Auditions: Oliver!

Oliver!

Musical | Drama

Directed by Pam Orear

---

Auditions

Pick one time to attend during designated age.

 

Friday, April 26th:

6:00-9:00: Adults Only

Saturday, April 27th:

10:00 AM – Noon: Youth Only (7-17)

1:00 – 3:00 PM : Adults Only

3:00- 5:00 PM: All Ages (7-Adult)

Sunday, April 28th:

1:00 – 5:00 PM: All Ages (7 – Adult)

 

Monday, April 29th: Call Backs

Oliver is a MainStage Tent Production performed

July 12-20th – possible holdovers 21st & 22nd

 

Youth must be 7 years old to audition

 

Auditions held at CST Theatre Center

1700 N. Park Road (up hill from the tent)

 

For college students and others not in town for the auditions, you will be able to do a virtual audition by submitting a self tape. Please contact director Pam Orear at pamorear11@gmail.com for instructions. 

 

Director: Pam Orear

Choreographer: Erica Franken

Vocal / Orchestra Director: Andrea Molina

---

What to Expect:

Please come prepared with 32 bars of a song that best compliments your personality and voice. You can either bring sheet music or a backing track already transposed to your key. Speaker will be provided. Dress appropriately (including shoes) for a dance/ movement audition.

Youth ages 7-12 are welcome to learn the first two versus of Consider Yourself in lieu of a prepared song. Here is a link to practice. No music needed. https://youtube.com/watch?v=17Z3g9Hym5Q&si=r6JsZYyxEYpPy-p8

 

Rehearsals begin May 6th Mon.-Fri. evenings with a few scheduled weekends

Must bring rehearsal conflicts to auditions from May 6- July 4

Mandatory rehearsals begin July 5th

Must be able to commit to all possible dark nights and holdover performances thru July 22

---

OLIVER! SYNOPSIS

Bringing Charles Dickens’ beloved novel to life, Lionel Bart’s Oliver! takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England. Join young,orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates the London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and – most importantly – for love. When Oliver is picked up on the street by a boy named the Artful Dodger, he is welcomed into a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving, but charismatic, Fagin. When Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he didn’t commit, he is rescued by a kind and wealthy gentleman, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sikes. Caught in the middle is the warm-hearted Nancy, who is trapped under Bill’s thumb, but desperate to help Oliver, with tragic results. With spirited, timeless songs like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” and “Where Is Love,” Oliver! is a musical classic

---

OLIVER! CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Large Ethnically Diverse Cast of Adults & Youth

 

PRINCIPAL AND SUPPORTING ROLES

Fagin: Early 50’s to 60”s – Strong Performer / Actor/Singer / Able to move well

Described as a very personable con man, an old thespian, devious, petty thief, sly fox, father figure, a teacher, and eccentric yet lovable villain. A man of many dimensions who takes in homeless youth and trains them to pick pockets for him.  This is a large demanding role with significant character acting and singing.

British (London) accent

Baritone A-F

 

Nancy: 20’s to 30’s – Strong Performer/ Singer (good belt)/Actress / Dancer

When she was younger she worked for Fagin and is now a mother figure to Fagin’s gang. Longing for a better life, she has strong morals, a kind heart, tough and street smart. She is also a victim of abuse at the hands of Bill Sykes, the man she believes she loves. Nancy is the tragic heroine. Large and demanding singing and acting role.

Cockney accent

Alto A3 –E5

 

Oliver Twist: 7 to 12 – Strong Performer /Singer (Soprano) / Actor / Must be able to move well

An orphan workhouse boy who is overworked and underfed. Oliver is young, small, and innocent, but is also feisty, charming, and intelligent. Naive and easy to manipulate and mistreat however he never loses his sense of morality or kindness. Oliver is the sweet little waif that melts everyone’s hearts. Very large and demanding singing and acting role.

British (London) accent – not Cockney

Soprano A3-F5

 

Artful Dodger:  12 to 17 – Strong Performer/ Singer/ Actor / Dancer

The brightest of the Fagin gang. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent and savvy beyond his years. Considered Fagin’s “right hand man.”  He is well-spoken, precocious, and utterly charming.  Needs an actor with a strong and dynamic stage presence and a quirky yet bright personality. Demanding role.

Cockney accent

Soprano / Baritone (depending on voice change) A#3/Bb3 –F5

 

Bill Sykes:  30’s to 40’s – Strong Singer/Actor

Also worked for Fagin as a youth now a professional burglar and feared master criminal. A cruel and merciless brut who is lacking empathy or remorse.  Prone to fits of rage, he can turn violent at the slightest provocation. Everyone is fearful of his presence.

Cockney accent

Bass -BaritoneC#3 –C2

 

Mr. Bumble: 40’s to 60’s – Strong Singer / Character Actor

‘The Master of the Workhouse who is a pompous, self-righteous, greedy, and a corrupt bureaucrat. He oversees the workhouse where Oliver lives as a child where he abuses all those under him and is offended by the impositions on him.

British accent

Baritone -high tenor C-A

 

Widow Corney: 30’s to 50’s – Strong Character Actress / Solo singing

The domineering Mistress of the Workhouse who is sharp tongued and corrupt like Bumbles. She is demeaning and demanding. Comedic ability is required.

Cockney accent

Soprano belt D-G

 

Mr. Brownlow: 50’s to 70’s   Strong Actor / Possible Solo Singing

Oliver’s grandfather who is a kind and wealthy upper class gentleman. He is compassionate, understanding, and strong in his convictions. Will stand up for what he believes is right and does not go along with the London elite. This character will be cast as either a singer or non-singer. Opportunity for a singer to do some solo singing.

