The next auditions are for “A CHRISTMAS STORY – THE MUSICAL.” This new musical will be performed for the first time in southern Utah and features songs written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul the Tony award winning duo who wrote “Dear Evan Hansen.” The script follows closely to the beloved 80’s movie which is set in the 1940’s in the fictional town of Homan, Indiana and 9 year 0ld Ralphie Parker’s dream of finding an “Official Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot Range Model air rifle” under his Christmas tree. The show brings an exciting new dimension to the beloved movie and those who haven’t seen the film will fall in love with this new holiday classic:
Detailed character descriptions:
NARRATOR: Late 40s to early 60s (May be played by someone in their 30s). A charismatic, playful storyteller who has the ability to weave a spell and draw an audience member into his magical world.
RALPHIE: 9 going on 10 (May be played by a 9 to 13 year old). Cute and smart but not precious. A regular kid seeking the ultimate Christmas gift.
MOTHER: 30s to 40s. Wears the pants in the family but doesn’t make that obvious to The Old Man. Warm, affable, and motherly.
THE OLD MAN (DAD): 30s to 40s. A working class man with a good heart even if his sometimes gruff and tough exterior might lead one to think otherwise. Tends to be a bit cantankerous but always has his family’s well-being at heart
RANDY: 7 to 8 (Maybe be played by a 7 to 10 year old). Ralphie’s younger brother. Cute, but whiny and irritating in that younger brother way.
SCHWARTZ: 9 to 13. Ralphie’s classmate.
FLICK: 9 to 13.Ralphie’s classmate.
ESTHER JANE: 9 to 13. Ralphie’s classmate.
MARY BETH: 9 to 13. Ralphie’s classmate.
SCUT FARKUS: 14 to 15. The quintessential school bully. The personification of mean. This intimidating teen lives to pick on younger kids and he does so with real flare.
GROVER DILL: 9 to 12. Scut’s considerably smaller toady. Always by Scut’s side and enjoys his day to day operations as a bully’s equally mean accomplice.
MISS SHIELDS: 30s to 50s. A stereotypical 1940s educator. Prim and proper. Stern when she needs to be but also very warm and understanding.
SANTA: 30s to 60s. A more sarcastic, dry-witted take on the big guy from the north pole. Long hours at the department store have ensured that he is anything but jolly. His goal is to get each kid on and off his lap as quickly as humanly possible so he can have the evening to himself.
In addition to the leads, we’re also looking for a handful of back-up singers and dancers of all ages to take part in various musical numbers and serve as ensemble characters.
The audition is one of the most important processes in any theater organization as great productions start with great performers. Our goal is to find the performers who best fit the requirements of each role and can take direction in order to deliver their best possible performance on stage. Here are a few reasons why you should consider auditioning for an SGMT show:
1. SGMT auditions are truly “open auditions.” Other organizations both professional and non-professional are looking for equity-actors, performers with long resumes, and even engage in recruiting in-house stock companies or pre-casting. SGMT is one of the few theaters in southern Utah that conducts true open auditions to any and all parties who are interested. We also have strict policies regarding production team auditors and auditioners to avoid any conflict of interest.
2. SGMT performers are all equal. All performers at SGMT donate their time and talent and yet we continually get exceptionally dedicated individuals because of the fun, professional and family environment we try to create and maintain.
3. SGMT demands high standards. We understand that great theater is not easy. Just because we are a “community theater” doesn’t mean that we can’t set high standards for ourselves and we know that our performers will have the best experience when excellence is demanded in rehearsal and on-stage. Many of our SGMT alumni over the past 20 years have gone on to amazing professional careers in theater and they often attribute their passion and exceptional craft to what they learned at SGMT.
4. SGMT strives to develop and nurture talent. Everyone who loves performing had to start somewhere and we want to provide opportunities for performers at all levels of skill and experience. In our intimate “theater-in-the-round” there truly are no “small roles.” Every cast member is important! What are you waiting for? SGMT needs YOU!
