AUDITION NOTICE
for The Premiere Playhouse’s productions of
Disney’s
THE LITTLE MERMAID
+
Crispin Whittell’s
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Auditions: Tuesday, August 1st | 6:00pm-7:30pm (dance auditions), 7:30pm-9:30pm (vocal/acting auditions)
Wednesday, August 2nd | 6:00pm-7:30pm (dance auditions), 7:30pm-9:30pm (vocal/acting auditions)
Callbacks: By invitation on Thursday, August 3rd from 6:00pm-9:30pm (The Little Mermaid)
By invitation at a time and date to be announced (A Christmas Carol)
Location: TPP Offices & Anne Zabel Studio Theater in the Orpheum Theater Center | 315 N. Phillips Ave.
CASTING TEAM
Producer & Casting Director: Oliver Mayes
The Little Mermaid
Directors: Oliver Mayes + Patrick Simonsen | Assistant Director: Magen Richeal
Choreographer: Leigh Spencer | Assistant Choreographer: Tiffany Koppes | Music Director: Matthew Walicke
A Christmas Carol
Stage Director: Lary B. Etten | Associate Director: Jesse Jensen
Choreographer: Tiffany Koppes | Music Director: Matthew Walicke
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (THE LITTLE MERMAID)
- Season 21 Volunteer Orientation takes place on Sunday, August 6th from 11:00am-3:00pm; all cast members are encouraged to attend
- Company meet and greet/first read through on Tuesday, August 8th
- Rehearsals begin Sunday, August 13th and continue through Wednesday, September 27th
- Rehearsals run Sundays from 1pm-5pm and Mondays through Thursdays from 6pm-10pm (8pm for youth actors)
- Technical rehearsals are Saturday, September 23rd & Sunday, September 24th (full days) and Sept. 25th-27th (evenings)
- Actors are not called to every staging, choreography, and music rehearsal; an estimated schedule will be released with weekly/daily updates for accurate call times. We do our best to avoid conflicts but sometimes are unable to accommodate, in which case an actor must learn the material they missed on their own time.
- Actors are requested to be in attendance at every technical/dress rehearsal and performance (i.e. no conflicts allowed).
- Performances are September 28th, 29th, 30th & October 5th, 6th, 7th @ 7pm and October 1st & 8th @ 2pm (8 total)
- There will be outreach performances scheduled for this production, including a performance at the Sidewalk Arts Festival and other community events. We are interested in working with actors who are excited about programming such as this.
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE INFORMATION (A CHRISTMAS CAROL)
- Season 21 Volunteer Orientation takes place on Sunday, August 6th from 11:00am-3:00pm; all cast members are encouraged to attend
- Company meet and greet/first read through on Thursday, October 19th
- Rehearsals begin Sunday, October 22nd and continue through Thursday, December 14th
- Rehearsals run Sundays from 1pm-5pm and Mondays through Thursdays from 6pm-10pm (8pm for youth actors)
- Technical/dress rehearsals are Monday, December 11th through Thursday, December 14th (evenings)
- Actors are not called to every staging, choreography, and music rehearsal; an estimated rehearsal schedule will be released in addition to weekly/daily updates for accurate call times. We do our best to avoid conflicts but sometimes are unable to accommodate, in which case an actor must learn the material they missed on their own time.
- Actors are requested to be in attendance at every technical/dress rehearsal and performance (i.e. no conflicts allowed).
- Performances are December 15th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd @ 7pm and December 16th & 23rd @ 2pm (9 total)
- There will be outreach performances scheduled for this production, including a performance at Christmas at the Zoo, Parade of Lights, and other community events. We are interested in working with actors who are excited about programming such as this.
ABOUT THE LITTLE MERMAID
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Ariel (she/her), 16–25 | voice range: Ab3–Gb5
A mermaid and King Triton’s youngest daughter. She is obsessed with everything about the human world, and dreams of becoming a part of life above the water. Hard headed, naive, and emotional, but also kind hearted.