Upper crust British accent

 

Bet: 18 – 25   Some Solo Singing / Actress / Dancer

Nancy’s friend who also had worked for Fagin as a pickpocket. She is charmed by Oliver and befriends him. Fantasizes about being rich.

Cockney accent

Mezzo -Soprano D-F

 

Mrs. Bedwin:  40’s to 60’s – Actress / Solo Singing

Brownlow’s housekeeper. Warm and nurturing.

British (London) accent

Mezzo C4 to D4

 

Mr. Sowerberry: 40’s to 60’s – Character Actor / Solo Singing

The town’s undertaker who is stingy and rather creepy. He rather likes Oliver but he can’t stand up to his domineering wife.

Comedic ability is required.

Cockney accent

Baritone C2-F3

 

Mrs. Sowerberry: Late 30’s to 50’s – Character Actress / Solo Singing

The wife of Mr. Sowerberry who is more business savvy than her husband.  She is stingy, mean-spirited, judgmental, and constantly nagging her henpecked husband. Dislikes Oliver.

Cockney accent

Mezzo Soprano C3-F5

 

Noah Claypole: 18 to 25 – Strong Actor – No Solo Singing

Undertaker’s apprentice, who feels threatened by, dislikes and torments Oliver. He has a flirtatious relationship with Charlotte

Cockney accent

 

Charlotte: 16 – 21 – Strong Actress – No Solo Singing

Sowerberry’s rude and obnoxious daughter who takes great pleasure in teasing Oliver and flirts with Noah.

Cockney accent

 

Dr. Grimwig:  50’s to 70’s –  Actor / No Solo Singing

Upper crust British accent

 

Charlie Bates: 14 – 17 – Singer / Actor / Dancer

Part of Fagin’s Gang and 2nd in command. Strong personality. He is a great admirer of the Artful Dodger and an accomplished pocket-picker.

Baritone B4 – G4

Vocal range bottom:

Cockney Accent

 

Old Sally: 50’s to 70”s – Character Actress  – No Solo Singing

An old, sickly pauper who acts as a nurse at Oliver’s birth in the workhouse.  She dies on stage after revealing truth about Oliver.

Will double in Ensemble

Cockney accent

 

Matron: 59’s to 60’s-Character Actress – No Solo Singing

Friend of Old Sally’s who works in the Workhouse.

Will double in Ensemble

 

Chairman: 30’s to 50’s – Character Actor – No Solo Singing

The Chairman is a small featured role in the Three Cripples Public House.

Part of Cockney Ensemble

 

PRINCIPAL ENSEMBLES

Fagin’s  Gang:  10 to 17 – Youth both male and female – Must be good Performers / Singers / Dancers

Fagin’s gang who come from the streets of London are taught to pick pockets and be petty thieves. They show devotion to Fagin even though he takes what they steal and keeps it for himself.  They work for Fagin in exchange for food and shelter. They all consider Fagin a teacher and father / grandfather image. Major performers in the show.

 

Cockney Lower Class Ensemble:  Male and Female Adults – Singers/ Able to move well

Cockney Lower Class Dancers: Male and Female Adults – Singers/ Very Strong Dancers

London Upper Class Ensemble: Male and Female Adults & Youth all ages – Singers / Able to move well

London Upper Class Dancers: Male and Female Adults – Singers/ Very Strong Dancers

Workhouse  Orphans:  7 to 13 – Youth male & female Singers / Able to move well

Orphans who live in the Workhouse with Oliver and are abused at the hands of Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney. They are hungry because they don’t get enough food.  The orphans all dream of good food and eating until they are full.

 

SOLO SINGING ROLES WHO WILL DOUBLE IN COCKNEY ENSEMBLE

The Rose Seller (mezzo)

Strawberry Seller (soprano)

Milk Maid (soprano)

Knife Grinder (baritone)

Long Song Seller (Tenor)

 

SUPPORTING ROLES WHO WILL DOUBLE IN ENSEMBLES

Workhouse Assistants (Males 18 – 25)

Bow Street Runners  (Males 20’s to 50’s)

Governors(Males 40’s to 60’s)

---

OLIVER PRODUCTION STAFF & CREW

Director:  Pam Orear

Choreographer: Erica Franken

Vocal / Orchestra Director: Andrea Molina

Stage Manager: Natalie Holland

Backstage Manager:

Production Coordinator: Tracie Carey

Production Managers: Roz Helms & Peggy Hupp

Lighting Manager: Wayne Carey

Light Design: Pam Orear, Wayne Carry, Riley Reynolds

Light Programmer/Executor: Riley Reynolds

Sound Manager: Frank Blain

Costume Manager:

Prop Managers: Teresa Black & Kristin Whittaker

Make-Up & Hair Manager:: Amy Williams

Set Construction Manager: Chris Franken

Scenic Designer: Gene Bourke

Scenic Painters: Gene Bourke & Megan Couri

Set Design: Pam Orear, Chris Franken, Gene Bourke, Megan Couri

House Manager:

Set Construction Team: Eldon Beever, Ric Creasy, Ken Hupp, Cagni Orear, Doug Orear, Jonathan Ramirez

Costume Team: Cheri Beever, Stephanie Byrne, Peggy Creasy, Aleisha Graves, Paula Graves, Carrie McMillion

Make-Up & Hair Team:

 

---

Contact Information

Pam Orear – pamorear11@gmail.com