Elf The Musical is based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin on Broadway), with a book by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Download a copy of this audition notice.

Auditioners must be 18+ to audition (except for Michael). CenterStage Theatre Works is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in casting. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities, and ages to attend every audition. We expect all actors to exercise respect for each other to allow us to have a safe and inclusive environment to practice their craft.

IN-PERSON AUDITIONS:

Please submit the audition form below and select which days and times you would like to audition. We will email you back an available time slot.

Auditions will be held at:
Chamberlain School of Ballet
3003 W 15th St, Plano, TX 75075

Dates
Saturday, Sept 28: 2-4 pm
Sunday, Sept 29: 6:30-8:30 pm

Callbacks will be 8:45-10 pm Sept 29, if necessary. If you can not attend, you will have an opportunity to submit your callback virtually. Those auditioning Sept 28 will know same day if they are called back.

• Audition form for in-person auditions found at: https://bit.ly/Elf-in-person

ACTORS/SINGERS: Please provide to us audition form by September 26. If slots are full when you submit, we will provide you another time slot or the option to submit virtually.

Please bring

• headshot and rèsumè

• Two contrasting cuts (around 32 bars each), less than 3 min for both.

  • Song 1: Uptempo song (preferably comedic) in the style of the show (can be from the show).

  • Song 2: Something that shows off your lyrical/legit capabilities (emotional expression and technique)

• Movement/Dance: There may be MAY be a dance call on Sept 29 but it is not planned at this time.

VIRTUAL AUDITIONS:

Please submit the audition form below by Saturday, September 28 at 4 pm. If callback is needed for casting, we will tell you same day and you will have until 10 pm, Monday, September 30 to submit.

Audition form for in-person auditions found at: https://bit.ly/Elf-virtual

Dates
Virtual audition is due by Saturday, Sept 28 at 4 pm.

Callbacks will be 8:45-10 pm Sunday, Sept 29, if necessary. If you can not attend, you will have an opportunity to submit your callback virtually. Those submitting by Sept 28 will know same day if they are called back.

ACTORS/SINGERS: Please provide to us audition form by September 26. If slots are full when you submit, we will provide you another time slot or the option to submit virtually.

Please bring

• headshot and rèsumè

• Two contrasting cuts (around 32 bars each), less than 3 min for both.

  • Song 1: Uptempo song (preferably comedic) in the style of the show (can be from the show).

  • Song 2: Something that shows off your lyrical/legit capabilities (emotional expression and technique)

• Movement/Dance: If you have a video of a musical theatre performance where you can clearly be seen, you can submit. Otherwise, describe your experience and training.

CALLBACKS

Callbacks will be done, if needed, Sunday, September 29 from 8:45-10. If you cannot attend, you will have an option to submit the callback virtually by September 30 at 10 pm.

STIPEND

$175 per actor for participation

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

*Note: Ages and gender identities are those of the character, not the auditioner. All listed identifiers are in accordance with the agreement with MTI and the options provided by the book writers in the script. CenterStage Theatre Works is committed to diverse casting for all our productions and it is an important tenet of our creative team. We welcome and encourage actors to audition without regard to ethnicity, gender, experiences, or abilities.

The Cast

*Note: Ages and gender identities are those of the character, not the auditioner. All listed identifiers are in accordance with the agreement with MTI and the options provided by the book writers in the script. CenterStage Theatre Works is committed to diverse casting for all our productions and it is an important tenet of our creative team. We welcome and encourage actors to audition without regard to ethnicity, gender, experiences, or abilities.

SEEKING:

BUDDY (SWING): Male, 20s - early 30s, any ethnicity. Buddy is the perfect elf! He is good-natured, he means well, and he is happy all the time. A bull-in-a-china-shop, yet full of fun. Energetically earnest, comedic personality. Excellent singer with improvisation skills and dance skills. Vocal range: B3 - Ab5. The role of Buddy has been cast. This is a Swing who will cover that track and be guaranteed at least one performance. Additionally will be part of ensemble.

