Audition Form

Auditions are open to the public and all levels of experience are welcome.

Location

Auditions & Callbacks

Hope Christian Fellowship

4173 Bludau Drive

Warrenton, VA 20187 (located in Vint Hill)

Rehearsals: various locations in the Vint Hill/Warrenton areas. 

Date & Times

Friday, September 6, 2019 from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Be prepared to choose either Friday evening or Saturday morning and to stay the entire time frame of the audition.

Callbacks

Monday September 9, 2019 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. 

Callbacks will be by invitation only.

Stay up to date

Information (including more info on auditions and callbacks) will be updated as the information becomes available. All information can be found on the website of Fauquier Community Theatre (FCT) at: www.FCTstage.org. under Auditions

FCT 

BCPE Production Leaders

The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to Bradley and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.

Come prepared to audition with a verse and chorus from a favorite musical or broadway number. It can be with tracks that you provide, sheet music, or a cappella.

You will be asked to read from the script, sing with the group, and learn some choreography.

When registering be prepared to choose either Friday evening or Saturday morning and plan to attend the entire time frame.

• Before auditioning, please note that Thanksgiving falls during tech week, Tech week will begin on Sunday, November 24.  Dress rehearsals will be Monday thru Wednesday evenings, Nov. 25-27.  Show opens on Friday evening, November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. Attendance is expected for ALL actors at ALL tech week rehearsals, so check your calendars for conflicts before auditioning.

• The age range of the children must be believable when compared to each other.  For example, Imogene, Ralph, Beth and Alice will likely be about the same age.  Charlie, Elmer, and Claude must appear to be the same age, yet younger than those listed before. Age isn’t as important as how kids appear in comparison to each other.

• Parents, if your child is cast, you are expected to serve as a backstage parent for at least one tech week rehearsal & one performance.
  Please be aware that your audition demonstrates more than just your singing, reading, and dancing abilities.  Theater is a “team sport,” so we will also be looking for how you relate to others, your ability to focus and follow directions, and your attitude while doing all of these.  Although the Herdmans are unkind characters, the actors that play them must be quite the opposite!

• Rehearsals will likely be Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.  Locations in the Vint Hill/Warrenton area will vary until we get use of the theater at the beginning of November.  My desire for weeknight rehearsals will be to rehearse with children and youth from 6:30-8:00 pm and adults from 7:30-9:00 pm. I also hope to schedule no more than 3 of the 4 weekly rehearsals for most cast members, especially children. A more specific schedule will be developed after casting.

The theater is located at 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, Virginia 20187. Tickets are available for purchase here: www.fctstage.thundertix.com.

Setting: Christmas in a small town in the 1960s

The Herdman Kids: (in order of age) 

RALPH – the oldest and coolest.  He’s the enforcer. (13-17)
IMOGENE – leader of the Herdmans.  She’s loud, bossy, and crafty. (13-17)
LEROY – Ralph’s backup.  Very confident in the muscle department. (11-14)
CLAUDE – scrappy and smart. (10-14)
OLLIE – a bit of a naïve urchin who follows the older boys’ lead. (8-12)
GLADYS – little, but fierce. The youngest member of the Herdman family. (6-8)

The Bradleys

GRACE – sweet, good-humored, slightly frazzled mom (35-40ish)
BOB – easy going dad, wry sense of humor (35-40ish)
BETH – Charlie’s older and wiser sister. She’s honest and kind. (13-15)
CHARLIE – typical kid brother, says what he thinks (9 -11)

Church People:

HELEN ARMSTRONG – organized steamroller. She’s always in charge. (40-50ish)
REV. HOPKINS – occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning. (40-50ish)

Church Ladies: (think Andrews Sisters)
LUANNE – sassy, tells it like is is (35-40ish)
BETTY – sweet southerner, calls everyone “honey” (30-40ish)
COONIE – direct, no-nonsense type (35-50ish)

Church Kids:
ALICE WENDLEKEN – know-it-all. She thinks she’s perfect. (Beth’s age)
ELMER HOPKINS – preacher’s kid, which means he needs to behave and be nice (Charlie’s age)
TEDDY SHOEMAKER – wimpy kid with glasses, asks too many questions (8-10)
IVY REED – Beth’s earnest friend who is sometimes a goody-goody. (Beth’s age)

Additional Role: 4- 6 additional children will be cast in the Sunday school class and play angels/shepherds in the pageant. 

Please provide at least 2 numbers you can be reached at. 

Reminder plan to stay the entire time frame of audition day whichever you choose.

Bring your Resume & Headshot Photo with you to auditions. It will be stapled to your Submission Form upon arrival. - Thank you!

Rehearsals will be defined once cast conflicts have been received and considered. Rehearsal schedule/calendar will be given or discussed at cast read thru.

Rehearsals will likely be Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. My desire for weeknight rehearsals will be to rehearse with children and youth from 6:30-8:00 pm and adults from 7:30-9:00 pm. I also hope to schedule no more than 3 of the 4 weekly rehearsals for most cast members, especially children.

Last two weeks leading up to opening night are November 17th thru 28th (Dress Rehearsals during Thanksgiving week.)

Rehearsal Locations TBA (at a later time.) Generally somewhere close to the vicinity of Vint Hill.

A specific schedule will be available after casting.

Anyone cast may be required to attend 3-4 rehearsals per week prior to Tech Week and every day during Tech Week. Weekday evenings and weekend rehearsals are a possibility. We will try to work around the leads conflicts, so a rehearsal schedule will not be provided until after auditions. The set will be struck following the last matinee performance, and ALL cast members are required to assist. You MUST commit to ALL rehearsals during Tech Week and ALL performances. Your availability for rehearsals will GREATLY influence your chances of receiving a part. Please LIST on your audition registration form any prior commitments (regular or occasional) that may conflict with the rehearsal schedule.

Reminder: Tentative BCPE Schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday. Saturday in the mornings and weeknights in the evenings. See previous Director's Notes for more details.

Please note the following FCT policies:

If you are cast, you are required to become a member of FCT. Yearly Membership dues are $25 for an individual or $50 for a family, which includes all adults living in your immediate household. (This is the minimum; higher membership levels have extra benefits and are encouraged!) Membership dues will be collected by the Producer. Make checks payable to: Fauquier Community Theatre. Minors and orchestra musicians are not required to become members. Please consider donating more than the fee. You will receive lunch at the annual meeting and comp tickets for further levels of membership.

FCT has a Zero Tolerance policy toward sexual predators and may conduct background checks. There is No Smoking at any time in the theatre, dressing room trailer, or any rehearsal location. You may not smoke or eat at any time while in costume, indoors or outdoors. Adherence to the policies of Fauquier County Department of Parks and Recreation and to those of our rehearsal hosts is expected of all participants.It is the responsibility of all participants to assure that all aspects of the production are conducted in a safe manner.

Participation in this production is strictly voluntary. The participant agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Fauquier Community Theatre - Story Painters, Inc., its Board of Directors, employees, and associated representatives from any and all claims, judgments or settlements resulting from the participant’s involvement in any rehearsals or performances of this show.