Auditions

Our audition form is now online! Please click the link below to complete your form in advance, so you can focus on “giving it your all” without the anxiety of filling out paperwork.

Playhouse at McConnellstown Audition Form

September 14 and 23: “An Orphan’s Light: Christmas at the Juniper Home”

The Playhouse at McConnellstown will hold auditions for “An Orphan’s Light: Christmas at the Juniper Home” by Emmie White. Auditions for children ages 8 to 18 will be held on Sunday, September 14 at 2:00 pm. Auditions for adults ages 18 and up will be held on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm. All auditions will be held at their building located at 11680 Raystown Road, Huntingdon, PA, in the village of McConnellstown.

The show performance dates are November 21, 22, 28, and 29 at 7:30 PM and November 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 2:30 PM. Please bring your calendar and all conflicts that you may have between September 23 and November 30.

All actors cast in the production will be required to attend all scheduled rehearsals during the final week before the show opens. Evening and weekend rehearsals as well as children’s workshops are anticipated for this production. Dates and times will be at the director’s discretion. Guardians are expected to attend all rehearsals and workshops, and chaperone signups are required during the production run.

Parents and adult cast members (ages 15 and up) are strongly encouraged to attend workday sessions held on Saturdays between September 23 and November 15. Assistance is required to construct the set, perform building maintenance, and decorate for the holiday season.

After the founder of the Juniper Home for Children dies, his son Thomas decides to close the orphanage to improve working conditions and wages for his employees at the candle factory. Thomas also cancels the Christmas Eve party, a tradition his father created when he opened the children’s home. The head mistress and governess spend the final weeks of the year trying to place the orphans in foster care while the older children work to raise money for Christmas dinner and presents for the “little ones.” Through holiday cheer and the spirits of joy and giving, the orphanage finds the light and hope needed to persevere.

Cast requirements for the production are as follows:

Elsa: (40s+) The stoic and steadfast head mistress with a heart of gold

Nellie: (20s-30s) The caring and maternal governess

Levi: (50s+) The Jewish groundskeeper, humorously embellishes his stories and explanations

Thomas: (20s-30s) a shrewd businessman

Kitchen Girls: (11-16.) The young ladies who help prepare meals and mind the orphans

Cloyd: (9-12) An orphan boy and troublemaker

Various Adults (15+): Foster Parents, Carolers, and Factory Workers,

Various Children: (8-15): Orphans

All casting decisions are at the discretion of the show’s director. We encourage all thespians to audition regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, etc. In addition to actors and actresses for the production, we are also looking for volunteers. We are seeking production assistants, stage managers, stage crew, concessions, front of house staff and parking assistance. Anyone who would like to volunteer should email Dan Weston, Artistic Director at danwest@littletheater.com. For more information, please contact The Playhouse at 814-627-0311. You may also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @LittleTheater.

While experience is helpful, The Playhouse at McConnellstown does not require previous theatrical experience. We do, however, require that you have the desire, commitment, and the drive to help us produce the high-quality shows that our audiences have come to expect. Please come join us for a wonderful theatrical experience. We look forward to seeing you at auditions!