blackwood
Book by: Piers Chater Robinson
ABOUT THE MUSICAL:
It isn't the holiday season without revisiting the beloved tale of the penny-pinching and bad tempered old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and the awakening of his long forgotten festive spirit. This ghostly tale of the Past, Present, and Future is brought to life in this exciting musical adaptation. All roles are paid positions.
A Note About Accents: Accents listed are not expected at auditions and will be worked on throughout the rehearsal process. That said, if you’re comfortable performing any of these accents, please let us know during auditions!
AUDITION DATES:
APPOINTMENTS: Auditions are by appointment. Please CLICK THE LINK to request an audition slot.
AUDITION LOCATION
Rochester Performing Arts Center (RPAC)
32 N Main St, Rochester, NH 03867
OTHER DATES:
Rehearsals: Late October - Early December (principals may join for one week of 8 hour days depending on union needs)
Performances: Thursdays-Sundays, December 8 - 23, 2023 (There will be school matinees December 20-22, and possibly 13-15)
PREPARATION:
Please prepare 16 bars of music in the style of the show (musical theater, hymn, carol, etc.) and a 45 second to one minute monologue. Bring sheet music in the correct key and a photo/resume stapled together. A piano accompanist will be provided.
SEEKING:
In reference to the character descriptions below, they have been written on the binary with he/him or she/her pronouns. However limiting the descriptions may be, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender nonconforming, gender queer, transgender and non binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with. We may list race/ethnicity when specific to the character, but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. In addition, we may list a disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors of every ability for all roles. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we may provide. Performers must be fully vaccinated, or be willing to self-test if they are unable to be vaccinated.
PERSONNEL (in the room):
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS:
Please EMAIL US with a link to your video, and attach headshot and resume.
Music & Lyrics by: Chris Blackwood
Book by: Piers Chater Robinson
ABOUT THE MUSICAL:
It isn't the holiday season without revisiting the beloved tale of the penny-pinching and bad tempered old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and the awakening of his long forgotten festive spirit. This ghostly tale of the Past, Present, and Future is brought to life in this exciting musical adaptation. All roles are paid positions.
A Note About Accents: Accents listed are not expected at auditions and will be worked on throughout the rehearsal process. That said, if you’re comfortable performing any of these accents, please let us know during auditions!
AUDITION DATES:
- Saturday, October 7
- 2PM-4PM: Youth & Teen Auditions (Ages 7-17)
- 4PM-6PM: Adult Auditions (Ages 18+)
- Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins will be accommodated based on availability of time blocks.
- Video submissions will be accepted
APPOINTMENTS: Auditions are by appointment. Please CLICK THE LINK to request an audition slot.
AUDITION LOCATION
Rochester Performing Arts Center (RPAC)
32 N Main St, Rochester, NH 03867
OTHER DATES:
Rehearsals: Late October - Early December (principals may join for one week of 8 hour days depending on union needs)
Performances: Thursdays-Sundays, December 8 - 23, 2023 (There will be school matinees December 20-22, and possibly 13-15)
PREPARATION:
Please prepare 16 bars of music in the style of the show (musical theater, hymn, carol, etc.) and a 45 second to one minute monologue. Bring sheet music in the correct key and a photo/resume stapled together. A piano accompanist will be provided.
SEEKING:
In reference to the character descriptions below, they have been written on the binary with he/him or she/her pronouns. However limiting the descriptions may be, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender nonconforming, gender queer, transgender and non binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with. We may list race/ethnicity when specific to the character, but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. In addition, we may list a disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors of every ability for all roles. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we may provide. Performers must be fully vaccinated, or be willing to self-test if they are unable to be vaccinated.
- Dickens (He/Him) LOW BARITONE. Twinkle in the eye, caring, thoughtful, a great eye for detail. Sprightly but with much gravitas. He also plays a number of roles in his story.
Ebenezer Scrooge (He/Him) HIGH BARITONE. A man at war with the world, frosty, miserly. Disdainful. He slowly reveals the inner Scrooge as he understands what he has missing in his life. A man fighting with change.
