Auditions

— A CHRISTMAS CAROL — 

By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Rick Hammerly
Directed by Rick Hammerly
Music Directed by Leilani Fenick

Based on the book by A Christmas Carol, this ensemble adaptation follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and isolated miser, who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Through journeys into his past, present, and future, Scrooge is forced to confront the consequences of his choices and rediscover his capacity for compassion, generosity, and human connection.

1.) Notice Type

Open Call Auditions for Adult (18+) Performers

2.) Employer Information

Virginia Repertory Theatre
114 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220 

3.) General Information

Casting Personnel: 
Directed by Rick Hammerly
Music Directed by Leilani Fenick

4.) Audition Notice

Audition Location:   November Theatre Complex 
  114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 
Callback Location:   November Theatre Complex
  114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220

Audition Schedule

Open Call Auditions for Adult (18+) Performers: October 6, 2026 (6:00-8:00PM)

Please note that auditions for youth performers (ages 7 to 16) are listed in a separate audition announcement and will be held on a different date.

In Person Callback (in Richmond, Virginia): Following Initial Auditions on October 6, 2026 (8:00-9:30PM)

Rehearsal & Performance Dates

Rehearsals begin: Week of October 19, 2026

Performance run: November 18 – December 27, 2026

To schedule an audition appointment:

• Please fill out an audition form through THIS LINK. (https://forms.gle/Z5aayDMcf5AEjB8N6 ) 

• In Person Auditions & Callbacks will be held in Richmond, VA. Actors may be asked to stay for a callback audition, which will be held after initial auditions have concluded that evening.

What to prepare:

The audition will consist of:

1. A general narration monologue and a character specific monologue, both demonstrating a Standard British and/or a Cockney dialect. Monologues can be found at this LINK (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PX0V_FWRcnpOIWckqybMtvSfRBIYGY8G?usp=sharing ). Memorization is not required, but familiarity is encouraged. 
2. A short Christmas carol, performed a cappella (32 bars or verse and chorus) of your choice.

A Christmas Carol CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

In casting A Christmas Carol, Virginia Repertory Theatre endeavors to be as inclusive as possible. We invite all performers, including gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors, to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.

JACOB MARLEY & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 40s+. Any ethnicity.)
Scrooge’s deceased business partner, bound in chains as punishment for a life of greed. Marley serves as the moral catalyst of the story, warning Scrooge of his potential fate. Also doubles in ensemble roles.

Notes: Strong vocal authority and physical specificity required. Must balance supernatural weight with ensemble flexibility.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST & OTHERS (Any gender, 20s–30s. Any ethnicity.)
An ethereal, gentle guide through Scrooge’s memories. The Ghost evokes nostalgia, innocence, and regret, encouraging reflection without judgment. Also appears in additional ensemble roles requiring transformation.

Notes: Strong movement-based storytelling required. Actor must create emotional clarity through physicality and tone.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT & OTHERS (Any gender, 30s–50s. Any ethnicity.)
A radiant, larger-than-life spirit embodying abundance, joy, and present-moment awareness. Warm, charismatic, and generous, but also capable of moral seriousness when revealing hardship and inequality.

Notes: Requires strong presence, vocal richness, and emotional range from celebration to gravity.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE & OTHERS (Any gender, 30s–40s. Any ethnicity.)
A silent, ominous figure representing death and consequence. Communicates entirely through movement and presence. Minimalism and precision define the role.

Notes: Non-verbal performance skill essential. Strong physical control and stage awareness required.

BOB CRATCHIT & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 30s–40s. Any ethnicity.)
Hardworking, kind, and deeply devoted to his family. Despite poverty and mistreatment, he maintains warmth, humor, and resilience. Represents moral integrity under economic strain.

Notes: Naturalistic emotional truth required. Strong grounding in sincerity and restraint.

MRS. CRATCHIT & OTHERS (Female-identifying, 30s–40s. Any ethnicity.)
Pragmatic, loving, and protective. She balances care for her family with frustration over their financial hardship and Scrooge’s treatment of Bob.

Notes: Strong dramatic instincts and emotional clarity required. Must balance warmth and frustration.

FEZZIWIG & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 40s+. Any ethnicity.)

1. Jovial employer from Scrooge’s past who embodies generosity, joy, and communal celebration. A contrast to Scrooge’s later coldness.

