The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre is thrilled to announce auditions for the Young Company of the upcoming 2024 Dick Whittington pantomime. This exciting opportunity invites talented young performers from the Newport and Torfaen boroughs, aged 9 to 14 (please note that there is a height restriction this year), to showcase their skills and become part of a magical theatre experience.
Auditions will be held on Sunday, September 8th, 2024, where aspiring actors will have the chance to dance and sing, for a spot in one of three performing teams: Rats, Cats, and Pirates. This beloved seasonal production promises a vibrant journey, from rehearsals to a series of performances spanning from November 27th, 2024, to January 4th, 2025.
Young Company Audition Information
Eligibility
- Ages: 9–14 (Must be 9 by 10th Nov 2024 and not older than 14 years, 11 months by 4th Jan 2025)
- Max height: 5'3"
- Boroughs: Newport, Torfaen only
Audition Details
- Location: Studio Theatre, The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Kingsway, Newport, NP20 1HG
- Date: Sunday, 8th September 2024
- Time: Registration opens at 9:30 am, auditions from 10 am–3 pm (may end earlier)
- Audition Includes: Learning a short dance routine and singing as a group.
Audition Process
- Registration on arrival and collecting a number from a member of our team. We will not be registering throughout the day, so please arrive at 9:30am.
- Auditionees will not be seen without registering.
- Complete the survey to let us know you will be attending. (not pre-registration).
Need to Know
- Parents/Guardians must stay on-site during auditions. The young person that you accompany to the audition may not be required to stay for the duration of the audition and you must be present for them.
- Provide food and water for auditioning children.
- Panel decision is final.
- Those auditioning MUST be available for all dates throughout rehearsals and the run. If they cannot attend every allocated date, then we cannot see them at audition.
- We are casting 3 teams of 6 young performers.
- Successful candidates will be measured and photographed for costumes on the day.
- Clothing – Comfortable non-branded and team clothing, non-shiny as your number will not stick. Proper footwear, preferably laced trainers. We will not be able to audition anyone bare foot, wearing flip flops, slides, Uggs, slippers or Crocs (even in sport mode)!
Commitment
- Selected children must commit to the entire pantomime period, including term-time and weekend performances.
- All young performers must stick to their dates agreed, due to licensing they are unable to cover each other. All successful castings will be subject to licensing approval.
- Rehearsals: 10th Nov to 26th Nov 2024 (varied schedule, full details below)
- Performances: 27th Nov 2024 to 4th Jan 2025, evenly distributed among three teams: Rats, Cats, Pirates.
If you are planning to join us for the auditions, please fill in the Young Company audition form below to give us an idea of attendance!
Rehearsal Dates
- Sunday 10th November 1330-1730
- Monday 11th November – No Rehearsal
- Tuesday 12th November – Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Wednesday 13th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Thursday 14th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Friday 15th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Saturday 16th November – Arrive 0945 – Rehearsals 1000 - 1530
- Sunday 17th November – No Rehearsal
- Monday 18th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Tuesday 19th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Wednesday 20th November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Thursday 21st November - Arrive 1615 – Reherasals 1630 - 1830
- Friday 22nd November 1630 – 2100
- Saturday 23rd November 0930 – 1830
- Sunday 24th November – No Rehearsal
- Monday 25th November – 0930 – 1715 (TBC 1830) – All Teams
- Tuesday 26th November - 1300 – 1700 (2pm Dress Rehearsal) PIRATES 1800 – 2200 (1900 Dress Rehearsal) CATS
- Wednesday 27th November – 1300 – 1700 (2pm Dress Rehearsal) RATS 1800 – 2130 (Opening Show) RATS
