Audition Notice for Prince William Little Theatre’s summer production of
Lionel Bart's
Oliver!
with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra
Prince William Little Theatre is holding auditions for
Lionel Bart's
Oliver!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by
Lionel Bart
Lionel Bart's
Oliver!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by
Lionel Bart
AUDITION DATES
 (Note: Make sure you arrive early to allow for time for check-in) AUDITION LOCATION
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SYNOPSIS
This production of the Broadway classic musical is a special collaboration of the Manassas Symphony Orchestra and Prince William Little Theatre. Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Come with the family and join us for this three day only special event. PRODUCTION TEAM Director: Melanie McCleerey Assistant Director: Becky Gould-Levine Producer: Chrissy Mastrangelo Stage Manager: Katie Morris Assistant Stage Manager: Kasey Moore Music Director: Veronica Miller Choreographer: Brianna Galligan Conductor: Jim Villani Lighting Design: Ken Crowley & Patti Crowley Sound Design: Wil Taft Set Design & Build: Nick Mastrangelo & Mia Villani Costume Design: Sara Negron & Michelle Matthews PERFORMANCE LOCATION AND DATES
Merchant Hall Hylton Performing Arts Center Manassas, VA Performances:
AUDITION INFORMATION
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CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Below is a breakdown of the cast and recommended ages of the characters. There are plenty of Chorus roles with lines and singing solos. Vocal ranges are approximate.
A note about stage ages: Your stage age is NOT your actual age, but the age you appear on the stage.
A note about accents: The roles of Oliver, Mr. Brownlow, Dr. Grimwig and Mrs. Bedwin will speak with a “Posh” accent. All other roles will speak with a “Cockney” accent. Those auditioning will be expected to speak with a Cockney or Posh accent (or both). YouTube is a good resource for help with these two accents.
Below is a breakdown of the cast and recommended ages of the characters. There are plenty of Chorus roles with lines and singing solos. Vocal ranges are approximate.
A note about stage ages: Your stage age is NOT your actual age, but the age you appear on the stage.
A note about accents: The roles of Oliver, Mr. Brownlow, Dr. Grimwig and Mrs. Bedwin will speak with a “Posh” accent. All other roles will speak with a “Cockney” accent. Those auditioning will be expected to speak with a Cockney or Posh accent (or both). YouTube is a good resource for help with these two accents.
- OLIVER TWIST (Stage age 9-13) (Vocal range A3/F5) Orphaned and abandoned from an upper-class family, Oliver ends up in the workhouse. He is innocent and good-hearted, with a strong spirit. Tip: The actor must have strong ability to convey real emotions.
- ARTFUL DOGER (Stage age 12) (Vocal range A3/F5) The cleverest of Fagin's pickpockets, he introduces Fagin to Oliver. He is a good soul in spite of his “occupation.” Dodger is lively and self-assured. Tip: The actor must have a dynamic stage presence.
- FAGIN (Stage age 60s) (Vocal range Baritone or Tenor B3/Fb5) A conniving career criminal and conman. He takes in homeless children and teaches them to pick pockets for him.
Tip: The actor must have strong ability to convey a man of many dimensions: a leader, a vagrant, a father, a teacher, a lost soul and an eccentric. - NANCY (Stage age 25-30) (Vocal range Alto E3/B4) A graduate of Fagin's “school of thieves” and tragically involved in an abusive relationship with Bill Sikes. She is a career thief, hardened and streetwise beyond her years, but also intelligent, caring and good-hearted. She longs for a better life. A mother figure to Fagin's gang. Tip: The actor must have strong ability to convey real emotions.
- BILL SIKES (Stage age 35) (Vocal range Bass C#3/C4) Perhaps the most infamous graduate from Fagin's gang. Nancy's brutal and abusive boyfriend. Tip: The actor must be fearsome.
- BET (Stage age 16-20) (Vocal range C4/C5) One of Fagin's former pickpockets. Nancy's sister. Bet looks up to Nancy and is caring and good-natured. Tip: The actor must be able to portray her devotion to Nancy.
- MR. BUMBLE (Stage age 50) (Vocal range Baritone C3/A4) The domineering Beadle (a minor official who carries out various civil, educational or ceremonial duties) who runs the workhouse. Pompous and self-absorbed, greedy and uncaring. He preaches Christian morality, but behaves without compassion towards the paupers in his care. Tip: The actor must be able to be pompous and appear to over-power the other characters on stage. Good comedic timing.