JOVIE: Female, 20s - early 30s, any ethnicity. Guarded, appealing, relatable, yet a bit cynical. When we first meet Jovie, her vulnerability is well-hidden underneath a tough façade. She doesn’t have much Christmas spirit until she meets Buddy, who adores her completely. Excellent singer with dance skills. Vocal range: G3 - Db5.

 WALTER HOBBS: Male, 40s – 60s, any ethnicity. A strong, authoritative presence, Walter can be stern and unemotional, but we see his softer side when Buddy comes into his life, and he recommit to his family. Strong singer. Vocal range: B3 - E5. NOTE: Dance skills are a plus but not mandatory.

DEB: Female, any age, any ethnicity. Walter’s secretary, who has the big responsibility of keeping her boss and the whole office happy. She does this by sharing her cheerful outlook with everyone. Sharply witty. Excellent singer with some dance/movement skills. Vocal range: C4 - C5.

EMILY HOBBS: Female, 40s - 60s, any ethnicity. Emily is warm and witty; the eternal problem solver, as well as a devoted wife and mother. She quickly embraces Buddy and appreciates the renewed sense of childlike innocence she feels with Buddy around. Excellent singer with dance/movement skills. Vocal range: G3 - D5.

MICHAEL HOBBS: Male, 12 - 16 years old, any ethnicity. Michael Hobbs is the smarter-than-average son of Walter and Emily. He quickly befriends his new adult brother, Buddy, and does everything he can to make sure Buddy becomes a permanent part of the family. Excellent singer with an unchanged voice and some dance/movement skills. Vocal range: G3 - D5.

SANTA CLAUS (May combine with Greenway or Macy’s Manager) : Male, 30s – 70s, any ethnicity. Santa is, of course, the iconic figure that represents everything Christmas and engages with the audience as he narrates the play.

GREENWAY (May combine with Santa): Male, 30s – 70s, Greenway, Walter’s boss, is a shrewd businessman with a commanding presence and no joy in his heart for the holiday; the antithesis of Santa. Good singer. Vocal range: Bb3 - D5. NOTE: Dance skills a plus.

\CHADWICK & MATTHEWS – Any ethnicity, male, age 20s – 50s, Walter’s right-hand “men.” Desperate to keep job, schemers and not always with it. and perhaps the dumber of the two.

MACY’S MANAGER (May combine with Santa): Male, any age, any ethnicity. The manager is doing everything he can to make sure all the employees stay in line. Funny, spirited, great singer. Good movement skills. Vocal range: B3 - Gb5.

ENSEMBLE 3-5 (may be asked to be Swings for Named Roles) Actors, male and female, who can play a variety of other roles in this production including.

Mrs. Claus, Elves, Charlie, Tiara, Mr. Narwhal, Teenager, Employees, Security Guard 1&2, Customer 1&2, Saleswoman, Store Elf 1&2, Fake Santas, Boy, Mother, Policeman 1&2, Sarah, Jim, Vendor, Waitress, Charlotte, Man, Woman.

 Many of these roles will have solos and featured roles (such as Charlie and Charlotte)

 REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals are usually held Monday-Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings but because of the holiday and actor conflicts, there will probably be days off throughout the schedule. A full rehearsal schedule will be put out after casting is complete and conflicts are considered.

PERFORMANCES:

Performances begin December 5 and run through December 15.
At this time, the following shows are planned:

December 5 – 7 pm
December 6 – 7 pm
December 7 – 2 pm and 7 pm
December 8 – 2 pm and 7 pm
December 12 – 7 pm
December 13 – 7 pm
December 14 – 2 pm and 7 pm
December 15 – 2 pm (strike after this show)

COVID POLICY

For the well-being of our actors and theatregoers, we promote a healthy and safe environment and request that all actors be vaccinated and have received the current booster. We reserve the right to require masks or other precautions if COVID-19 conditions change in our area. If actors develop symptoms, you may be asked to follow current COVID protocols. We are an independent theatre and rely on other rented physical venues and spaces to perform our shows. When problems occur, we cannot extend our run. For this reason, our ensemble may be asked to be swings for named roles.