Bob Cratchit (He/Him) HIGH BARITONE. Long suffering, downtrodden, but always looks to the sunny side. His family is everything to him. A good hearted, caring fellow. A man with his heart on his sleeve.
Mrs Cratchit (She/Her) HIGH MEZZO SOPRANO. A strong woman with a heart of gold. She is loving and caring to her family and like a lioness in her protection of them. She can stand her ground, as she does to Scrooge. This actor may play multiple characters.
Fred (He/Him) BARITONE/TENOR. Bright, cheery, caring. Undeterred by his Uncle Scrooge’s bad humor, he is determined to stay merry and playful to the last. This role may double as Young Scrooge.
Belle (She/Her) SOPRANO. Young Scrooge’s only love. A shopgirl. Caring, thoughtful and honest. Wistful, demure, with a ‘heart of gold’. This actor may play multiple characters.
Jacob Marley (He/Him) TENOR Gloomy, haunted, a messenger of doom. Leaden and weighted down by the world. This actor may play multiple characters.
Christmas Past (He/She/They) SOPRANO/ALTO/TENOR. Quietly spoken, compassionate, thoughtful and speaks plain. Their purpose is solely to open the eyes of Scrooge to what could be. This actor may play multiple characters.
Christmas Present (He/Him) WIDE RANGE BARITONE. Jolly, full of life, large voice with the spirit of Christmas surging through every vein. Embodiment of goodwill. All that is bright and cheerful follows him. This character may double as Old Joe.
Christmas Yet to Come (He/She/They) NONSPEAKING. Dark, foreboding, chilling & shapeshifting.
Tiny Tim (He/Him) TREBLE. Small, weak, but still holding on to the joy his family brings him. Pensive and sometimes playful.
Fezziwig (He/Him) TENOR. Generous, fun-loving, and jolly. Caring. The epitome of a good person. Playful.
Mrs Fezziwig (She/Her) MEZZO SOPRANO. The mirror image of her partner.
Mrs Dilber (She/Her) MEZZO SOPRANO. Scrooge’s housekeeper and laundress. Bold, brassy, and sassy.
Mrs Filch (She/Her) SOPRANO Scrooge’s laundress. A foil to Mrs Dilber - but with a sharper way about her.
Sam Billikin (He/Him) BARITONE A kind hearted, good natured man. Owner of a chestnut stall and in debt to Scrooge. He tries to keep his good humor when all else fails.
Old Joe (He/Him) BARITONE. Back street underhand dealings are his game. He is the typical criminal class in a Dickens novel, although he tries to be genteel.
Belinda Cratchit (She/Her) ALTO/SOPRANO A young, happy girl. Loves her mother dearly.
Martha Cratchit (She/Her) ALTO/SOPRANO. The oldest Cratchit sibling, Martha is employed in a milliner’s shop. Hard working and caring. Considerate and kind.
Peter Cratchit (He/Him) TREBLE/TENOR. The ‘man’ of the family when his father is not there. Playful and jolly.
There are many speaking roles within the ensemble such as Street Vendors, Townspeople, Party Guests, Lamplighters, etc.
PERSONNEL (in the room):
- Anthony Ejarque: Executive Director
- Jenry Towle: Director
- Patrick Dorow: Music Director
- William Asher: Audition Accompanist
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS:
Please EMAIL US with a link to your video, and attach headshot and resume.
Ushers Needed!
Rochester Opera House is seeking volunteers to serve as ushers for our 2022-23 season. Each year there are over 130 events on average, happening every day of the week, with show times ranging from morning school performances to late into the evening. Ushers not only help patrons find their seat, sell concessions, and serve as greeters for community events, but also serve as ambassadors of our theater. Basic training is offered individually before a new usher starts, and is also offered as a general refresher each fall. Ushers also have the opportunity to see shows at our venue for free!
For more information, please call the box office at 603.335.1992 during business hours, or email boxoffice@rochesteroperahouse.org. We look forward to having you as part of our ROH crew!
For more information, please call the box office at 603.335.1992 during business hours, or email boxoffice@rochesteroperahouse.org. We look forward to having you as part of our ROH crew!