Open Auditions
As audition information and materials are available, they will be posted here!
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All actors are encouraged to audition for our next production on October 8 or 9 from 6pm to 7:30pm.
Download the audition packet above for all important information. Print and bring the packet with you to auditions, if able. Copies of the packet will also be available at auditions.
Be sure to sign up for an audition time using the button above.
CAST seeks 12-20 talented actors to fill the various roles. Student actors between the ages of 8-18 to fill seven lead roles and a few other supporting roles. Adult actors age 18+ to fill five lead roles and a few other supporting roles. It should be noted that although this is not specifically a children’s production, it will be family friendly.
CAST also seeks volunteers to help with other aspects of the show including set construction, sound and lighting design, stage management, costuming, and more. Anyone interested in these aspects of the show can discuss this with the director during audition times or contact CAST.
Anyone involved with this production age 18+ will be required to provide PA child abuse clearances and a criminal background check.
A Christmas Story Synopsis
By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher, and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.
The movie was released in 1983, the same year CAST opened. The play and our organization are celebrating 40 years in 2023.
A Christmas Story Character Descriptions
Ralph (an adult male) is the narrator of our story. Jean Shepherd is the actual author of the books that the story is based on, as well as the actual narrator voice we hear in the 1983 movie. On stage, he is a warm, charismatic and engaging storyteller; omniscient but not overpowering. A good-natured curmudgeon with a deadpan sense of humor. Ralph focuses the action, keeps the story moving, and holds the audience’s attention with his presence and spark. This actor must be very comfortable with audiences and must be able to "read the crowd" and tell the story at the same time.
Ralphie (appears or can act 9-12) is a boy who wants an Air Rifle for Christmas: specifically, the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. He is a bright, winsome, mischievous, cute kid – someone you wouldn't mind having as a next-door neighbor. Not a smart-aleck or overly precocious, Ralphie's imagination drives several scenes. The actor playing this role must be a fluent reader with a lot of stage presence.
Mother (appears or can act 35-50) is the secret engine that runs the family, keeping the household together with a smile – despite bickering children, limited funds, an x-rated lamp in the living room window, a cranky furnace, and a crankier husband. She would never let The Old Man know that she is more in charge than he is – as is appropriate for a housewife of this era. Vibrant, warm, affable – but not a pushover – she is always busy, especially anytime she is in the kitchen, and even more so at Christmas-time.
The Old Man (appears or can act 35-50) is Ralphie’s Dad. He is gruff and grumbling on the exterior but has a good heart. He doesn't overtly show it, but he does love his family. A blue-collar guy, he usually expects the worst out of most situations. The actor playing this character shouldn’t be afraid to go "over the top" for comedic purposes.
Randy (appears or can act 6-10, younger than Ralphie) is Ralphie's younger brother. He is cute, cuddly, lovable, and whiny – like most baby brothers! He looks up to his big brother, tries to keep up with him, and is young enough that he can be convinced to eat his dinner like a baby piggy. The actor playing this role must have strong stage presence.
Miss Shields (appears or can act 25+) is Ralphie's 5th grade teacher, a seemingly stereotypical 1940s educator. She is prim and proper, stern when necessary, but warm and even humorous when the situation merits it.
Flick (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie. He is the guinea pig in the flagpole licking experiment. The actor playing this role should be able to sustain and communicate with a serious lisp.
Schwartz (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie. He becomes the scapegoat when Ralphie utters an unmentionable word.
Ester Jane Alberry (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate of Ralphie.
Helen Weathers (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate of Ralphie.
Scut Farkus (appears or can act 10-16, older than Ralphie) is a textbook example of a schoolyard bully. Scut is loud, obnoxious, and intimidating. He is a year or two older than Ralphie and his friends, and wears a perpetual scowl under his coonskin cap. He always appears at the most inopportune time to harass his victims. In the end, he ends up being the biggest coward of all.
Santa (a male adult) at Higbee's Department Store is ill-tempered, slightly inebriated, and very unhappy with his job--nothing like the "Jolly Old Elf" of the Christmas stories! He gets rid of each kid as fast as he can--probably to shorten his day so he can head for the nearest "watering hole"! The actor playing this role must be a strong comedic actor and comfortable with children.
Youth Ensemble (appears or can act 9-12) are boys in girls in the classroom, school, and shopping scenes.
Adult Ensemble (appears or can act 25+) are men in women in tree lot, shopping, and “dream” scenes.
