Oliver! JR.

Show dates: February 24-26

The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.

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Casting Policy

Wonder Theatre Academy has a new policy that outlines the audition & casting process for our student productions. Please read the required casting policy (CLICK HERE). We thank you for your interest in being a part of Wonder Theatre Academy Auditions!

For other questions, please visit our FAQ page.

Audition Info

AUDITION DATEs: November 2nd, 2-4 PM

  • Auditions are open to performers from 1st to 12th grade

  • You do not have to be a current student at the Wonder Theatre Academy to audition

  • We will be forming one cast for this show.

Production Team: Sara Cobb (Director), Phillip Lopez (Assistant Director/Stage Manager), Antonio Cruz (Music Director), Karen Jimenez (Choreographer)

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AUDITION PROCESS:

Vocal Audition

  • Students must prepare a song excerpt from Oliver! JR depending on which character they would like to audition for. (Click here for music).

    • For students interested in auditioning for Oliver, please sing “Where is Love” from the beginning to measure 33 (beginning of song to 1:39).

    • For students interested in the part of Nancy, please have them sing from the beginning to measure 18 of “As Long As He Needs Me.” That is from the beginning of the track to 0:52.

    • For students interested in being the Artful Dodger or any other role, have them sing “Consider Yourself” from the beginning to measure 35. On the track, this is from the beginning of the song to 0:35.

  • Students will sing with a track during the audition, so it is not necessary to provide sheet music for an accompanist.

Dance Audition

  • Students will be asked to take part in a short dance call at the beginning of their audition block. They should dress in dance shoes if they have them and clothing that is comfortable to move in.

Rehearsal Dates

Rehearsals: Saturdays from 9 AM - 11:30 AM from November 15 -February 14.

Tech/Dress Rehearsals:

  • February 21

  • February 22

  • February 23

All students wishing to participate in a production must be able to commit to the majority of rehearsals, ALL tech/dress rehearsals, and ALL shows. Conflicts with tech rehearsals and shows are not permitted. Any student with excessive absences will have roles reassigned, and may be dismissed from the production without a tuition refund. 

Tuition

Tuition is $450 if paid in full; $475 if paid in installments.

Upon casting, payment is required if you accept your role and wish to participate. Please reach out to Nathan at nathan@wondertheatre.org if you have any questions or in need of any assistance. Tuition must be paid in full by the 4th rehearsal.

Should a family accept, and then choose not to participate after the first rehearsal, a partial refund of 75% is applicable but must be communicated to Academy Administrator BEFORE the 2nd rehearsal. No refunds are applicable after the second rehearsal. 

Attendance is crucial. Excessive absences and or missing a tech rehearsal may result in reduced roles, having roles reassigned, or being excused from the production with no refund.

Character Breakdown

Oliver Twist: Oliver Twist is the 11-year-old orphan around which the whole plot of the show revolves. Oliver is intelligent and kind, but he is not afraid to stand up for himself when the situation calls for it. He longs for a family and escapes to London to try to make his fortune – though he has no idea what adventures await him there!

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: E5

  • Vocal range bottom: A3

Nancy: Nancy is an adventurous young lady with a heart of gold who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. She is vivacious and kind, the life of the party, and she immediately takes Oliver under her wing. Unfortunately, she is involved with Bill Sikes, who is a troublesome person.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: E5

  • Vocal range bottom: G3

Artful Dodger: The Artful Dodger, a.k.a. Jack Dawkins, is one of the most famous characters in literature. He is charming, upbeat, and charismatic. Though Dodger works for Fagin as a thief, he is the first person to show Oliver real kindness and gives him a place to belong.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: E5

  • Vocal range bottom: A3

Mr. Bumble: Mr. Bumble runs the workhouse where Oliver finds himself in the beginning of the show. He is cold, cruel, and he doesn’t care one bit about the boys in his workhouse.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: F4

  • Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Widow Corney: Widow Corney runs the workhouse along with Mr. Bumble. She is cold and calculating, like Mr. Bumble, and only cares that the work gets done and puts money in her pocket.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: Eb5

  • Vocal range bottom: B3

Mr. Sowerberry: Mr. Sowerberry is the undertaker who purchases Oliver from Mr. Bumble. He is a callous man who does not treat Oliver much better than Mr. Bumble.

