Actors’ Conservatory Theatre at Gaston Day School
Summer theatre intensive 2015
The Secret Garden
Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Directed by Brian Letchworth
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 16
11:00am to 1:00pm – Casting for the roles of ‘MARY LENNOX’ and ‘COLIN CRAVEN’
MARY LENNOX: Girl, aged 10-14. Must sing and move exceptionally well and possess a strong
stage presence. Mary is initially petulant and rude, but at heart is a warm, free-spirited girl.
COLIN CRAVEN: Boy, aged 10-14. Boy soprano. Must sing exceptionally well and possess a strong
stage presence. Colin is frail, spoiled and demanding. He lacks parental love and friends his own age.
1:00pm to 3:30pm – Rising 7th Grade through College for ALL OTHER ROLES
All roles must sing and move exceptionally well. See ‘Character Breakdown’ for details.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR EVERYONE: Come prepared with a song of your choice. Choose a
song that you know well and that you feel best showcases your particular musical skill and ability. Song selection
should be 1-2 minutes in length. Bring sheet music in the correct key; an accompanist will be provided. No a
cappella.
Additional musical selections may be taught at the audition. Everyone will read selections from the script. Dress
comfortably and come prepared to move.
If you cannot make these audition times but are still interested in being considered,
please contact Holly Mason at [email protected].
Program Dates:
July 6-9, 2015 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
July 10-18, 2015 from 10:00am to 10:00pm
Performances:
Friday, July 17 at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 18 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Tuition:
$250 per student + additional costume fee
For more information, contact Holly Mason at [email protected] or 704-864-7744 ext. 167
THE SECRET GARDEN - Character Breakdown
NOTE: All roles speak with an English accent/dialect, unless otherwise indicated.
LILY: Female, character aged 25-30. Soprano. Appears in spirit form. As a spirit she watches over Archibald and Colin, wanting
only love and happiness for them.
ARCHIBALD CRAVEN: Male, character aged 30s–40s. Tenor. A hunchback. He is overcome with grief over the loss of his
beloved wife. Father to Colin. He takes in Mary, who reminds him of his late wife. He longs for reasons to move on and live
again.
DR. NEVILLE CRAVEN: Male, character aged 30s–40s. Baritone. Archibald’s brother. Was in love with Lily. Oversees the
manor’s management and Colin’s care.
*CAPT. ALBERT LENNOX: Male, character aged 30s–40s. Tenor. Mary’s father. Dies of cholera early on and follows Mary
as a spirit.
*ROSE LENNOX: Female, character aged 28–35. Mezzo. Mary’s mother. Lily’s sister. Dies of cholera and follows Mary as a
spirit.
MARTHA SOWERBY: Female, character aged 18–late 20s. Mezzo. Chambermaid who takes a liking to Mary. Dickon’s sister.
Potentially possesses magic powers. Yorkshire accent/dialect.
DICKON SOWERBY: Male, aged 14–mid-20s. Tenor. A sprightly young fellow who loves nature and can charm animals.
Martha’s brother. Yorkshire accent/dialect.
BEN WEATHERSTAFF: Male, character aged 50-60+. Tenor. Head gardener at Misselthwaite Manor. Yorkshire
accent/dialect.
MRS. MEDLOCK: Female, character aged 35-60+. Head housekeeper for Misselthwaite. She is a stern, no-nonsense woman.
*FAKIR: Male OR Female, character aged 18+. Tenor/alto/soprano. Indian chanter. Dies of cholera and follows Mary as a
spirit.
*AYAH: Female, character aged18+. Alto. Mary’s Indian nanny. Dies of cholera and follows Mary as a spirit.
*LT. IAN SHAW: Male, character aged 25–35. Tenor. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit.
*LT. PETER WRIGHT: Male, character aged 25–35. Baritone. Officer in Capt. Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive.
*MAJOR HOLMES: Male, character aged 35–45. Bass. Officer in Captain Lennox’s unit and discovers Mary alive.
*CLAIRE HOLMES: Female, character aged 25–40. Soprano. Major Holmes wife.
*ALICE: Female, character aged 25–40. Soprano. Rose’s friend. Dies of cholera and follows Mary as a spirit.
MRS. WINTHROP: Female, character aged 40s–60. Headmistress of an all-girls boarding school. Neville asks that she come to
see Mary.
BETSY, TIMOTHY, WILLIAM, JANE: Male and Female, characters aged 20s-40s. Servants at Misselthwaite Manor.
*These characters, collectively referred to as the Dreamers, are people from Mary’s life in India and serve as spirits and narrators
throughout the course of the story.