Audition FAQ

Audition for Charlotte’s Web at Lexington Children’s Theatre

Lexington Children’s Theatre is excited to announce auditions for Charlotte’s Web, to perform in the Larry and Vivian Snipes Main Stage this October. If you are 8 or older, please join us in auditioning for this production or applying for the production team!

Meet the wonderful people working on our production! 

Creative Team:
Director: Jeremy Kisling
Assistant Director: *
Student Stage Manager: *
Assistant Stage Manager(s): *
Student Scenic Designer: *
Student Sound Designer: *

(*Students 14 or older are welcome to apply for these positions as part of our mentorship mission. Apply using this link https://form.jotform.com/LCT_SM/charlottes-web-production-team or contact LCT’s Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler, at rsm@lctonstage.org to learn more.)  

I’ve got questions. Who’s got answers? 

This document! Keep reading. 90% of your questions are answered below. 

 Prior to auditions ask LCT’s Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler.  

Phone: 859-254-4546 ext. 224 – not usually at her desk, email is a quicker route!
Email: rsm@lctonstage.org 

During auditions ask anyone with an LCT nametag. 

Audition Dates

Saturday August 17th from 4:00-6:00pm
Sunday, August 18th from 4:00-6:00pm
Monday, August 19th from 6:30 -8:30pm

 Auditionees must attend the entire two-hour block of time in their chosen slot. 

Callbacks will be between August 22nd-23rd beginning no earlier than 6pm and ending no later than 10pm. More specific details will be released closer to then.

All performers must turn 8 and be two weeks past their COVID-19 vaccination date prior to September 1st, 2024, to be eligible to audition.

Are we discrete or double cast?
Due to the length of the performance run, we hope to double-cast all students in the production. If you feel you are available for discrete casting we would certainly consider that, but it is by no means mandatory.

Double casting is when two people attend rehearsals and learn all the lines and blocking for a role and then alternate performance days. All non-adult roles will be double cast for this production.

Discrete casting means that one actor learns all the lines and blocking (usually without understudies) and performs everyday. Adult roles will be discretely cast.

Where and when does the show perform?  

Charlotte’s Web performs on LCT’s Main Stage October 8-25th.

Due to the tight nature of this production process, we will not be able to accommodate tons of conflicts. All performers are required to be at all days of tech, but we will be double casting most roles. For the full list of specific timeframes for tech rehearsals and performances, please see the end of the Jotform audition form sign-up.

There are four weekend performance days and twelve weekday performance days. Due to double casting, students would only appear in half of the following performance dates:

The weekend performances are:
Saturday, October 12th 7:00 pm
Sunday, October 13th at 2pm & 4:30pm
Saturday, October 19th at 2pm & 7:00pm
Sunday, October 20th at 2pm
(Actors are onsite from 90 minutes prior to
curtain and 45 minutes post show for public
performances)

The weekday performances are:
at 10:00am and 11:45am on:
Tuesday, October 8th-Friday, October 11th
Tuesday, October 15th-Friday, October 18th
Tuesday, October 22nd-Friday, October 25th
(actors are onsite from 8:30 to 1:15pm)

How many days of school or work would I miss to perform in this production?

Students: The show will be double cast, meaning that students will perform in half of the school shows. You will miss up to SIX days of school.

Please check with your principal and teachers PRIOR to auditioning to ensure whether you can miss all six days AND that any missed days will be counted as excused. Most schools require you to complete an Academic Arts Enhancement form as well. There is a place on the audition form to indicate that you are available for all six school days.

Students are expected to keep up with their schoolwork. Many students attend school prior to or after performances to pick up and turn in work.

Adults: The adult roles in this show will be discretely cast (you will not have a double), so you will perform all twelve weekdays and four weekend days. Please check with your employers to ensure you are truly available for all dates before auditioning. LCT considers you an adult once you have reached the age of 21 or have graduated college.

If I am cast what is the rehearsal schedule like?
Rehearsals will begin on or around August 28th. Most rehearsals will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings and weekend afternoons. Not every character will be called for every rehearsal, though central characters will attend almost every rehearsal. The number of rehearsals you attend depends on your role. A tentative rehearsal schedule of EVERY available date (which does NOT mean we will use them all) is provided at the end of this sheet.

PLEASE NOTE: Technical rehearsals are September 27 – October 4th. We will have NO REHEARSALS OR ACTIVITIES FOR FCPS’S FALL BREAK. We permit NO absences during tech week.

What if I have conflicts with the rehearsal schedule? 

