Auditions for "A Christmas Carol"

Auditions for “A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play”
by Katherine Brewer
The Whole Backstage Theatre and Season Sponsor Sonny Lewis announce a schedule change
from the holiday chorale production of “Black Tie Christmas” to “A Christmas Carol – A Radio
Play”. Due to the increased rise of Covid-19 in our area and the increased risk due to close
contact singing, Director Johnny Brewer and the WBS Board of Directors made health and
safety consideration a top priority for our performers and patrons.
“Set in the style of a 1940s radio studio, ‘A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play’ was selected and
will feature a unique way for the audience to attend a 60-minute dramatic presentation of this
Charles Dickens’s festive classic. With visual on-stage sound effects and music underscore, this
reading featuring Scrooge, Marley, and all the Ghosts, along with the Cratchit family, will create
a special nostalgic holiday feeling for our audience,” Director Johnny Brewer explained.
In-person auditions for “A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play” are scheduled for October 7th and
8th at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the WBS Playhouse in Reception
Room #1. For the safety and health of the crew, volunteers, and auditionees, social distancing will
be observed.
Sunday, October 10th at 2:00 p.m. is dedicated to Zoom Auditions and is the deadline for
Online/Video submissions. No In-Person Auditions will take place on Sunday, October 10.
Persons auditioning through Zoom/Online/Video will need to sign up. Further information and
links are available on the WBS website.
No memorizations of lines will be required of this cast of 12 to 20 performers. A single actor
could be asked to perform multiple roles, except for the role of Scrooge. British accents of
various levels will be used from Cockney to Yorkshire. Adult actors are wanted of various ages.
A small group of young people will be needed to sing background Christmas carols in group
scenes and to fill the roles of Tiny Tim, the Cratchit children, the turkey boy, and the Ghost of
Christmas Past.
Under the direction of veteran Whole Backstager, Johnny Brewer, with Technical Director
Denton Gillen, this production will offer something new to its patrons. Four live on-stage
performances are slated for December 16th through 19th. Gillen stated, “For the weekend of
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this production will be offered to the community in a
recorded streaming format. This special broadcasted performance will be a perfect way for
family and friends to watch this treasured holiday classic together at home.”
Audition materials and detailed information are available now for download from the WBS
website www.wholebackstage.com. For more information, please contact the WBS office at
256.582.7469 or e-mail btbwbs@bellsouth.net.