Wheaton Drama is proud to announce auditions for its Holiday Radio Play, “A Christmas Carol,” which will be performed in a readers’ theater style. Director Pam Turlow is looking for strong, versatile actors of all ages and ethnicities who are capable of authentic British dialects.
Auditions are Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 6, from 7-10 p.m at Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton, IL 60187.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No callbacks are scheduled.
The following roles are available and may be double or triple cast, depending on turnout:
MEN:
Charles Dickens (30s to late 50s): Our narrator. Should be a superb storyteller with a sense of drama, able to bring the classic images in the story to life. Standard British dialect.
Ebenezer Scrooge (40s to 70s): Our anti-hero curmudgeon. Looking for a strong actor who can believably take us along on his journey, to his epiphany. Standard British dialect.
Bob Cratchit (30s to 50s): A kind soul, a charming gentleman, much put upon, but whose soul shines bright. Standard British, London, or Cockney dialect.
Nephew Fred (20s to 30s): A true believer in the Spirit of Christmas. Positive and cheery, even in the face of Scrooge’s rebuffs. Standard British or London dialect.
Mr. Bentley (30s to 50s): A business man who is doing charity collection work. Standard British or London dialect.
Mr. Charlton (30s to 50s): See Mr. Bentley.
Jacob Marley (40s to 70s): The Spirit of Regret, incarnate (or semi-incarnate). Woeful, wise, inclined to fits of melancholy. Oh, and terrifying. Standard British dialect.
Fezziwig (40s to 70s): Dimpled, humorous, festive, and a wee bit tipsy. Standard, London, or Cockney dialect.
Young Ebenezer (late teens to 20s): Hopeful and in love, but torn by the lure of monetary wealth. Standard British dialect.
Belle’s Husband (30s to 40s): A good husband, kind to his family. Standard British dialect.
Ghost of Christmas Present (30s to 50s): The Spirit of the God Bacchus! Robust, a booming voice, and larger than life. Standard British or London dialect.
Topper (20s to 30s): A tipsy, boisterous friend of Fred.
Old Joe (40s to 70s): A lower-class London buyer and purveyor of rags. Maybe drunk, maybe toothless. Cockney or London dialect.
WOMEN:
Belle (late teens to 20s): Wise beyond her years. Heartbroken over the love she knows she can never have. Standard British dialect.
Mrs. Cratchit (30s to 50s): Much like her husband in temperament, but she probably wears the pants in the family. Standard British, London or Cockney dialect.
Bess (20s to 30s): A smart, savvy young woman, devoted to Fred.
Nancy (20s to 40s): A giggly, not-so-bright friend of Bess.
Wretched Woman (40s to 70s): A poor, sickly woman in the Alms House.
Charwoman (20s to 70s): A lower-class London cleaning woman. Probably possessing same dental affliction as Old Joe. Crass and blowsy. Cockney or London dialect.
Laundress (20s to 70s): Hangs with the same crowd as the Charwoman and Old Joe. Probably needs a bath. Cockney or London dialect.
MAN OR WOMAN:
Ghost of Christmas Past (Age, gender open): Ageless, ethereal, wise. Standard British dialect.
CHILDREN (all children should attempt a Standard or London dialect):
Boy Ebenezer (10 to 12): A sad, lonely lad.
Fan (8 to 10): Boy Ebenezer’s sister. Full of joy and promise.
Martha Cratchit (teens): The eldest Cratchit girl. Capable, smart, and loving.
Peter Cratchit (teens): The eldest Cratchit boy. Gentle and bright.
Belinda Cratchit (8 to teens): The youngest Cratchit girl. Hopeful and energetic.
Tiny Tim (7 to 10): A wise soul inside a small, sickly body. The child who is cast must be able to convey his unerring hopefulness. A boy is preferred, but the role is open to girls as well.
Boy at Alms House (12 to teens): A sweet soul who only wishes to help those less fortunate.
Goose Boy (8 to teens): A bundle of energy, eager to earn some tuppence on Christmas morning.
Caroler (boy or girl, 8 to teens): A lower-class child who’s caroling in hopes of earning money for his/her family.
“A Christmas Carol” will be performed Dec. 15-18, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. A read-through will be held Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mary Lubko Center (formerly Leisure Center), 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, and rehearsals are Monday through Wednesday evenings, Dec. 12-14, at Playhouse 111.
