White Christmas

September 22, 2024

REGISTER TO AUDITION

The Wayne Theatre  is thrilled to announce the second musical of our 2024-2025  “Live, Laugh, Loathe” Season, Irving Berlin's White Christmas.

The Wayne is committed to working with local/regional talent.

We look forward to connecting with you. 

Creative Team

Director: Lesley Larsen 

Music Director: Kat McLean

Choreographer: Corey Holmes

Performances 

(Performances will be on the Main Stage of the Wayne Theatre)

December 6-8, 13-15

Fri/Sat @ 7pm, Sat/Sun @ 2pm

Additional Performances:

There will be TWO school matinees at 9:30 and 12 p.m. on Friday, 12/13 at 10am. 

There will also be a performance of select numbers at the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge on 12/12. This will be a paid performance for the actors/crew who are part of the selected numbers. 

AUDITION DETAILS

We are accepting OPEN in-person auditions for ALL ROLES. Ages 10+

We’re looking to find and celebrate diversity in body type, race, gender, age, and ability. That being said, performers must be 10+ at the time of the beginning of rehearsals. Youth Performers: See Below! 

Audition Date/Time

Sunday, September 22

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

In-person on the Main Stage at the Wayne Theatre. 

2:00 - 3:00 pm for performers 15 and under (one song)

3:00 -4:30 pm Music Portion for performers over 15 (2 contrasting)

4:30-5:30 pm Dance Portion *all performers over 15 will be called to the Dance/Movement Portion

For the movement call: please wear/bring clothing and shoes that you can move in.

TO AUDITION

Please fill out this White Christmas Audition Form before or on the day of auditions. You will be given a place to submit your resume and headshot, as well as a place to sign up for a specific time slot.

For those performers age 15 and under, please follow the following guidelines:

Please prepare ONE song in the style of the show (16-32 bars each). Please do not use a song from the show. Bring your own accompaniment track on your device, we will provide a bluetooth speaker, apple dongle or aux cable for you to connect to. No further movement audition is required.

For those performers over the age of 15, please follow the following guidelines:

Please prepare TWO CONTRASTING songs in the style of the show (16-32 bars each). Please do not use a song from the show. Bring your own accompaniment track on your device, we will provide a bluetooth speaker, Apple dongle or aux cable for you to connect to. 

While we would like you to pick your own song, we understand it can sometimes be daunting. If you are unable to pick a song, our music director has picked 2 songs for you to sing should you want/need to use it.

 Anything Goes

Measure 18 “In olden days…” to measure 49 “Anything goes”

- 0:40 - 1:00 

WATCH VIDEO

Till There Was You

Measure 5 “There were bells…” to measure 35 “Till there was you”

WATCH VIDEO

The first part of the audition will consist of the vocal audition at your chosen time slot. For the second half, please be prepared to move. You will be doing approximately 3 counts of 8 of basic movement. For accessibility purposes, those who register to audition will receive the dance audition via email the week before. 

Callbacks:

Callbacks will be held on Monday, September 23rd from 7-10pm. 

Actors will be notified via email if they are called back. 

NOT everyone will receive a callback. We are not calling back for every role so not receiving a callback does not mean you have not been cast. 

If you are offered a callback, you will be required to learn a musical excerpt from the show.

Cast List Announced:

Actors will be notified via email if they do or do not receive a role in the production. Those emails will be sent out the week of September 22nd. 

Rehearsal Dates:

Rehearsals will begin Monday, 9/29.

Rehearsals will be Su/M/W/Th from 7-10pm

 ***On most nights, the artistic team will prioritize releasing performers under the age of 16 by 8:45pm. Some exceptions based on the role or rehearsal (tech) may occur.

Tech Rehearsals will be the week prior to opening.

No conflicts accepted during Press Showcase (Thursday 11/21), Tech Week or Performances.

*see note about conflicts below. 

Tech Week:

The week before opening, performers should plan on being present at all tech rehearsals. Every effort will be made to minimize rehearsals going over time. Flexibility is appreciated. The artistic staff reserve the right to make adjustments to the tech schedule based on the needs of the production and the venue restrictions. 

