Rhinebeck Theatre Society Little Women Audition Notice
Rhinebeck Theatre Society is proud to announce auditions for Little Women. This is a new script adapted just for The CENTER’s stage as a holiday-themed tale of family and belonging. The classic coming-of-age story follows the lives of four sisters in Massachusetts during and after the Civil War: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Each sister is filled with her own dreams for the future. However, perhaps most enduring is their love for their family and the friendships that are developed as the story progresses.
Staying very close to Louisa May Alcott’s 1868-69 novel, this version is not a musical. However, most characters will, at some point, sing, as the script includes traditional carols, hymns, and American folk songs. Therefore actors should have a good musical ear, and be familiar with singing in harmony with others. We are also looking for a handful of actors who play musical instruments.
Performance Dates: December 8th - 23rd at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572). Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm.
***There also may be one or two school shows during weekdays.***
Auditions: Saturday, October 14 at 1 pm, Sunday, October 15 at 7 pm. Callbacks will be held by invitation on Monday, October 16 at 7 pm. All auditions will be at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572)
Auditions will be readings from the script, and include a brief singing portion. You can view all materials ahead of time at this link. While you don’t need to prepare anything specific, actors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with materials.
Virtual Auditions Submissions: Record two segments from the materials folder…
A scene of choice from the play
First verse of “O Christmas Tree”
Send both segments, either as one or two YouTube/Dropbox/Google Drive links to rhinebecktheatresociety@gmail.com by Sunday, October 15th at 7:00 pm. Please be prepared to come to callbacks, as it is unlikely a casting decision will be made without an in-person audition.
Bring a resume detailing your theatre experience or be prepared to list your performance experience.
Bring your schedule and a list of all conflicts through December 23rd.
Who will be in the room?
Director - Dot Luongo (she/her)
Assistant Director - Kelsey Wertheim (she/her)
Stage Manager - Christine McCarthy (she/her)
Producer - Tom Starace (he/him)
Little Women Character Breakdown
*parentheses note genders and ages as portrayed in the story
**Important note on casting Meg, Jo, and Amy: In all likelihood, these sisters will be cast 18+
Meg (she/her, 18-23): The eldest sister. Meg cares deeply about family and takes pleasure in making a home and, eventually, motherhood.
Jo (she/her, 17-22): Second eldest. An ambitious writer and generally rebellious feminist with a great imagination and a strong will.
Beth (she/her, 15-20): Third child. Painfully shy and content to stay at home, Beth plays the piano and adores her sisters.
Amy (she/her, 13-18): The youngest. Somewhat temperamental and often left out because she is younger. An aspiring artist who often dreams of being a part of high society.
Marmee (she/her, 40-60): Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy’s mother. Marmee loves her family and has a profound sense of duty and charity towards others.
Father (he/him, 45-65): A chaplain who volunteers with the Union Army. He returns home and takes pride in his daughters.
Aunt March (she/her, 60+): Wealthy, demanding, and strong-willed, Aunt March is used to getting her way and can be rather uncompromising.
Hannah (she/her, 40+): Employed by the March family.
Laurie Laurence (he/him, 18-23): Neighbor to the March family, Laurie has a playful spirit and a great sense of adventure. He is very wealthy and often very lonely. Laurie becomes best friends with Jo and eventually marries Amy.
Grandfather Laurence (he/him, 60+): Laurie’s caregiver, a gracious, dignified gentleman of means.
John Brooke (he/him, 25-30): Laurie’s tutor. He eventually falls in love with Meg and marries her.
Mr. Bhaer (he/him, 30-45): A professor and German immigrant, admires Jo and eventually falls in love with her. Must speak with a plausible German accent.
Ensemble/Carolers (18+)
Mrs. Hummel (she/her): An impoverished neighbor of Jewish heritage
Mr. Davis (he/him): A teacher at Amy’s school
Mrs. Gardiner (she/her): Volunteer with the Soldier’s Aid Society, throws a Yuletide party which Meg and Jo attend.
Mrs. Carrol (she/her): Volunteer with the Soldier’s Aid Society: Townsperson, friend of Aunt March’s
Mrs. King (she/her): Volunteer with the Soldier’s Air Society: Townsperson, staunch abolitionist
Mrs. Kirke (she/her): Volunteer with the Soldier’s Air Society: Townsperson, eventually moves to New York City after her husband dies in the war and starts her own board house.
Visitor to the Soldier’s Aid Society (he/him): Lost two sons in the Civil War
Miss Cutter (she/her): A fishmonger in the town
Mr. Finnegan (he/him): Local newspaper editor
Mr. Dashwood (he/him): New York City editor of sensationalist stories
Fred Vaughn (he/him): Party-goer, referenced as a love interest of Amy
Children’s Roles/Carolers (5-17)
6 Hummel Children: Poor children of various ages, jewish heritage; may be doubled with characters below
Tommy: Partygoer at Mrs. Gardiner’s Yuletide party
Katie, Mary, Suzie, and Jenny: Schoolmates of Amy’s
Minnie and Kitty Kirke: Mrs. Kirke’s young daughters
Daisy and Demi Brooke: Meg’s children at the end of the play
Rhinebeck Theatre Society is committed to providing community-minded, safe theatre experiences. We seek to present stories in a way that reflects a richly diverse world. We encourage BIPOC and LGBTQ+ actors to audition for all of our productions. If you have questions or concerns about accessibility and accommodations, please email rhinebecktheatersociety@gmail.com.