Auditions
Candlelight will be holding auditions for:
The Secret Garden
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Music by Lucy Simon
Direction by Michelle Gaza
Choreography by Adria Streitman
Music Direction by Katie Hughes
Choreography by Adria Streitman
Music Direction by Katie Hughes
Actors of all abilities, ethnicities and gender identities are encouraged to audition.
Rehearsals begin March 3rd, 2024
Show run is April 18th to June 16th, 2024
All performers under the age of 18 that are interested in auditioning for the roles of Mary or Colin will need to submit a video audition including an introduction of themselves saying their name and which song they are going to sing. The video must include one song that is less than one minute long and a one-minute monologue. Please send video submissions to kate@coloradocandlelight.com. Ensure all links are active before submitting. Videos submissions are due October 9th. Some performers may be called back on October 17th for callbacks.
Auditions will take place on October 3rd between 12pm and 8pm. Callbacks will take place on October 17th from 12pm to 8pm by invitation only. Those that receive a callback may be given materials to prepare.
AUDITIONERS SHOULD:
- Prepare 2 musical selections, with at least one selection in the style of the show (16 bars each).
- Bring sheet music with the appropriate key and cuts. An accompanist will be provided.
- Prepare one monologue in the style of the show (90 seconds, contemporary).
- Bring a current headshot and resume.
If you have questions, please contact Kate Vallee (Artistic Director) at KATE@COLORADOCANDLELIGHT.COM
The Secret Garden
Character Descriptions
Seeking Actors with commanding and expressive instruments for an ensemble-driven production. This production will be practicing conscious casting.
**When specified by the author, a character’s race/ethnicity is referenced in the character descriptions below but are otherwise open to all races and identities.
Lily (Aged 28-38, Soprano Bb3 - D6)
Mary’s aunt and Archibald Craven’s wife. Died of a tragic accident within her garden and metaphorically haunts the walls of Misselthwaite Manor.
Mary Lennox (Aged 10, Young Voice Ab3 - D5)
A ten-year-old girl sent to live with her Uncle Archibald after her parents died from cholera in India. She is a curious explorer, and often finds herself in trouble. She is stubborn and always fights for what she believes in.
Mrs. Medlock (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
Archibald’s housekeeper. She is as cold as the Misselthwaite Manor itself.
Dr. Neville Craven (Aged 35-45, Baritone C3 - F#4)
Archibald’s brother. He is trapped by the idea that he is responsible for the caretaking of Colin. Even though he was never loved back by Lily, he is still in love with her, adding to his unwillingness to move on from Misselthwaite.
Martha (Aged 18-30, Mezzo-Soprano Belt G3 - D5)
A faithful housemaid. She grew up near Yorkshire and has the accent to prove it. Although she is from a lower-class family her wisdom is often far beyond her age.
Archibald Craven (Aged 35-45, Baritone C3 - A4)
Mary’s uncle and Lord of Misselthwaite Manor. He has a hunchback. He is haunted by the past and afraid of the future, locking himself away both mentally and physically. Mary painfully reminds him too much of his late wife Lily, who died ten years prior.
Ben Weatherstaff (Ensemble part, E3 - D#4)
Head gardener at Misselthwaite. He has been secretly entrusted to take care of the garden after Lily’s death. He knows a great deal about the history of the garden and the grounds it sits on. He has worked for the family for many years, and he calls himself “an old man.”
Dickon (Age 16-25, D3 - G4)
Martha’s younger brother. He looks after the sick plants and animals within Misselthwaite’s grounds — including Mary. He is a young man stuck between the world of child-like imagination and adult-like reasoning. He befriends Mary and convinces her to take care of the garden.
Colin Craven (Aged 10, Young voice A3 - E5)
Archibald’s ten-year-old son. He has spent his life in bed due to a heart condition. He is very stubborn and throws temper tantrums to get what he wants. He believes his father hates him for causing Lily’s death.
Mrs. Winthrop (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
Headmistress of a private school. She prides herself on nurturing girls with tempers. Mary seems to be more than she can handle.
Rose Lennox (Aged 28-38, Soprano A3 - D6)
Mary’s mother. She is a “Dreamer” from the past who doesn’t understand how her sister Lily could truly love Archibald. She is very loyal to her husband and refuses to leave India during the cholera outbreak that takes her life.
The following characters, referred to collectively as “Dreamers,” are people from Mary’s life in India. They haunt her until she finds her new life through the actions in the story. They are free to sing directly to us, appearing & disappearing at will.
Rose Lennox (Aged 28-38, Soprano A3 - D6)
Mary’s mother. She is a “Dreamer” from the past who doesn’t understand how her sister Lily could truly love Archibald. She is very loyal to her husband and refuses to leave India during the cholera outbreak that takes her life.
Captain Albert Lennox (Aged 30-40, Tenor D3 - A5)
Mary’s father. He tries to send Rose out of India during the cholera outbreak.
Alice (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
She is Rose’s friend.
Lieutenant Wright (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
He is an officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
Lieutenant Shaw (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
He is an officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
Major Shelley (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
He is an officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
Mrs. Shelley (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
She is Major Shelley’s wife.
Major Holmes (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
He is an officer in Mary’s father’s unit.
Claire Holmes (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
She is Major Holmes’ wife.
Fakir - (Tenor C3 - B4)
He is an itinerant Hindu ascetic.
Ayah (Ensemble Part, flexible range)
She is an Indian woman and Mary’s nanny.
