Children's Auditions for "Oliver!" Show
Looking for kids between the ages of 10 and 18 to perform in "Oliver!" Show. Please see the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. About the project: The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast as they bring these classic characters and score to life. Additional info: Please prepare a 60 – 90-second segment of a song from a Broadway Musical, preferably in the style of the show. Please note, this is a group audition. All those auditioning will sing their audition song in front of the group, as well as the Audition Panel for this show. Please also come dressed in comfortable and modest clothing that allows dance/movement, as there may be a short choreography section. (closed-toe shoes that allow movement, no sandals, boots, or open-back shoes, no midriff showing, no low cut tops, no short shorts, no skirts without shorts underneath, and appropriate for the entire age range, as you don’t know what ages will be in your audition group. Note that the fee applies. Call Backs: January 13, 2024 Rehearsals for Oliver will be as follows: January 22, 23, 25, 29, 30 from 6-8:30 pm February 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 29 from 6-8:30 pm March 1, 6-8:30 pm and Tech Week (see below for Tech Week information) Saturdays: February 3, 24 from 9-3 and March 2nd from 9-5 (lunch break off site from 12 – 1:30) Tech Week is March 4-10. During tech week, you will arrive at the theatre at your specific Call Time. Call times may begin as early as 4:30. The Cast will then leave at the end of the show each night. Directors should have a specific run time before Tech Week begins so parents will know what time to pick up their performers. March 2nd is included as Tech Week. Tech Week/Performance Dates are REQUIRED. Performance Dates March 7, 2024, 7:00 pm March 8, 2024, 7:00 pm March 9, 2024, 2:00 pm March 9, 2024, 7:00 pm March 10, 2024, 2:00 pm If interested, please apply.
43 roles
Mr. Bumble runs the workhouse where Oliver finds himself at the beginning of the show. He is cold and cruel, and he doesn’t care one bit about the boys in his workhouse. Cast a good actor and decent singer who reads as older onstage and makes a good team with Widow Corney. Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Widow Corney runs the workhouse along with Mr. Bumble. She is cold and calculating, like Mr. Bumble, and only cares that the work gets done and puts money in her pocket. Cast a good actor and singer who works well with Mr. Bumble. Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Oliver Twist is the 11-year-old orphan around which the whole plot of the show revolves. Oliver is intelligent and kind, but he is not afraid to stand up for himself when the situation calls for it. He longs for a family and escapes to London to try to make his fortune – though he has no idea what adventures await him there! Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Mr. Sowerberry is the undertaker who purchases Oliver from Mr. Bumble. He is a callous man who does not treat Oliver much better than Mr. Bumble. He does not sing a solo but should be an actor that pairs well with Mrs. Sowerberry.
Mrs. Sowerberry gives Oliver scraps left for the dog to eat. She, like her husband, does not care at all for Oliver’s well-being and only wants him to work. Cast an actor who pairs well with Mr. Sowerberry.
Charlotte works for the Sowerberrys. She is kinder to Oliver than the others in the Sowerberry home, but not by much. Charlotte has a few lines but does not sing, so feel free to cast a performer new to the stage in this role.
Noah Claypole works for the Sowerberrys. He is a mean, nasty person who insults Oliver’s mother on purpose to upset him. Noah should read as older onstage than Oliver and have good stage presence. He does not have to sing.
The Artful Dodger, a.k.a. Jack Dawkins, is one of the most famous characters in literature. He is charming, upbeat, and charismatic. Though Dodger works for Fagin as a thief, he is the first person to show Oliver real kindness and gives him a place to belong. Cast a great singer and actor who exudes charm and commands the stage. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Fagin recruits, trains, and manages a gang of child-thieves. Though he claims he cares for each of his children, providing them food and shelter and characteristically calling them “my dear,” he’s really only concerned with the money these young thieves bring in. Cast a charismatic actor with a robust voice who can portray Fagin’s nuanced charm. Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Charlie Bates is one of Fagin’s child-thieves. He is a great admirer of the Artful Dodger and an accomplished pocket-picker. Cast a good actor and singer in this fun role. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: G4
Nipper is the smallest member of Fagin’s gang. He has a small solo but no lines, so cast an actor of a smaller stature who can sing in this role. Vocal range top: E4 Vocal range bottom: A3
The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: B3
The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: D4
Nancy is an adventurous young lady with a heart of gold who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. She is vivacious and kind, the life of the party, and she immediately takes Oliver under her wing. Unfortunately, she is involved with Bill Sikes, who is a troublesome person. Cast a fantastic actress and great singer in this dynamic role. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Bet is a friend of Nancy’s who shares her spirited nature and sense of adventure. Like Nancy, Bet has a kind heart but has fallen upon hard times. Cast a reliable singer and dancer who pairs well with Nancy. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Mr. Brownlow is a sweet man who takes Oliver in, even after Oliver has picked his pocket. Oliver is familiar to Mr. Brownlow immediately, even though he has no idea that Oliver is his grandchild. Mr. Brownlow doesn’t have any solos, so he does not have to be a singer. This role is perfect for a strong, caring actor.
Bill Sikes is a quintessential villain. He is mean, selfish, and ruthless, and he always looks out for number one. He bullies everyone around him, especially Nancy, and is paranoid, always afraid that people will betray him. Cast a terrific actor and consistent singer who can lean into this character’s menacing presence. Vocal range top: D4 Vocal range bottom: B2
The Chairman is a small featured role in the Three Cripples Public House. His few lines are crucial to the storytelling, so be sure to cast an actor in this role who has solid diction and can project.
Mrs. Bedwin is Mr. Brownlow’s kindhearted housekeeper. This is a lovely featured role for a singer and actor who reads as older onstage. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: C4
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: Eb4
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part. Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: Eb4
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part. Vocal range top: G3 Vocal range bottom: Bb2
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part. Vocal range top: Ab4 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Dr. Grimwig is a featured acting role. He is extremely intelligent but a bit pessimistic, especially compared to Mr. Brownlow. Cast a character actor who will enjoy playing an older character onstage in this non-singing role.
OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson. These featured roles do not have solos, so they are perfect for actors who can deliver their important lines clearly.
OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson. These featured roles do not have solos, so they are perfect for actors who can deliver their important lines clearly.
Including FIRST WOMAN, SECOND WOMAN, THIRD WOMAN and FIRST MAN.
RELATED CASTING CALLS
