Oliver! Auditions

The Beverly Arts Center Summer Stage is pleased to announce auditions for its community production of OLIVER, by Lionel Bart.
Directed by: Scott Sowinski
Musical Director: Sharon Mason
Assistant Director: Libby Correll
Choreographer: Nora Wragg

Note: This is a community show. All actors will be asked to pay a $40 participation fee to help cover the costs of scripts and costumes.

Auditions will be held JUNE 2nd and 3rd (5:30-6:30 Children) and 6:30-10 (Adults and Featured Roles)
Anticipated callbacks will be June 4th.
Rehearsals will begin June 8th or 10th depending on schedules.
All rehearsals and performances will be held at the Beverly Arts Center - 2407 W 111th Street.
Because this is a summer production, the creative team plans to be mindful about schedules and minimize usage of actors. You will NOT be called for every rehearsal but should plan on rehearsals taking place Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday schedule into tech week. Please don't let conflicts get in the way of you being a part of this fantastic and fun experience! Oliver is the one through line within this show so it is likely that the performer cast in this role will be present for most rehearsals. Roles may be double cast

Show dates:
Thursday, August 28th, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Friday, August 29th, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Saturday, August 30th, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Sunday, August 31st, 2025 @ 3:00pm

June 2 & 3rd - 5:30-6:30 OPEN KIDS AUDITIONS EXCEPT Children auditioning for Oliver/Dodger (please sign up for a 5 minute audition slot if interested in those roles)
Kids may sing any brief song of their choice. Learning CONSIDER YOURSELF (you may hold the words) is suggested. The music for Consider Yourself can be found in the link at the end of this post.
Kids may also be asked to do a brief movement audition with our choreographer. It will be VERY easy!

Adult and featured roles (Oliver and Dodger) will take place from 6:30 - 10PM. Please sign up for a 5 minute slot. Please prepare 32 bars of a song from or appropriate to the show. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. You may be kept for a brief movement audition. Oliver is a strong movement show but your dance ability will not inform your casting. We will work with all levels.

Casting for Oliver:
Oliver Twist: An orphan, age range 8-13, singer (soprano)/actor. British (not cockney) accent, bright and innocent. This character can be played by a female or male actor but the role itself is male identifying.

Artful Dodger: A street dweller/pick pocket, age range 13+ (ageless), singer/actor. Cockney accent. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent and savvy beyond their years, Fagin’s right hand “man”. This character is not gender specific in this production.

Fagin: Leader of a children’s band of thieves, singer/ STRONG actor. Cockney accent. Described as devious, a user, sly fox, con man, very personable. Likeable, brilliant, and with secrets of his own. This character is not gender specific in this production.

Nancy: Female-Identifying. Formerly a worker for Fagin, now a barmaid at the Three Cripples Bar. Strong singer/actress with emotional depth. Cockney accent. Intelligent, loyal, but longs for a better life.

Bill Sykes: Male-identifying - Formerly a worker for Fagin as a youth now a known master criminal with a strong singing voice. Charismatic in a manipulative sense. Cockney accent. Good looking/dynamically appealing with a propensity for anger and an apparent dark side. Longstanding boyfriend to Nancy.

Mr. Bumble: Male-identifying - The Master of the Workhouse, singer (high tenor)/actor. Cockney accent. A pompous and corrupt bureaucrat.

Widow Corney: Female Identifying - The Mistress of the Workhouse, singer (soprano belt)/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp tongued widow, also corrupt.

Bet: Female Identifying - Nancy’s friend, may also have worked for Fagin, younger than Nancy, singer/actress should move well. Cockney accent.

Mr. Sowerberry: Male Identifying- An undertaker, actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Creepily obsessed with death, possibly has a drinking problem.

Mrs. Sowerberry: Female Identifying - The undertaker’s wife, actress/singer (mezzo). Cockney accent. More business savvy than her husband. Clearly runs the establishment.

Noah Claypole: Male Identifying - Undertaker’s apprentice, Cockney accent. May have also come from Workhouse. Feels threatened by, dislikes and torments Oliver.

Charlotte: Female Identifying - Sowerberry’s daughter, strong character actress. Cockney accent. Attracted to Noah, kind of flirty.

Mr. Brownlow: Older - Male Identifying, actor/singer. RP British (not cockney) accent. Kind upper class gentleman who learns he is Oliver’s grandfather.

Dr. Grimwig: A doctor, actor. RP British (not cockney) accent. Upper class, friend of Mr. Brownlow.

Mrs. Bedwin: A housekeeper, RP British(not cockney) accent. Works for Mr. Brownlow. Warm personality.

Workhouse & Fagin KIDS Age ranges 7+: all genders. Including Dodger’s friend Charley. Singers/actors of all ages and skill levels. Kids are VERY busy in this production and will be used throughout the show!

Featured Adult Ensemble: Workhouse Assistants, Bow Street Runners, Street Vendors (Criers), Crowd of Onlookers and Passersby, Adult Featured Ensemble, singers (all voice types), Included in this are the soloists: The Rose Seller (mezzo), Strawberry Seller (soprano), Milk Maid (soprano), Knife Grinder (baritone) and Long Song Seller (Tenor); featured roles Old Sally and Old Lady (cockney accents), & the Chairman.

Link to "Consider Yourself" Sheet Music: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I2OanX1h096OHQe0gRxUbdGPQtj92lkg?usp=sharing

Please direct questions to bacproductions@beverlyartcenter.org.
For more information, please visit beverlyartscenter.org.