CASTING CALL
​CENTENARY STAGE COMPANY ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR 2025-26 Holiday Spectacular production of THE WIZARD OF OZ
by L. Frank Baum With Music & Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart
​
Those auditioning on Saturday may also be asked to stay for a dance portion of the audition at 4pm so all should be prepared to dance. If necessary, you may also be asked to read from sides which will be made available at the audition. Performances will run November 28 through December 14.
​
Directing and choreographing The Wizard of Oz is Michael Restaino, a multi-hyphenated creative with a diverse background in working on theatrical experiences world-wide. Previous Centenary Stage Company works include A Christmas Carol (Director/Choreographer,) Grease (Director/Choreographer,) Rock of Ages (Director/Choreographer), The Little Mermaid (co-Director/Choreographer.) As an advocate for the arts, Michael actively works to mentor emerging talent by being dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming theatrical environment, prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and respect within the industry.
​
Hackettstown, NJ — The Centenary Stage Company (CSC), a not-for-profit professional theater in residence at Centenary University, is pleased to announce auditions for its 2025-26 Holiday Spectacular production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Auditions will take place on
Friday, Sept. 26th and Saturday, Sept. 27th
on the campus of Centenary University, Hackettstown NJ in the Carol and David Lackland Center.
​
Friday, September 26th
6:00pm-10:00pm - AUDITIONS
Saturday, September 27th
10:00am-11:00am - KIDS AUDITIONS
11:30am-3:00pm - AUDITIONS
4:00pm | DANCE CALL
​
Sunday, September 28th
CALLBACKS (TBD)
​​
Preparation
Candidates should prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a traditional or classic musical theater song that highlights their personality and vocal strengths. Callbacks will be held by invitation only. If you are primarily a dancer and wish to attend only the dance call, please indicate that clearly in your submission.
Age limit for children auditioning: 8-12 years old for munchkins.
​
First Rehearsal
October 12th from 10:00am-4:00pm. All must be in attendance.
​
​
When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West to earn his help.
PERFORMERS OF ALL ETHNICITIES, GENDER IDENTITIES, AND AGES, AS WELL AS PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT MATERIALS.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN - (CAST OF 18)
DOROTHY GALE Female, 16-18 (Vocal Range: G3-C5 (opt. E5) A sweet, innocent young lady with a streak of boldness, outspoken and headstrong, who dearly loves her family, friends and dog, Toto; Lives on a farm in Kansas with her Aunt Em & Uncle Henry, but dreams of escaping to a far-off place where she will not get into any trouble.
AUNT EM/GLINDA Female, 40-50 (Vocal Range: G3-C5) Aunt Em is a typical, hard-working farmer’s wife who is firm & no-nonsense but also warm and caring. Glinda, The Good Witch of the North who is the mother figure for Munchkins and Dorothy whom she guides through Oz; Delicate and graceful.
UNCLE HENRY/EMERALD CITY GUARD Male, 40-50 (Vocal Range: Bb2-Eb4) Uncle Henry is an adoring uncle to Dorothy. The Emerald City Guard is the first comical character Dorothy meets in Emerald City.
PROFESSOR CHESTER MARVEL/THE WIZARD OF OZ Male, 40-50 (Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone) Traveling salesman who lives by telling fortunes; a con-man but with a good heart.
HUNK, A FARMHAND/THE SCARECROW Male, 20-40s (Vocal Range: Bb2-F#4 (opt. Ab4)) Clumsy farmhand on the family’s Kansas farm; Both characters talk about being smart and having a brain.
HICKORY, A FARMHAND/THE TINMAN Male, 20-40s (Vocal Range: Bb2-G4) Kind, sweet and nurturing farmhand; The Tin man has no heart but is very caring.
ZEKE, A FARMHAND/THE COWARDLY LION Male, 20s - 40s (Vocal Range: Bb2-F4) Farmhand who lacks courage; Acts tough, but his fearful self comes out in any scary situation.
MISS GULCH/THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST Female, 30s - 50s (Vocal Range: Alto/Soprano) Well-off, cold-hearted neighbor who hates Toto. The wicked Witch of the West is the manifestation of Dorothy’s outlook on Miss Gulch.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE (5) Female, 20s -30s (Vocal Range: Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Mezzo Soprano, Alto 1, Alto 2) Trees, Munchkins, Ozians, Flying Monkeys. Ensemble should be great dancers. Dorothy, Aunt Em/Glinda, Miss Gultch/The wicked witch understudies will be in the Female Ensemble.
MALE ENSEMBLE (5) Male, 40-50 (Vocal Range: Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, Baritone 2/Bass, Bass) Trees, Munchkins, Ozians, Flying Monkeys. Ensemble should be great dancers. Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard, Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz, Hunk/ The Scarecrow, Hickory/the Tinman, and Zeke/The Cowardly Lion understudies will be in the Male Ensemble.
Important People/People in the room: Director/Choreographer: Michael Restaino, Musical Director: John Bowen, Producer: Carl Wallnau
​
​
​To reserve an audition slot: Please call the CSC box office at 908-979-0900. Walk-ins will be seen as time permits. CSC will not be accepting video/reel submissions for this production.
The Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional theater dedicated to presenting high-quality performing arts . Located on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ, CSC provides artistic opportunities for emerging and established talent while serving as a cultural resource for the region. The Centenary Stage Company is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization. We encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, religions, orientations, and creeds to apply, audition, and volunteer.
For more information, call 908-979-0900
​
SIDES AVAILABLE SOON
