AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Mt. SAC Theater Department

“A Christmas Carol”

By Charles Dickens  
Adapted and Directed By Susan Boulanger

“A Christmas Carol”

 CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

• All actors, except for the actor playing Scrooge, will play multiple characters and will be part of the Ensemble.

• There are other roles that will be filled by the Ensemble, including narrators and smaller character roles. The Ensemble will be a major component of creating the environment for each scene, including creating sound effects.
• SINGERS/CAROLERS: Members of the Ensemble will sing verses of various Christmas carols at key points throughout the show. There are opportunities for solos for those with strong voices. Don’t worry if you’re not a “singer!’

 

MALE-IDENTIFYING ROLES

EBENEZER SCROOGE – (Male. Plays 50-65) Angry, selfish, mean, intimidating, frightens little kids for fun…that kind of thing. He looks older than he is, not so much due to age, but due to his miserly way with his money, his cold heart, his unwillingness to spend the money on a healthy diet and adequate warmth, hording of his wealth and most importantly, his unwillingness to open his heart to love of family, friends, and neighbors. Full of bitterness and pain.

GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY – (Male. To play 50-60)  He was a large man in life, partaking of food, drink, and all else his money could provide for him. He is now a spirit in agony wandering the earth to atone for his past transgressions. He is tortured with remorse for his sins against mankind when he was alive. A very large and frightening presence. Wants to help Scrooge avoid the same fate. (Also plays Actor #2)

BOB CRATCHIT – (Male. To play 30-45)

Normally has an upbeat, positive and hopeful outlook, a trait he must keep in check when in the presence of Scrooge, but it is so strong that it spills out anyway, much to the irritation of his boss. Very loving family man.

FRED/FREDERIKA – (Male or Female; to play 25-30) Scrooge’s nephew or niece (depending on casting) and only living family; full of energy, positivity, and enthusiasm. Caring and has the ability to see the good in everything. Loving and forgiving of Scrooge’s shortcomings, despite how hard that is.

CHARITY COLLECTORS #1 & #2 – (Male or female; 20-65) Each one more ridiculously cheerful than the other. Worker #2 has a tendency to almost sing everything when overly excited. They are bubbly, excited, and over-happy.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT – (Male; Young adult or could be a teen/child)

A jokester; loves to have fun but also has a serious side. (Also plays Actor #3)

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE – (Male or female. Adult.) Large, frightening, silent but intimidating. The scariest of the ghosts, as it represents the cold, bleak, and terrifying future that Scrooge faces.

YOUNG MAN SCROOGE/SCROOGE OLDER – (Male. To play Scrooge at 18 and mid-20s.)

As the Young Man Scrooge, he is a good worker; admires his boss, Fezziwig; awkward around girls, especially when he meets Belle. As Scrooge Older –there are signs now of the Scrooge to come – signs of obsession and greed, which destroy his relationship with Belle.

MICHAEL PETRIE – (Male. Plays 25-45) Poor, hardworking, honest. He and his wife have borrowed money from Scrooge and are having a hard time paying it back.

FEZZIWIG – (Male. To play 45-65)  Boss to Young Man Scrooge. Kind, generous, loud, fun-loving.

BELLE’S HUSBAND (Male. To play 40s) Kind-hearted, loving, compassionate.

SCHOOLMASTER – (Male. To play 40-60)

Rigid, mean, and frightful; makes his students suffer for his own unhappiness, especially Young Scrooge.

OLD JOE – (Male. Plays 30-60) Gruff, scruffy, intimidating. His business is buying items from people desperate for money, whether they got them legally or not.

BUSINESSMAN/WOMAN #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 (Male/Female. 20-60) Business people of the town; wealthy, successful. A bit full of themselves, but still have compassion for those less fortunate.

DICK WILKINS (Male. 18) Young Man Scrooge’s co-worker and friend; Good-natured. 

FEMALE-IDENTIFYING ROLES

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST – (Female: adult or could be a child).

Gentle, loving; magical; projects a sense of purity and kindness, but can be strong when needed.

FRED/FREDERIKA – (Male or Female depending on casting; to play 25-30)  Scrooge’s nephew/niece and only living family; full of energy, positivity, and enthusiasm. Caring and has the ability to see the good in everything. Loving and forgiving of Scrooge’s shortcomings, despite how hard that is.

BELLE – (Female. Plays 18 to mid-20s, then 40s) Lovely, charming, kind, compassionate. Eventually leaves Scrooge because of how he has changed for the worse. We see her again when she is older, with a happy family.

MRS. CRATCHIT – (to play 30-45). Hardworking, loving, strong.

 

CHARITY COLLECTORS #1 & #2 – (Male or female; 20-65) Each one more ridiculously cheerful than the other. Worker #2 has a tendency to almost sing everything when overly excited. They are bubbly, excited, and over-happy.

MARTHA CRATCHIT–  (Female. 17-19) Oldest Cratchit daugther. Dutiful, hardworking, fun-loving, loves her family.

MRS. FEZZIWG – (Female. To play 45-65).Super-jolly, happy, and kind.

CONSTANCE – (Female. Mid-20s) Fred’s Wife or Frederika’s friend, depending on casting. Kind, loyal. Outspoken and struggles to be kind about Scrooge.

THREE OLD HAGS

Poor, crass, and hardened women who rob the dead and sell the items for a living. Very competitive.

• CHARWOMAN – Tough, competitive, conniving. Walks with a limp.
• UNDERTAKER’S ASSISTANT– Tough; creepy and a bit skittish – she may even have a humpback.
• LAUNDRESS – Tough; always ready for a fight. She has a bad back and rosy cheeks.

BUSINESSMAN/WOMAN #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 (Male/Female. 20-60) Business people of the town; wealthy, successful. A bit full of themselves, but still have compassion for those less fortunate.

CAROLINE PETRIE – (Female. Plays 23-45. Michael’s wife. Loving, supportive.

MAID, pg 53 (Female. Any age). Works for Fred/Frederika.

PARTY-GOERS – for Fezziwig’s Christmas Party

NARRATORS, CAROLERS

ROLES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Children and teens will also be narrators and carolers.

BOY SCROOGE – (Male. 10-11)

Scrooge as a boy; forced to live at school because his abusive father doesn’t want him at home. Lonely and sad, he takes refuge in reading adventure stories.

FAN – (Female. 8-9) Scrooge’s younger sister. Sweet, caring, and loving; very excited.

CRATCHIT CHILDREN:

• TINY TIM – (to play 10-11years old) Small for his age and very frail. Walks with a crutch. Always has a positive and cheerful outlook
• PETER – (15 or so) Loves his family; likes his role as “second man of the house”
• BELINDA - (12) Caring and playful
• CAROL ANN - (11); energetic, loving, playful
• ANGELIQUE – (9) Loving, playful, loves to play jokes

BOY IN THE STREET (12) Cheerful, excited about Christmas. 

SPIRIT OF IGNORANCE – A young boy; wretched, disheveled.

SPIRIT OF WANT – A young girl; wretched, dirty, in rags.

PETER, JAMIE LUND, MICHAEL BATES – (Male. 10-11); past school chums of Scrooge.

OLD JOE’S ASSISTANT – (Male. Any age.)

BELLE’S CHILDREN (various ages) Several daughters, one who looks like Belle; a son

           

 

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TECHNICAL POSITIONS: We are also looking to fill crew positions.