A grid with all potential rehearsal dates and times is provided at the end of the audition form so that you can list all activities that conflict with the rehearsal schedule, especially those that cannot be moved or missed. Directors do their best to honor scheduling conflicts IF THEY ARE LISTED on the conflict calendar in your audition form. It is very difficult to adjust for conflicts after the rehearsal schedule is set. Remember directors juggle the schedules of up to 30+ people including tech staff. There may be occasions when you need to skip or reschedule something. Please be honest and forthcoming. Learning about conflicts after your student is cast and the schedule is made is unfair to the director who has made their decisions carefully based on other students’ conflicts as well as yours. We promise that if your student is the right person for the part we will work around their conflicts; so please do your best to notate them accurately. Please list items even if you do not know exact dates or times yet.  

Do I have to have an appointment to audition? How do I arrange one? 

Yes. It helps the stage manager know how many scripts to have prepared and enables the director to gauge the best use of time. 

 To arrange an audition, Please fill out the form attached to the following link:  

Click Here to Sign-Up To Audition for Charlotte’s Web

 We’ll confirm your appointment by email shortly after your audition form has been submitted. Please note that this is not an automated appointment confirmation and each one is personally scheduled and will be confirmed via email from Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler. 

 How old do I have to be to audition?  

All performers must turn 8 prior to September 1st, 2024 to be eligible to audition. There is no upper age limit for auditioning! After you turn eight, any age is fine!

How many people will be cast and what ages?  

The show requires a cast of approximately 38-42 members ages 8-adult. A complete cast list is available below. PLEASE NOTE: Characters, genders, and ages may be adjusted depending upon who auditions.

Charlotte’s Web Cast of Characters 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION AGE
MUST LOOK
FERN A young girl 9-13
AVERY Fern’s older brother 10-14
MR. ARABLE Fern’s father Adult
HENRY FUSSY Avery’s friend 10-14
WILBUR A pig 9-18
HOMER ZUCKERMAN Fern’s uncle Adult
EDITH ZUCKERMAN Fern’s aunt Adult
LURVY A farmhand 15-18
TEMPLETON A rat 16-18
CHARLOTTE A spider Teen-Adult
GOOSE Farm animal 16-18
OLD SHEEP Farm animal 16-18
LAMB Farm animal 8-12
GOSLING #1/BABY SPIDER#1 Farm animal 8-12
GOSLING #2/BABY SPIDER#2 Farm animal 8-12
GOSLING#3/BABY SPIDER#3 Farm animal 8-12
MR. CARTER Newspaper Reporter Teen-Adult
PHOTOGRAPHER Newspaper Photographer Teen-Adult
JUDGE Judge at the fair Teen-Adult
UNCLE a Pig Teen-Adult
FAIR PRESIDENT President of the fair Teen-Adult

Do I need to prepare anything for auditions?

No. Please come dressed to move and prepared to sing and read from audition sides. Everyone will be provided with/taught the material that they will be auditioning with at the auditions. We will soon have a perusal script that you can check out if you’d like, or for access needs purposes, please reach out to Kate Tayler at rsm@lctonstage.org to be sent audition sides early. We cannot guarantee that you will be reading for any one role.

Can I be cast in BOTH Charlotte’s Web and Elf Jr.?
You are welcome to audition for both shows, but please make sure that you are considering how much of a commitment being in two overlapping shows will be. We cannot guarantee that you will be cast in both shows, but you are welcome to audition for both shows!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kate Tayler at rsm@lctonstage.org.

It doesn’t look like there are any characters my age/gender. Should I still audition?
Yes! The “Cast of Characters” listed in the section above is a suggestion, not a rule. A 17-year-old may be cast in an adult role if they look mature or in a 13-year-old role if they look younger. Everyone is considered for all roles, even if their age doesn’t match a character’s exactly.

 What role is perfect for me? 

If you want to know what role is perfect for you, we recommend reading the PERUSAL SCRIPT. But please keep in mind the role you think is perfect for you may not be the role the director chooses to challenge you with. 

What does a director look for at auditions?
The director evaluates:

VOCAL QUALITIES — pitch, placement, articulation, and projection (That means, are you loud enough? Can we understand your words? Do you use inflection?)
MOVEMENT SKILLS — Do you experiment with the stage directions in the script or stand like a stick?
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT — Do you embody the character with your voice and body?
SENSE OF FOCUS — Do you live in the world or are you too aware of the audience?
IMAGINATION and CREATIVITY — your unique interpretation of language or character
EXPRESSIVENESS — Is it in your words? your face? your body?
HONESTY — Are you reacting and speaking as your character would?

