South Carolina Children’s Theatre holds open auditions for each of its productions. Anyone can audition and yes, first-timers are often cast – adults and children. Audition FAQs

Upcoming Auditions

ADULT ROLES in Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS

March 15, 6:30-9pm, appointment required – email [email protected]
Callbacks will occur March 18 from 10am-noon.
Stay tuned for audition dates for all child roles.

Preparation: Auditionees should prepare 16 measures of a memorized song from a musical. You must bring sheet music in the correct key. No one will be allowed to sing a capella. You must also bring a non-returnable photo.
Style: Musical. Requires triple threat actors.
Rehearsal schedule: First rehearsal/orientation will be in September, date TBA. Rehearsals will typically be held Sunday-Thursday evenings, though not everyone will be called to every rehearsal. Tech week begins November 11.
Compensation: All adult performers will receive a stipend. The stipend amount will be given when casting offers are made. SCCT will pay the same stipend to all adults in the show, regardless of role.
Questions: Email Anna Bowman at [email protected]

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN (ADULTS)

Principal Roles:

The role of Bert has already been cast.

Mary Poppins—Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny; she is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening, but always exciting; she is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo-soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is key. Vocal range: Gb3-C6

George Banks – The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding precision and order in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.

Winifred Banks – George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with the best people as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of being Mrs. Banks, yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.

Featured Roles:

Mrs. Brill – The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.

Robertson Ay – The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but his Spoonful solo can be a fun surprise.

Miss Andrew – George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.

Bird Woman – Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings Feed the Birds. There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.

Admiral Boom – A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.

Mrs. Corry – Owns the Talking Shop where people can buy conversations. She is gregarious, mysterious, and very wise. She knew George Banks when he was a boy. She should be comfortable with movement.

Neleus – The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael.

Ensemble Roles:

An ensemble of actors play a variety of roles including Katie Nanna, Policeman, Miss Lark, Park Keeper, Von Hussler, Miss Smythe, John Northbrook, and others. All ensemble members must sing and dance. Musical theatre dancers proficient in tap (chimney sweeps) are strongly encouraged to audition.