The Wizard of Oz - Auditions

​December 8-17, 2023

​AUdition dates

• Saturday, September 16th, 2023 @ 12pm-4pm (Kids Ages 8+ and Adults)
• Monday, September 18th, 2023 @ 7pm-10pm (Adults only - Ages 16+)
• Callbacks (by invitation only) Saturday, September 23rd @ 11am-3pm​​

SIGN UP HERE FOR AUDITIONS

What to prepare:
16-32 Bars in the style of the show. Singing from the show is permitted. Be prepared to stay and dance. Some might be asked to cold-read from the script. 

Anyone unable to attend initial auditions please email WizardOfOzCDC@gmail.com with a photo and resume and include what role(s) you would like to be considered for. You will receive an email in response with directions regarding sending in a self-tape audition. 

​REHEARSALS & Performances

First Rehearsal: Sunday, October 1, 2023

Rehearsal Days: typically Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

• ​Rehearsal schedule will be amended for the week of Thanksgiving.
• Not everyone will be required to attend every rehearsal

Performance Dates:

• December 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th. There will be two shows on Saturday, December 9th and Saturday, December 16th 
• Anyone auditioning must be available for all performances and for all rehearsals during tech week: Sunday, December 3rd through Thursday, December 7th

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CDC Theatre is looking for non-equity actors for its upcoming production of The W​izard of Oz - The Musical, based on The Wizard of Oz 1939 original film, as well as L Frank Baum's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

CASTING BREAKDOWN/ROLES (Ages 16+)

• DOROTHY GALE - Female - Age 16-25 to play 16, Vocal Range (Mezzo/Mix) Log-G to E.  Very strong singer with full sound, A young and sprightly girl, Dorothy lives with her aunt and uncle on the bleak Kansas prairie.  She is energetic and delights in her dog Toto. After a whirling cyclone lands her house in Oz, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz how to return to Kansas. Dorothy must be very likeable, a strong-willed young lady who is also very caring. Little Dance for Dorothy but needs to be a strong mover, comfortable and natural onstage. Must be comfortable working with a small dog. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

 

• SCARECROW / HUNK - Gender Flexible - Male, Female, or Non-Binary - Age 18+, Vocal Range - Strong Baritone up to F#  (opt. Ab) with excellent musical timing, Rescued by Dorothy from a dull life in a farmer's field, the Scarecrow's greatest wish is to procure brains from the Wizard of Oz. Despite their perceived lack of brains, however, the Scarecrow is exceedingly intelligent and resourceful. The Scarecrow is  very lovable, friendly,and funny. Energetic and must be very flexible, body language and movement must depict a person without bones, slapstick skills a must. Also plays Hunk in the first scene. Major dancing part, needs to be a very natural mover, agile and light on feet. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition. 

 

• TIN-MAN / HICKORY - Gender Flexible - Male, Female or Non-Binary - Age 18+, Vocal Range - Strong Baritone/Tenor to G, Rescued by Dorothy after rusting in the forest, the Tin Woodman desires a heart from the Wizard of Oz. A most tender and emotional companion, very loveable and caring. Movement is very rigid and requires an actor to embrace this body language and movement. Also plays Hickory in the first scene. Strong mover. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition. 

 

• COWARDLY LION / ZEKE - Gender Flexible - Male, Female or Non-Binary - Age 25+, Vocal Range - Strong baritone to F - Excellent musical comic timing required. The Lion encounters Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man in the forest. Claims to be a coward and wishes for the Wizard of Oz to give him courage. The Cowardly Lion is the main comedic character in the show and as such must be a strong performer with exceptional comedic timing.  Must be very loveable. Characterization and body language is very important to portray this larger than life character, an actor must be agile and able to move in an animal-like manner. Also plays Zeke in the first scene. Strong mover. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition. 

