Auditions

AUDITION DETAILS

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CHARACTER LIST

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Director’s note: For purposes of convenience (my own), the characters are listed by the names as they appear in the script. However, none of the characters has any innate characteristics of gender or age. In these cases, as with most of the production, ANYTHING GOES!

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JIM -  Wants to be all business even as everything changes all around. Think Margaret Dumont of the Marx Brothers or Richard Deacon of the Dick Van Dyke Show. (yes I'm that old. Look them up.) 

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JOHN -  Professional but somewhat cynical. Wants new challenges and motivations. Takes the art a little too seriously. Maybe takes their self too seriously, as well. 

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MICHAEL  - Gets excited about everything. Very smart but sometimes confused. The child-like wonder is barely controlled, and by others.

 

CLOWN  - Will play 4-6 characters who pop in. Maybe

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AUDITION PROCESS

Auditions will consist of scene readings, maybe some improvisationals and the singing of a novelty Christmas Song or a Christmas song done in a novelty way. The emphasis here will be on "novelty" not singing. 

 

OTHER DETAILS

We will ask you to complete a conflict calendar prior to making casting decisions. It is helpful to know your conflicts at the time of your audition. Getting involved in a production is no small commitment and while we encourage and welcome one and all, it’s best to fully understand the time commitment and the challenges you may meet if you get involved. 

 

WCP/BHCT is committed to a policy of open auditions. Our success depends on the full participation of talented people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit. Please stop by the WCP/BHCT Walker Building during normal business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm) to pick up a script.  Questions? Call 319-235-0367 or email Anita Ross at  anita.ross@wcpbhct.org or Rick Johnson at pasrck@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*CHARACTER LIST

We are interested in casting people aged 10-18 and from a wide range of gender expressions and races. The genders listed in the character descriptions refer to the gender of the character, not the actor. Listed vocal ranges are for characters with solo songs or vocal moments. Performers who are 18 cannot participate if they turn 19 on or before January 31st, 2026.

 

Rafiki - a wise mandrill who acts as a healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos and leads the African chants throughout the show, should be a confident performer with a strong singing voice who can portray the character’s wisdom and humor. Vocal Range: A3-C4

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Mufasa - the strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Mufasa should be a mature actor who can convincingly portray the authority of a king. Vocal Range: B3-C4

 

Zazu - Mufasa’s anxious yet loyal assistant who is always busy trying to serve the king. Bound by an unfailing sense of duty, Zazu appears uptight but never wavers in trying to protect Young Simba. Must have good diction and comic timing to help convey Zazu’s worried, rule-following nature in contrast to the more playful cubs. 

 

Scar - the antagonist of the show who is overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Scar should be a mature performer who can bring out this villain’s dark side while handling Scar’s sarcastic sense of humor. Vocal Range: A3-A4

 

Young Simba - the protagonist of the story; Young Simba is an adventurous and endearing cub who can’t wait to be king of the Pridelands. Young Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa’s death, he struggles with shame and questions his destiny. Young Simba should be a confident singer and a dynamic, high-energy performer. Vocal Range: B3-E5

 

Young Nala - a courageous lion and Young Simba’s best friend who is not afraid to speak her mind. Young Nala should be a strong, spunky performer who can portray a confident cub. 

Vocal Range: A3-C5

 

Simba - having grown from a cub to a lion, Simba is carefree on the surface while wrestling with guilt over his past. Simba should be a mature actor who can portray complex moments as Simba reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and finds the strength to confront Scar. 

Vocal Range: B3-E5

 

Nala - having grown into a brave, empowered lioness, Nala is fiercely protective over her pride and homeland. Nala should be a strong actress and singer who can embody her courageous, determined nature. Vocal Range: G3-E5

 

Timon - an outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with his best friend Pumbaa. This anxious mammal pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo but is actually afraid of their own shadow. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and therefore should be charismatic and understand comedic timing. Vocal Range: B3-B4

 

Pumbaa - a kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Pumbaa should be portrayed as loveable and loyal to his friends Timon and Simba with deadpan humor. Vocal Range: D4-G5

 

Sarabi - a featured lioness, Mufasa’s partner, and Simba’s mother. Sarabi should be portrayed by someone who can deliver Sarabi’s few speaking lines with warmth and command of a queen.

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Banzai - a slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. Banzai is the closest thing the lazy group of hyenas has to a leader, so Banzai should be played by someone who is outgoing and confident and can portray nastiness and gruffness.

 

Shenzi - one of Scar’s hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. Shenzi is the most brazen one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, Shenzi should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.

 

Ed - the third member of Scar’s trio of lackeys. Ed’s loud, cackling laugh is this hyena’s only form of communication, so Ed should be portrayed by someone who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. 

 

Ensemble - various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures. The ensemble even becomes part of the environmental landscape, portraying the swaying grasslands and leafy jungle. 

 

*Some actors may play multiple roles.

 

AUDITION DETAILS

Initial auditions will consist of three parts: a vocal (musical) audition, a dance/movement audition, and acting audition with selections chosen from the script

• For the vocal/music auditions: Please select one of the two songs listed below to practice before auditions. You will perform the song you selected for the Music Director individually. The music will be provided for you at the time of auditions, but you will be in charge of preparing the song on your own beforehand.

 

“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” - pg. 31, measure 10-33

                                                                    Sheet Music  

 

 

 

 

“Shadowland” - pg. 87, measure 13-69

                                           Sheet Music  

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• For the dance/movement audition: Please wear clothing and footwear that allows full movement, and be prepared to learn and perform a short choreographed combination. 

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• For the acting audition: You will perform cold readings of selections from the musical. These “cold readings” are expected to be acted out but do not have to be memorized.

 

OTHER DETAILS

Auditions will be held in the WCP/BHCT Walker Building. Interested individuals need only attend one audition session. Experienced or first-time performers who enjoy singing, dancing, and acting are invited to audition. WCP/BHCT is committed to a policy of open auditions. Our success depends on the full participation of interested and dedicated people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

 

Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit (cash or check). Please stop by the WCP/BHCT Walker Building during normal business hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-5pm, Friday 12pm-4pm) to pick up a script.

 

We will ask you to complete a conflict calendar prior to making casting decisions. It is helpful to bring your conflicts from Monday, October 12- Sunday, January 31 to auditions. Getting involved in a production is no small commitment and while we encourage and welcome one and all, it’s best to fully understand the time commitment and the challenges you may meet if you or a family member gets involved. In order to meet that need, everyone involved needs to be present and doing their job/role.

 

We will start our rehearsal period the week of October 12, 2026. The final technical and dress rehearsals are considered mandatory so we all are fully prepared for our audiences. Please contact Kendra at kendra.gliem@wcpbhct.org if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 

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