Auditions!
The Giver
Adapted by Eric Coble
Based on the Newbury Award Winnning Book by Lois Lowry
Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver—to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Through this astonishing and moving adaptation, discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny.
Audition Dates: November 29, 30, and December 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the annex, located next door to the theatre at 227 Putnam St.
Audition form can be found here
Full audition info can be found here
Characters:
All ages are approximate character ages, not necessarily the age the actor must be to portray them.
Jonas (Male, ages 11–15)
A thoughtful, sensitive twelve-year-old chosen to be the Receiver of Memory. As he gains knowledge of the past, he begins to question the perfection of his community.
The Giver (Male, 50+)
An elder who holds all the memories of the world before Sameness. Wise, burdened, and compassionate, The Giver mentors Jonas and carries the weight of humanity’s past.
The Mother (Female, 30–45)
Jonas’s mother, a calm and efficient worker in the Department of Justice. She embodies the community’s devotion to rules and emotional restraint.
The Father (Male, 30–45)
Jonas’s gentle father, a Nurturer who cares for newborns. Kind and loving, yet unaware of the true consequences of his work.
Lily (Female, ages 6–8)
Jonas’s younger sister. Earnest and rule-focused, she demonstrates how deeply the community’s values are instilled in its children.
Supporting Roles
The Chief Elder (Male or Female, 35+, imposing demeanor)
The authoritative leader of the community who presides over the Ceremony of Twelve. Composed, commanding, and unwavering in belief in Sameness.
Rosemary (Female, ages 11–15)
The previous Receiver-in-Training. Her tragic story reveals the cost of holding memories and deeply impacts both Jonas and The Giver.
Asher (Male, ages 11–15)
Jonas’s best friend. Lighthearted and playful, he contrasts Jonas’s growing seriousness and unquestioning acceptance of community rules.
Fiona (Female, ages 11–15)
Jonas’s friend and later a Caretaker of the Old. Gentle and compassionate, she begins to sense that something in the community is wrong.
Larissa (Female, age 50+)
An elderly woman in need of care. Her role provides important insight into the community’s treatment of the Old and its quiet emotional cost.
Heathers: The Musical
Based on the classic 1989 film. Westerberg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place - six feet under.
- concordtheatricals.com
Audition Dates (Location TBD):
January 24 at 7:00 p.m. - for Ages 14-17 only (MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) Ages 14-15 are eligible for ensemble ONLY. Ages 16-17 are eligible for ensemble and all speaking roles EXCEPT J.D. and Veronica.
January 25 at 7:00 p.m. - for Ages 18+ only
January 26 at 7:00 p.m. - for Ages 18+ and anyone called back from night 1.
Show dates are April 30, May 1, 7, 8, and 9
VERONICA SAWYER – (Must be 18+ at auditions) Burns to be both cool and kind, but doesn’t yet know how to be both at the same time. Fierce sense of right and wrong, keen sense of ironic humor. Thinks she’s an old soul, but she’s still innocent enough to be blindsided by love or shocked by cruelty. Voice: high belting required, up to A♭. Must have dynamic and stylistic range.
JASON “J.D.” DEAN – (Must be 18 + at auditions) Darkly charismatic, compelling, attractive. Charming on the outside, damaged on the inside. Keen smarts, savage wit. Voice: strong, confident belt to at least an A♭, A preferable; wide emotional range.
HEATHER CHANDLER – (16+) The richest, hottest, cruelest girl in town. Relishes power and wields it without fear, patience, or mercy. Voice: strong belt to F or higher preferred. Mezzo for chorus. NOTE: In certain choral songs, CHANDLER can switch parts with the other HEATHERS as needed.
HEATHER MCNAMARA – (16+) Beautiful, innocent, stupid. Can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: strong belt to D♭, D preferred. Soprano for chorus. NOTE: In certain choral songs, MCNAMARA and DUKE can switch vocal parts as needed.
HEATHER DUKE – (16+) The whipped beta dog of the three Heathers. Deeply insecure. When she finally becomes Queen Bee, she wields power like a bulldozer. Voice: strong belt to C, D preferred. Alto for chorus. NOTE: In certain choral songs, DUKE and MCNAMARA can switch vocal parts as needed.
MARTHA DUNNSTOCK – (16+) Nicknamed “Martha Dumptruck,” the opposite of confident and popular. Huge and beautiful soul, optimistic even in the face of rejection. Voice: strong belt to E or F, wide vocal expression.
RAM SWEENEY – (16+) Linebacker. Big, insensitive to the feelings of others, ruled by appetites. Voice: strong baritone, belt to G, some falsetto useful. NOTE: In certain songs, RAM and KURT can switch choral assignments if, say, RAM sings higher than KURT.
KURT KELLY – (16+) Quarterback and captain. Chiseled, rude, entitled, cocky. He’s the brains in the friendship with Ram. Voice: tenor, strong belt to A♭ or A, some falsetto. NOTE: In certain songs, KURT and RAM can switch choral assignments if, say, RAM sings higher than KURT.
RAM’S DAD / BIG BUD DEAN / COACH RIPPER – (Adult, 30s - 60s)
RAM’S DAD: Former football player turned suburban dad, has never outgrown his high school glory days. Hates weakness, but capable of soul-searching when tragedy strikes.
BIG BUD DEAN: J.D.’s single dad. Big jolly personality that barely conceals the enormous rage bubbling just below the surface. Quite possibly a serial bomber.
COACH RIPPER: Stalwart, man’s man; quick to defend his players.
Voice: baritone/tenor, power Country/Gospel belt to A♭, higher welcome. NOTE: Sometimes this actor has played PRINCIPAL GOWAN instead of BIG BUD / COACH.
MS. FLEMING / VERONICA’S MOM (Adult 30s - 60s)–
MS. FLEMING: Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Resentful of today’s entitled youth, protective of the underdogs. Despite a penchant for self-promotion, genuinely cares about the students in her charge.
VERONICA’S MOM: Easygoing, distant, yet capable of laying down the law.
Voice: great belt up to C, higher always welcome.
KURT’S DAD / VERONICA’S DAD / PRINCIPAL GOWAN – (30s-60s)
KURT’S DAD: Straight-laced, very conservative, also former football player. A simple guy, not book smart, you’d be happy to share a beer with him.
VERONICA’S DAD: Easygoing and distant.
PRINCIPAL GOWAN: Rumpled, burned out, hates conflict.
Voice: strong baritone/tenor, power Country/Gospel belt to G, even higher better. NOTE: Sometimes this actor has played BIG BUD/COACH instead of PRINCIPAL GOWAN.
BOY 1: BELEAGUERED GEEK – (14+) An embittered social outcast. Voice: baritone (up to F#) or tenor (up to A).
BOY 2: PREPPY STUD – (14+) Straightlaced, ambitious, blow-dried. Dreams of being even richer than his parents. Voice: bass (up to E) or baritone (up to G#).
BOY 3: HIPSTER DORK – (14+) Thinks he’s Ducky from Pretty in Pink. Voice: baritone (up to F#) or tenor (up to A).
GIRL 1: NEW WAVE GIRL – (14+) She wants her MTV and dresses accordingly. Voice: belt to at least C# (a soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
GIRL 2: STONER CHICK – (18+) Smokes outside with the freaks in between classes. Her future’s so bright she’s gotta wear shades to hide her bloodshot eyes. Voice: belt to at least C# (a soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
GIRL 3: YOUNG REPUBLICANETTE – (14+) A tennis-playing, perky Student Council type. Voice: belt to at least C# (soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).
