The Secret Garden, musical
by Georgetown Palace Theatre
Oct. 27 - Oct. 28
Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden’s compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal.
This enchanting classic of children’s literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of Night Mother.
Director: Ron Watson
Music Director: Neal Gibson
Choreographer: Amy Rebecca King
Asst. Director: Daniel Ponce
Initial Auditions for The Georgetown Palace’s production of The Secret Garden will take place from Sunday, October 27 and Monday, October 28 with callbacks on Tuesday, October 29 on the Springer Stage.
The production is scheduled to open on Friday, January 31, 2025 and close on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on Monday, December 2.
- This show’s ASL performance is scheduled for February 8, 2025.
- This show has an adaptive performance on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
We are looking for talented and diverse performers of all ethnicities for all roles. We are looking for up to 24 actors. In addition to the named roles, we are looking to cast at least 2 understudies. At this time in the process, we are unsure if our designated understudies would be guaranteed performances. Any guaranteed performances would be noted in an offer letter.
The Georgetown Palace desires to be as inclusive as possible and we enthusiastically encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and nonbinary actors to submit to audition for any roles listed. We also seek all races,ethnicities and abilities. Our character descriptions on the following pages are gender binary and are written with he/him or she/her. While they are limited in their writing, we hope that anyone who identifies with any of the roles, will come out and audition.
The Auditions:
Initial auditions will take place on the Springer Stage on October 27, 2024 from 6:30-10 pm and on October 28 from 6:30-10:00p.
Please note that at any time, these auditions could be video recorded for casting purposes only.
Participants will be singing and dancing in one visit. Please plan to be at the Palace for about 90 minutes once your audition time begins.
We will see 15 performers per 90 mins. The first part of the audition will be your song for the production team. The second part of your time slot will be learning the dance combination.
Performers will be able to sign up for Sunday evening or Monday evening, October 27 and 28 respectively.
Depending on where you fall in the order, you may not have much time to change between singing and dancing, so please come in your dance audition outfit so that we can get you in and out on time. Please dress in clothing that you can dance and move freely in. Please refrain from wearing jeans or restricting clothing for your dance audition. If auditioning for a female presenting role, we ask that you wear/bring character shoes and/or jazz shoes for the dance portion, we prefer a shorter heel if able. If auditioning for a male presenting role, please wear/bring jazz, swing or ballroom shoes for the dance portion. If you do not have the requested shoes, sneakers will be acceptable but not preferred.
Due to this format, it is imperative that you show up 15 mins before your audition time. Example: Your audition time is 6:45 pm, please show up by 6:30 pm to get signed in.
We are hoping this new format will make auditioning easier and less driving for the performers. Having 2 days available will also help mitigate the need for any video submissions.
The initial vocal audition will consist of selected vocal sides from the show. Please choose a side from below to perform for your initial audition. Those who are auditioning for roles not listed below may choose either the “Dreamers/Manor Staff” side or any of the other listed sides.
If you wish to be considered for more than one of the principal or featured roles, you may also prepare one additional side. But please understand that time constraints may prevent us from hearing you sing both of your selected sides.
A PDF of the sheet music is available for all music audition sides by following the links below. Accompaniment files of the music will also be available soon to assist you in preparing for your audition (we will email everyone who has submitted their audition form when the accompaniment files are available). Please note that your audition side does not need to be memorized.
Callbacks will take place on Tuesday, October 29 by invitation only from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM on the Springer Stage. Callbacks will be posted on the Georgetown Palace website as soon as possible after initial auditions are completed, and an email will be sent to all audition participants at the time of posting. Specific cuts of songs will be provided for callbacks for all characters. There will also be additional dancing, so all actors called back should bring oxford-style or character tap shoes. If you currently do not have tap shoes, you should bring hard-soled/dress/oxford-type shoes. Sneakers are discouraged for the tap portion.
A link to the website that holds the sides will be provided in the email.
Audition sign ups can be made HERE
If none of the auditions times listed works for your schedule, please fill out the form and add yourself to the waitlist. Send productions@georgetownpalace.com an email, and we’ll arrange an alternate audition time. If you are on the waitlist, please send an email explaining why – please don’t slip through the cracks if on the waiting list. Please followup with an email. The list isn’t moderated daily.
When signing up for an audition slot please note any conflicts during the rehearsal or performance dates. Please note: conflicts do not necessarily negate the opportunity to be cast, but we must know about them up front to factor that into the casting decisions. Barring emergencies, additional conflicts added/disclosed after casting could result in dismissal from the production. Sunday rehearsals will only be planned for tech rehearsals immediately prior to opening, but please include Sunday afternoon conflicts for the rehearsal period so that in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts we will know whether a reschedule on Sunday is an option. Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in your removal of the production.
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals begin Monday, December 2, 2024. Scripts and scores will be available at the first rehearsal. But those offered roles will receive a link to a digital copy. Rehearsals will typically be held Monday-Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Sunday afternoon will only be an option in the event a Saturday must be canceled due to cast conflicts.
**NOTE that we will NOT have rehearsals from December 23 through December 27.
Performances:
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Sometimes ticket demand causes us to add Saturday Matinee performances at 2 pm.
- This show’s ASL performance is scheduled for February 8, 2025.
- This show has an adaptive performance on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Casting:
Once casting is completed (typically 2-3 days after callbacks), emails will be sent to the actors that will be offered a role in the production. Once the full cast has accepted, everyone else who auditioned will be notified via email.
Compensation:
All actors will receive 2 comp tickets for the production.
All actors 16 and above who are offered a role in the show will be paid a non-union stipend.
Health and Safety Protocols:
Everyone should stay home if they do not feel well. If you test positive for COVID 19, or suspect you have the flu, you should stay home and away from others until for 24 hours. Please monitor your symptoms for improvement and fever free (without meds). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.
We still recommend wearing a mask in rehearsals the day after you return from travel.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors. We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.
Please see our operating Standards at the following link:
Georgetown Palace Operating Standards
Everyone involved with the production must complete a background check every 3 years at the Palace’s expense. If you are cast, you will receive a secure link where you can fill it out. There is no cost to you.
The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.com.