 

• GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH / AUNT EM - Female - Age 30+, Vocal Range - Experienced Mezzo/Soprano ( G to  middle C ) Strong singer, Glinda is the only "good witch" in Oz of any consequence. She knows the power of the Ruby Slippers but withholds this knowledge from Dorothy, in order to facilitate her journey. She is exceptionally beautiful, friendly and a mother or queen figure to the Munchkins. She speaks well and portrays a stance/presence of royalty. She also plays Aunt Em. Some movement required. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

 

• WICKED WITCH / MISS GULCH - Female - Age 30+, Non-singing role - But must have vocal prowess to express the quintessential Wicked Witch voice and cackle. This is a super and challenging part for a female actress. One of the greatest if not the greatest baddie of all time. A serious villain. She has no nice qualities and is evil through and through. She must possess strong body language, characterizations, and energy through her fingertips. Also plays Miss Gulch. Some movement required. Must be comfortable working with a small dog. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

 

• WIZARD OF OZ / PROFESSOR MARVEL - Gender Flexible - Male, Female or Non-Binary - Age 30+, Non-singing role - The fortune teller who Dorothy meets when she runs away, he encourages her to return home. He is also the Wizard who helps her to return to Kansas from Oz. Strong cameo acting role. Very likeable but a bit of a rogue as well, a strong, commanding presence is needed in both parts. Non-dancing role. Must be comfortable working with a small dog. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

 

• OZ GUARD / UNCLE HENRY - Male - Age 30+ - Vocal Range - Baritone (Bb to Be). Strong comic vocalist / big presence. Dorothy’s Uncle. He is an honest hardworking man who owns a small farm. He is kind and also cares a great deal about Dorothy. Very likeable older man. He is soft and caring and knows the ways of the world. As the Guard he is a quirky comic type character who is the first person to meet Dorothy and her companions when they reach the Emerald City. Good cameo role, strong comedy acting required. Non-dancing role. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

ADULT ENSEMBLE
Male, Female, Non-Binary - Ages 16+ - Seeking 6 to 8 Adults for the Ensemble. Ensemble Characters include Ozians, Winkies, Crows, Trees with featured speaking/vocal/dancing roles available. We will be casting understudies for the leads from the Ensemble. Strong movers and dancers required. An ensemble member will be chosen to serve as Dance Captain for the show. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.

YOUTH ROLES (Ages 8 to 15)
JUNIOR ENSEMBLE - Male, Female, Non-Binary - Ages 8+ - Seeking 6 to 8 Children for the Junior Ensemble. Junior Ensemble Characters include Munchkins, Ozians, Poppies, Flying Monkeys. Gymnastic Ability/Tumbling skills desired for Flying Monkeys, Must be strong singers and dancers/movers. BIPOC Actors strongly encouraged to submit/audition.
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​Production TEAM

Director: Colleen Renee Lis
Music Direction: Hannah Elarmo
Choreographer: Lauren Patanovich
Producers: Mike Burdick & Shannon Ludlum

​SYNOPSIS

Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life (“Over the Rainbow”). The family’s mean neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to impound Dorothy’s cherished dog, Toto, so Dorothy and Toto run away. They meet up with kindly Professor Marvel, who subtly convinces Dorothy to return home. Suddenly a cyclone hits, and Dorothy and Toto, seeking shelter in the house, are transported to the Land of Oz. In Oz, Dorothy meets Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Apparently, Dorothy’s house has landed upon – and fatally stricken – the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins, now freed from the Wicked Witch of the East, celebrate and hail Dorothy as their new heroine. Suddenly, the Wicked Witch of the West appears, interrupting the celebration and seeking vengeance. Unable to reclaim her sister’s shoes, which are now on Dorothy’s feet, the Witch vows to return and disappears in a cloud of smoke. Dorothy, seeking a way back home to Kansas, sets off to see the Wizard of Oz. Along the way, Dorothy meets three new friends, each of whom lacks a crucial characteristic: The Scarecrow, The Tinman, and the Lion. Together, the four new companions make their way towards Oz.