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@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@workshopplayers.com www.workshopplayers.com "If all the world's a stage, I want better lighting!"