Prince Eric (he/him), 20–30 | voice range: B2–G4
A human monarch who has no interest in taking the crown. A handsome, affable lad with a buoyant, adventurous nature. After Ariel saves his life, he becomes obsessed with finding her and hearing her voice once more.
Grimsby (he/him), 40–60 | voice range: C3–C4
Prince Eric’s British guardian. Droll, stuffy, and constantly urging Eric towards his royal duties, specifically marriage.
Flounder (he/him), 15–20 | voice range: A2–G4
A fish and smitten with Ariel, his best friend. Rambunctious but cautious, fearful of the dangers that lurk in and above the water.
Scuttle (he/him), 25–40 | voice range: C3–G4
A disheveled seagull and expert in human artifacts. Loudmouthed, optimistic, and a bit ignorant, despite his supposed expertise.
King Triton (he/him), 35–45 | voice range: Ab2–F4
King of the Sea and Ariel’s father. Beneath his imposing presence and commanding nature lurks a harried single father who will do anything to protect his daughters. The death of his wife has also given him an irrational fear of humans.
Sebastian (he/him), 30–45 | voice range: Bb2–C5
A crab and advisor to King Triton. A musical virtuoso who is constantly distraught from keeping after Ariel. Despite his paranoia, he can’t bring himself to stand in Ariel’s way.
Flotsam (he/him), 20–40 | voice range: E3–C5
An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear.
Jetsam (he/him), 20–40 | voice range: B2–A4
An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear.
Ursula (she/her), 35–45 | voice range: Eb3–C5
The banished Sea Witch and sister of King Triton. Supposedly spurned at childhood, she will use whatever method necessary to steal the kingdom and claim it as her own. Malevolent, calculating, and deceptive.
Chef Louis (he/him), 30–50 | voice range: Bb2–A4
The French palace chef, diabolical and violent. A culinary perfectionist with an affinity for blades, seafood in particular.
Ensemble & Youth Ensemble (any/all), any/all | voice range: any/all
Crew Members (Pilot, Sailors); Sea Creatures; Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana); Gulls; Maids; Chefs; Animals; Princesses. Looking for a skilled and creative group of singer/dancer/actors to fill various cameo roles and ensemble tracks.
ABOUT A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “Bah, humbug!” until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. Through a restless night, the spirits show him happy memories from his past, cruel realities from the present and a grim future should he continue his cantankerous ways. Charles Dickens’ timeless tale continues to be a perennial favorite and holiday tradition that invites audiences of all ages to celebrate the merriment of the season with their family and loved ones.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Ebenezer Scrooge – This role is cast; seeking an understudy.
The following roles are open:
Merriweather – Scrooge’s often inebriated housekeeper.
Ghost of Jacob Marley – Scrooge’s highly excitable former business partner.
Ghost of Christmas Past – A mystical seer who guides Scrooge through his past.
Ghost of Christmas Present – A gregarious, larger-than-life tour-guide of the world around.
Ghost of Christmas Future – A scary and ominous creature warning Scrooge of his possible future.
The Cratchit Family:
Bob Cratchit – Scrooge’s warm and friendly, but put-upon clerk.
Mrs. Cratchit – His long suffering wife.
Martha Cratchit – His bright eldest child.
Peter Cratchit – The second eldest, he is protective of his family.
Tiny Tim – Good-natured but seriously ill second son.
Belinda Cratchit – The sweet and charming youngest daughter.
Street People:
Carol Singers – (3 Male Presenting and 3 Female Presenting) who act as strolling characters throughout the show.
Bunty – A substantial lady seeking donations for the poor.
Bumble – Her friend helping to seek donations.
Old Joe – Buys and sells odds and ends from his cart.
Mrs. Dilber – The gossipy neighborhood laundress.
George – The strict Bailiff Scrooge uses to evict people.
Mr. Wimple – A despairing Scrooge tenant.
Mrs. Wimple – His suffering wife.
Beggar Boy – A street urchin who has a number of interactions with Scrooge.