THEN we look at things like height, age, etc. to consider what role you might fit into and which of the other people that auditioned might match up with you. The same criterion is true for callbacks.

What do I do before auditions? 

Once your appointment has been arranged, complete the online form and READ the information sheet. Be sure your conflict calendar includes every possible rehearsal date you’re NOT available, have a parental commitment, etc.  

You do not need to prepare anything for these auditions. LCT’s audition model makes it great for first-time auditioners. Everyone is seeing the pieces of the script and are taught the songs and choreography in the audition for the very first time, so there’s much less intimidation of feeling less prepared than someone else—we’re all learning together! 

How can I better prepare or get a leg up for auditions? 

There are a few practical things you may wish to do before your audition. A copy of the script is available in the LCT box office for you to peruse, though you must remain in the building while you read it. Stop by during office hours to read the script and become familiar with the characters and the storyline.   

Read the source material. We highly recommend reading the book by E.B. White as the script closely
follows the book and it will provide insight to the characters and story. Copies of the book are available
for purchase in the LCT lobby.

You do not need to prepare a monologue, song, or other material for this audition. We will teach and
provide everything you need while you are with us.

The most important preparation you can do is to bring and employ your imagination, share your full vocal range loudly and expressively, be willing to try anything, and have fun! We want to get to know you and your personality. The best way to do that is to relax and enjoy the audition process. We know you might feel nervous and will do our best to provide clear, concise instructions, to make you as comfortable as possible so you can truly shine and share your artistry!

Should I audition even if it’s my first time and I may not get a part?
Absolutely! LCT is a great place to have your first audition. We do most activities in groups, not as soloists, so it is low pressure and a lot of fun.

You might not get a part the first time you audition for a play. Auditioning is a skill that takes time and practice before you really learn how to do it well. That means the sooner you get started the better. The more you do, the more comfortable you will be, and that will make you more confident. We strongly encourage you to come audition and just see what it’s like.

Special Arrangements 

If your auditionee has any special needs, please do not hesitate to ask. We can provide large print versions of audition materials, advance copies, and will work with you to create other resources as needed. Please alert the stage manager to your needs when you set up your audition.  

What do I wear to auditions?  

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move/crawl/jump without risk of embarrassment. If you are called back, it might be a good idea to wear the same clothing you wore on the day of your audition. Sandals, flip flops, and open toed shoes are strictly forbidden at LCT.  

What do I bring to auditions?  

• The auditioners! (Parents who are not auditioning are not required to stay for auditions, but are welcome to if they’d like!) 
• A leak-proof water bottle is not a bad idea. 
• Willingness to play and try new things. 

Do I need a resume or headshot? 

No. But if you’re serious about this business and have been in several productions or taken several classes you should create a resume. 

What will I do at auditions?  

When you arrive at the theatre go to the check-in desk. You will receive your name tag and head into the theatre. During the actual audition you’ll participate in warm-ups, improvisational games, and you will read from the script, sing a portion of a song, and do some choreography (dancing). You do not need to prepare any other material; we will teach you everything you need to know the day of. 

It’s best to think that you are auditioning at all times from the moment you walk in the door until you leave the building. We watch how you behave while waiting, while standing in line, while others are performing, and if you show up on time… all of these things tell us how you will behave during the rehearsal and performance process.  

When are callbacks? 
Wednesday, August 21st and/or Thursday, August 22nd. We’ll start no earlier than 6:00 PM and end no later than 10:00pm. The actual times and dates will be determined once we know the number of folks who will attend.

Do I attend callbacks?
You will receive an email with a list of those who should attend callbacks. If you do not receive an email from us you should email stage management (rsm@lctonstage.org) after 3:00pm Tuesday, August 20th.

What is a callback?
It’s a director’s second look at you and your skills. Especially with the number of people that we will see at these auditions, it is often important to bring some people back for a “second look”.  It might be an opportunity for a director to see certain actors read a scene together or to see you read for a specific character.

I didn’t get called back, does that mean I’m not cast in the show?
Not necessarily. Just because you are not called back does not necessarily mean you were not cast. You may have been perfect for the role the director is using you for and consequently does not need a second look at you. Or if the director knows your skills very well (perhaps you were in a show with them previously) they may have chosen to see only people with whom they were less familiar at the call back.

The callback announcement will let you know if we are calling back everyone we are considering or not.

