Never before has a boy wanted more!
Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Lionel Bart
Directed by Travis Guillory
WHEN
AUDITIONS
Youth
August 20, 2024
6-9pm
Adults
August 21, 2024
6-9pm
Callbacks
August 25, 2024
1-5pm
WHERE
Theatre Tulsa Studios
5521 S. Peoria Ave. Tulsa, OK 74105
AVAILABLE ROLES
Oliver Twist: A meek orphan workhouse boy, any gender, age range 8-12, singer (smooth boyish soprano)/actor. British (not cockney) accent, bright and innocent. This character is in approximately 80% of the scenes; parents should note he/she will be required at rehearsal more than any other person in the show. “Where is Love”
Artful Dodger: A zesty street kid, any gender, age range 12-16, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent and savvy beyond his years, Fagin’s right hand “man”. “Consider Yourself”
Fagin: Middle aged leader of a children’s band of thieves, age range 35-60s, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Described as devious, a user, sly fox, con man, very personable. “You’ve Got to Pick A Pocket or Two”
Nancy: A brassy broad who worked for Fagin when she was younger, now a “barmaid” at the Three Cripples Bar, age range 20-30s, singer (good belt)/actress should have good dance skills. Cockney accent. She lives with and loves Bill Sykes, pretty, intelligent, longs for a better life. “As Long As He Needs Me”
Bill Sykes: Worked for Fagin as a youth, now a feared, sinister, master criminal, age range 20-40s actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Good looking in a rough, ragged sort of way, sociopath, a killer who only looks out for himself. “My Name”
Mr. Bumble: The Master of the Workhouse, age range 35-60, singer (tenor)/actor. Cockney accent. A large, pompous and corrupt bureaucrat. “Boy for Sale”
Widow Corney: The Mistress of the Workhouse, age range 35-60, singer (soprano belt)/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp tongued widow, also corrupt. “I Shall Scream”
Bet: Nancy’s friend, may also have worked for Fagin, age range 16-25, singer/actress should move well. Cockney accent. She idolizes Nancy. “As Long As He Needs Me”
Mr. Sowerberry: The undertaker, age range 30-60, actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Creepy funeral home owner, buys Oliver from Bumble to work in the funeral home as a coffin follower, may be an alcoholic. “You’ve Got to Pick A Pocket or Two”
Mrs. Sowerberry: The undertaker’s wife, age range 30-60, actress/singer (mezzo). Cockney accent. More business savvy than her husband. “I Shall Scream”
Noah Claypole: Undertaker’s apprentice, age range 16-25, actor. Cockney accent. May have also come from Workhouse. Feels threatened by, dislikes and torments Oliver.
Charlotte: Sowerberry’s daughter, age range 16-21, actress. Cockney accent. Attracted to Noah, kind of flirty.
Mr. Brownlow: Older gentleman, age range 40-70, actor/singer. British (not cockney) accent. Kind, upper class gentleman who takes Oliver in. “You’ve Got to Pick A Pocket or Two”
Dr. Grimwig: A doctor, age range 40-70, actor. British (not cockney) accent. Upper class, friend of Mr. Brownlow.
Mrs. Bedwin: A housekeeper, age range 35-55. British (not cockney) accent. Works for Mr. Brownlow. Warm personality.
Youth Ensemble: Workhouse and Fagin kids, Age ranges 8-18, any gender
Adult Ensemble: Upper class and lower class citizens, Ages 16 and up, all vocal ranges. Workhouse assistants, street vendors, townspeople, merchants, bar keepers, pub patrons, policemen, night watchman. Some individual lines. Singing and dancing in ensemble numbers.
ABOUT THE AUDITION
Please bring a physical copy of your headshot and resume if you have one, as well as filling out that information on Casting Manager.
PLEASE VISIT THE CASTING MANAGER WEBSITE AND CREATE A PROFILE TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME.
Vocals
We are asking everyone to sing a selected song from the show. Please see the song listed below each character description above and follow the link for the selected music cuts for each song. We will have physical copies of the sheet music available at auditions. If you are not auditioning for a specific role, please choose any of the provided songs to sing for your audition.
Those who are asked to sing again at callbacks will perform a song provided from the show.
Oliver - Where is Love
Dodger - Consider Yourself
Fagin / Mr. Sowerberry / Mr. Brownlow - You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two
Nancy / Bet - As Long As He Needs Me
Bill Sykes - My Name
Mr. Bumble - Boy for Sale
Widow Corney / Mrs. Sowerberry - I Shall Scream
For other roles please choose one of the selections above.
Dance
Each block will consist of a dance call with a combination taught by the choreographer.
Audition Times
These blocks are the same for both the youth and adult audition dates.
Block A
6:00-7:00 (Vocals & Dance)
Block B
7:00-8:00pm (Vocals & Dance)
Block C
8:00-9:00pm (Vocals & Dance)
Callbacks will be held Sunday, August 25 at Theatre Tulsa’s studio space. Callback notifications will be sent no later than August 22 at noon.
VIDEO AUDITIONS
Video auditions may be submitted through the Casting Manager website. Videos are due by August 20.
IMPORTANT INFO
Rehearsals will begin October 14. Rehearsals will be Monday/Tuesday/Thursday from 6:30-9:30pm. Saturdays may be added as needed.
Performances will be January 10-26, 2025 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
For more information, contact info@theatretulsa.org