Audition Notice – The Velveteen Rabbit

Casting Notice for THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Adapted by James Still (from the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams)

AUDITION DATES

Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m
Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Please report to the main lobby via the main entrance of the Elmwood Playhouse to sign in (auditions themselves will be held n the Tarson Studio at our facility)

CALLBACKS (by invitation only):

Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

(If a conflict prevents your auditioning at that time, please contact Derek Tarson– see below)

PERFORMANCE DATES:

December 9, 2016 through December 18, 2016
Fridays at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

THE PLAY:

The beloved classic and heartwarming story of becoming real, set in today’s world. The play retails the story of Young Steve and his favorite toy, the Velveteen Rabbit. Young Steve and Ben must be played by child actors – the rest of the cast (with the possible exception of the Velveteen Rabbit) are adults. Three of the actors must have excellent coordination and precision to be puppeteers.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Older Steve (Male, 20-45) — The Narrator. Personable and engaging. Also, plays the voice of Tiger, the neighborhood bully.

Young Steve (Boy, 7-10) — Small boy needed to play four-year-old Steve – the protagonist – who idolizes his older brother, and falls into a deep friendship with his favorite toy, the Velveteen Rabbit.

Ben (Boy, 12-14) – Steve’s older brother. Into football and dismissive of his younger brother until a crisis makes him disclose his true and warm feelings.

Velveteen Rabbit (Preferably male, but could be female, 18-35)—The perfect companion for a young boy – like Hobbes in Calvin & Hobbes. Yearning to become real—his journey to find himself through friendship and love is the story of the play.

Rocking Horse (Male, 55-80) — An older toy. The old wise grandfather type.

Toy Train and Toy Boat (Male or Female, 40+) — The comic relief, played like a couple of old vaudevillians. They are the newer toys who treat the Velveteen Rabbit with contempt.

Puppeteer/Fairy/Rabbit # 2 (Female, Any Age) — Must be coordinated and precise to be puppeteer for the Fairy (a Glinda-like perfect being, which is a hand puppet); Rabbit # 2 (a mean rabbit who ridicules the Velveteen Rabbit); and various shadow puppets.

Puppeteer/Rabbit # 1 (Male or Female, Any Age)— Must be coordinated and precise to be puppeteer for Rabbit # 1 (a mean rabbit who ridicules the Velveteen Rabbit); and various shadow puppets.

Puppeteer (Male or Female, Any Age)— Must be coordinated and precise to be puppeteer for rabbits and various shadow puppets. No acting required (though could also be assigned several off-stage voices—to be determined).

All roles are available. Casting is open to all regardless of age, race, ethnicity or experience. Newcomers are especially welcomed. Crew and other volunteers are also needed for the event.

If you’d like a copy of the play or have any questions, please contact Derek Tarson (845) 405-1309 or email at dtarson@gmail.com