If I am cast, what is a rehearsal schedule like?
We use your conflicts and other commitments to create a schedule that works for everyone.  We may rehearse in the evenings, but we could also rehearse during the days if it works best for the group. When we announce the cast, we will also let you know the date and time of the first rehearsal, when you might need to come in to have measurements taken, and what you might need to bring or provide.

What if I have conflicts with the rehearsal schedule?
We do our best to honor and work around the schedules and commitments of those cast in our shows. We provide a “conflict calendar” with your audition packet which is how you communicate those conflicts to us. We try to create a rehearsal schedule that works around these conflicts and understand when you cannot be present.

Directors do their best to honor scheduling conflicts IF THEY ARE PROVIDED in advance. It is very difficult to adjust for conflicts after the rehearsal schedule is set.

Please be honest and forthcoming. We promise that if your student is the right person for the part that we will work around their conflicts; so please do your best to notate them accurately.

What if we don’t know all our conflicts yet?
Please be as thorough as possible even with info you’re not sure about. If you know you will play on a team but don’t have the schedule yet, let us know and give us your best guesses about number of practices per week. If you know there is a tournament weekend, but you don’t know if they will “make it” to the tournament, let us know about it anyway.

Work with your teachers, coaches, and leaders NOW to learn about conflicts so we don’t have to have unpleasant surprises later.

Will it affect my chances of being cast if I have too many conflicts?
It might. Unless you must miss multiple weeks of a rehearsal process, we really do work around conflicts. Usually the directors pick actors for roles and THEN look at the conflict calendars. We promise that if you are right for the part we will work around a few activities. Don’t be afraid to list conflicts, honesty is best.

Can I audition for this production and also be in other LCT shows and activities?
Most LCT programs are scheduled for you to participate in them at the same time. The audition form has a page which will indicate if the current show conflicts with any other LCT programs or shows.

A Note About Over-committing
People want to do it all these days; we ask you to consider your capacity to do it all without spreading yourself too thin. A play is fun but it takes a lot of time and work – physically and emotionally. We want you to have enough time to be successful, and most importantly, have fun! If you must miss tons of rehearsals, that might not set you up for success and enjoyment.  There will always be another play to audition for when your schedule is less busy.

When will you announce the cast? 

The target announcement date and time is 6pm, August 23rd.

How do I know if I am cast? 

We will send an email to all those who auditioned to announce the cast. If you did not receive the email around that time, please reach out to rsm@lctonstage.org 

If I am cast how do I know when to rehearse?  

When we announce the cast, we will also let you know the date and time of the first rehearsal, when you might need to come in to have measurements taken, and what you will need to bring to the first rehearsal. A full rehearsal schedule is often presented on the first day. 

Does it cost money to be in a show at LCT?
It is our goal to be as accessible as possible for all members of our community. There is no “tuition” to participate in an LCT show, but we do ask you to provide some items (make up, undergarments, shoes, see below). LCT offers participants the option to purchase show shirts and digital downloads of the show, but it is not mandatory.

Because we do not charge a fee to participate, we do invite families to support LCT in other ways. Contributing to our annual fund through the Adopt a Character program and volunteering are just a few.

How are parents/guardians involved?
It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure their child arrives and departs in a timely fashion from all scheduled activities.

We ask parents to volunteer a minimum of six hours. These volunteers may help with cast crowd control, front door duty, make-up application, or ushering for performances – to name just a few.

Why wasn’t I cast in this production?
The worst part about the work we do is that budgets only allow us to cast a certain number of people. We cannot provide individual critiques for all 60-120 people who audition for any given show, and we understand that it’s tough not to know why you weren’t chosen.

In most cases, choosing people for a show is about picking folks whose skill level and “look” match up. If two characters are meant to be the same age, but one actor is 4’10” and the other is 6’3″ they might not be believable to the audience. You might have a class clown personality that isn’t quite right for a show about Anne Frank, or a more subdued personality that isn’t ready to be in a show about circus performers. Maybe you have ballet training but the dance style of the show is more modern and hip hop. Many factors go into deciding who is a good fit for which role.

Sometimes we choose to give opportunities to those who haven’t had as many recently. For example, if two people are equally suited for a role, but one of them just had a lead part in the previous show, we will likely choose the other person to provide them with an opportunity.

For those auditionees who are still very young, ages 9-12, sometimes they haven’t developed their skills enough to compare with a 13-15 year old who may be in consideration for the same part. Lots of shows simply don’t require cast members of certain ages. For example, High School Musical is a show mainly about teenagers; there are very few roles for 9 to 12-year-olds, though we allow everyone to audition.

