[NEohioPAL] Workshop Players Auditions: The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Adapted By Michael Paller - Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.

[Workshop Players via NEohioPAL]

Workshop Players will hold auditions for The Christmas Carol, by Charles
Dickens, adapted by Michael Paller and directed by Jonathan McCleery on
Sunday, September 13 & Tuesday, September 15 at 7 pm. Call-backs will be
Wednesday, September 16, 7 pm. The theater is located at 44820 Middle Ridge
Rd. in Amherst.

This is not your typical Christmas Carol. The time is Christmas Eve.
Dickens and his wife have invited over friends for a Yuletide celebration.
They ask Charles for a story. Charles whisks his guests up to the attic
where the Dickens’ theatrical props are stored. There he distributes
various parts for his guests to play in a story he’s just developing. The
result is the familiar Christmas Carol story.

48 characters are portrayed by only 10 actors. The ability to portray
several distinct characters is a must. English accents strongly
recommended. Some characters use Cockney*. Some ages of the characters
may be altered to accommodate casting requirements.

Preparation: Children will be asked to tell a story with 2 or more
characters in which they may act out the action and dialogue. Limit 2-3
minutes. Adults are asked to prepare 2 monologues which demonstrate an
ability to portray distinct characters. Limit 3 minutes total for both.

Call backs will consist of readings from the script. Some acting exercises
may also be included in the
audition process.

Rehearsals: Tentatively set for Mondays through Thursdays from 7-9 pm at
the theater. Tech rehearsal will be Sunday November 15 at 2 pm. Come to
auditions with any conflicts you may have. Since school will be in session
we will try to limit the number of rehearsals involving the children, and
we will
send them home as early as possible. However, the closer we get to opening,
the more frequent rehearsals will be, and the later they will run. Please
be advised. We require a parent or guardian
to be present for each child while rehearsing.

Charles Dickens – Please understand: we are not casting Scrooge, we are
casting Dickens who portrays Scrooge. Dickens was in his early 30’s when
Christmas Carol was written. High energy, engaging and winsome, although
melancholy at the opening.

The Child – about 10 years old. Precocious, troublesome, the embodiment of
Dickens’ repressed inner
child, struggling to find release in Dickens’ writing.

Mark Lemon – Editor of Punch magazine, a humorous weekly. Good natured.
Loves a joke, but tends to
complain about unexpected events. Huge appetite and waistline. A fat suit
might be necessary. Plays First Portly Gentleman, Fezziwig, Fat Man, Man on
the Bed.

Frederick Dickens – Charles’ younger brother, early 20’s. Something of'a
ne’er-do-well but of the charming'variety. Portrays Fred, Young Scrooge,
Peter Cratchit, Ghost of Christmas Yet to
Come (first appearance), Old Joe*

Clarkson Stanfield – an artist. About 32. Has a gentle yet mischievous
demeanor. A major plus if you can play violin reasonably well. Portrays Bob
Cratchit, Ghost of Christmas Past, Topper, The Thin Man, The Undertaker*.

Helen Hogarth – 10-year-old niece of Charles Dickens. Portrays a Caroller,
Fan, a Little Fezziwig, Belinda Cratchit.

Charley Dickens – Charles’ son, also about 10 years old. Portrays a
Caroller, Young Ebenezer, a Little Fezziwig, Tiny Tim, the Boy

Mrs. Stanford – Wife of Clarkson, early 30’s. Delicately featured. Sings a
duet in the course of the play. Portrays Belle, Martha Cratchit, Mrs.
Fred’s sister, the Charwoman*.

Catherine Dickens – Wife of Charles, late 20’s or early 30’s. Taller than
Mrs. Stanford. Sings a duet in the course of the play. Portrays Mrs.
Fezziwig, Mrs. Crachit, Mrs. Fred, Mrs. Dilber*

John Forster – Dickens’ closest friend and advisor. 30’s. Gruff.
Intimidating in appearance and demeanor, yet with an underlying
playfulness. Portrays, Second Portly Gentleman, Ghost of Jacob Marley, Dick
Wilkins, Ghost of Christmas Present, Man with Handkerchief, Ghost of
Christmas Yet to Come (second appearance)

Please direct your questions to the director:
Jonathan McCleery
(strongheart11 at yahoo.com)

Performance dates will be: November 19-21 and 28-29; December 4-6 and 11-13

Come be part of retelling this classic tale in such a unique and
fascinating way.

-- 
Workshop Players
44820 Middle Ridge Road, Amherst, OH 44001
Box Office: 440-988-5613 (Box Office hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
contact at workshopplayers.com
www.workshopplayers.com

"If all the world's a stage, I want better lighting!"
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