Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. Auditions

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR.

Performed at the NorShor Theatre 

April 25-27, 2025

Book by David Simpatico

Music and Lyrics Danny Elfman, Sammy Fain & Bob Hilliard, Oliver Wallace & Cy Coben, Michael Abbott & Sarah Weeks, Mack David, Al Hoffman, & Jerry Livingston

Inspired by The 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland and the novels The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.

Directed by Denise Ruemping

Music Directed by Mary Calantoc

Choreography by Amber Burns

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‍GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION

Auditions will be held in person at the NorShor Theatre Rehearsal Studios located at 211 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN, 55802.  Please enter through the “Lights on Duluth” door located next to the Box Office.

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AUDITION DETAILS

• Auditions will be held January 11th.
• Actors must sign up for an audition time slot HERE.  Additional slots will be added as slots fill up.
• Actors must fill out the audition form HERE.
• Actors will be asked to perform one of the music selections listed HERE.  (Or they may prepare 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show.  If they choose a song not from the list, then they must bring sheet music for the accompanist.)some text
  • If you're interested in auditioning for the role of Alice, please sing "In a World of My Own" (this song is exclusive to Alice)
  • For all other roles, or if you have no specific preference, you may choose from the remaining three selected songs (or a 16-32 bar excerpt from a song in the style of the show) 
• Actors will also be asked to perform one of the monologues listed HERE.  (Or they may prepare a one-minute monologue of their choosing.)  It is preferred if the monologue is memorized, but it is not necessary.

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WHAT TO BRING

• Headshot or recent photo - if you did not email one to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org
• Resume - if you did not list your prior theatre experience on the audition form
• Sheet music - if you are singing something other than one of the listed musical selections
• Water bottle - to keep hydrated
• Clothes to move in - you will be dancing

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VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

If you are unable to attend the audition, you may submit a video audition to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org.  Please send your submission before 5pm on Friday, January 10th.  Please include in your video submission:

• Please choose one of the songs from the list provided HERE (or a 16-32 bar excerpt from a song in the style of the show)some text
  • If you're interested in auditioning for the role of Alice, please sing "In a World of My Own" (this song is exclusive to Alice)
  • For all other roles, or if you have no specific preference, you may choose from the remaining three selected songs (or a 16-32 bar excerpt from a song in the style of the show)
• One of the monologues from the list HERE.  (Or a one-minute monologue of your choosing.)
• Don’t forget to fill out the audition form HERE, and send a recent photo to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org. 

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CALLBACK DETAILS

Callbacks will be held on Sunday, January 12th starting by 1pm by email invitation, which will be sent the evening of auditions.  Actors asked to attend callbacks should be prepared to read from the script, sing songs from the show, and/or attend a secondary dance call.  If you do not get invited to callbacks, this does not mean that you weren’t cast.‍

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‍INTERESTED IN DESIGN AND TECH?

If you are interested in DESIGN or TECH: Please email Denise at education@duluthplayhouse.org and we can look into what opportunities might fit your interests. If you also would like to be considered for the cast, please prepare the materials listed above and we may also ask you a few questions about your design/tech interests during your audition time slot. 

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‍ABOUT Alice in Wonderland Jr. 

We encourage you to read the script and listen to the soundtrack in preparation for your audition. You can find a digital version of the script HERE and the piano/conductor score HERE, and you can find the soundtrack HERE on YouTube.

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‍DESCRIPTION

Welcome to Wonderland! This is the outlandish world where cats can disappear and flowers can talk, but at the end of the day Wonderland is all about being true to yourself. Alice has always felt out of place in English society because she is a young person who yearns for adventure, excitement and a world beyond the one she knows. Her imagination runs wild as she constantly pretends to be someone and somewhere else. But after a trip down a rabbit hole to the world of Wonderland where nothing is as it seems Alice learns that she doesn’t have to pretend to be someone else, she is enough just being “Alice”. This 60-minute musical adaptation of the classic story is all about learning a reminder that we should never stop chasing proverbial rabbits down their rabbit holes — and that it is never too late to (re)discover our true selves.

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‍AVAILABLE ROLES AND DESCRIPTIONS 

ALICE –  On a journey of self-discovery, the adventurous Alice has the heart of an explorer and the instincts of a leader.

Even when frustrated or confused, she’s awfully charming, so cast actors who can command the stage. Of the three, Alice carries the heft of the singing solos, need a strong singer for this starring role.

SMALL ALICE – Small Alice participates in a few musical numbers that might require good movement and dance skills.

TALL ALICE – Tall Alice is the smallest role of the three, appearing for a few cameo-style moments.

CHESIRE CATS – The perpetually grinning narrator of the story, is a magical feline who doesn’t always agree with itself. The Cheshire Cat is a mischievous and mysterious character for both Alice and the Audience. This role is responsible for a lot of the story’s narration. 

WHITE RABBIT – the fussy royal trumpeter, is ever worried that he is running terribly late. Need an actor who can exude his nervous energy through constant fidgety movement. Because of his wordy solo, excellent diction is also a plus!

MAD HATTER - the life of the (tea) party, has a penchant for making up rules. Delightfully eccentric, the Mad Hatter has a flair for the theatrical and very little focus. While this role requires a singing solo, the actor can speak-sing if needed, need someone who relishes the nonsensical fun of this outlandish character.

CATERPILLAR - is the Wonderland Character who is the most helpful to Alice on her whimsical quest. This show-stopping, magnetic, soon-to- be butterfly should be played by an actor with significant vocal chops and good movement abilities to pull off the energizing number “Adventure Is a Wonderful Thing.” Need an actor who can convey the Caterpillar’s sass, wit, humor, and charm.

