AUDITIONS
Monday, October 7th at 7pm-10pm
Tuesday, October 8th at 7pm-10pm
Callbacks: Wednesday, October 9th
You do not need to attend both nights of auditions.
Audition slots are given on a first come, first arrival basis.
Rehearsal Dates*
Starting October 14th - December 5th.
Sunday-Thursday, Sunday 6-9pm and
weekday evenings 7-10pm.
*Please note, you may not be called to all rehearsals and we will work to accommodate pre-existing conflicts provided during the audition process.
Performance Dates
Dec. 6th-15th: Fri. & Sat. 8pm & Sundays 2pm
+ Sat. Dec. 14th 2pm Matinee
Audition Requirements:
Please bring a printed headshot and resume. This is not a musical, but there will be musical moments in the show. If you would like to also be considered for singing in the show, please come prepared to sing 16 bars of your favorite Christmas song, acapella. Singing is not a requirement to be cast in any specific role. Auditions will consist of reading sides from the show, which we will provide. Our creative team strives to create an inclusive and representative environment. All roles are open to actors of all ages, gender identities, and races.
Please note that The Heights Players is a non-profit theater and this is a non-equity production. All cast and crew volunteer their time and talent. The Heights Players is a membership organization, there is no pay or stipend for any role or position. There is a $20 membership fee, if cast.
The Heights Players is located at:26 Willow Place, bet. State & Joralemon Streets in Brooklyn Heights. Click For Directions to the John Bourne Theater
Miracle on
34th Street
Adapted by Mountain Community Theater
Dorea Slagle, Director
Alex Andrews, Assistant Director
Holly Thomas, Stage Manager
Laura Chartrand, Costume Designer
Gary VanderPutten, Set Designer
Alan Sporing, Lighting Designer
Natalie Lay, Props Designer
Catherine Hammer, ASM / Music Director
Monica Ramirez, ASM
Synopsis: "This is a tale that we want to believe in, that creates a world we seem to desperately desire, free of the blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. What we want Christmas to be all about, really." So writes the Santa Cruz Sentinel of this most heartwarming holiday story. By chance, Kris Kringle, an older man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy's. But Kris isn’t your typical department store actor - he truly believes that he IS the Santa Clause. At Macy’s, he meets Doris Walker, and her daughter Susan. Doris is a single mom, with a shaken faith in the good of other people. She works hard to give her daughter opportunity and stability in a tough world, and Susan has turned into quite the practical and realistic child - seemingly too old and too wise to believe in magic, or Christmas miracles.
Kris takes his new job at Macy’s as an opportunity to unleash waves of good will with Macy's customers, shaking up the self centered commercial world of New York City. Though not all are touched by Kris’ Santa Claus streak - he’s seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor Sawyer, who plots to have Kris locked away in Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital. Kris ends up in a court competency hearing to determine if his claim to be Santa Clause makes him dangerous to those around him. It’s up to Doris, Susan, and their neighbor Fred Gayley (who happens to be an upstart young defensive attorney) to prove that Kris is not only as sane as can be, he just may be who he claims after all…
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Please note that people of all ages, races, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to audition for this inclusive and collaborative production. We will also be casting Understudies for the Lead Roles, each of whom will be guaranteed one performance in the lead track during the run of the show.
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Kris Kringle: Just might be Santa Claus. Kris is warm and jolly like any Santa that you know, but also has a firm, caring, and wise side. That said, he is extremely playful and mischievous and should be played with a smart approach - he is not a bumbling fool where things just happen to him. He makes decisions throughout with intent. His one fault may be that he is a tad too trusting, and willing to give the benefit of the doubt at his own risk.
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Doris Walker: Personnel Manager at Macy’s; Susan’s mother, serious and worldly. Doris is a little jaded, but understandably so. After going through a painful divorce, she is raising her daughter alone and working incredibly hard to make ends meet. It has been some time since she has had the luxury of believing in magic. She is not, however, bitter beyond hope.
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Fred Gayley: Friend/Neighbor to Doris and Susan; Lawyer; Kringle’s defense attorney. Fred is a little in love with Doris, and is truly a wonderful man. He is self aware and more playful/optimistic than most; he genuinely wants to help those around him.
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Susan Walker: Doris’ daughter. Smart. She doesn’t believe in Santa because she has been raised to be a “realist”. Wise for her age, but still a young child who wishes for love and home, as many of us have. Targeting ages 8-12 for this role.
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Shellhammer: Assistant to Doris. Friendly, efficient. Sassy. Opportunity for this actor to lean into the physical comedy and levity of department store dynamics.
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Dr. Pierce: Physician at Maplewood Home; warm, caring. Has been a close confidant of Kris’ and is a consistent advocate for Kris throughout. Pragmatic.
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Sawyer: Macy’s vocational guidance counselor; character role requiring an understudy of irony and absurdism. He is determined to dispel fantasy and nonsensical beliefs, so much so that he calls an all hands company meeting to discuss the “Santa Claus” myth. The top of the naughty list, a real doubter.
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Macy: Owner and manager of Macy’s Department Store. Thrilled with the good press and profits being made for his company, due to Kris’ impact on the city of New York.
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Mara/Mark (gender flexible): Prosecuting attorney; somewhat jaded; sticks to the letter of the law. It is Mara’s job to prove that Kris Kringle is unstable and not of a sound mind.
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Mr. Bloomingdale (Act 1)/ Judge Harper (Act 2): Owns Bloomingdales and is intent on competing with Macy’s startling success / Harper presides over Kringle’s hearing; Judicial; likable; a bit political, but strives for integrity in his proceedings.
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Halloran: Judge Harper’s political campaign manager. Concerned with the impact this case will have on Harper’s career. Pragmatic.
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Finley: Bailiff in Judge Harper’s court. Just here to get the job done.
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Young Mara/ Mark (gender flexible): prosecuting attorney’s child - a witness called by Fred Gayley.
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Youth Ensemble: There are several speaking roles for children and teens who also appear as extras in other scenes. Looking for approx. 4-6 children between the ages of 8-15. There is a creative and fun “Elf Theater” sequence that children will be a part of.
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Adult Ensemble: includes an assortment of 8-10 different speaking roles throughout the show. This is a very active show, with lots going on in every scene - any ensemble member in the show will have lines, or music, and will likely be cast in 2-3 different roles.