Updated May 4th, 2024

White Christmas Casting Call

Wavestage Theatre is delighted to announce its 27th season production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS

White Christmas is based on the beloved, timeless film. This heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the beloved title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical full of joy and goodwill.

Directed by Sarah Langford
Music Direction by Brad Barnham
Choreography by Aniko Murphy
Tap Choreography by Penelope Artemis
Assistant Directed by Michelle Righetti
Stage Managed by Elizabeth Furlano
White Christmas is presented through special arrangements with Concord Theatricals

Wavestage is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. All roles are non-equity, and non-paying.

SHOW WEEK: November 24 to December 1, 2024
NewRoads Performing Arts Centre

TORONTO REHEARSALS BEGIN: August 21, 2024
Full rehearsal information and times are located below. Please note all dates for eligibility.

REHEARSAL TIMELINE: All rehearsals are mandatory. They will be divided by scene and actors not called will be released.

REHEARSAL DATES:
Wednesdays: August 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20
Sundays: September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17

TECH & PERFORMANCE WEEK: November 24 - December 1, 2024.
Performers without vehicles will be assigned carpools.

November 24 Sunday afternoon and Evening
Monday November 25 12 hours
Tuesday November 26 12 hours
Wednesday Nov 27 4-11pm
Thursday November 28 opening night 5pm call
Friday November 29 5pm call
Saturday Nov 30 - two show day 11 am call
Sunday December 1 11 am call for matinee

Ongoing application for male singing and dance ensemble and for acting secondary roles

In person dance calls to take place May 1st if selected by callback (for dancing roles).

Please make a self-tape with one song that best reflects your talents, preferably in a style suitable for this production. Songs should be cut and under 2 minutes. Please state your name at the beginning of your video. Upload video to YouTube as an UNLISTED, not private, video (please check visibility permissions to confirm).
Create a Google drive or Dropbox folder with your headshot (as .jpg), resume and dance reel if you have one. Set your folder permissions to “anyone with link can view”.
Fill out the audition form below and include the url link to your materials.

Role Descriptions

The Ensemble

The ensemble will be the heart and soul of our production. Seeking an energetic ensemble of singers and dancers that will play a variety of roles including announcers, Jimmys Backroom Clubgoers, train passengers/inn guests, performers in the Wallace & Davis company who choose to spend the holidays performing at the Columbia Inn in Vermont and patrons of the Regency Room. There are both opportunities for non-dancing singers as well as singer/dancers.

For dance ensemble, applicants should have a strong background in jazz and tap. Ballroom and partnering a plus. If you don’t sing and wish to submit for dancer-only, please submit a dance reel and fill out the application

For singing ensemble, we are seeking actor singers who can sing in harmony and have strong movement abilities. There will be a movement audition call in call backs fo these positions.

Ralph Sheldrake

(playing age 30-50). Jokester Army buddy of Bob and Phil’s, now a major television executive. Fast talking, loud, brash New York professional with a good head on his shoulders.

Bob Wallace

(playing age 28-45). Easygoing, charming, decent principled man. A major singing star in post-World War II America. He wears his fame easily, but is seeking something more important: a decent, fulfilling life and true love., Bob is the guiding force behind the song and dance team of Wallace and Davis. Despite occasional gruffness, he is a deeply kind and principled man who is searching for true love. Excellent singer who moves very well. Some tap and jazz. Baritone.

Phil Davis

(playing age 28-45) The fun-loving song-and-dance partner of the team Wallace and Davis. An irrepressible clown, incorrigible skirt-chase, operator, and incorrigible ladies’ man who is determined to see his friend happy, even if it requires scheming and outright deception. He saved Bob’s life during the war and became his partner and engine behind their fabulous success. Strong ballroom, jazz and tap-dancing needed. Strong singer major song-and-dance comic performer. Baritone-tenor.

Betty Haynes

(playing age late 20s to 30s) Sensible, responsible half of the Haynes sisters act. She has a beautiful, rich singing voice that matches her decent, upstanding principles. Classic elegance. Destined to be a star, but hesitant to take the spotlight. Devoted to her sister. Hides a yearning for true love under a protective shell. Female singer of quiet beauty and charm with a rich chest mix and soprano extension. Must move well.

Judy Haynes

(playing age age mid 20s to 30’s) Younger, more ambitious and slightly scheming other sister. Wholesome and adorable, sexy and flirty. Very strong jazz, ballroom and tap dancer. Strong singer with a chest mix.

General Henry Waverly

(playing age mid 60’s) Retired Army general with a curmudgeonly military exterior, adjusting to retired life in post WW II America. Precise and orderly, struggling to run the Inn in Vermont. A man of integrity. Underneath a warm compassionate man in need of family and love.