DODO BIRD - the imperious captain of the Queen’s Navy, leads the caucus race. Need an actor with a commanding presence and a suitable singing voice for this soloist.

TWEEDLE DUM and TWEEDLE DEE - are twins with an exhausting enthusiasm for proper manners and a penchant for getting very confused. Superfluously silly, the Tweedles are a comedy duo. Actors should be comfortable with coming up with bizarre voices or movement styles for this iconic pair.

FLOWERS - (Rose, Lily, Petunia, Daisy, and Violet) - are a stuck-up group of pleasing perennials. These are not nice flowers, need actors who can convey their meanness!

MARCH HARE - the Mad Hatter’s chummy sidekick, enjoys a good party. Just slightly more rational than the Mad Hatter, the March Hare lets the frenetic Hatter lead the way, while never passing up the chance to play a silly game. Need an actor who is unafraid to create a funny energy and movement style for this chaotic party host.
QUEEN OF HEARTS - the hotheaded and overbearing ruler of Wonderland. Need an actor who can portray this mean monarch with theatrical grandiosity.

ENSEMBLE - The ensemble in this musical is a great place for anyone who would like to be involved in the show. The PARTY GUESTS set the scene for the Mad Hatter’s merry tea party by playing an absurd game of Musical Chairs. The ROYAL CARDS, including ACE OF SPADES, TWO OF CLUBS, THREE OF DIAMONDS, and FOUR OF HEARTS - are anxious members of the Queen’s royal contingent. 

MATHILDA - is Alice’s scholarly sister. Though she acts as though she has outgrown it, Mathilda has an admiration for her younger sister’s wild imagination. Need a confident actor who can portray Mathilda’s empathy towards her sibling while also imparting grown-up, sisterly advice. This role only appears in the Prologue and Epilogue.

FRIENDS 1 & 2 - are Mathilda’s judgmental, condescending friends, who are older than Alice and have no time for her games of make-believe. Need two actors who can bring volume and big energy to the first scene of the play. As these roles only appear in the Prologue,

DOORKNOB - the gatekeeper of Wonderland, knowingly encourages Alice to drink the magic potion.

KING OF HEARTS - the Queen’s partner, has a timid demeanor until taking expert command of Alice’s trial.

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‍REHEARSAL INFORMATION

Rehearsal Dates and Times:

Starting March 10,2024; Monday - Friday, 6-9 pm

TECH: April 16-23, 2024, 6-9:30pm

Where:

NorShor Theatre Studios and Main Stage

211 E Superior Street, Duluth, MN

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‍PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Thursday, April 24:

Sponsor Night - Call 5:30 pm, Show 7:00 pm

Friday, April 25:

Opening Night - Call 5:30 pm, Show 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 26: 

Matinee - Call 12:30 pm, Show 2:00 pm

(Meal provided)

Evening - Call 3:30 pm, Show 5:00pm

Sunday, April 27:

Matinee - Call 12:30 pm, Show 2:00 pm

(Meal provided)

Evening - Call 3:30 pm, Show 5:00pm

Monday, April 28:

School Matinee - Call 8:30 am, Show 10:00 am

Tuesday, April 29:

School Matinee - Call 8:00 am, Show 9:30 am

School Matinee; Call at 11:00am; Show at 12:30pm

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‍ATTENDANCE POLICY

Be sure to list ALL of your conflicts on your audition form!!!  

It is very important that all potential conflicts are listed on the audition form. Attendance is crucial to the success of the show, and missing rehearsals can negatively impact the entire cast. Unexpected absences can place extra strain on others and disrupt the work the cast is practicing.

Any conflict that is not listed on the conflits schedule will be considered an “unexcused absence”.  (Exceptions will be made for emergencies and illness.)

For actors with named/speaking roles:

1 unexcused absence will result in the understudy taking over the role for 1 performance

2 unexcused absences will result in the understudy taking over the role for 2 performances

3 unexcused absences will result in the understudy taking over the role for the entire run

Any unexcused absence during mandatory dates will result in the understudy taking over the role for the entire run.

For ensemble/non-speaking roles:

1 unexcused absence will result in the actor being cut from 1 ensemble number/scene

2 unexcused absences will result in the actor being cut from 2 ensemble numbers/scenes

3 unexcused absences will result in the actor being moved to running crew (working offstage) for the entire run

Any unexcused absences during mandatory dates will result in the actor being moved to running crew for the entire run.

Attendance will be mandatory for the following dates::

April 10 - Designer Run

April 17 - April 24th, 6-9:30pm - Tech Rehearsals

April 24th - April 29th - Performances 

‍Be sure to list ALL of your conflicts on your audition form!!!

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School Events:

If a school event directly impacts a student’s grade, exceptions will be made. A teacher’s email or phone call will be required to confirm the conflict, unless the conflict is already listed on the audition form.

Participation in Two Productions:

It is strongly recommended that students do not participate in two shows at the same time. This has caused significant stress and conflicts in the past. The directors will not be responsible for coordinating rehearsal schedules between multiple productions. If a student chooses to be involved in another show, any missed rehearsals for Alice in Wonderland will be considered unexcused, unless the conflict is listed on the audition form. No exceptions.

Social Events:

While we understand that social events such as concerts, parties, or family events may come up, when a student commits to being in the show, they are agreeing to make the production a priority. Social events or events that do not affect a student’s grades will not be accepted as valid reasons to miss rehearsals.

If you have any questions about the audition process, please contact the Director of Education Denise Ruemping: education@duluthplayhouse.org.