If you’re wondering why your student wasn’t chosen, maybe it would be a good idea for a parent to stick around for the next audition. You can’t coach in the room, but you might get a sense of the skills that your student still needs to develop. Were they much quieter than the others? Did they stand stiffly while the others moved around? Were they so distracted by reading the words that they weren’t able to be expressive? All of these are things you can practice at home and in theatre classes! Please check out the section above for ways you can prepare for an audition. Those will give your student a leg up before the next opportunity as well!

We know that it is very difficult to guide your student through rejection. Auditioning is a very challenging and brave endeavor, and your child deserves to know that! We are so proud of everyone who comes into the room to play, express themselves, and be vulnerable as actors. It might take a few, or many, tries before they are ready for a show, and the right fit for a character. But we encourage you to keep at it!

Our education department offers many opportunities that don’t require auditions. We encourage you to sign up for Theatre School Classes or check our Companies program. Both offer the camaraderie and skill building that a performance provides.

As part of our mission to train the next generation of theatre technicians, LCT offers the following technical positions on all Discovery productions whether in our home facility or across the street in the Opera House.

Students must have turned 14 PRIOR to the tech dates for the production. To apply, contact Kate Tayler, Stage Manager, at rsm@lctonstage.org. Please send your name, contact info, and the position for which you’re applying, and we’ll arrange an interview with the appropriate department head.

Available Positions for Charlotte’s Web

Here are a few of the positions you may apply for:
Assistant Director
Student Stage Manager
Student Assistant Stage Manager
Student Sound Designer
Student Costume Designer
Student Scenery Designer

Assistant Director (1 person): The Assistant Director will work with Director, Jeremy Kisling, to help guide the vision of the whole production. The Student Director may learn more about casting, blocking, leading warmups, and leading the team. The Assistant Director should plan to be at auditions, every rehearsal, and tech.

Student Stage Manager (1 person): The Student Stage Manager will work with Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler, to serve as the stage manager for the production. The Student Stage Manager will learn more about stage management through taking notes for a daily rehearsal or performance report, notating blocking and cues, creating a prompt book, keeping things running smoothly and on time, calling all shows, and serving as a leader and mentor for Assistant Stage Manager(s). The Student Stage Manager should plan to be at auditions (if available), all rehearsals, all tech rehearsals, and EVERY show.

Assistant Stage Manager (1-2 people): Assistant Stage Manager(s) (ASM) will work with the Student Stage Manager and Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler, to assist in the stage management process. The ASM(s) may notate blocking, stand in for absent cast members, organize paperwork, or other tasks as needed. During shows, ASMs will serve as backstage run crew for the show making sure that all scenery and props are preset and that all scene shifts are completed. The ASMs are welcome at all design meetings, and should plan to be at most rehearsals, every tech rehearsal, and EVERY show.

Scenic Design (1-3 people): The Scenic Design Team will work with Technical Director, Gabriel Slusser, to create a design for all scenery, paint, props, and furtniture that have not already been adapted from the previous design. The Scenic Design Team should plan to be at all design meetings, Designer Run, a few rehearsals as needed, and all of tech.

Costume Design (1-3 people): The Costume Design Team will work with Costume Shop Director, Marie Henderson, to create a design for all costumes for every character in the show that have not already been adapted from the previous design. This heavily includes looking at costume stock to see how it can become the costumes. This may include attending fittings to see how the costumes are coming together. The Costume Design Team should plan to be at all design meetings, select fittings, Designer Run, a few rehearsals as needed, and all of tech.

Sound Design (1-3 people): The Sound Design Team will work with Producing Artistic Director, Jeremy Kisling, to select and create a soundscape for the show. The Sound Design Team may also work with Resident Stage Manager, Kate Tayler, to program the sound in QLab. The Sound Design Team should plan to be at all design meetings, Designer Run, a few rehearsals as needed, and all of tech.

How else can I get involved with this show if I’m not cast or not interested in being on stage?
On your audition form there is a section to indicate your desire to work backstage on this production. Fill out your interest areas and a stage manager will be in touch. If you don’t want to audition, please contact stage management at rsm@lctonstage.org to indicate your interest.

If you would like to apply for a technical position for Charlotte’s Web, please fill out this Jotform.

When ARE the next auditions? What shows are they for? 

Keep an eye on our website for more information on Elf Jr. our holiday Opera House show this year! More information on Elf Jr. will be out soon and auditions will be held mid-September.