AUDITIONS: Willy Wonka Jr.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr. is a
scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth.
Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka's rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.
Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Director: Kristie Mattsson
Choreographer: Jessica Cashin
Music Director: May Claire La Plante
Asst Director/Asst Choreographer: Jenna Lockwood
Produced by: The Y.E.S. Committee
All actors must be fully vaccinated
or provide a doctor’s certification of a vaccination waiver.
AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held on:
Sunday, March 10 from 5:30-8:00pm
Monday, March 11 from 4:00 to 6:30pm
No appointment needed. Actors only need to attend one day of auditions.
CALLBACKS on Thursday, March 14 starting at 4:00pm.
**You will be notified no later than Wednesday, March 13th if you will be
needed for callbacks and given a schedule.
All auditions, and any necessary callbacks, will be held at the
2627 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA
Street parking available.
Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot is available on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m. Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI or you will be towed.
PREPARE
Prepare 32 bars (a verse and chorus) of an up-tempo song in the standard musical comedy style.
Please do not sing pop songs, liturgical music, or country western.
Bring your own track accompaniment on an iphone, ipad or the Android equivalents.
Be prepared to dance with comfortable clothes and dance shoes or sneakers.
PEFORMANCE DATES
Weekends: May 11 through May 26, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am
School Shows: May 14 and 23, Performance at 9:15am and 11:00am
School shows will require actors to miss their morning classes, but some schools give community service credit. Please note that actors MUST be available for all performances, including all school shows.
This is non-negotiable!
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will begin with a readthrough on Sunday, March 17.
All other rehearsals will be held during the time frames of Monday through Fridays from 4:00 to 6:30pm and Saturday mid-morning or afternoons and Sunday early evening depending on theatre availability. A calendar with more specific time slots will be available at the audition.
Actors are not called for all rehearsals, only ones where they are being used for a scene/music/dance. Typically, large cast rehearsals are held on weekends. We will try to limit most actors to 4-5 rehearsals a week until we reach the last few weeks. Rehearsals will be worked around actor schedules as much as possible and also worked around youth workshop commitments.
BRING
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Accompaniment music on an iPhone, iPad or the Android equivalents. Do not sing without music accompaniment.
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A printed copy of your vaccination card to leave with us
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A picture (school picture or snapshot is fine) *even if you have done shows with us before, we need a new one
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Resume or list of shows done
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Your conflicts for the rehearsal period. All conflicts MUST be submitted prior to callbacks using the calendar provided on the audition form..
CONFLICTS
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At the audition, all actors must fill out a calendar form with all potential conflicts.
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PRIOR to auditioning, make sure to check with your school choir/band/theatre director, your sports coach, any pending field trips, or any other adult who schedules your time.
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We anticipate some conflicts around spring break, especially the week of March 25. We will accommodate if possible but an extended conflict may result in not being cast.
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Weekends are predominantly for dance – more than 3 conflicts on those days may result in an actor not being cast.
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NO conflicts will be accepted after casting. If they do arise it may result in an actor being replaced.
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Note: There is a show on Mother’s Day (May 12)
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
In reference to the character descriptions that follow, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible. We will list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities for all roles. We also encourage gender non-conforming, genderfluid, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. In addition, we will list disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors with disabilities as well as non-disabled actors for all roles. Please let us know if you have any questions, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
We are actively committed to casting an inclusive show that reflects the community.
Ages eligible to audition for this cast are: 8-18 years
The roles in this show are well-known and tend to have specific ages, races, and genders that have become traditionally expected, however, the show is entirely about “a world of pure imagination” and as such all auditioners are encouraged to try out for the roles/s that most excite and delight them, regardless of assumptions and stereotypes. While ultimately the role may “present” a certain way, what the performer brings to the role is what we are looking for.
The ages listed by each role only indicate what must be played convincingly. As such-you’ll see descriptors such as” “Adult”, “Child”, “Senior Citizen”. This is only to indicate what age the CHARACTER is.
AT THE FACTORY:
Willy Wonka
Gender: Any, Age: Plays as Adult, Vocal range: F5-G3
The most iconic role, Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic, engaging. This performer should be whimsical, charming, genuinely funny, but also intensely serious and intimidating. They must flip between these moods on a dime. Wonka may double as the Candy Man, but this is not guaranteed.
Oompa-Loompa Chorus
Gender: Any, Vocal range: A4-A3
The Oompa-Loompa Chorus are the gears that keep the Wonka Factory churning. We have to assume Wonka treats them well, pays them fairly, gives them bonuses and creative freedom, and ensures a healthy work-life balance to ensure their enduring loyalty and passion for their jobs.
