Leeds Playhouse has launched an open casting call to find young actors to star in the leading roles of Oliver and Dodger as well as the Children’s Ensemble in its new staging of Oliver! that opens in Leeds this November.
The Playhouse is working with leading casting directors Keston & Keston, who supported the theatre’s search for Charlie Bucket as part of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, which is currently on tour across the UK. Open auditions will be held on 27th and 28th May to find Oliver, Dodger and members of the Children’s Ensemble.
All young people who meet the casting criteria and who register by 17th May will be seen by the team. They must be 9-12 years old, under 5ft tall and live within an hour’s commute of Leeds city centre. This is a paid role, and the Playhouse welcomes young people of all genders to audition.
“Oliver! is such an incredible story; an exciting adventure that has captivated generations and, at its heart, has a young boy who overcomes incredible adversity,” says Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, who will be directing the production.
“Working on this kind of project can be a joyful and exciting experience and I hope Oliver! will match similar productions I’ve worked on in the past at the Playhouse, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Wizard of Oz. We welcome young people from all communities to audition and encourage everyone who is interested and fits the brief to apply even if you don’t have previous acting experience. I’m really excited to meet young people from all over the region.”
OLIVER AND DODGER AUDITIONS
Role: Oliver and Dodger
About: We are casting boys to play the lead roles of Oliver and Dodger
Age: 9-12 (children must be 9 by 1st October 2023 to apply)
Height: Must be under 5ft
Availability: Children must be fully available from 1st October 2023 to 27th January 2024. Children cast will share the role throughout the period. This role will involve time off school, and young people must be prepared to be licensed in order to participate.
Other: Children must have unbroken voices for these roles
Apply: Please register your details by 17th May with children’s Casting Directors Keston & Keston at their website: www.kestonandkestoncasting.com or email info@kestonandkeston.com
CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
Role: Children’s Ensemble
About: We are casting teams of boys and girls to perform in the children’s ensemble including the roles of Noah Claypole and Charlotte Sowerbury
Age: 8-14 (children must be 8 by 1st October 2023 to apply)
Height: Any
Other: Children must have unbroken voices for these roles
Location: We are looking for children from the North of England who live within a 1-hour commute from Leeds city centre
Availability: Children must be fully available from 1st October 2023 to 27th January 2024. Children cast will share the role throughout the period. This role will involve time off school, and young people must be prepared to be licensed in order to participate.
Apply: Please register your details by 17th May with children’s casting directors Keston & Keston at their website or iOS app: www.kestonandkestoncasting.com or email info@kestonandkeston.com
FAQs
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for young people of all genders aged 8-14 who love to perform.
Where can the children come from?
We are looking for children who can travel into Leeds city centre within approximately 1 hour.
Where and when are auditions happening?
Auditions are happening at Leeds Playhouse from May 2023. There will be various sessions and eligible children will be invited to a workshop session.
Can I stay with my child at auditions?
Parents/guardians will be asked to wait outside the audition room. There will be professional chaperones to look after the children.
How do I register my young person’s interest in auditioning?
Go to the children’s casting directors’ website: www.kestonandkestoncasting.com to register their details. You can also email info@kestonandkeston.com
All children who meet the casting criteria will be seen by the team.
Does my child need experience?
No. Children don’t need any experience to apply or audition. We strongly encourage applications from newcomers and children from all backgrounds. We are looking for young people who can act, sing and join in movement/dance scenes with the company.
What roles are you looking for?
We are looking for young people to play the roles of Oliver, Dodger and the Children’s Ensemble.
What should my child wear/bring to audition?
Children should wear comfortable clothes. No need to bring anything else though – just themselves!
What will happen at the audition?
The first-round auditions will be fun, friendly and informal. We will invite children to meet the team and take part in a short group workshop involving singing and acting.
Does my child need to prepare anything?
Children will be asked to prepare a verse and chorus of a song from the production. This will be emailed in advance with an audition invite session and all material will be sent including lyrics, guide track and support to prepare for the audition. On the day, the team will also help prepare all auditionees.
When will my child hear if they have been successful?
The team will send outcomes by email after auditions. Every child who auditions will hear from the team. Please note no outcomes will be given on the day.
What will the commitment be for the children who are cast?
They must be fully available from 1st October 2023 to 27th January 2024. Children will rehearse and perform on a schedule with the roles shared between them. Children will still attend their own school for the duration of this production, however some time off school will be necessary throughout rehearsals and performances, but we will do our best to minimise this through careful scheduling. Parents/Guardians will be provided with dates on offer but will be required to accompany and drop children off at the theatre for rehearsals, matinee and evening performances. Children will be accompanied by licensed chaperones and looked after at all times in the theatre.
Will my child receive a payment for being in the production?
Yes – there will be an expenses payment for both rehearsals and performances, which will be discussed during the casting process at the offer stage.