- WIDOW CORNEY (Stage age 50) (Vocal range Soprano C4/E5) The sharp-tongued, domineering matron of the workhouse. A widow, she will do anything to get Mr. Bumble’s attention. Tip: A comical role.
- MR. SOWERBERRY (Stage age 40) (Vocal range Baritone Bb3/F4) The Undertaker. Lives up to his name. He is stingy and ruled by his wife. Slimy. Tip: Good comedic timing.
- MRS. SOWERBERRY (Stage age 40) (Vocal range Alto or Soprano Bb4/F5) The Undertaker's wife. She rules the roost and is stingy and mean-spirited. Along with her husband, she provides some comic relief. Tip: Good comedic timing.
- MRS. BEDWIN (Stage age 55-60) (Vocal range Alto C4/Bb5) The Brownlow's housekeeper. She cares for everything and everyone and is wise and kind-hearted. Tip: Motherly and kind.
- CHARLEY BATES (Stage age 10-12, non-singing role) One of Fagin's pickpockets. He is Dodger's sidekick. Tip: Strong in reacting to scenes.
- CHARLOTTE (Stage age 15-18, (non-singing role) The rude but also flirtatious daughter of the Sowerberrys. Tip: Her focus is solely on Noah Claypole
- NOAH CLAYPOLE (Stage age 15-18) (non-singing role) The Sowerberrys' apprentice, he bullies Oliver about his mother and enjoys a flirty relationship with Charlotte. A downright bully. Tip: Is jealous of Oliver possibly taking over his position.
- MR. BROWNLOW (Stage age 45-50)(non-singing role) A distinguished older gentleman of wealth and breeding. Tip: The actor must be able to convey authority with gentleness and compassion.
- DR. GRIMWIG (Stage age 45-50) (non-singing role) A silly doctor who thinks he knows more than he actually does. Tip: Good comedic timing.
- OLD SALLY (Stage age 70-80) (non-singing role) A pauper with an important secret. Tip: The actor must be able to convey a frail and old woman.
- MATRON (Stage age 60-70) (non-singing role) A friend of Old Sally’s. Works in the Workhouse. Tip: Must be able to convey concern.
- CHAIRMAN AND GOVERNORS (Stage age 60s) (All vocal ranges) you will have song lines in “Oliver” and chorus songs.
- WORKHOUSE CHORUS (Stage age 8-15) Orphans, abandoned children and pickpockets. Some will double as Town’s kids.
- FAGIN’S KIDS CHORUS (Stage age 8-15) Orphans, abandoned children and pickpockets.
- TOWNSPEOPLE CHORUSES: POSH (Upper Class) and COCKNEY (Lower Class) (Stage age 16 and up) (all vocal ranges) Workhouse assistants, street vendors, townspeople, merchants, bar keepers, pub patrons, policemen, night watchman. Some individual lines. Singing and dancing in ensemble numbers.
- THE ROSE SELLER (mezzo - D3/C5)
- STRAWBERRY SELLER (soprano - Eb4/Eb5)
- MILK MAID (soprano - Eb4/F5)
- KNIFE GRINDER (baritone - Bb3/C4)
Rehearsals will take place 3 times a week in Manassas, VA; generally on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Prince William Little Theatre is a volunteer organization. All cast members are volunteer (unpaid) and no parts have been pre-cast.
Everyone is encouraged to audition. PWLT is committed to diversity in casting, with the caveat that roles are cast so as to preserve the (impact/thrust/point/nature/fundamental) of the production as depicted by the author.
MONETARY OBLIGATION
If cast in this production, you will be required to have a current PWLT membership ($5 annually for the 2023-2024 season).
In addition, a production fee of $25 to be collected at the first read thru.
Everyone is encouraged to audition. PWLT is committed to diversity in casting, with the caveat that roles are cast so as to preserve the (impact/thrust/point/nature/fundamental) of the production as depicted by the author.
MONETARY OBLIGATION
If cast in this production, you will be required to have a current PWLT membership ($5 annually for the 2023-2024 season).
In addition, a production fee of $25 to be collected at the first read thru.
AUDITION FORMS
The audition form and Conflict Calendar are available for download if you wish to fill it out before the audition.
The audition form and Conflict Calendar are available for download if you wish to fill it out before the audition.
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Still have questions?
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