Ten West Holding Open Auditions for It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
Auditions are scheduled for October 20-21 from 6 - 9pm at Ten West Center for the Arts, 10 W. Church St. Fortville, Indiana. This is a community production that will not offer compensation. The production will run the weekend of December 2.
Available Roles:
The age and character descriptions are be based heavily on voice characteristics, more than actual appearance and age.
Oliver Reese Johnston (Lead) Male, 25-45
to voice and play multiple characters, the true-to-heart ensemble performer, he’s played all the classics and has a reverence for every word he speaks. Characters include Old Man Gower, Potter, Joseph (super of angels), Billy Bailey (George’s uncle), Peter Baiey (George’s father), Old Man Collins, Binky (a bouncer), Shultz (has German dialect), and Sherriff Horace (a bank teller).
Jake Laurentis (Lead) Male, 25-35
an everyman–that part in all of us that is good. He’s genuine, passionate about everything he does, the underdog that everyone wants to win in the end, handsome, but a bit uncomfortable with his own physicality. Jake’s secret is that he’s never really acted in anything before… he’s just playing himself. Characters include George Bailey and Young George Bailey.
Sally Applewhite (Lead) Female, 20-35
girl-next-door type, wholesome, smart, funny, talented, and absolutely beautiful. Sally has just arrived in town and here to make it or bust. Like Mary Hatch–once she falls in love, it’s forever. Characters include Mary Hatch and Young Mary.
Freddie Filmore (Lead) Male, 20-55
to voice and play multiple characters, full of charm, the emcee of the evening’s presentation, well-polished, self-assured with a bit of an ego. Characters include Announcer, Peter (George’s son), Ernie (a cab driver), Ed (at the run on the bank), Man at Martini’s, Pete (George’s son), Nick/Bartender, and Cop.
Miss Lana Sherwood (Lead) Female, 20-30
to voice and play multiple characters, sassy and precocious, an experienced theater actress, has heard and seen it all. She won’t accept flowers unless there’s also jewelry in the box, but inside that outer hard core, there’s a heart of gold. Character include Violet Brick, Mrs. Thompson, ZuZu, and Janie (George’s daughter).
Miss Alice Jane Kenworthy (Lead) Female, 30-64
to voice and play multiple characters, former heiress to the Whitney Oil fortune her family lost everything when the market crashed in 1929. Now a widow, she lives a modest life alone in a small flat with her cat Winston. The radio show and cast are her only family. Character include
Rose Bailey, Matilda (a secretary), Ruth Bailey (Harry’s wife), Mrs. Hatch (Mary’s mother), and Sadie Vance (a bank examiner).
Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood (Lead) Male, 20-60
to voice and play multiple characters, great physicality, technical and detailed but with an exceptional sense of the ironies of life. A former minstrel show vaudevillian who left the circuit to perform in radio. Characters include Harry, Young Harry (George’s brother), Bert, Clarence,
Sam Wainwright (an entrepreneur), Martini (a bar owner), Dr. Campbell, Mr. Welch (a school teacher’s husband), Tommy (George’s son) and Charlie (man at the bank).
Audition Requirements
Actor’s should be prepared to do the following:
Other available positions include (but are not limited to):
Stage Manager
Costume Designer
Hair and Makeup Designer
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
Sound Designer
Marketing Coordinator
Box Office Coordinator
These departments should be prepared to meet once a week during cast rehearsals, and once a week outside of rehearsal time. If you are interested in helping with this production in any capacity, please come in during auditions with a theatrical resume and availability information.