Mr. Bull – A wry banker.
Mr. Bear – Another cynical banker.
Mr. Bones – A local head stone engraver.
Scrooge’s Childhood:
Mr. Sykes – The evil and rather tipsy schoolmaster.
Youngest Ebeneezer Scrooge – The youngest incarnation of Scrooge.
Young Fanny – Scrooge’s younger sister / later revealed to be the mother of Fred.
Young Adult Scrooge’s Parties:
Young Ebeneezer Scrooge – We follow him from his early adult years of warmth through his conversion to the miserly curmudgeon from the start of the play.
Belle – The love of Scrooge’s life.
Dick Wilkins – Young Scrooge’s best friend.
Mr. Fezziwig – A jolly fellow, Scrooge’s boss is the owner of the large warehouse.
Mrs. Fezziwig – His equally jolly and fun-loving wife.
Dora, Deirdre, and Daisy – The precocious Fezziwig daughters.
David, Daniel, and Donald – The daughter’s ardent admirers.
The Fred Scrooge Family and Friends:
Fred Scrooge – Ebenezer’s only nephew, a genuinely nice and light-hearted fellow.
Kitty Scrooge – Fred’s intelligent and loving wife.
Jane, Sally, and Mabel – Kitty’s sisters who love to play games.
Topper – Sally’s rather dim suitor.
Vicar Polkinghorne – Their local minister.
Mrs. Polkinghorne – His pleasant wife.
Various Urchins / Students / Children of London
*Some roles may be doubled.
*We will do our best to accommodate the original and/or re-mount casting for returning veterans of this annual production, but specific casting placement is not guaranteed due to various production and casting related logistics. We truly appreciate your commitment to this holiday tradition!
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Those auditioning for The Little Mermaid: Participation in the scheduled dance call. Please wear clothing you can move in. No jeans or open toed shoes, please. Tennis shoes are appropriate footwear for the dance combination.
- Those auditioning for The Little Mermaid and/or A Christmas Carol singing roles (carolers): One 32 bar cut (1 minute) of a song from the Disney (or similar) catalog.
- Those auditioning for The Little Mermaid and/or A Christmas Carol singing roles (carolers): A pianist will be provided; please bring your sheet music hole punched and in a binder with your audition cut properly marked (start/end). Accompaniment recordings or karaoke tracks are also allowed and audio equipment will be available as needed. Please know where to start your recording should you choose to use one. Bringing your own device is also welcomed. Singers using our pianist will be seen first. A cappella (unaccompanied) auditions are not allowed.
- Those auditioning for The Little Mermaid AND A Christmas Carol: A short speech to perform will be provided at the audition.
CASTING NOTES
- Please arrive at the 6:00pm start time for dance auditions and communicate with us via email at [email protected] if you are not able to arrive on time. Each audition day will begin with the dance call (The Little Mermaid) then we will move into vocal/acting auditions (both shows). Those not auditioning for The Little Mermaid should arrive by 7:15pm for vocal/acting auditions check in. You are only required to attend one day of auditions.
- We welcome individuals age 10 and above to audition.
- Most roles in The Little Mermaid will be performed by adult/young adult actors but some roles, such as Flounder, may be cast as a youth actor. There will be an adult and youth ensemble in The Little Mermaid.
- A Christmas Carol has roles for both youth and adult performers.
- The pronouns provided describe the gender identity of the character in the story and may not necessarily reflect the gender identity of the actor playing them. Please feel free to express your interest or comfortability with playing roles of any gender expression.
- The age ranges provided reflect the reasonable age range of the characters and may not necessarily reflect the actual age of the actors playing them.
- We host an inclusive audition space; we welcome performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, abilities/exceptionalities, and body types to audition.
- Understudies and swing performers will be cast, as possible and needed. More information on these positions will be provided at auditions.
Please complete your audition form and register for auditions here by Monday, July 31st at 5:00pm. Requests for video auditions, questions, and updates can be directed to the casting team at [email protected].