THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

By Barbara Robinson

Audition Dates: September 25, 2021 12noon-5pm

 
Performance Dates: December 16-18, 2021

 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will be directed by Marc Anthony Glover-Garcia

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TUITION IS $325

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS – ALL ROLES:
• Be prepared to read from the script – sides will be provided, and tell a personal holiday story – best present ever received, etc.
• Bring your calendar and be prepared to list all conflicts.
 

FILL OUT AUDITION FORM HERE:

https://forms.gle/PmLgMM6WQtYHcRCS7

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IMPORTANT DATES:
• AUDITION DATES:
September 18, 2021 12noon-5pm
 

Dress Rehearsals:
Monday 12/13, 530pm-8pm
Tuesday 12/14, 530pm-8pm
Wednesday 12/15, 530pm-8pm

 

Performance schedule:
Thursday, December 16 at 7PM – call time around 5:30 PM
Friday, December 17 at 7PM – call time around 5:30 PM
Saturday, December 18 at 11am, 3pm 7pm  – call time around 9am
 

ABOUT THE PLAY
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked rough and hit little kids and talked back to their teachers. So it surprised just about everybody when they decided to take part in the town’s Christmas Pageant.

 

The Herdman kids had never heard of the Christmas story, but the way they interpreted it, you’d think the story of Jesus came right out of the F.B.I. files. (They called the Wise Men a bunch of dirty spies). It was a Christmas pageant to remember. An American classic … one of the best Christmas stories ever told.

ROLES AVAILABLE
4 adult men and 6 adult women (various adult ages played by older youth), 8 boys and 9 girls (ages 9-15) and a singing angel choir (ages 7-10). The director is looking for young people with self-confidence, good vocal skills and stage presence.
 

Adult Roles:
Father/Bob Bradley (35-45) – in a handful of scenes in the beginning and end of the show -Happy go Lucky, laid back family guy that gets sucked into helping with this year’s Christmas Pageant when he doesn’t even want to go
 

Reverend Hopkins (30-45)– one scene character, limited lines, Reverend Hopkins must address Grace Bradley after an incident at the church, he is not happy with what happened, and he is beside himself about what do to do with The Herdmans
 

Piano Player – play piano (simple Christmas songs) during the Pageant Adult Female Roles
 

Mother/ Grace Bradley (35-45) – major role, Typical housewife (1950s), June Cleaver Type, strives to be a good Mother to her children and help others, the Herdmans are an unexpected part of this year’s show and needs to figure out a way to deal with them after she finds herself directing this year’s pageant when the woman that runs everything is laid up in the hospital right before the planning meeting for this year’s show
 

Mrs. Armstrong (50-ish) – supporting character role, Mrs. Armstrong runs EVERYTHING! at the church until she finds herself with a broken leg and has to take a back seat to this year’s Christmas Pageant but she is still there to give Grace all her direction on how things should be done

“THE CHRUCH LADIES”
 

Mrs. McCarthy (35-45) – supporting role, Mrs. McCarthy wants to be Mrs. Armstrong, strong willed and nosey, she is always looking for the next best gossip
 

Mrs. Slocum (35-60) – supporting role, Happy to share juicy gossip with everyone, she’s the Herdmans’ neighbors and knows all about the no good they bring
 

Mrs. Clark (35-60) – Cameo role (1 line) – part of the gossip chain and too busy to help with the pageant
 

Mrs. Clausing (35-60) – Cameo role (1 line) – part of the gossip chain
 

CHILDREN/TEEN ROLES (Ages 6 – 17)
Beth Bradley (female, 10-13) – Narrator Beth goes back in time to tell the story of The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever
 

Charlie Bradley (male, 8-10) – Beth’s Brother, younger than Beth, he is a victim of the Herdmans
 

Alice Wendleken (female, 10-13) – “The Snob” Alice knows everything and when it’s not done right she ventures to let people know either by correcting them or writing it down in her book to report to her mother
 

Maxine (female, 10-13) – Alice and Beth’s Friend she also narrates the Christmas story in the Pageant
 

Elmer Hopkins (male, 12-13) — the Reverend’s son and more than happy to hand over the role of Joseph to Ralph Herdman. He plays a shepherd in the Pageant.
 

Hobie (male, 8-11) – He plays a shepherd in the Pageant.
 

David (male, 8-11) – He plays a shepherd in the Pageant.
 

Baby Angel Shirley (female, 6-7) Baby Angel Juanita (female, 6-7)

 

THE HERDMANS
Imogene (female, 11-12)– Oldest Girl, has a pivotal moment on stage when things about the Christmas story “click” for her and she finally gets it, before that she is mean and bossy and the Herdmans leader, has to cry on stage
 

Gladys (female, 7-8)– Youngest of the Herdmans she is small but mighty, and likes to bite, her hero “The Black Knight”
 

Ralph (male, 12-13)– Oldest of the Herdmans and a bully of anyone smaller than him
 

Leroy (male, 10-11)– Steals lunches on the playground at lunch time
 

Claude (male, 9-10)– Wants to take King Herrod out with a machine gun, causes chaos during Pageant rehearsals
 

Ollie (male, 8-9)– youngest Boy, likes to cause chaos

SUNDAY SCHOOL KIDS
 

These kids also play roles in the Pageant including the shepherds and Angel Choir as well as school kids on the playground. Some may have lines, but most do not.