Please sign up for an audition time and fill out audition form and send to jensen@birderstudio.org prior to audition date.

Birder Players will be holding auditions for young & Adult actors for the

2025 Season summer production of

annie

America's Most Beloved Musical Hits Broadway at Dudley Birder Theatre, De Pere.

Leapin' lizards America's most beloved musical ANNIE hits the stage at the Dudley Birder Theatre in downtown De Pere, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about grit, determination, and never giving up hope. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including It’s a Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, Never Fully Dressed without a Smile, and the ever-optimistic Tomorrow, Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family!

Seeking a cast of 15-20 adult actors and 10 young actors to play all principal, supporting and ensemble roles for our upcoming Summer production at Dudley Birder Theatre. Most characters must sing, move well and act. See character descriptions here below.

This production is open to actors ages 9 to 100.

Location: Dudley Birder Theatre, 123 S. Broadway, De Pere, WI. 54115

Directed by: Alicia Birder

Performance Dates: June 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

NOTE:  All roles open

Prepare 16-32 bars from a musical (no longer than one minute) via smartphone or another digital device (that connects to a standard mini headphone jack or bluetooth) as accompaniment in the appropriate key. Please, no background vocals and no a cappella singing. We WILL NOT have a piano accompanist. Sing any song of your choice that best represents your talent and vocal range (a song from the show is fine).

Complete the audition form and submit it before the audition. List of your conflicts clearly.

NEW:  Audition forms & rehearsal schedule will be available DIGITALLY. Please click the link at the top of the page marked “AUDITION FORM”

CALLBACKS

Callbacks are a second audition process where a director will consider you for a particular role in the show.  If you do not receive a callback, it does not mean you were not cast in the show. You will be contacted by email if you are called back. You will also receive an email if you are cast as well as regrets. 

Youth Audition requirements:

• Those auditioning must be 9-19 years old on audition date.

• Those auditioning may not be taller than 5 feet 6 inches.

• Each auditioner must prepare and sing 32 bars of a song that showcases range and strength.

• A recorded accompaniment on a device must be brought to the audition.

• An A Capella audition will not be accepted.

• All will participate in a group dance audition. Appropriate clothing should be worn for dancing including dance shoes or socks please.

• Each auditioner must recite a 30 second - 1 minute memorized monologue, speech or nursery rhyme.

• Registering for an audition time must be completed by Feb 13th.

• The audition form must be completed and submitted by Feb 13th via email.

• To perform in this production actors may not have conflicts. This production must be the actor’s priority commitment. There will be no exceptions.

• Call backs may be held and those called will be contacted individually for a scheduled time.

• A parental signature on the audition consent form, with the conflict sheet completed, is required for an actor to be considered.

• Some of the orphan actors may also be cast in the adult ensemble. This will be determined by actor availability and casting needs. Please be specific in listing any conflicts.

• The actor playing the role of ANNIE must be available for all rehearsals. No acceptions.

• Casting notifications and regret emails will be sent out no later than March 10.

• We understand family and school commitments may interfere with the planned rehearsal schedule. Uncontrollable conflicts or circumstances will be considered when casting.

Book by

Thomas Meehan

Music by

Charles Stouse

Lyrics by

Martin Charnin

Synopsis

Based on Little Orphan Annie, the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide sensation. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the beloved show features a wonderful score written by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, including the Broadway smash hit, “Tomorrow”.

With a perfect combination of street-smarts and optimism, Annie warms the hearts of the audience as we witness her rise from next to nothing in New York City. She is determined to find her parents, who left her at the orphanage years ago. Though things don’t quite work out the way she has planned, she does manage to thwart the plans of the evil Miss Hannigan and find a new family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and her lovable pooch, Sandy.

Annie Character Breakdown

Annie

A streetwise orphan; she is eventually taken in by Oliver Warbucks. Spunky, friendly, bigvoiced.

Gender: female

Age: 10 to 12

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Oliver Warbucks

A successful businessman with a warm heart. Rich, stiff-collared, bullish.

Gender: male

Age: 40 to 55

Vocal range top: Gb5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Grace Farrell

Faithful secretary to Mr. Oliver Warbucks. Poised, sweet, gentle.

Gender: female

Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: G5 | Soprano

Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Orphans

The other girls in the orphanage with Annie. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially loveable.

Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July, Duffy

Gender: female | All Mezzo-soprano

One or all roles may be double cast.

Age: 6 to 13 (Casting 9 -19 years/ appear and play younger)

Miss Aggie Hannigan

The orphanage matron who hates children but is fond of liquor. Very disillusioned, bitter, and cold.

Gender: female

Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Rooster Hannigan

Miss Hannigan's no-good brother looking for a quick buck. A sleazy, slick con man.

Gender: male | Tenor

Age: 25 to 45

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Lily St. Regis

Rooster's girlfriend, who is also out for a quick buck. She is considered to be a floozy and bimbo.

Gender: female

Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Bert Healy

The ultimate radio personality. He helps Annie by broadcasting about the search for her birth parents.

Gender: male

Age: 30 to 45

Vocal range top: G5 | Tenor

Vocal range bottom: E4

Frankllin D Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States. A Democrat and friend of Warbucks.

Gender: male | Baritone

Age: 40 to 60

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: Eb3

Ensemble

Servants

The servants at the Warbucks mansion. (Drake, Mrs. Greer, Mrs. Pugh, Cecille, Annette

Gender: any

Age: 20 to 60

Boylan Sisters | Cabinet Members | Hooverville Citizens

Gender: any

Fred McCracken | Male | Featured | Spoken

Boylan Sisters | Female | Featured | Soprano

Harold Ickes | Male | Featured | Baritone

Louis Howe | Male | Featured | Baritone

Cordell Hull | Male | Featured | Baritone

Frances Perkins | Female | Featured | Mezzo-Soprano

Justice Louis Brandeis | Male | Featured | Spoken

Henry Morganthau | Male | Featured | Baritone

Sophie, the Kettle | Female | Featured | Alto

A Star to Be | Female | Featured | Mezzo-Soprano

Mrs. Greer | Female | Featured | Spoken

Mrs. Push | Female | Featured | Spoken

Cecile | Female | Featured | Spoken

Drake | Male | Featured | Baritone

Bundles Mc Closkey | Male | Ensemble | Spoken

Lt. Ward | Male | Ensemble | Spoken

PERFORMANCES: 

Annie

Sponsored by Mari & David Casper

JUNE 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27                        7:00pm

JUNE 21, 22, 28 4:00pm

JUNE 29 2:00pm

You must register in advance to audition. (See above)