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Auditions Announced For Miracle On 34th Street

BRANSON REGIONAL ARTS COUNCIL Presents MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Auditions for the Branson Regional Arts Council‘s production of Miracle on 34th St., the play, will be held Friday, October 19, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Historic Owen Theatre, 205 S. Commercial St., Branson, MO, 65616. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, October 21, from 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Requirements:
ADULTS: Prepare a comedic or dramatic monologue of your choice, 2-3 minutes in length.
KIDS: Prepare a comedic monologue of your choice, 30 seconds-1 minute in length.
Kids and adults MAY be asked to sing the melody of a carol. A track and music will be provided.
Bring audition form and one copy of your head shot and resume.
We greatly prefer a LIVE audition, but will accept video/online submissions if absolutely necessary.

Miracle on 34th St. takes audiences into a world we seem to desperately desire, free of the blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are the rewards. 

By chance, Kris Kringle, and old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of new York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy. 

The cast consists of lead character roles for 3 men, 2 women, and 1 girl. 14 roles for men and women, and MANY children comprise the ensemble. 

Character Breakdown

Please note that many roles (as listed) can be cast as either male or female. Character names may be adjusted based upon casting.

ENSEMBLE – ADULTS, TEENS and CHILDREN (ages 8-99) – The ensemble is essential to this show. They will guide the show, filling scene breaks, changing scenery, and creating a complete world (lots of possibilities. There are several speaking roles for children and teens who also appear as extras in other scenes. Adult ensemble features include Bag Lady, Rich Person, Drunk Santa, Duncan (Zookeeper), Postal Workers,

Parents who visit Santa, Pedestrians, Photographers, Courtroom Crowd, Parade Workers and Carolers. There is also a special “Elf Theatre” presentation at Macy’s (might be a short sketch, a musical production, dance, etc.), which will spotlight Elves and their talents. Singing ability is useful but not required.

KRIS KRINGLE: Male (Stage Age 40–60) – He is Santa Claus. Likeable, firm, caring. Loves children.

FRED GAYLEY: Male (Stage Age 20–40) – Friend/Neighbor to Doris and Susan; Lawyer; Kringle’s defense attorney; all around good guy.

DORIS WALKER: Female (Stage Age 20–40) – Personnel Manager at Macy’s; Susan’s mother; all work, no play.

SUSAN WALKER: Female Child (Stage Age 7-9, can be older) – Doris’ daughter. Precocious. She doesn’t believe.

SHELLHAMMER: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Assistant to Doris. Friendly, efficient.

JUDGE HARPER: Adult Male or Female (Stage Age 30+) – Presides over Kringle’s
hearing; Judicial; likeable; a bit political.

DR. PIERCE: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Physician at Maplewood Home; warm, caring.

SAWYER: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Macy’s vocational guidance counselor; character role requiring great comic timing.

MARA: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Prosecuting attorney; somewhat jaded; sticks to the letter of the law.

HALLORAN: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Judge Harper’s political campaign manager. 

FINLEY: Adult Male or Female (any age) – Bailiff in Judge Harper’s court.

MACY: Adult Male or Female (Stage Age 30+) – Owner and manager of Macy’s Department Store.

BLOOMINGDALE: Adult Male or Female (Stage Age 30+) – Owner and manager of Bloomingdale’s Department Store.

The Branson Regional Arts Council’s production of Miracle on 34th St. will be staged and musically directed by Lloyd Alexander-Holt. It will be presented at the Historic Owen Theatre December 7-9 & 14-16, for a total of 8 performances, and will feature a cast of performers 8 years old and up. Rehearsals will be held Sunday through Thursday evenings, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Miracle on 34th St. is rated G and is family friendly.

Please email casting director, Melissa Rivera to set an audition appointment and for any other questions. 
casting@bransonarts.org