Montford Park Players hold auditions for A Christmas Carol

From a press release:

The Montford Park Players, North Carolina’s longest running Shakespeare Festival, announces that auditions for its annual production of A Christmas Carol will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday, Sept. 15, from 1 pm until 6 pm at Asheville’s Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway Street, Asheville NC 28801. Free parking is available at Home Trust Bank, 10 Woodfin St.

The Players are pleased to announce that Michelle Schwantes, Artistic Director of Poetry Alive, will be the director of A Christmas Carol this year.

Actors should sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054DAFAB2EAB9-christmas for ten-minute audition slots. Actors should prepare a short monologue of no longer than two minutes (or two contrasting monologues totaling no longer than two minutes), and should bring headshots and resumes if available. Walk-in auditionees will also be seen on a first-come, first-served basis after scheduled actors have been seen. Actors should be prepared to sing a short verse of a Christmas carol a cappella. Child actors: if old enough, can read a prepared children’s side. They can also choose to perform a nursery rhyme, short poem or sing a verse of a Christmas song that they like.

Rehearsals will begin Oct. 3 and the production will open Dec. 5 at the Masonic Temple. For more information contact John Russell at 828-254-5146 or info@montfordparkplayers.org.

The cast will be comprised of 22 persons. Characters include:
Ebenezer Scrooge – Male, 50+. Greedy miser, but also sympathetic
Robert Cratchit – Male, 35+ – Honest, good-hearted, work-worn man
The Ghost of Christmas Past/Visiting Lady/Ensemble – Female, age open, androgynous, timeless
The Ghost of Christmas Present/Mr. Fezziwig/Poulterer – Male, age open, robust, large personality, upbeat, but capable of dramatic turns
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Puppet)/Jacob Marley/Poor Diner 3 – Male, 50+. Strong stage presence and voice, dramatic, good physical control
Fred, Nephew to Scrooge/Corpse – Male, 30+, Cheerful and robust
Holly, Caroler One/Flanna Fezziwig/Lucy – Female, Soprano voice, age open. Feisty personality, good comic timing
Ivy, Caroler Two/Flora Fezziwig/Lydia/Mercy – Female, Alto voice, age open. Dignified with a comic flair.
Peace, Caroler Three/Dick Wilkins/Merchant #2/William/Thomas/Perambulating Gentleman/Arguing Man 2 – Male, Tenor. Age-open, character versatility
Justice, Caroler Four/Topper/Merchant #3/Fergus/Arguing Man 1 – Male, Bass, age open. Good comic ability and versatility.
Young Caroler/Young Ebenezer/Street Urchin – Male, 8 – 12 years of age. Able to sing comfortably and handle light dialogue
Charitable Gentleman #1/Baker/Old Joe/Farrow/Poor Diner 1 – Male, age open. Good comic versatility.
Charitable Gentleman #2/Mr. Earnest Graves/Feke/Poor Diner 2 – Male, age open. Good dark comic ability.
Chimney Sweep/Peter Cratchit/Boy #1 – Male, 8 – 15 years old, strong bearing, positive and comic.
Fan/Belinda Cratchit/Want/Servant 1 – Female – 7 – 10 years old, sweet and strong personality.
Martha Cratchit/Fauna Fezziwig/Maid – Female – 13-25 years old, upbeat, good movement ability and good comic timing.
Mrs. Fezziwig/Charity/Shopper 2 – Female – 40+ – Huge personality, great physicality and excellent comic ability.
Boy #3/Tiny Tim/Servant 2 – Male 8 – 12 years old. Small, delicate, frail and kind.
Boy #2/Child 1/Ignorance/Street Entertainer – Male, 8 – 12 years old. Strong stage presence and excellent sense of theatrical timing.
Mrs. Cratchit/Jane – Female, 35+ – Strong-willed and large-hearted. Practical and generous.
Ebenezer/Visiting Gentleman/Merchant #1 – Male, 18+. Bold, independent and strong personality.
Belle/Shopper 1/Caroline – Female, 18+ – Intelligent and ladylike.