South Bend Civic Theatre Announces Auditions for
“A Nice Family Christmas” and “The Christmas Schooner”
South Bend Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for both of our Christmas productions: “A Nice Family Christmas” and “The Christmas Schooner.” Audition Materials are available on the South Bend Civic Theatre website,
sbct.org.
“A Nice Family Christmas” Auditions:
September 24th, 7-9PM, South Bend Civic Theatre, Warner Studio Theatre
September 25th, 7-9PM, South Bend Civic Theatre, Warner Studio Theatre
“The Christmas Schooner” Auditions:
September 30th, 6-10PM, First United Methodist Church Social Hall, 210 West Madison, South Bend
October 1st, 6-10PM, First United Methodist Church Social Hall, 210 West Madison, South Bend
“A Nice Family Christmas”
It’s Christmas Eve, and a young newspaper reporter on the brink of being fired has been assigned a last-chance story about a typical family Christmas - his family’s Christmas. He goes home to his recently widowed mother, his crazy uncle, his eccentric grandmother, and his battling siblings and their neurotic spouses, who provide no shortage of material. When they learn that he’s writing an article with some very personal family information, the fruitcake hits the fan.
“From the first opening lines to the surprising joyous conclusion the entire audience was in almost constant laughter!” - Los Angeles Post-Examiner
CHARACTERS:
CARL - (20’s/30’s) The middle brother. Grew up in the shadow of his older brother Michael, the doctor. Has a little inferiority complex brought on by Michael. He writes a column for the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper.
MOM - (50’s/60’s) Very nice. Always putting on a happy face, her goal is to keep the peace and get through the family event without incident. Mom’s husband, Carl (senior), died three years ago. She’s doing her best to get over the loss and keep everyone happy.
GRANDMA - (70’s/80’s) A real character. Grew up in a one-room house with ten brothers and sisters on a farm in northern North Dakota. Had a very tough life growing up. She is tough as nails, and wants everyone else to be, too.
MICHAEL - (20’s/30’s) The older brother. The doctor. A little nerdy. Wears a bow tie. The favorite son, at least at first. He’s a little self-absorbed, a little blind to what he needs to do to keep his marriage to Jill intact.
STACY - (20’s/30’s) The younger sister. Nice. Kind of a wholesome midwestern innocence. Overlooked, but not angry about it.
UNCLE BOB - (50’s/60’s) A partier. Fun-loving. Has an agenda. Everyone has a crazy Uncle Bob.
JILL - (20’s/30’s) Michael’s trophy wife. Emotional from being hormonal. Sometimes a little spacey. The only one who understands Grandma’s crazy sayings. Wants to make her marriage work with Michael if he can prove he loves her.
“The Christmas Schooner”
Based on the true story of the Rouse Simmons, The Christmas Schooner tells the story of a Great Lakes shipping captain. Every year, he risks life and limb to transport Christmas trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century. One winter becomes particularly deadly and the captain must discover how much he will risk for Christmas. This critically-acclaimed musical features a powerfully moving story and an exquisite score of both original music and traditional holiday favorites.
... the only Christmas show that feels like it belongs to Chicago. - The Chicago Tribune
The cast from “The Christmas Schooner” consists of 6 men, 4 women and 3 children. All must sing. Those auditioning will read selected scenes from the show and sing songs from the show.
CHARACTERS & AGES
Gustav Stossel-Karl’s Grandfather 55-70
Alma Stossel-Karl’s Mother 30-40
Peter Stossel-Karl’s Father 30-40
Karl Stossel 9-10 (1881)
Older Karl Stossel 15-16 (1887)
The “Schooner” Crew/Storytellers
Rudy/Man #1 20-60
Oskar/Man #2 20-60
Steve/Man#3 20-60
Hans/Officer Wells/Man#4 20-60
The Women/Storytellers
Enid/Woman#1 20-50
Martha/Kate/Woman#2 30-50
Olive/Rose/Woman#3 20-50
Mary Claire Daugherty (Irish) 10-12
Rehearsals will generally be Monday-Friday, 6/7 to 9/10. There may be some Saturday rehearsals closer to the opening on December 1, 2018.
Videos
