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Directed by Shannon Ordakowski
Vocal Direction by Lacey Keck
AUDITION DATE:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
2:00PM - CHILDREN (8-14)
3:00PM - ADULTS (15+)
Auditions will be held at the Academy Theatre:
275 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335
VIDEO AUDITIONS:
Attending auditions in person is preferred, but if you are unable to attend the scheduled date, you may submit a video for consideration.
Please submit the following by Sunday, September 13 at 2:00pm to jkemp@theacademytheatre.org:
*VIDEO
Your video should include:
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your name
-
role you are interested in
-
audition song title (of one of the pre-selected songs below.)
-
your song
*A current photograph
*Fill out the audition registration HERE.
AUDITION PREPARATION:
*All those auditioning must sing one of the pre-selected audition cuts.
*Character descriptions are listed below along with their respective audition cuts. Please choose a cut from the character you are most interested in. The accompaniment recordings will be provided on the day of auditions.
*If you are interested in Jean Shepard (Narrator), you will be asked to read a side that will be provided.
*Ages are "playing ages" and listed as a guideline. Actors do not need to be the same age as their character.
*We will double cast the roles of Ralphie and Randy.
*Minimum actor age is 8 years old.
*Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 2:00pm.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS & AUDITION CUTS:
Jean Shepard, Narrator
A charismatic storyteller, Late 40s-Early 60s
AUDITION CUTS:
Option 1: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! (measures 9-39)
Option 2: Red Ryder (Reprise) & At Higbee’s (measures 15-40)
Ralphie
A regular kid but with a twinkle in his eye, really wants a BB gun for Christmas, 9 years old going on 10
Vocal Range: Alto. D5-G4
AUDITION CUT:
Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun (measures 45-end)
Mother
More in charge of the family than the Old Man, but she would never let him know, warm and affable but not a pushover, 30-40 years old
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano D5-G3
AUDITION CUT:
Just Like That (measures 12-41)
Randy
Ralphie’s younger brother, cute, lovable, whiny without being a brat, 7-8 years old
AUDITION CUT:
Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana (measures 19-45)
Old Man
A good heart buried beneath a gruff exterior, a grumbling blue collar man that can transform into a true song and dance man, 30-40 years old
Vocal Range: Baritone F#4/Gb4 - B3
AUDITION CUT:
Genius on Cleveland Street (measures 1-38)
Classmates of Ralphie
Schwartz, Flick, Esther Jane, Mary Beth, 9-10 years old
AUDITION CUT:
Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana (measures 19-45)
Scut Farkus
Textbook example of a bully, 14-15 years old
AUDITION CUT:
When You’re a Wimp (measures 81-end)
Grover Dill
Scut’s younger sidekick, Scut is his hero, 9-10 years old
AUDITION CUT:
When You’re a Wimp (measures 81-end)
Miss Shields
Ralphie’s teacher, stereotypical 1940’s teacher, in Ralphie’s daydreams, she becomes a dynamic, show-stopping, brassy belter and dancer, 30-50 years old
Vocal Range: Alto G5-E3
AUDITION CUT:
You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! (measures 9-39)
Children Ensemble (6)
ages 8-12
AUDITION CUTS:
Option 1: When You’re a Wimp (measures 81-end)
Option 2: Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana (measures 19-45)
Adult Ensemble
There are many roles throughout the show as well as song and dance numbers for the adult ensemble.
Roles include: Santa, Elvis, Delivery Men, Bank Tellers, Customers, Townspeople, Parents, Villain, Can Can Dancers, Policeman, Fireman, Doctor, etc.
AUDITION CUT:
OPTION 1: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! (measures 9-39)
Option 2: Red Ryder (Reprise) & At Higbee’s (measures 15-40)
ABOUT THE SHOW:
This musical, which received rave reviews on its Broadway run, is based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on television every Christmas. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie's friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; Christmas dinner; and many others. The delightfully versatile score ranges from gentle ballads to show-stopping full-ensemble numbers such as "Ralphie to the Rescue!", "A Major Award," "Sticky Situation," "Up on Santa's Lap," "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana" and the inevitable "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!" A Christmas Story, The Musical will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven't.
Performance Dates:
Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 2:00pm
Friday, December 11, 2026 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 2:00pm
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 2:00pm
Friday, December 18, 2026 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 7:30pm
Sunday, December 20, 2026 at 2:00pm
STUDENT ASSISTANT APPLICATION!
Are you a student interested in DIRECTING, STAGE MANAGING, or COSTUMING? Or do you know a student interested in any of the above?
Apply to be a Student Production Team Assistant!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
*Applicants will be contacted by Friday, September 11, 2026.
Student Production Team Assistant Descriptions:
Student Director: The Student Director will be the right hand of the director. They are expected to be at all rehearsals and will assist the director in all aspects of the show, learning about the audition processes, costuming, set and props, choreography, etc. May even be given a chance to direct a scene from the show. Maturity and confidentiality are essential for this role. You must be ages 16-18 to apply.
Student Stage Manager: The Student Stage Manager will be the right hand of the Stage Manager, working with them and the director. Expected to be at most rehearsals and all shows, their role will be to write down all the blocking & scene changes; knowing when, where and what props are to be used; giving lines, etc. Being able to pay attention and stay on task are essential for this role. You must be ages 15-18 to apply.
Student Costumer: The Student Costumer will help the Costumer in getting measurements, locating costumes, sewing/creating costumes, organizing and trying on of costumes, etc. Being able to stay organized is a good skill to have for this role and while having some sewing skills would be a plus, they are not required. You must be ages 13-18 to apply.
CREW & VOLUNTEERS
Not a fan of the spotlight, but still want to be involved? We need volunteers for everything from hair and make-up to crew and lights. Send an email to jkemp@theacademytheatre.org
A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL
is presented through special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing.
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Dramatic Publishing.