Auditions
YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS
by Jamie Gorski
Inspired by the original editorial by Francis P. Church, “The New York Sun”, 1897
Directed by Tim Fromm
SHOW INFORMATION:
BCT continues our 94th Season with YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS, a classic holiday story inspired by real events from 1897.
Two compelling stories come together in this heartwarming play inspired by the famous editorial Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, 1897, in New York City, eight-year-old Virginia is left pondering whether or not Santa really exists after a series of unhappy events. Meanwhile, a young newspaper editor also struggles against tough holiday times as he is faced with losing his job if he can’t find his writer’s voice by morning. Even though they don’t know each other, the spirit of Christmas is about to bring these people together, creating in the process an unforgettable and cherished part of classic Christmas folklore.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
(www.playscripts.com)
ROLES TO BE CAST:
VIRGINIA O’HANLON, 8 years old, inquisitive
MOTHER O’HANLON, about 35
FATHER O’HANLON, about 36
SAMANTHA O’HANLON, about 10
FRANCIS CHURCH, young editor, eccentric, klutzy
WALTER GIBSON, editor and chief of “The Sun”
MARY LOU PARKER, 8 years old, small looking
WENDY PARKER, about 7, sickly
HANNAH PARKER (MOTHER), about 35
A POST-PERSON, young boy or girl, about 14
MARTHA, a friendly soup server
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
HOMELESS PEOPLE, 2-3 (can be the Christmas Prologues)
AUDITIONS:
Saturday, October 16 11a – 3p
Auditions will be held at Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 So. Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, 93304. Access to the BCT parking lot and campus is available via south O Street. Contact the director if more specific directions are needed. If you are interested in auditioning but are unable to attend one of the scheduled audition dates, please contact the director at 661-703-1492 or fromm40@aol.com.
Auditions will consist of warm readings from excerpts of the script. No previous preparation is needed. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL AUDITIONERS AND MAY BE REMOVED ONLY DURING THE ACTUAL AUDITION. Please come prepared.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals are anticipated to be starting the week of October 25th. Rehearsals will generally be held Mondays through Thursdays from 6-8:30 pm. Additional rehearsals may be added Fridays or weekends as needed and depending on conflicts among the performers who are cast.
PERFORMANCES:
Fridays and Saturdays, December 3-18 at 8 pm, Sunday Matinee, December 12 at 2 pm.
PLEASE NOTE THESE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
BCT’s Board of Directors has mandated that all participants in a BCT show (actors and technicians) 12+ are required to be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, and to provide proof of that vaccination if cast in a role or approved to work in a technical position. We support a person’s right to refuse vaccination, but this mandate stands as our community faces a new wave of infections primarily among unvaccinated persons. Since these new infections can be deadly to children under 12 or to individuals who are medically unable to receive the vaccine, the BCT board feels that this mandate is the right thing to do to help protect our entire community and bring this crisis to an end.
Since 1927, Bakersfield Community Theatre has helmed works that encourage diversity and inclusivity, promoted local artists, and focused on the community aspects of theatre. While some scripts call for specific character guidelines, people of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, and physical abilities are encouraged to audition. BCT is a safe and inclusive place, and we take pride in the connection to our community.
by Jamie Gorski
Inspired by the original editorial by Francis P. Church, “The New York Sun”, 1897
Directed by Tim Fromm
SHOW INFORMATION:
BCT continues our 94th Season with YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS, a classic holiday story inspired by real events from 1897.
Two compelling stories come together in this heartwarming play inspired by the famous editorial Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, 1897, in New York City, eight-year-old Virginia is left pondering whether or not Santa really exists after a series of unhappy events. Meanwhile, a young newspaper editor also struggles against tough holiday times as he is faced with losing his job if he can’t find his writer’s voice by morning. Even though they don’t know each other, the spirit of Christmas is about to bring these people together, creating in the process an unforgettable and cherished part of classic Christmas folklore.
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
(www.playscripts.com)
ROLES TO BE CAST:
VIRGINIA O’HANLON, 8 years old, inquisitive
MOTHER O’HANLON, about 35
FATHER O’HANLON, about 36
SAMANTHA O’HANLON, about 10
FRANCIS CHURCH, young editor, eccentric, klutzy
WALTER GIBSON, editor and chief of “The Sun”
MARY LOU PARKER, 8 years old, small looking
WENDY PARKER, about 7, sickly
HANNAH PARKER (MOTHER), about 35
A POST-PERSON, young boy or girl, about 14
MARTHA, a friendly soup server
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
OLD CHRISTMAS PROLOGUE 1, timeless character
HOMELESS PEOPLE, 2-3 (can be the Christmas Prologues)
AUDITIONS:
Saturday, October 16 11a – 3p
Auditions will be held at Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 So. Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, 93304. Access to the BCT parking lot and campus is available via south O Street. Contact the director if more specific directions are needed. If you are interested in auditioning but are unable to attend one of the scheduled audition dates, please contact the director at 661-703-1492 or fromm40@aol.com.
Auditions will consist of warm readings from excerpts of the script. No previous preparation is needed. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL AUDITIONERS AND MAY BE REMOVED ONLY DURING THE ACTUAL AUDITION. Please come prepared.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals are anticipated to be starting the week of October 25th. Rehearsals will generally be held Mondays through Thursdays from 6-8:30 pm. Additional rehearsals may be added Fridays or weekends as needed and depending on conflicts among the performers who are cast.
PERFORMANCES:
Fridays and Saturdays, December 3-18 at 8 pm, Sunday Matinee, December 12 at 2 pm.
PLEASE NOTE THESE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
BCT’s Board of Directors has mandated that all participants in a BCT show (actors and technicians) 12+ are required to be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, and to provide proof of that vaccination if cast in a role or approved to work in a technical position. We support a person’s right to refuse vaccination, but this mandate stands as our community faces a new wave of infections primarily among unvaccinated persons. Since these new infections can be deadly to children under 12 or to individuals who are medically unable to receive the vaccine, the BCT board feels that this mandate is the right thing to do to help protect our entire community and bring this crisis to an end.
Since 1927, Bakersfield Community Theatre has helmed works that encourage diversity and inclusivity, promoted local artists, and focused on the community aspects of theatre. While some scripts call for specific character guidelines, people of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, and physical abilities are encouraged to audition. BCT is a safe and inclusive place, and we take pride in the connection to our community.