Audition Dates
Adult Auditions
Monday, June 16th, 7-10pm
Thursday, June 19th, 7-10pm
Sunday, June 22nd, 6-10pm
Children Auditions
Wednesday, June 18th, 7-10pm
Sunday, June 22nd, 12-4pm
Callbacks as needed
All auditions will take place in the Communications Building on the Mercer County Community College campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Audition Requirements
- One full song in the style of the show with sheet music in the appropriate key – an accompanist will be provided
- A current resume and a headshot if available
- List of all known conflicts between June 29th and October 19th (rehearsals are built around actors’ schedules as much as possible)
- Audition appointments are highly recommended but not required. Walk-ins are welcome and will be seen as time permits. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment (please provide your preferred date/time) send an email to thesecretgardenatkelsey@gmail.com
Show Dates
Fridays, October 10th & 17th at 8pm
Saturdays, October 11th & 18th at 8pm
Sundays, October 12th & 19th at 2pm
About the Show
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s enchanting classic novel of the same name, the Tony Award-winning The Secret Garden was written by Lucy Simon (music) and Marsha Norman (book/lyrics) and premiered on Broadway in 1991. Set in the early years of the 20th century, Mary Lennox, a stubborn English girl born and raised in British India, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is eleven years old. With everyone and everything familiar to her now gone, Mary is sent to live in Yorkshire, England, with relatives whom she has never met. Yet even in her grief and bewilderment, Mary’s own personality begins to blossom as she and a young gardener bring new life to a neglected garden, as well as to her sickly cousin and heartbroken uncle.
Character Breakdown
Men:
Archibald Craven
Voice: Tenor
Stage Age: 30-45 years old
The brooding master of Misselthwaite Manor who suffers from a crooked spine and serious depression since the death of his wife, Lily, ten years ago. Archibald is a reclusive man who is unable to face his sickly son, Colin, who is a painful reminder of his late wife. By show’s end, Archibald undergoes a drastic change in both his spirit and his health.
Dickon
Voice: Tenor
Stage Age: 16-25 years old
Martha’s brother. A friendly, soft-spoken and adventurous young man; he finds joy in being outdoors and has a special connection with the plants and animals.
Dr. Neville Craven
Voice: Baritone
Stage Age: 30-45 years old
Archibald’s cynical younger brother. A weak man with a cold disposition, Neville is resentful of both Lily’s love for Archibald and Colin’s inevitable inheritance of Misselthwaite.
Ben Weatherstaff
Voice: Baritone
Stage Age: 50-70 years old
A gruff, elderly gardener who is only permitted to stay at Misselthwaite because he was a favorite of the late Lily Craven. Although he is rather course, Ben is fundamentally kind-hearted and loyal.
Capt. Albert Lennox
Voice: Tenor
Stage Age: 25-45 years old
Mary’s warm and loving father – now deceased. He appears throughout the play in both flashback and as a ghost.
Fakir
Voice: Tenor
Stage Age: 18-40 years old
An Indian mystic and servant in the Lennox household – now deceased. He appears throughout the show as a ghost.
Lt. Peter Wright
Voice: Baritone
Stage Age: 20-35 years old
An officer of Captain Lennox’s unit in India – now deceased. He appears throughout the play in both flashback and as a ghost.
Lt. Ian Shaw
Voice: Bari-Tenor
Stage Age: 20-35 years old
An officer of Captain Lennox’s unit in India – now deceased. He appears throughout the play in both flashback and as a ghost.
Major Holmes
Voice: Bass-Baritone
Stage Age: 30-50 years old
An officer of Captain Lennox’s unit in India – now deceased. He appears throughout the play in both flashback and as a ghost.
Major Shelley
Voice: Spoken (will require singing in ensemble numbers)
Stage Age: 30-50 years old
The army officer who escorts the orphaned Mary to England.
Women:
Lily Craven
Voice: Soprano
Stage Age: 25-40
Archibald’s beautiful and gentle wife – now deceased. Though she still loves him, Lily understands that he must learn to let her go and move on. She represents an absent ideal. She appears throughout the play in both flashback and as a ghost.
Martha
Voice: Mezzo/Belt
Stage Age: 18-30
A maidservant who befriends Mary, she is charmingly frank and has a levelheaded approach to all aspects of life. Her simplicity and kindness are a great help in Mary’s adjustment to her new home.
Mrs. Medlock
Voice: Spoken (will require singing in ensemble numbers)
Stage Age: 30-50
The strict housekeeper of Misselthwaite Manor who shows little warmth.
Rose Lennox
Voice: Mezzo
Stage Age: 25-45
Mary’s vain and selfish mother – now deceased. Although beautiful and outwardly appealing, she lacks the tenderness and grace had by her sister, Lily.
Ayah
Voice: Alto
Stage Age: 18-40
Mary’s Indian nanny – now deceased. She appears throughout the play as a ghost.
Claire Holmes
Voice: Soprano
Stage Age: 25-40
Major Holmes’ wife – now deceased. She appears throughout the play in flashback and as a ghost.
Alice
Voice: Soprano
Stage Age: 25-40
An aristocratic friend of Rose Lennox – now deceased. She appears throughout the play as a ghost.
Mrs. Shelley
Voice: Alto
Stage Age: 30-50
Major Shelley’s wife.
Mrs. Winthrop
Voice: Spoken (will require singing in ensemble numbers)
Stage Age: 30-50
A school headmistress who believes in strong discipline.
Children:
Mary Lennox
Voice: Mezzo
Stage Age: 9-14
A young girl who, after the death of her parents in India, is sent to live with her Uncle Archibald, whom she has never met, in Yorkshire, England. Mary’s character evolves dramatically throughout the course of the play – from a spoiled, unloving girl to one who is affectionate and spirited.
Colin Craven
Voice: Boy Soprano
Stage Age: 9-14
Archibald’s invalid son; his birth the cause of Lily’s death. Colin’s childhood has been bed ridden and lonely – with his obliging servants and sullen doctor uncle as his only company. These circumstances have left Colin overbearing and dejected but, because of Mary’s friendship, he soon finds hope and joy in his life.
Children Chorus
6-8 boys and girls, ages 9-15
*All children must be 8 years of age as of January 1, 2014 to be considered eligible
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