Martha Watson

(playing age 50-60’s) Once a Broadway star, now the General’s housekeeper. The true force behind running the Inn. Very dry wit and frank with a wisecracking sense of humor. Big hearted, but unsentimental. Irrepressible meddler, believing she acts on everyone’s best behalf. Strong singer and mover, Broadway belter.

Susan Waverly

(playing age 8-13) The General’s granddaughter. Lovable and outgoing. A bit precocious, but wise beyond her years. Gets bitten by the stage bug and is great at it. Excellent belt voice, must move very well.

Rita and Rhoda

(playing ages 20’s to early 30’s) – Bob and Phil’s two star chorus showsingers. Brash, sexy and fun. Perhaps not the brightest.

Club Singing Quintet

5 voices of strong back up singers during THE BEST THINGS HAPPEN WHILE YOU’RE DANCING.

Ed Sullivan TV Announcer

Offstage announcer to sound like Ed Sullivan Announcer.

Ezekial Foster

(playing age 40’s to 60’s) Practical, the ultimate laid back New Englander. A man of few words. Caretaker at the Inn. Takes life at a very very leisurely pace.

Mike

(playing age mid 30’s-50s) Bob and Phil’s Stage Manager. Can be overly dramatic and often hysterical, but gets the job done. Works to attempt a sense of control and order for the company.

Cigarette Girl

(playing age 20-30). dialogue at Jimmy’s

Jimmy

(playing age 30s-60s) The proprietor of “Jimmy’s Back Room,” a none-too-classy nightclub.

Soloists on the Train in “Snow”

Must be able to sing in five part harmony.

Snoring Man - baritone
Mrs. Snoring Man - mezzo
Grumpy Lady - soprano
Train Conductor - speaking role

Tessie

(Playing age 30’s) Bob and Phil’s secretary.

The Company of Bob Wallace Show

Dance Captain dialogue
Seamstress dialogue
Asst Seamstress dialogue
Sheldrake Secratary ( Offsgage voie)
Scooter the pianist of the Company

Regency Room announcer

dialogue

151st Division

All ages 20+. Singing ensemble of male soldiers and officers in World War II, coming back to surprise and celebrate General Waverly at the inn.

Apply Here

Please be reminded to double-check all dates listed above. Ongoing applications are being accepted for male secondary roles, singing and dance ensemble.
Virtual dance callbacks and dance reels accepted

Applicant Name

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Pronouns

Phone

(###)

###

####

What is your city of residence?

Height

Describe your performance background in detail.

Can you read music? What is your voice type? Please indicate who you study with and for how long.

Any injuries or accessibility concerns?

Are you applying for specific roles? If so, which?

If we are unable to offer you these roles, are you interested in accepting alternate roles or ensemble?

Link to Audition Video

http://

Dropbox or Google Drive link to headshot, resume and dance reel if available.

Please check the permissions of your file folder and ensure they are public.

http://

How did you hear about Wavestage?

Through social media.

I've seen a Wavestage production.

Through friends.

We've worked together before.

DETAILS/SCHEDULE: Taking part in a Wavestage production is not a light commitment as we produce productions with professional expectations both behind the scenes and on stage in a concentrated rehearsal timeline. It is imperative to the success of this production that everyone involved is able to give it their full attention and time. Please take a moment to read the rehearsal/performance schedule in full to assess whether or not you are able to make this commitment. All rehearsals are mandatory.

Should you have any conflicts to the schedule, please indicate them here:

ELIGIBILITY: Wavestage is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. There will be roles for dancers and nondancers. All roles are non-union, non-paying. Please see the description of roles as some roles require more singing and dance than others. We seek a variety of dance and movement experience. There will be a $125 costume rental/alteration fee.

I confirm that I have read and agree to these terms.

By writing your name below, you confirm that you have read all of this information in full and confirm that all of the information you have provided in this form is accurate, that you are aware of the commitment required and that you are available for all the dates you did not indicate as a conflict.

Ethno-Cultural Mandate:

Wavestage encourages submissions from all qualified performers, and prides itself on having an environment of equity, inclusion, and diversity. Artists from under-represented communities are encouraged to apply for auditions without regard to age, disability, ethno-cultural identity, gender or any other basis prohibited by law. All artists are invited to remove measurements and physical features from the resume.

Applying artists should be aware that Wavestage also does not tolerate any form of harassment of its employees, clients, volunteers, or any persons visiting or spending time on its premises.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Taking part in a Wavestage production is not a light commitment. Please take the time to fully assess whether or not you are able to make that commitment before you audition. It is imperative to the success of this production that everyone involved is able to give it their full attention and time. That said, if you do audition and are cast, the artistic team promises that your time will not be wasted. We will do the utmost to make sure we maximize rehearsals and that the rehearsal process and the performances will be artistically challenging and enjoyable.

Please also familiarize yourself with the calibre of our productions by visiting our YouTube channel.