Roald Dahl's “Willy Wonka" Auditions

Better Times Theatre is proud to present auditions at First Presbyterian Church in Saint Cloud for Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka"

An amazing opportunity for parents and children who want to perform together! All ages needed!

Willy Wonka, an enigmatic candy manufacturer, 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: the fifth is a likeable 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.

Music and Lyrics by LESLIE BRICUSSE and ANTHONY NEWLEY

Adapted for the Stage by LESLIE BRICUSSE and TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD

Based on the Book "CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY" by ROALD DAHL

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

www.mtishows.com

Characters:

Willy Wonka (Baritone)

The mysterious title character. He is charming, enigmatic, charismatic, and slightly sinister. A chocolatier who guides children and their parents on a tour of his factory. He is looking for someone new to take over his candy empire.

Candy Man (Baritone)

A local candy vendor. He leads the children in praising the joys of candy.

Phineous Trout (Tenor)

A reporter covering the Golden Ticket story.

Charlie Bucket (Tenor/Baritone)

Our story's shy, earnest protagonist. From a modest home life, he is humble and noncompetitive while maintaining a sense of wonder about the world. One of the Golden Ticket winners whose honesty and general good nature win Wonka over.

Mrs. Bucket (Mezzo-Soprano)

Charlie Bucket's nurturing mother. She is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity.

Mr. Bucket (Tenor)

Charlie Bucket's nurturing father. He is always trying to maintain an energetic positivity.

Grandpa Joe (Tenor)

A caring, patient, and kindhearted man. Loving Grandfather to Charlie Bucket. He accompanies Charlie to Willy Wonka's factory and it gives him a new burst of youthful vigor.

Augustus Gloop (Tenor)

A gluttonous German boy. Cheerful and jolly, he defines himself by his ability to eat mass quantities of food. One of the Golden Ticket winners whose constant overeating is enabled and encouraged by Mrs. Gloop.

Mrs. Gloop (Mezzo-Soprano)

A plump, jolly german woman with a bustling personality. Augustus Gloop's overindulgent mother.

Veruca Salt (Mezzo-Soprano)

A wealthy, spoiled Brit. She is accustomed to having her father indulge her every whim and desire. One of the Golden Ticket winners, she is subjected to the squirrels' nut chute.

Mr. Salt (Baritone)

A wealthy British upperclassman who regularly flaunts his wealth and privilege. Father to Veruca Salt who shamelessly spoils his daughter.

Mike Teavee (Tenor/Baritone)

An obnoxious, hyperactive child addicted to television, video games, and the internet. One of the Golden Ticket winners and Ms. Teavee's son.

Ms. Teavee (Mezzo-Soprano)

An old-fashioned housewife. She is Mike Teavee's permissive and clueless mother.

Violet Beauregarde (Mezzo-Soprano)

A brassy girl with a competitive streak. Violet seizes every opportunity to show off. She turns into a giant blueberry.

Mrs. Beauregarde (Soprano)

Violet's enthusiastic "helicopter parent" who focuses all her attention on her daughter. She indulges Violet's worst competitive impulses.

Ensemble (Chorus)

Kids Cast (Chorus)

Auditions will take place at First Presbyterian Church of Saint Cloud at the following dates/times. Auditions will be first come, first serve within your registered time slot. Parking and logistics will be provided in your confirmation email.

Monday, April 10th (In-Person)

- 6:30PM

- 7:30PM

Tuesday, April 11th (In-Person)

- 6:30PM

- 7:30PM

Monday, April 17th (In-Person)

- 6:30PM

- 7:30PM

Tuesday, April 18th (In-Person)

- 6:30PM

- 7:30PM

Alternatively, you may submit a video audition. All video submissions are due Wednesday, April 12th.

AGES 13-17 NEED PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE

AGES 12 & UNDER REFER TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW

Following registration, you will receive an email from your director with details regarding our expectations for your audition. You will also be provided with materials to help prepare for your audition. Please note you may not receive your materials until closer to auditions.

Callbacks will be held in-person only on Wednesday, April 19th. Those required at callbacks will be announced the day of or before. Please note you may be required from 6pm-9pm this day. If you are not needed for callbacks be aware you may still be casted.

An initial cast meeting on Thursday, April 20th. Castings will be announced the day of or before. Please note you may be required from 6pm-9pm this day.

Tentative rehearsal scheduled is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6PM-9PM starting April 24th. Rehearsal scheduled subject to change.

Performances will be at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School’s Performing Arts Center July 13-15 & 20-22.

Expectations and commitment for those interested in Kids Cast (ages 12 & under) is lesser than a lead role or ensemble member. A great experience for someone who hasn’t been on stage. The audition process is simple as we would like to see a small dance routine or hear a few lyrics from your favorite song. Do not stress as we don’t plan on turning anyone away for kids cast. Kids Cast rehearsals would not be 3 times a week. Kids Cast is not expected to memorize the full show, like a lead role or ensemble member would. Kids Cast rehearsals would also be significantly shorter than regular rehearsals and won’t go as late into the night. We also plan to connect all parents/guardians of Kids Cast on our app with the goal of ensuring at least one parent from the Kids Cast is able to present at these rehearsals as we strive to provide a safe and encouraging environment for all involved.

Expectations and commitment for Ensemble (ages 13 & older) will be greater than Kids Cast. Similar expectations of those auditioning for a lead role. Any age can audition for Ensemble. We will be asking those interested in Ensemble to prepare a selection from those provided after registration. Ensemble will not have meet 3 times a week throughout the first half of production but as we near the show we expect full group rehearsals to be more frequent. Lines and lyrics are expected to be memorized unlike kids cast.

Expectations and commitment for lead roles (ages 13 & older) will be the greatest in comparison to Ensemble or Kids Cast. Those interested in a lead role will need to prepare the selection provided corresponding with their desired role and should ensure they have the availability for call backs. There are many lines and many lyrics to memorize for lead roles and they would be expected to be at nearly every rehearsal.