A Note About Youth Performers:

The Wayne strives to create a safe and structured environment for young performers.  We will engage the following measures to ensure the safety of children throughout the rehearsal and performance process:

Youth performers must have participated in a Studio Wayne show before they are eligible to audition for a Wayne Mainstage.

We will employ a Youth Associate Director to act as a safety and creative liaison between youth performers, their families, and the creative team.

All dressing areas will be monitored and separated by age.

We will be thoughtful about the length of the rehearsal day for youth performers.

A Note about Conflicts:

Conflicts do not necessarily negate the opportunity to be cast, but we must know about them up front to factor that into the casting decisions. Barring emergencies, additional conflicts added/disclosed after casting could result in dismissal from the production. 

Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in your removal of the production or at the very least, removal from key numbers or scenes. Missing more than 2 rehearsals outside of the originally scheduled absences may result in your removal from the production. 

Questions? Feel free to send an email to auditions@waynetheatre.org.

SHOW SYNOPSIS

Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

The Wayne is looking for playful and collaborative artists!
We strongly encourage LGBTQ and BIPOC actors to audition!
 

Bob Wallace - (30-40, Male Presenting): A former army captain and half of the song-and-dance duo Wallace and Davis, Bob is a world-wise, cynical yet charming individual with a strong sense of loyalty and duty. His key songs include “Happy Holidays,” “White Christmas,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” and “How Deep is the Ocean.” *Strong dancer preferred. 

Intimacy note: There is a moment of intimacy (potentially a kiss) between Bob and Betty

Phil Davis - (28-35, Male Presenting): Phil, the other half of the duo, is Bob’s complete opposite – a fun-loving, adventurous, and somewhat mischievous individual who’s always on the lookout for a good time and romance. His main songs include “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” “Sisters (Reprise),” “I Love a Piano,” and “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.”*Strong dancer with tap background preferred.

Intimacy note: There is a moment of intimacy (potentially a kiss) between Phil and Judy

Betty Haynes - (25-35, Female Presenting): Betty is the older Haynes sister. She’s independent, pragmatic, and protective of her younger sister Judy. Despite her skepticism, she finds herself falling for Bob. Her featured songs include “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Love, You Didn’t Do Right By Me,” and “How Deep is the Ocean.”*Strong dancer preferred. 

Intimacy note: There is a moment of intimacy (potentially a kiss) between Betty and Bob

Judy Haynes - (25-30, Female Presenting): Judy is the more vivacious and adventurous of the Haynes sisters. She’s a romantic at heart and often the driving force behind many of their decisions, including the one to follow Bob and Phil to Vermont. Her key songs include “Sisters,” “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” “I Love a Piano,” and “Snow.” --Strong dancer with tap background preferred. 

Intimacy note: There is a moment of intimacy (potentially a kiss) between Phil and Judy. 

General Henry Waverly - (50-60, Male Presenting): The General is a stern, authoritative figure with a gruff exterior but a kind and caring heart. He’s the owner of the failing Vermont Inn and was the commanding officer of Bob and Phil during World War II. 

Martha Watson - (45-50, Female Presenting): Martha is the General’s lovable and nosy housekeeper. She’s a Broadway performer in retirement and still has a flair for the dramatic. She has a heart of gold and only wants what’s best for the General. Her main songs include “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” and “Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun.”

Susan Waverly - (8-16, Female Presenting): Susan is the General’s curious and intelligent granddaughter with dreams of becoming a performer. She’s perceptive, smart, and sees life as a big opportunity. She sings “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy.”

Ralph Sheldrake - (mid to late 30’s, Male Presenting): 

Rita - (mid 20’s to early 30’s, Female Presenting): 

Rhoda - (mid 20’s to early 30’s, Female Presenting): 

Ezekiel Foster - (mid 40’s to late 50’s, Male Presenting): doubles as Snoring Man 

Ensemble 

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