YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS - East Valley Children's Theatre Non Equity Auditions

Auditions for Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

East Valley Children’s Theatre is holding auditions for kids for its winter production of “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27 at 5 pm for kids age 8-11 and 7 pm for kids age 12-18 at the EVCT Rehearsal Studio, 4501 East Main Street in Mesa. No advanced preparation is necessary. Come dressed for movement and bring a photo you can leave with us at the audition. If cast in the show there is a $50 production fee for all cast members.

EVCT will hold an
audition workshop on Wednesday, October 18 from 5-8 pm for “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” at the EVCT Studio for those who would like to learn some of the songs and choreography from the show and techniques on auditioning. Cost of the Workshop is $30.

October 26 & 27

5:00 PM (ages 8-11) • 7:00 PM (ages 12-18)

Please bring a photos of yourself you can leave at the auditions and come dressed for movement. Download, fill out and bring with you the audition card for “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.”

Download Audition Card

Cast of Characters:

Grandmother, present day Granny

Ginny, present day child

Virginia O’Hanlon, a young girl of 8

Sean O’hanlon, Virginia’s Older brother

Kathleen O’Hanlon, Virginia’s Older Sister

Mrs. O’hanlon – mother

Mr. O’hanlon – Father

Virginia’s Classmates & Friends:

Mary Lou, a poor girl

Patty, Mary Lou’s younger sister

Charlotte, a bully

Joshua, a follower

Mary, walks to the beat of a different drummer

Douglas, the class clown

Caroline, a good friend of Virginia

Nicholas, a good friend of Virginia

Vernon, wants to fit in

Frances Church, a newspaper reporter

Edward P Mitchell, Editor of the newspaper

Sarah Holden, a woman reporter (Rare in the 1890’s)

Danny, a type setter and wanna be reporter

Postman

Santa Claus (a skinny one)

Trudy, works at the soup line

Louise Barker, Mary Lou’s Mother

Newspaper Boy

City Dwellers (6-10)

Homeless People (4-8)

EVCT Auditions for Kids

Auditions for Main Stage productions are held prior to each show, four times each year. Performance troupe auditions are held every January and August. Cast members make an initial audition and attend a callback before they’re selected.

EVCT makes the audition experience kid-friendly. It strives to create a low-pressure learning environment for children. All of the directors involved with auditions and production have extensive experience working with youth. The audition process is about teaching kids how to audition, practicing, doing their best and showing the directors what they’re looking for. Auditions are open to any kids in the community—children don’t necessarily have to be enrolled in EVCT acting classes or camps.

Tips for Auditioning

• Plan to be at the audition a little bit ahead of schedule—you don’t want your child to feel rushed.
• Make sure your child has eaten before meeting with the director and had a good night’s sleep—kids need their energy and this will help prevent them from fidgeting.
• Get context for the scenes by reading the whole script.
• Don’t worry about clothing, hair or breakdowns too much. Character guides are just that—guides, and forcing a certain look or attitude will feel inauthentic.
• Don’t coach your child down to every gesture. Let them focus on listening, tone and facial expressions and the director will do the coaching once your child is cast in the troupe or production.

All auditions are held at the EVCT Studio, located at
4501 East Main Street in Mesa.