THE BUCKET SHACK:
Charlie Bucket
Gender: Any, Age: Plays as Younger Child, Vocal range: F5-A3
Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. Plucky, full of integrity, good-natured, and enthusiastic; Charlie should be a great singer, excellent actor, and be perceived as younger onstage.
Grandpa Joe
Gender: Male/Male Presenting, Age: Plays as Senior Citizen, Vocal range: Eb5-Bb3
Grandpa Joe is the grandfather we all wish we had when we were Charlie's age. Should have a twinkle in his eye, a little mischief left in his bones, and good chemistry with Charlie. He is caring, patient, sweet, and reminds Charlie to look on the bright side. The role sings a bit, but the acting is most important.
Mr. Bucket
Gender: Male/Male Presenting, Age: Adult, Vocal range: C#5-D4
Overworked and overwhelmed down at the factory, Mr. Bucket performs the number "Think Positive" with Charlie.
Mrs. Bucket
Gender: Female/Female Presenting, Age: Adult, Vocal range: Db5-Bb3
A natural nurturer. Mrs. Bucket sings "Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe.
Grandpa George, and Grandma Georgina, and Grandma Josephina
Gender: To Present as Written, Ages: Senior Citizens, Vocal range: Open
The other three quirky grandparents in the Bucket Family. They are acting roles that require minimal singing. Charlie’s Grandparents are innately interesting, have good comic timing and are solid actors.
ABOUT THE TOWN:
CANDYMAN
Gender: Any, Age: Plays as Adult, Vocal range: F5-G3
The Candyman is the town’s sweet-shop owner, who sells Wonka Bars to children and adults alike. Similar to an Ice-Cream Truck, we may or may not only see him about the town today with his portable Candy Cart - but regardless, the shop itself is probably packed to the rafters with brightly colored, tempting sweets in assorted shiny wrappers, boxes, and bows. Sings “The CandyMan” about the wonders of the Wonka factory with the kids of the town.
Matilda
Gender: Any, Age:“Child”, Vocal range: B4-C#4
Matilda is a schoolmate of Charlie's, and a bit of a bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie
James
Gender: Any, Age: “Child”, Vocal range: F#4 - A3
James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie.
The Candy Man Kids
Gender: All, Ages: All to play young
Candy Man Kids sing "The Candy Man," and will double into ensemble elsewhere.
Phineous Trout
Gender: Any, Age: Adult, Vocal range top: C5-B3
Phineous is the over-the-top, showy reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. Fantastic stage presence, some singing, and most importantly a great announcer's voice.
THE GOLDEN TICKET KIDS & THEIR DEEPLY OBNOXIOUS PARENTS:
Augustus Gloop
Gender: Any, Age: Child/Teen, Vocal range: G5- B3
Augustus is the overachieving eater. Sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. The song is on the difficult side, but does not need to be sung with a polished, pretty voice. In fact, the more character the better.
Veruca Salt
Gender: Any, Age: Child/Teen, Vocal range: E5-A3
Veruca is wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled. She is often portrayed with a high British accent that is by no means required. Veruca's solo number "I Want It Now" is deceptively tricky and comes late in the show.
Violet Beauregarde
Gender: Any, Age: Child/Teen, Vocal range: G5- G3
Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. Violet should stand in stark contrast to Veruca Salt. Veruca is a wealthy refined brat; Violet is more of a blue collar, middle class brat. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka.
Mike Teavee
Gender: Any, Age: Child/Teen, Vocal range: G5- G3
Mike is not just a TV junky. He is also addicted to video games, the Internet and any other mind-numbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud, obnoxious and does not understand the word "no." Mike and Ms. Teavee sing "I See It All On TV".
Mrs. Gloop
Gender: Any, Age: To Play Adult, Vocal range: E5-B3
Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" The role requires a performer who is not afraid to take risks both in acting and singing.
Mrs. Beauregarde
Gender: Any, Age: To Play Adult, Vocal range: G4- C4
Mrs. Beauregard is a teacher of geography and has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. The role is virtually non-singing. Her accent should match Violet's, and the two should make a good pair onstage.
Mr. Salt
Gender: Any, Age: Adult, Vocal range: G4-C4
Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent. But as long as Veruca and Mr. Salt sound like they hail from the same place, it works.
Ms. Teavee
Gender: Any, Age: Adult, Vocal range: F5-B3
Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. She sings "I See It All On TV" but does not require a polished voice.
Non-Equity, there is no pay.
Questions? Contact producer Eve Keller at eve.keller@morgan-wixson.org.