  • Gender: male

Mrs. Sowerberry: Mrs. Sowerberry gives Oliver scraps left for the dog to eat. She, like her husband, does not care at all for Oliver’s well-being and only wants him to work.

  • Gender: female

Charlotte: Charlotte works for the Sowerberrys. She is kinder to Oliver than the others in the Sowerberry home, but not by much.

  • Gender: female

Noah Claypole: Noah Claypole works for the Sowerberrys. He is a mean, nasty person who insults Oliver’s mother on purpose to upset him. Noah should read as older onstage than Oliver and have good stage presence.

  • Gender: male

Fagin: Fagin recruits, trains, and manages a gang of child-thieves. Though he claims he cares for each of his children, providing them food and shelter and characteristically calling them “my dear,” he’s really only concerned with the money these young thieves bring in.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: G4

  • Vocal range bottom: C3

Charlie Bates: Charlie Bates is one of Fagin’s child-thieves. He is a great admirer of the Artful Dodger and an accomplished pocket-picker.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: B4

  • Vocal range bottom: G4

Nipper: Nipper is the smallest member of Fagin’s gang. He has a small solo but no lines, so cast an actor of a smaller stature who can sing in this role.

  • Gender: any

  • Vocal range top: E4

  • Vocal range bottom: A3

Captain: The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage.

  • Gender: any

  • Vocal range top: A4

  • Vocal range bottom: B3

Handwalker: The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage.

  • Gender: any

  • Vocal range top: B4

  • Vocal range bottom: D4

Bet: Bet is a friend of Nancy’s who shares her spirited nature and sense of adventure. Like Nancy, Bet has a kind heart but has fallen upon hard times.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: D5

  • Vocal range bottom: A3

Mr. Brownlow: Mr. Brownlow is a sweet man who takes Oliver in, even after Oliver has picked his pocket. Oliver is familiar to Mr. Brownlow immediately, even though he has no idea that Oliver is his grandchild.

  • Gender: male

Bill Sikes: Bill Sikes is a quintessential villain. He is mean, selfish, and ruthless, and he always looks out for number one. He bullies everyone around him, especially Nancy, and is paranoid, always afraid that people will betray him.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: D4

  • Vocal range bottom: B2

Chairman: The Chairman is a small featured role in the Three Cripples Public House.

  • Gender: male

Mrs. Bedwin: Mrs. Bedwin is Mr. Brownlow’s kindhearted housekeeper. This is a lovely featured role for a singer and actor who reads as older onstage.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: B4

  • Vocal range bottom: C4

Milkmaid: The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: C5

  • Vocal range bottom: Eb4

Strawberry Seller: The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: Eb5

  • Vocal range bottom: Eb4

Knife Grinder: The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles.

  • Gender: male

  • Vocal range top: G3

  • Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Rose Seller: The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles.

  • Gender: female

  • Vocal range top: Ab4

  • Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Dr. Grimwig: Dr. Grimwig is a featured acting role. He is extremely intelligent but a bit pessimistic, especially compared to Mr. Brownlow.

  • Gender: male

Old Sally: OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson.

  • Gender: female

Matron: OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson.

  • Gender: female

  • These featured roles do not have solos, so they are perfect for actors who can deliver their important lines clearly.

Ensemble: The large ensemble in Oliver! JR. fills out the world of the musical.

The ensemble roles include:

  • CHILDREN (including CHILD)

  • WORKHOUSE GOVERNORS

  • SERVANTS

  • MAID

  • DELIVERY PERSON

  • PAUPER ASSISTANTS

  • PEOPLE IN THE CITY (including PASSING MAN)

  • FAGIN’S GANG

  • POLICEMAN

  • CUSTOMERS at the Three Cripples Public House

  • STREET SELLERS

  • MARKET SELLERS

  • CROWD in the Town square (including FIRST WOMAN, SECOND WOMAN, THIRD WOMAN and FIRST MAN)

  • PEOPLE and POLICE at London Bridge (including LAMPLIGHTER, FIRST RUNNER, POLICE 1, POLICE 2)

Gender: Any