What is Holiday Spectacular?

Holiday Spectacular features two original one-act holiday stories performed together as one production:

Alice’s Wonderland Christmas
By Sarah Mertyris
Ages 6-17

Your favorite zany Wonderland friends are back, and they need Alice’s help to find the perfect Christmas present for the Queen. If they don’t, it may be off with everyone’s head!

The Santa Switch
By Robert Thatcher
Ages 10-Adult

When George Hetherington the Third sets out to prove there’s nothing to this Santa business, he ends up on a madcap adventure across New York City and discovers the true meaning of giving along the way.

Holiday Spectacular performances are December 11-13.

When are auditions?

Alice’s Wonderland Christmas
Monday, October 19

The Santa Switch
Tuesday, October 20

Performers interested in being considered for both stories may audition for both and must sign up for an audition time for each story. Actors will be considered for the story for which they audition only. 

How do I sign up to audition?

1. Sign up for an audition time using the Audition Sign-Up Form.
2. Complete the Audition Form so our casting team has the information they need before your audition.
3. A few days before your scheduled audition, we will email you the audition materials.

There is no need to memorize the audition materials, and you do not need to prepare your own monologue. Auditioners will read from the materials we provide.

For emerging readers, we know that reading unfamiliar material during an audition can be challenging. If they are more comfortable doing so, they may choose to memorize a short monologue provided by us instead of reading at the audition.

Where are auditions?

Auditions will be held at:

Village Stage Productions
9624 Melrose Ave.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

When you arrive, enter the courtyard, come to the purple doors, and ring the bell.

Will there be callbacks?

Yes. Callbacks, if needed, will take place the same week as auditions. The specific date and time will be determined by the casting team.

Performers who are needed for callbacks will be contacted after their initial audition.

What is the rehearsal schedule?

Alice’s Wonderland Christmas

• Ages 6-17
• Mondays and Wednesdays
• 6:30-8:00 PM

The Santa Switch

• Ages 10-Adult
• Tuesdays and Thursdays
• 6:30-8:30 PM
• Adult leads with youth supporting roles

Not every performer will necessarily be called for every rehearsal. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be provided after casting.

Are there mandatory rehearsals?

Yes. Mandatory rehearsals begin November 18. Beginning on that date, cast members are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals for which they are called.

There will be no rehearsals during Thanksgiving week.

Before November 18, we can work around reasonable conflicts when we know about them in advance. Please list all known conflicts on your audition form.

Can I be in both stories?

Yes! Performers may indicate that they would like to be considered for both Alice’s Wonderland Christmas and The Santa Switch.

Our first priority, however, will be making sure everyone has an opportunity to participate. We may limit performers to one story before casting someone in both.

What if I want to participate but don’t want a speaking role?

We have a limited number of non-speaking roles in The Santa Switch available for ages 6 and up.

These roles are a great option for performers who:

• Are new to the stage and want to give theater a try
• Aren’t ready for a speaking role or audition
• Want to be part of the production with less of a time commitment
• Love performing but would prefer a smaller role

No audition is required. Simply complete the separate Non-Speaking Role Sign-Up Form.

Non-speaking roles will have a reduced rehearsal schedule and will not be called to as many rehearsals as speaking roles.

Space is limited, and these roles will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who is on the casting team?

The casting team is made up of the directors and authors of each story, along with members of the technical team.

Village is a family, and many of our performers, volunteers, and creative team members have close relationships with one another. To keep the casting process fair, any member of the casting team with a close personal or family connection to someone auditioning will not participate in casting that performer.

Casting decisions are made collaboratively by the remaining members of the team.

How are roles cast?

We know auditioning takes courage, and we appreciate every actor who gives it a try! Sometimes you get the role you were hoping for, and sometimes you don’t.

Many factors go into casting, including the needs of the story, age, availability, chemistry between actors, and what we see during auditions and callbacks. Our goal is to place each actor in a role where we believe they can be successful.

Because these are two shorter one-act stories, roles will vary in the number of lines and amount of stage time. The size of a role is not a measure of an actor’s talent or potential. We ask everyone to come ready to have fun, be part of the production, and make the most of whatever role they receive.

Is there a participation fee?

Yes. There is a $25 participation fee per performer.

Village Stage Productions works to keep participation costs as low as possible so that theater remains accessible to our community.

Are there any other costs?

Village Stage Productions will provide the primary costume pieces needed for the production.

Cast members may be asked to provide basic personal items such as:

• Shoes
• Socks
• Tights
• Undergarments or base layers
• Other basic personal costume items as needed

Specific costume information will be provided after casting.

Is there a volunteer requirement?

Yes. Each participating family is asked to complete two volunteer hours during the production.

Volunteer opportunities may include helping with costumes, sets, props, front of house, concessions, performances, or other production needs. We’ll provide opportunities throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

When are performances?

Holiday Spectacular performances are December 11-13.

Alice’s Wonderland Christmas and The Santa Switch will be presented together as one Holiday Spectacular production.