Providence Players and The Young Hearts will co-produce
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
by Barbara Johnson
Directed by Beth Gilles-Whitehead
A portion of proceeds will go to support Blood Cancer United and its mission to find a cure for blood cancers.
Synopsis
The Herdman’s were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old broken-down tool-house. This year’s Christmas pageant has a brand new director. The wild and pushy Herdman’s head to church because of the donuts and stumble into the casting session for the pageant. Same-old Christmas pageant meets the enthusiastic, uninformed Herdman’s.
Performance Dates & Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
December 11 – 19
Saturday & Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m.
December 12, 13, 19 & 20
Audition information and instructions
Dates: Auditions will take place on:
- Tuesday, September 1, 6:30-9:00pm
- Wednesday, September 2, 6:30-9:00pm
- Thursday, September 3, 6:30-9:00pm
Call backs, September 4, 6:30-9:30pm (if necessary)
Place: James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA 22042 (ask for direction to the theater.)
Special Request from Director: PLEASE note on the calendar provided, your schedule conflicts. To be cast, the cast member should have no conflicts after the Thanksgiving break. Parents of cast members under the age of 17 will be asked to sign an agreement that acknowledges the rules for participation.
Please RSVP!
How we work: These are open auditions. You are encouraged to come to one audition night, not more. Actors will have opportunities to read for more than one role and with multiple combinations and scenes. Most actors find this fun. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene. We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading for parts you are interested in. You will also be asked to read for other parts you may not be auditioning for. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors & actresses, regardless of their level of experience. We try and make our auditions as relaxing and fun as possible.
Audition process: Auditions will consist of readings from the script – No monologue required. Sides for the audition process will be supplied at auditions.
Audition form: Resumes and headshots will be accepted, but are not required. An audition form is required and will be available at the audition, and available online. Please fill out the form before arriving, if possible.
Membership: The Providence Players of Fairfax is a membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, actors in addition to production team members will be asked to become members of the Providence Players ($25) for the season (if they are not already).
Other Information from the Director
Rehearsals will begin in the second week of October (preliminary work) and at the James Lee Center on November 4. No conflicts will be allowed after the Thanksgiving break, which includes all scheduled rehearsals and performances.
Character/Role breakdown – 20-30 people can be in the cast depending on turnout and readings.
- The Herdman’s –6 characters (ages: 7-15ish): Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, Gladys (tough, sassy, crafty, combative, ragged, bossy, wiry and feisty)
- Bradley Family –4 roles: Grace (Mom), Bob (Dad), Beth, narrator (age 12-14ish), Charlie (age 8-11ish)
- 3 Teen girls (ages 12-14ish): Alice (prim and prissy) Maxine, Doris.
- 2-3 Boys ages (ages 8-12ish): Elmer Hopkins (Reverend’s son age 11-14) Hobie.
- 3 -5 Girls ages (ages 5-10ish): Beverly, Shirley, Juanita, baby angels, small girls.
- 2 characters:
- 1 person age 40-55ish: Reverend Hopkins.
- 5 Mature women (35-60+) Armstrong, Mrs. Slocum, Mrs.Clark, Mrs. Clausing, Mrs. McCarthy.