Wheaton Drama to hold 'Willy Wonka' auditions July 22-23
Wheaton Drama will hold auditions for Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka" on Sunday and Monday, July 22-23, with callbacks scheduled for Thursday, July 26.
No appointments will be taken nor are they needed; auditioners will be seen in groups within the time frames shown below.
Performances are scheduled from Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
More information, including character descriptions and specific audition times for varying ages can be found on the website at www.wheatondrama.org.
On Sunday, July 22, auditions are scheduled for children, age 7 to 9, from 1 to 2 p.m.; age 10 to 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; and adults from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
On Monday, July 23, auditions are scheduled for children, age 7 to 9, from 4 to 5 p.m.; age 10 to 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and adults from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Callbacks by invitation will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26.
Director Maria Bakalis is seeking to cast a group of 24 imaginative, flexible, playful adults and children.
Auditions will consist of learning and singing a 16-bar music selection, not from the show, along with cold readings of short scenes, also not from the show. Children will be taught some simple movement steps. All roles are available. Please bring a recent photograph; a selfie or snapshot is fine.
Character descriptions are:
• Willy Wonka - Vocal range: G2 - F4 (Adult ages 20 on up) The eccentric owner of the famed Wonka Chocolate Factory. He is the epitome of an introvert. Somewhat of a recluse, he is quirky and has peculiar foibles. He can be extremely demanding and judgmental but never sinister. Wonka has a comedic side to him. He may be old but is young at heart.
• Charlie Bucket - Vocal range: Bb4 - F#5 (Age 10-14) Charlie is a young boy who is kind and understanding. He wants little to be happy. He loves his family especially his grandfather, Grandpa Joe.
• Grandpa Joe - Vocal range: Bb3 - Eb4 (Must play 50-60's) Grandpa Joe is the oldest and wisest of the characters. He loves Charlie and guides him. Like Charlie and Mr. Wonka, he remains young at heart.
• Mr. Bucket (Age 30-40's). Charlie's father. He is a kind man who is trying to take care of his family, including both sets of parents, in very hard times. He hates his situation, but never gives up hope.
• Mrs. Bucket - Vocal range: Bb4 - Db5 (30's-40's) Charlie's mother. She is as kind as Charlie's father. She is trying to hold everything together for her family. She is very much in love with Charlie's father despite hard times.
• Grandma Josephine - Vocal range: Middle C to E flat (Age 50-60's) Quick-witted, cheerful, elderly woman. Loves Nut-a-riffic bars!
• Grandma Georgina - Vocal range: Middle C to E flat. (Age 50-60's) Exasperated with Grandpa George because he is hard of hearing. Ability to holler at him in a controlled way. Funny elderly woman.
• Grandpa George - (Age 50-60's) "Hard of hearing" elderly man brings humor and crazy conversation to the house. Good sense of comedic timing.
• Augustus Gloop - Vocal range: B3 - G4 (Age 10-14) Sings "I Eat More!" Sees everything and smells everything that is good to eat. Can think of nothing else but food.
• Mrs. Gloop - Vocal range: C4 - E5 (Age 30's-40's) She is Augustus's overprotective mother. She also loves to eat. Comedic part.
• Violet Beauregarde - Vocal range: G3 - E5 (Age 10-14) Sassy, forceful, rude. Takes advantage of others.
• Mrs. Beauregarde - Vocal range: C4 - G4 (Age 30's-40's) Dresses like her daughter, smiles a lot even as her daughter is extremely rude to her. Mother and daughter are mirror images of each other.
• Veruca Salt - Vocal range: C4 - G5 (Age 10-14) Spoiled rotten. Has her father wrapped around her finger. Used to getting whatever she wants.
• Mr. Salt - Vocal range: C3 - G3 (Age 30's-40's) Very wealthy, indulgent, arrogant father of Veruca. He will do anything it takes to get his daughter what she wants.
• Mike Teavee - Vocal range: Low B - High G (Age 10-14) Technologically savvy, sarcastic, distractible nerd who only cares about his electronics devices.
• Mrs. Teavee - Vocal range: B4 - F5 (Age 30's-40's) Technologically savvy, permissive and has no control over her son.
• Oompa Loompas - Vocal range: Low A - High A. (Age 7-9) They work for Mr. Wonka who has taken them in. Love the chocolate factory. They are a bit impish.
• Phineus Trout - (Adult any age) Reporter Dry sense of humor, clever.
• James - Vocal range: A to A. (Age 10-14) He is Charlie's best friend. Singing and dancing part.
• Matilda - Vocal range: B to B (Age 10-14) She is also one of Charlie's close friends.
Please contact director Maria Bakalis with questions at wheatondramawonka@gmail.com.
The director is Maria Bakalis; production managers are Kate Quan and Katy Smith. The music director is Bryan McCaffrey and the assistant director is Krystyn Wells.
This is a non-Equity production; there is no pay.
Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.