Oliver!
By Lionel Bart

Directed by Matt Michrina

Auditions for ACT’s final show of the 2022-2023 season will be held Sunday February 26 & Monday February 27 in the ACT Rehearsal Hall (1213 12th Street, Downtown Altoona).
Audition times are split between children and adults. Please read below for more information.

Oliver! performs May 4-7, 2023. Actors must be available for all performances. Availability for rehearsals will be asked at auditions, please be prepared to list all conflicts from auditions to performance dates.

Full Vaccination against COVID-19, including updated boosters, is strongly encouraged but not required for participation in Oliver!. We will ask for vaccination status at auditions. This information is important for us to have in case of illness during the show process. If you have any questions regarding our policies on Covid-19 & vaccines, please contact the ACT Office at 814-943-4357.

Audition Information:

• General auditions will be held in separate sessions each day for children and adults:
  -Auditionees 17 and under will audition from 5 PM to 6:30 PM
  -Auditionees 18 and up will audition from 7 PM to 9 PM
  -Please arrive as close to the start time for your age group as possible
• All auditionees should prepare 24-32 bar cut of a theater song in the style of the show, preferably one that reflects the character you’re most interested in. Auditionees are required to provide printed sheet music in the correct key for the pianist.
• If you do not have a song prepared, you will be given a short song to audition with.
• Auditions will also include a short movement audition. You will be taught a few steps as a group, no special dance clothing or preparation required.
• Cold readings from the script may occur at callbacks.
• Auditions are at ACT (NOT the Mishler Theatre). Please enter through the back door off the 13th Ave Parking Lot (Behind Tom & Joes).
• Callbacks are expected to be held March 1 as needed. You will be notified if you are needed at callbacks. Not receiving a call back does not mean you are not cast.

If you are unable to attend general auditions, please contact the ACT Office at least one week prior to auditions to discuss scheduling an alternative time with the director.

About the show:

“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.”

Cast of Characters:

All roles are available. No prior theatrical or ACT experience is required.

Oliver Twist– 8-13 years of age, Soprano; Orphaned and abandoned from an upper-class family, Oliver ends up in the workhouse. He is innocent and good-hearted, with a strong spirit. 

Fagin– 40+, Bass-Baritone; A conniving career criminal and conman. He takes in homeless children and teaches them to pick pockets for him. 

Bill Sykes– 20s-30s, Bass/Baritone; Perhaps the most infamous graduate from Fagin’s gang. Nancy’s brutal and abusive boyfriend.

The Artful Dodger– 13-18, Soprano; The cleverest of Fagin’s pickpockets, he introduces Fagin to Oliver. He is a good soul in spite of his “occupation.” Dodger is lively and self-assured.

Nancy– 20s-30s, Alto; A graduate of Fagin’s “school of thieves” and tragically involved in an abusive relationship with Bill Sikes. She is a career thief, hardened and streetwise beyond her years, but also intelligent, caring and good-hearted. She longs for a better life. A mother figure to Fagin’s gang.

Mr. Bumble– 35-60, Tenor; The domineering Beadle (a minor official who carries out various civil, educational or ceremonial duties) who runs the workhouse. Pompous and self-absorbed, greedy and uncaring. He preaches Christian morality, but behaves without compassion towards the paupers in his care.

Widow Corney– 30-60, Soprano; The sharp-tongued, domineering matron of the workhouse. A widow, she will do anything to get Mr. Bumble’s attention.

Mr. Sowerberry– 35-60, Baritone; The Undertaker. Lives up to his name. He is stingy and ruled by his wife. Slimy.

Mrs. Sowerberry– 35-60, Soprano; The Undertaker’s wife. She rules the roost and is stingy and mean-spirited. Along with her husband, she provides some comic relief.

Bet– 16-25, Alto; One of Fagin’s former pickpockets. Bet looks up to Nancy and is caring and good-natured.

Mr. Brownlow– 45-50, Non-singing; A distinguished older gentleman of wealth and breeding.

Child Ensemble– 6-18, All vocal parts; Includes various smaller named roles including Charley Bates, Noah Claypole, Charlotte, Nipper, and Captain in addition to Workhouse Kids and Fagin’s Kids.

Adult Ensemble- 18+, All vocal parts; Includes various smaller named roles including Grimwig and Old Sally in addition to townspeople, police officers, and criminals.

Roles are open to diverse & gender-inclusive casting.  Our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender nonconforming, genderqueer, transgender and nonbinary actors to select the roles they most identify with.

Age ranges are suggestions, please audition for any role you would like.

Questions can be directed to the ACT Office.

Phone: 814-943-4357

Email: act@altoonacommunitytheatre.com