Notes: Strong comedic warmth and expressive physicality required.

MRS. DILBER & OTHERS (Female-identifying, 40s+. Any ethnicity.)
Scrooge’s housekeeper. Practical, outspoken, and often comedic. Provides grounded domestic energy and humor.

Notes: Strong character work and comic timing required.

FRED & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 20s–30s. Any ethnicity.)
Scrooge’s nephew. Warm, optimistic, and consistently kind despite rejection. Embodies familial love and persistence.

Notes: Requires sincerity, warmth, and strong emotional consistency.

MRS. FRED & OTHERS (Female-identifying, 20s–30s. Any ethnicity.)
Fred’s wife. Confident, generous, and socially warm. Supports the family’s celebratory spirit.

Notes: Strong ensemble instincts and comedic timing required.

MRS. FRED’S SISTER & OTHERS (Female-identifying, 20s–30s. Any ethnicity.)
Outspoken, energetic, and socially playful. Adds humor and texture to Fred’s household scenes.

Notes: Strong comedic rhythm and character specificity required.

TOPPER & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 20s–30s. Any ethnicity.)
Bumbling, charming, and socially awkward. Provides light comedic relief in social scenes.

Notes: Physical comedy and timing essential.

BELLE & OTHERS (Female-identifying, 20s. Any ethnicity.)
Scrooge’s former fiancée. Kind, perceptive, and grounded. Represents emotional paths not taken.

Notes: Strong emotional restraint and clarity required. Must avoid sentimentality.

SOLICITOR #1 & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 30s+. Any ethnicity.)
Cheerful, approachable legal figure with comedic warmth.

Notes: Strong supporting character versatility required.

SOLICITOR #2 & OTHERS (Male-identifying, 30s+. Any ethnicity.)
Energetic, expressive, and occasionally volatile legal presence.

Notes: Strong ensemble adaptability and comic flexibility required.

Tone & Style

Based on the book by A Christmas Carol, this adaptation emphasizes ensemble storytelling, transformation, and theatrical imagination. The production relies heavily on doubling, physical storytelling, and rapid character shifts. Emotional truth is prioritized over sentimentality.

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Virginia Repertory Theatre 

Youth Audition Notice 
Prepared by: Rick Hammerly 
Contact Number: 804-783-1688 
E-Mail: casting@virginiarep.org 

— A CHRISTMAS CAROL — 

By Charles Dickens 
Adapted by Rick Hammerly 
Directed by Rick Hammerly 
Music Directed by Leilani Fenick 

Based on the book by A Christmas Carol, this ensemble adaptation follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and isolated miser, who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Through journeys into his past, present, and future, Scrooge is forced to confront the consequences of his choices and rediscover his capacity for compassion, generosity, and human connection. 

1.) Notice Type 

Open Call Auditions for Youth Performers (Ages 7-16) – Seeking youth performers to be cast in a variety of roles including Tiny Tim, Martha Cratchit, Peter Cratchit, Belinda Cratchit, Fan, and other child ensemble characters. 

2.) Employer Information 

Virginia Repertory Theatre 
114 W. Broad Street 
Richmond, VA 23220  

3.) General Information 

Casting Personnel: 
Directed by Rick Hammerly 
Music Directed by Leilani Fenick

4.) Audition Notice 

Audition Location: November Theatre Complex 

 114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 

Audition Schedule 

Open Call Auditions for Youth Performers (Ages 7-16): October 8, 2026 (3:00-5:30PM) and October 12, 2026 (5:00-8:00PM) 

Rehearsal & Performance Dates 

Rehearsals begin: Week of October 19, 2026 

Performance run: November 18 – December 27, 2026 

To schedule an audition appointment: 

• Please fill out an audition form through THIS LINK. (https://forms.gle/d7UYXypAiw5QPaPp8 ) 

• Please note that these auditions are for performers ages 7 to 16. A separate audition announcement will be posted for performers over the age of 18. ● All youth performers will have their photo taken standing next to a height chart during the check in process before their audition. 

What to prepare: 

1. Please prepare one (1) verse of a Christmas carol to sing a cappella. 2. Youth performers will be sent a scene to prepare after an audition appointment has been scheduled. Memorization is not required, but familiarity is encouraged. Youth performers should be ready to read all of the parts in the provided scene. 

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