Teens Needed for Theatre Audition "The Polar Express Train Ride"
Seeking teens for the theater audition of "The Polar Express Train Ride." Please see the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED. About the project: Casting for 2024 production of ‘The Polar Express Train Ride’. Looking for performers to fill several roles, including understudies and swings. Rate: All roles will be paid a rehearsal stipend based on the number of rehearsals attended, in addition to $45-$100 per night according to the role. Understudies will receive the rate of the role performed. Swings will be paid $100 per week and paid per performance depending on the role covered. Additional info: For preliminary auditions, please prepare 16 bars of your favorite Christmas song and a 1-minute Holiday-related monologue. An accompanist will be present, so please have printed sheet music prepared along with your headshot and resume. Callbacks are scheduled for Monday, July 22nd. Rehearsals will begin September 23rd with tech rehearsals and previews November 1st – 7th. Not all cast members will need to be present for all rehearsals, apart from tech week. Performances begin November 8th and continue through December 23rd. During December, performances are scheduled every night. To ensure days off during December, the show is double cast; Both casts must be available for weekends in November, and either weekdays or weekends in December. The full show schedule will be discussed in more detail at callbacks. Performers must be available for performances starting at 4:30 pm (call times will vary per role; no earlier than 4:00 pm). This is a non-AEA contract. *Please note, 1 role each of Holly Garland and ChElf 4 are precast. These roles are still available for the alternate cast. If you are interested, please apply.
24 roles
The actor is the main protagonist of the story; this character possesses the will to believe but is full of self-doubt surrounding the existence of Santa and the magic of Christmas. They are helpful, self-sacrificing and will disobey the Conductor’s orders to assist fellow children in their time of need. Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Strong Singer/Actor. Billy is the lonely child and has a rather quiet, sad demeanor. Billy does not have much belief in the spirit of Christmas. Sings “When Christmas Comes to Town” duet a Capella with Darcy/ Hero Girl. Character will perform outside and on moving train. Any gender may apply.
Strong Singer/actor. Quiet, calm, and friendly towards everybody. Darcy believes in the magic and spirit of Christmas from the beginning. Sings “When Christmas Comes to Town” duet a Capella with Billy. Character will perform outside and on moving train. Any gender may apply.
Strong Singer and Mover/Dancer. Ginger is an enthusiastic Steward for the Museum who receives a promotion at the end of the pre-show and becomes the Tent Conductor. Character greets passengers as they arrive for the Hot Chocolate Cabaret and Polar Express Train Ride, sings several songs in close harmony with the Garland Sisters. Performs Hot Chocolate number and will tell large parts of the Polar Express story (as appears in the original book) verbatim. Character identifies as Female.
F3-F5. Strong Singer/Mover. This sassy songbird is one half of Santa’s Favorite singing sister duo The Garland Sisters. Along with her sister Ivy and the Tent Conductor, she entertains passengers during the Polar Express Cabaret before Hot Chocolate Service. Character identifies as female.
A3-A5. Strong Singer/Mover. This sweet songbird is one half of Santa’s Favorite singing sister duo The Garland Sisters. Along with her sister Holly and the Tent Conductor, she entertains passengers during the Polar Express Cabaret before Hot Chocolate Service. Character identifies as female.
Actor/Strong Mover. This enthusiastic Polar Express employee helps seat passengers at the start of the Polar Express Cabaret. Performs in the Hot Chocolate dance, assists with Hot Chocolate service and will tell large parts of the Polar Express story (as appears in the original book) verbatim. This role will understudy Ginger/Tent Conductor.
Actor/Strong Mover. This enthusiastic Polar Express employee helps seat passengers at the start of the Polar Express Cabaret. Performs in the Hot Chocolate dance, assists with Hot Chocolate service and the telling of the Polar Express Story.
Actor/Strong Mover. This enthusiastic Polar Express employee helps seat passengers at the start of the Polar Express Cabaret. Dances in the Hot Chocolate dance and assists with Hot Chocolate service. This character will understudy Chefs 1 & 2.
Actor. Is a magical and ghostly character who inhabits the roof of the train and understands the true meaning of Christmas. He plays Devil’s advocate to test the strength of the Hero Kid’s skepticism but is the heart of the show. Character will perform outside and on moving train. Character identifies as male.
Mover/Singer. Smokey is the Fireman for the Polar Express and along with Steamer they help passengers understand how a steam engine works, sings a fun duet with Steamer, and introduce the legend of the Hobo. Range C3-E4 (adjust up an octave for female voices). Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Mover/Singer. Steamer is the Engineer for the Polar Express and along with their twin (not identical) Smokey they help passengers understand how the train works, sings a fun duet with Smokey and introduce the legend of the Hobo. Range C3-E4 (adjust up an octave for female voices). Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Actor. A seemingly all-knowing character who has made the round trip to the North Pole many times. Modeled after Tom Hankes from Polar Express the Movie but should not be a caricature. They are punctual, know the rules and assist every passenger in their car. Responsible for helping to seat passengers in the Blue car. Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Actor. Character serves in the role of host or car attendant. Interacting primarily with the Blue Conductor and seating in the Red Car. Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Actor. Strong improv skills a plus. Character serves in the role of host or car attendant. A “new” Polar Express employee, they interact with passengers and the other characters in their car. They are punctual, know the rules and assist every passenger in their car. Responsible for helping to seat passengers in their car. 4 Stewards are needed for each cast. Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Strong Singer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole this character helps ignite the magic of the North Pole with a live rendition of Mariah Carey’s, “Santa Clause is Coming to Town.” Character will perform outside. Character identifies as Female.
Strong Dancer/Singer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole. Elves assist in the annual Christmas Eve Ceremonies and perform “Rockin’ on Top of the World.” Character will perform outside. This role will understudy the North Pole singer.
Strong Dancer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole. Elves assist in the annual Christmas Eve Ceremonies and perform “Rockin’ on Top of the World.” After the North Pole scene, the Elves board the train and assist Santa with handing out Silver Bells. Character will perform outside and on moving train.
Strong Dancer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole. Elves assist in the annual Christmas Eve Ceremonies and dance in Santa Clause is Coming to Town and “Rockin’ on Top of the World.” After the North Pole scene, the Elves board the train and assist Santa with handing out Silver Bells. Character will perform outside and on the moving train.
Strong Dancer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole. Elves assist in the annual Christmas Eve Ceremonies and dance in Santa Clause is Coming to Town and “Rockin’ on Top of the World.” Character will perform outside.
Strong Dancer. Employed by Santa at the North Pole. Elves assist in the annual Christmas Eve Ceremonies and dance in Santa Clause is Coming to Town and “Rockin’ on Top of the World.” This role will understudy the ChElf roles. Character will perform Indoors and outside.
Strong Dancer. This character is a floater between the Pavilion and the North Pole. Character will perform the Hot Chocolate dance in the Pavilion and the North Pole dances of Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Rockin’ on Top of the World, Character will perform in Pavilion and outside.
Strong Dancer. This character is a floater between the Pavilion and the North Pole. Character will perform the Hot Chocolate dance in the Pavilion and the North Pole dances of Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Rockin’ on Top of the World, Character will perform in Pavilion and outside.
Strong Dancer. This character is a floater between the Pavilion and the North Pole. Character will perform the Hot Chocolate dance in the Pavilion and the North Pole dances of Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Rockin’ on Top of the World, Character will perform in Pavilion and outside.
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