Auditions on the way for Picketwire’s Winter Production!

Auditions October 14 and 15 from 6:30-8:30 pm; production dates December 11, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm and December 14 at 2:30 pm.

This production will use two separate scripts: Act I is “The Little Town of Christmas” and Act 2 is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Actors may choose to audition for and participate in either act, or both acts. 

• “The Little Town of Christmas” is set in a fictional small town preparing for Christmas, and is made up of several short sketches that feature some of the best-known characters of Christmas time.

• In “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday School and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant pageant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and Reverend Hopkins to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes.

*Actors will read selected scenes from the scripts for the audition panel–no other preparation needed.

*Character roles will be age 8 and up; ensemble open to all ages (we need cute little sheep and angels!). Listed character ages are approximate.

*Rehearsals will begin Monday, October 20 

*Rehearsals will be Monday-Thursday from 6-8

*We will rehearse Monday and Tuesday Thanksgiving week (November 24 and 25)

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

• The Herdman Kids
  • Ralph–the oldest and coolest. He’s the enforcer, age 13
  • Imogene–leader of the Herdmans. She’s loud, bossy, and crafty, age 12
  • Leroy–Ralph’s backup. Very confident in the muscle department, age 11
  • Claude–scrappy and smart, age 10
  • Ollie–a bit of a naive urchin who follows the older boys, age 9
  • Gladys–little but fierce. Nothing scares Gladys. Age 8
• The Bradley family
  • Grace–sweet, good-humored, slightly frazzled mom.
  • Bob–easygoing dad, wry sense of humor
  • Charlie–typical kid brother, says what he thinks, age 10
  • Beth–Charlie’s older and wiser sister. She’s honest and kind. Age 12
• Church People
  • Helen Armstrong–organized “steamroller.” The “Karen” of the church.
  • Reverend Hopkins–occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning
  • Mrs. Slocum–pleasant and motherly
  • Mrs. McCarthy–younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong
  • Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Clausing–helping with church duties due to Mrs. Armstrong’s injury
• Kids
  • Alice Wendleken–know-it-all. She thinks she’s perfect, age 10
  • Elmer Hopkins–preacher’s kid, he has to behave and be nice, age 10
  • Maxine–a bit of a gossip, compliant with adults’ request, narrates the pageant, age 10-11
  • Hobie–age 9-10
  • David–age 8-9
  • Doris–9-10
• Ensemble
  • Other pageant kids
  • Baby sheep and angels
  • Churchpeople

“The Little Town of Christmas” 

Sketch 1: “Twas the Night Before Christmas”–townspeople tell a news crew about their interesting encounters with an unidentified flying object on Christmas Eve (aka Santa in his sleigh).

• Narrator
• Announcer
• Newsman
• Reporter
• Helen
• Professor Plum
• Hi
• Hi’s wife
• Uncle Bob
• Mayor

Sketch 2: “Two Elves”–an elf comedy duo that is short in stature but long on laughter

• Sylvester
• Skeezix
• Narrator

Sketch 3: “Santa’s ‘Pop’ Quiz”–a hilarious street-corner Santa who is tested and almost bested by one kid with a sticky sucker

• Narrator
• Santa
• Kid
• Couple

Sketch 4: “Advice From Mrs. Claus”–the REAL boss of the outfit reads and answers funny letters asking for Christmas advice

• Narrator
• Mrs. Claus

Sketch 5: “Window Shopping”–three kids dream of Christmas gifts they want

• Narrator
• 3 kids
• Santa

Sketch 6: “A Christmas Carol?”–a hilarious take on the classic story

• Narrator
• Man
• Woman
• Announcer
• Scrooge
• Cratchit
• Marley
• Ghost 1
• Ghost 2
• Tim
• Ghost 3
• Boy

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