Auditions for Oliver Jr.
Directed by Rosh Raines
Choreographed by Krista Shovlin
Performance Dates: NOVEMBER 15-17 & 22-24 | FRI-SAT 7:30 pm, SUN 2:00 pm | MainStage Theater
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center announces auditions for Oliver! JR. Auditions will take place on September 19-21, 2024, and are open to all actors grades 7-12.
The Audition
Please arrive a minimum of 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time to check in and fill out any necessary paperwork including all known conflicts.
Vocal Audition:
Vocal auditions will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 4:00-8:00pm at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in the Rehearsal Studio.
Please follow signs to enter through the 10th Street Entrance (Main Office) to check in with Stage Management.
Please prepare a 32-bar cut of a classic musical theatre style song.
Please bring sheet music in the correct key for the provided accompanist.
Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as a signed copy of the Application for Minors in Performance form linked below.
All actors must attend the Dance Call on Friday, September 20, 2024, to be considered for casting.
Auditions are open to current 7-12th grade students.
The Dance Call
The Dance Call for those auditioning will take place Friday, September 20, 2024, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm in Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s Rehearsal Hall.
Please follow signs to enter through the Artist’s Entrance on 9th Street to check in with Stage Management.
You must attend the Vocal Audition to be considered for casting.
Appropriate dance apparel includes: Comfortable and appropriate dance clothes for all types of movement. (Black or White T-Shirt and Jazz Pants) with jazz or tennis shoes.
Please have your hair pulled back away from your face.
Callbacks
Callbacks are by invitation only on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9:00am-1:00pm in Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s Rehearsal Studio.
Please follow signs to enter through the 10th Street Entrance (Main Office) to check in with Stage Management.
Current Lincoln Park students under the age of 18 must download and complete the following Application for Minors in Performances form and bring with them to auditions.
Students under the age of 18 who do not attend Lincoln Park, please download and complete this full version of the form and bring to your audition.
To sign up for an audition time slot, please complete the online form.
** You will receive a confirmation email with your time after completing the form.
Synopsis
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.
Character Breakdown
Mr. Bumble - runs the workhouse where Oliver finds himself in the beginning of the show. He is cold, cruel, and he doesn’t care one bit about the boys in his workhouse.
Widow Corney - runs the workhouse along with Mr. Bumble. She is cold and calculating, like Mr. Bumble, and only cares that the work gets done and puts money in her pocket.
Oliver Twist - is the 11-year-old orphan around which the whole plot of the show revolves. Oliver is intelligent and kind, but he is not afraid to stand up for himself when the situation calls for it. He longs for a family and escapes to London to try to make his fortune – though he has no idea what adventures await him there!
Mr. Sowerberry - is the undertaker who purchases Oliver from Mr. Bumble. He is a callous man who does not treat Oliver much better than Mr. Bumble.
Mrs. Sowerberry - gives Oliver scraps left for the dog to eat. She, like her husband, does not care at all for Oliver’s well-being and only wants him to work.
Charlotte - works for the Sowerberrys. She is kinder to Oliver than the others in the Sowerberry home, but not by much.
Noah Claypole - works for the Sowerberrys. He is a mean, nasty person who insults Oliver’s mother on purpose to upset him.
Artful Dodger – (a.k.a. Jack Dawkins) is one of the most famous characters in literature. He is charming, upbeat, and charismatic. Though Dodger works for Fagin as a thief, he is the first person to show Oliver real kindness and gives him a place to belong.
Fagin - recruits, trains, and manages a gang of child-thieves. Though he claims he cares for each of his children, providing them food and shelter and characteristically calling them “my dear,” he’s really only concerned with the money these young thieves bring in.
Charlie Bates - is one of Fagin’s child-thieves. He is a great admirer of the Artful Dodger and an accomplished pocket-picker.
Nipper - is the smallest member of Fagin’s gang.
Captain – is a child in Fagin’s gang.
Handwalker - is a child in Fagin’s gang.
Nancy - is an adventurous young lady with a heart of gold who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. She is vivacious and kind, the life of the party, and she immediately takes Oliver under her wing. Unfortunately, she is involved with Bill Sikes, who is a troublesome person.
Bet - is a friend of Nancy’s who shares her spirited nature and sense of adventure. Like Nancy, Bet has a kind heart but has fallen upon hard times.
Mr. Brownlow - is a sweet man who takes Oliver in, even after Oliver has picked his pocket. Oliver is familiar to Mr. Brownlow immediately, even though he has no idea that Oliver is his grandchild.
Bill Sikes - is a quintessential villain. He is mean, selfish, and ruthless, and he always looks out for number one. He bullies everyone around him, especially Nancy, and is paranoid, always afraid that people will betray him.
Chairman - is a small, featured role in the Three Cripples Public House.
Mrs. Bedwin - is Mr. Brownlow’s kindhearted housekeeper.
Milkmaid, Strawberry Seller, Knife Grinder, Rose Seller - are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR.
Dr. Grimwig - is a featured acting role. He is extremely intelligent but a bit pessimistic, especially compared to Mr. Brownlow.
Old Sally, Matron - confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson.
Ensemble - in Oliver! JR. fills out the world of the musical. The ensemble roles include CHILDREN (including CHILD), WORKHOUSE GOVERNORS, SERVANTS, MAID, DELIVERY PERSON, PAUPER ASSISTANTS, PEOPLE IN THE CITY (including PASSING MAN), FAGIN’S GANG, POLICEMAN, CUSTOMERS at the Three Cripples Public House, STREET SELLERS, MARKET SELLERS, CROWD in the Town square (including FIRST WOMAN, SECOND WOMAN, THIRD WOMAN and FIRST MAN), PEOPLE and POLICE at London Bridge (including LAMPLIGHTER, FIRST RUNNER, POLICE 1, POLICE 2).
Schedule
Rehearsal
Tuesday, October 15 – Friday, October 18, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Saturday, October 19, 2024: 1:00-6:00pm
Monday, October 21 – Friday, October 25, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Monday, October 28 – Thursday, October 31, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Run Through (Mandatory)
Sunday, November 3, 2024: 2:00-7:00pm
Monday, November 4 – Wednesday, November 6, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Spacing – Thursday, November 7, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Mandatory Tech Rehearsals
Saturday, November 9, 2024: 1:00-6:00pm
Sunday, November 10, 2024: 1:00-9:00pm
Tuesday, November 12 – Thursday, November 14, 2024: 4:00-9:00pm
Performances (Mandatory)
Friday, November 15, 2024: 7:30pm
Saturday, November 16, 2024: 7:30pm
Sunday, November 17, 2024: 2:00pm
Friday, November 22, 2024: 7:30pm
Saturday, November 23, 2024: 7:30pm
Sunday, November 24, 2024: 2:00pm
Seeking strong singers and dancers; all genders, types, and ethnicities encouraged to audition.
Performers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and performers living with disabilities are encouraged to audition.