Download the audition packet above for all important information. Print and bring the packet with you to auditions, if able. Copies of the packet will also be available at auditions.
Be sure to sign up for an audition time using the button above.
CAST seeks 12-20 talented actors to fill the various roles. Student actors between the ages of 8-18 to fill seven lead roles and a few other supporting roles. Adult actors age 18+ to fill five lead roles and a few other supporting roles. It should be noted that although this is not specifically a children’s production, it will be family friendly.
CAST also seeks volunteers to help with other aspects of the show including set construction, sound and lighting design, stage management, costuming, and more. Anyone interested in these aspects of the show can discuss this with the director during audition times or contact CAST.
Anyone involved with this production age 18+ will be required to provide PA child abuse clearances and a criminal background check.
A Christmas Story Synopsis
By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.
Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher, and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.
The movie was released in 1983, the same year CAST opened. The play and our organization are celebrating 40 years in 2023.
A Christmas Story Character Descriptions
Ralph (an adult male) is the narrator of our story. Jean Shepherd is the actual author of the books that the story is based on, as well as the actual narrator voice we hear in the 1983 movie. On stage, he is a warm, charismatic and engaging storyteller; omniscient but not overpowering. A good-natured curmudgeon with a deadpan sense of humor. Ralph focuses the action, keeps the story moving, and holds the audience’s attention with his presence and spark. This actor must be very comfortable with audiences and must be able to "read the crowd" and tell the story at the same time.
Ralphie (appears or can act 9-12) is a boy who wants an Air Rifle for Christmas: specifically, the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun. He is a bright, winsome, mischievous, cute kid – someone you wouldn't mind having as a next-door neighbor. Not a smart-aleck or overly precocious, Ralphie's imagination drives several scenes. The actor playing this role must be a fluent reader with a lot of stage presence.
Mother (appears or can act 35-50) is the secret engine that runs the family, keeping the household together with a smile – despite bickering children, limited funds, an x-rated lamp in the living room window, a cranky furnace, and a crankier husband. She would never let The Old Man know that she is more in charge than he is – as is appropriate for a housewife of this era. Vibrant, warm, affable – but not a pushover – she is always busy, especially anytime she is in the kitchen, and even more so at Christmas-time.
The Old Man (appears or can act 35-50) is Ralphie’s Dad. He is gruff and grumbling on the exterior but has a good heart. He doesn't overtly show it, but he does love his family. A blue-collar guy, he usually expects the worst out of most situations. The actor playing this character shouldn’t be afraid to go "over the top" for comedic purposes.
Randy (appears or can act 6-10, younger than Ralphie) is Ralphie's younger brother. He is cute, cuddly, lovable, and whiny – like most baby brothers! He looks up to his big brother, tries to keep up with him, and is young enough that he can be convinced to eat his dinner like a baby piggy. The actor playing this role must have strong stage presence.
Miss Shields (appears or can act 25+) is Ralphie's 5th grade teacher, a seemingly stereotypical 1940s educator. She is prim and proper, stern when necessary, but warm and even humorous when the situation merits it.
Flick (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie. He is the guinea pig in the flagpole licking experiment. The actor playing this role should be able to sustain and communicate with a serious lisp.
Schwartz (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate and best buddy of Ralphie. He becomes the scapegoat when Ralphie utters an unmentionable word.
Ester Jane Alberry (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate of Ralphie.
Helen Weathers (appears or can act 9-12) is a classmate of Ralphie.
Scut Farkus (appears or can act 10-16, older than Ralphie) is a textbook example of a schoolyard bully. Scut is loud, obnoxious, and intimidating. He is a year or two older than Ralphie and his friends, and wears a perpetual scowl under his coonskin cap. He always appears at the most inopportune time to harass his victims. In the end, he ends up being the biggest coward of all.
Santa (a male adult) at Higbee's Department Store is ill-tempered, slightly inebriated, and very unhappy with his job--nothing like the "Jolly Old Elf" of the Christmas stories! He gets rid of each kid as fast as he can--probably to shorten his day so he can head for the nearest "watering hole"! The actor playing this role must be a strong comedic actor and comfortable with children.
Youth Ensemble (appears or can act 9-12) are boys in girls in the classroom, school, and shopping scenes.
Adult Ensemble (appears or can act 25+) are men in women in tree lot, shopping, and “dream” scenes.