Casting Call for Boys and Girls for "The Big One-Oh" Stage Play

The hero of our story. He's a nine-year-old about to turn ten with no clue about how to celebrate his upcoming birthday. His family has recently moved, so he’s in a new school where he feels friendless. To cope with his loneliness, Charley has conjured up three imaginary friends – his Monsters – from the pages of his favorite comic book series, Monsters & Maniacs. We are looking for an actor who can sing, move, and act very well. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Charley’s dog Boing Boing, portrayed by a puppeteer operating a puppet, is his most patient and supportive friend. Without words, Boing Boing communicates with a whimper or a bark, a turn of the head, a scowl, the lifting of a paw, or the raising of an eyebrow. We are looking for a strong actor with good physicality and a sense of playfulness. (No puppeteering experience required, just a willingness and interest in learning!) Vocal range: non-singing

Fresno’s biggest snoop and the neighborhood busybody. We are looking for an actor with a BIG speaking voice who’s unafraid to overact – someone who can dominate the stage whenever she enters. Non-singing character.

Charley’s father, lives in Scotland but pops up whenever Charley refers to him. He’s big-hearted and upbeat, even though he never seems to get the date of Charley’s birthday right. He’s a chef – a really good one, according to Charley. We are looking for actors who can show us a good voice, a strong sense of rhythm, and a big smile. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: C4

Charley’s imaginary friends – his 3 Monsters. When Charley is feeling frazzled or friendless, his Monsters appear to talk him through any dilemma. To play these fantastical creations, we are looking for actors who can give their own special spin to these characters, starting with quirky speaking voices that will differentiate them. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Charley’s imaginary friends – his 3 Monsters. When Charley is feeling frazzled or friendless, his Monsters appear to talk him through any dilemma. To play these fantastical creations, we are looking for actors who can give their own special spin to these characters, starting with quirky speaking voices that will differentiate them. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Charley’s imaginary friends – his 3 Monsters. When Charley is feeling frazzled or friendless, his Monsters appear to talk him through any dilemma. To play these fantastical creations, we are looking for actors who can give their own special spin to these characters, starting with quirky speaking voices that will differentiate them. Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Charley’s puzzling nextdoor neighbor. He starts out seeming like a scatterbrained mad scientist, but eventually reveals himself to be a talented creator of special effects who shares many of Charley’s interests – not only in Monsters & Maniacs but in all sorts of scary and spooky stuff as well. Their friendship is one of the most surprising in Charley’s young life. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: C4

A nurse with a challenging work schedule, patient and supportive of both her children, always trying to figure them out as best she can. She goes out of her way to say good things about her ex-husband (Dad) whenever he comes up. We are looking for a steadfast actor with a calm demeanor and a ready smile whom we’ll believe can weather the obstacles facing a single mother of two. Vocal range top: C#5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Charley’s eye-rolling older sister who works at a fast-food restaurant. Because she is always tossing her hair and scoffing in exasperation, we’re looking for an actor who’s not afraid to be funny. Lorena carries one number (“So Lame”), which is deceptive in its difficulty. We will be looking for an actor with a good sense of timing who can hold her own when singing harmonies with others. Vocal range top: C#5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Lorena’s friends who sing backup for her during “So Lame.” We will look for performers who can match Lorena’s teenage attitude and are comfortable singing tight harmonies. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F#4

Lorena’s friends who sing backup for her during “So Lame.” We will look for performers who can match Lorena’s teenage attitude and are comfortable singing tight harmonies. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F#4

Lorena’s friends who sing backup for her during “So Lame.” We will look for performers who can match Lorena’s teenage attitude and are comfortable singing tight harmonies. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F#4

The most popular girl in school. She’s a bouncy social butterfly who has lots of friends and a very full calendar. She has important solo lines in several numbers, so we will be looking for someone with a solid singing voice who can exude effervescent enthusiasm. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: A3

Donna’s best friends. These three go everywhere together, so we will be looking for actors who can match Donna’s high energy. Vocal range top: Bb4 Vocal range bottom: F4

The smartest boy in fourth grade. He’s also a bit of a mess. His brain – and his mouth – are constantly running at a hundred miles an hour as he obsesses and processes every little thing. The role requires an actor who can explode with energy while also accurately delivering some challenging solos. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: D4

Together with Scottie – Fresno Elementary School’s resident bad guys. Cougar (whose real name is Leland, but don’t call them that!) enjoys swaggering through the school hallways, acting tough but never following through on their threats. Looking for an actor with an imposing physicality – someone with a lot of bark but no bite. Like all of Charley’s classmates, Cougar must sing with conviction and power and be able to harmonize Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Cougar’s sidekick – a bully without a mean bone in their body. Scottie, lacking Cougar’s inventiveness, is always ready to go along with whatever shenanigans Cougar suggests. Cougar and Scottie together form a comedy duo, so we will be looking for two actors with strong voices who can make us (and each other) laugh! Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3

New to Fresno Elementary School and having trouble making friends. But because they both share an interest in Monsters & Maniacs, Jennifer has targeted Charley with her aggressive excitement, dashing into every scene she’s a part of and interrupting whatever else is going on. Her indomitable high spirits seem indestructible... until Charley fails to invite her to his birthday party. She carries one of the most important songs in the show. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: A3

A back-slapping, loud- talking party planner who’s unafraid to speak his mind, no matter whom he offends in the process. Vince is dating Mom, which is how he comes to offer Charley “Vince Champagne’s three basics of a good birthday party.” We will want an actor who – with his voice, personality, and physicality – can fill up a stage and mow down anyone who gets in his way. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: B3

Vince Champagne’s assistants in “A Perfect Party.” They each have brief featured solo lines in the song and sing with small groups too. These are great roles for young performers who are newer to the stage. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: B3

Garry’s ex-girlfriend. She has no sung solos but can shine during her brief breakup scene with Garry. This is a good role for a fantastic actor who can do a lot with a cameo.