AUDITIONING TIPS:

Be prepared: If you are asked to present a song, prepare your piece well. Memorize your selection and practice it many times. Bring a phone with a karaoke track to sing along with, but not a track with vocals (background singers are fine!)

Be kind to everyone and smile: Remember that your audition for every show begins the moment you walk in the door. You may be perfect in the audition room, but rudeness or misbehavior in the lobby will be noticed.

Be on time for your appointment: We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment so that all of your paperwork can be completed before you go in for your auditions. Arriving early also gives you time to relax and focus and not feel rushed.

Use your waiting time wisely: It is great to see old friends and make new ones at an audition, but be sure to take some time to focus on your audition.

Dress appropriately: At Theatre Albany, we ask that actors come dressed for movement. This means you should dress in clothes that are comfortable and will not impede your movement, but still be neat, clean and nice looking. (Please, no flip-flops, boots, high heels, wheeled shoes, etc. Sturdy shoes that stay on your feet are a must. Dance shoes are appropriate).

Introduce yourself: When you walk into the audition room, tell us your name and the name of the piece you have prepared. This makes a good first impression.

Mistakes happen: If you make a mistake, do not apologize. Remember that others may not even notice a mistake, but if you point it out to them, they will know for sure. Just keep going!

It’s OK to be nervous: Don’t worry about being nervous. Just about everyone is nervous. Do your best to smile and have a good time.

CHARACTER LIST:

Ebenezer Scrooge - A selfish, miserly, and lonely old man, who values money above all else

Bob Cratchit - Scrooge’s clerk. Kind, mild, and poor, he works hard despite ill treatment from Mr. Scrooge to provide for his large family, whom he loves

Fred - Scrooge’s nephew. Good-humored, kind, and full of Christmas spirit

Two Charitable Gentlemen/Ladies - Approach Scrooge for donations to provide food and clothing for the poor

Singing Boy - A poor street child who tries to sing a Christmas carol at Scrooge’s door

Jacob Marley - Scrooge’s late business partner, who returns as a ghost to warn Scrooge of the terrible fate that awaits him. Tormented and full of regret.

The Ghost of Christmas Past - Spirit who shows Scrooge significant moments in his past, exudes both innocence and great wisdom

Boy Scrooge - Scrooge at age ten, abandoned by friends and family at school over the Christmas holidays

Teen Scrooge - Scrooge at age fifteen, rescued from another dismal Christmas at school by his beloved sister

Fan - Scrooge’s sister. Sweet and joyful, loves her brother

Young Scrooge - Scrooge as a young man, working as a clerk. At first, he is still optimistic and values kindness and generosity, but the seeds of selfishness and greed begin to take root.

Mr. Fezziwig - Scrooge’s former employer. Jovial and generous

Charlie Wilkins - Young Scrooge’s fellow clerk

Belle - the young woman Scrooge falls in love with. Sweet and kind, but with great strength of conviction. She breaks off their engagement when she sees how much greed and selfishness have overtaken Scrooge.

Belle’s Husband - The man Belle eventually marries after leaving Scrooge. He is good natured and loves his family

The Ghost of Christmas Present - The Spirit who bestows the joy of Christmas upon people who appreciate it, and shows Scrooge the lives of those people. He is jolly but imposing

Mrs. Cratchit - Bob’s Cratchit’s feisty wife

Peter Cratchit - Bob Cratchit’s oldest son

Martha Cratchit - Bob Cratchit’s oldest daughter

Belinda Cratchit - Bob Cratchit’s daughter

Two Little Cratchits - two of Bob Cratchit’s younger children

Tiny Tim - Bob Cratchit’s youngest son, sickly and walks with a crutch, but wise beyond his years

Fred’s Wife - Scrooge’s niece by marriage, of whom he did not approve

The Ghost of Christmas Future - eerie, silent, shadowy specter that shows Scrooge what lies in his future if he persists along his current path

Three Businessmen - Callous business associates of Scrooge

Mrs. Laven - Scrooge’s cleaning woman. Poor, street-smart, opportunistic, and outspoken

Mrs. Dilber, Mr./Mrs. Graves - The laundress and undertaker’s assistant. Engage in the same dubious business as Mrs. Laven, but a little more timid about it

Old Joe - Unscrupulous buyer and seller of old (and possibly stolen) items

Nicholas - A boy on the street whom Scrooge commissions to buy a turkey for the Cratchits

Many of these roles will be doubled so that one person will play multiple parts. Members of the cast will also play various Passersby, Mrs. Fezziwig, the Miss Fezziwigs, Fred’s Maid, Mr. Topper, Fred’s Sister-in-Law, Beggar Woman with Infant, Ignorance, Want, Party Guests, Miners, and Narrators.