Bridge Players Theatre Company celebrates the diverse community that we live in and serve as a member of Burlington County. We are dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in confronting anything in our operations that may inhibit this. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion, where all interested individuals can thrive, succeed, and are able to participate in and contribute to Bridge Players.  For us, this means everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued, and respected.  We accept the challenge to build an organization where full and fair participation is the norm.

About the show:
In this musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic, The Herdmans (widely known as the "worst kids in the history of the world") crash Sunday School lured by the promise of free snacks and end up hijacking the annual church Christmas pageant! First-time director Grace Bradley is suddenly stuck trying to balance managing the outrageous Herdmans (who have never heard the Christmas story – but have rewrites!) with appeasing the judgmental church ladies. Soon, everyone is calling to cancel the whole thing and it’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see both the Christmas story and the Herdmans through new eyes.

About auditions:
For those auditioning for an adult role, please prepare a piece of a song either from the show or of your own choosing, showing your personality.  Please bring a backing track; a Bluetooth speaker will be available.

For the Herdmans, Bradley kids, and all other children's roles, please prepare “Hey, Mrs. Bradley” (opening solo until “Put me into the show!”). For those interested in Imogene, please also prepare the a cappella opening to “On a Night Like This."

There will also be cold readings from the script. Please reach out to the director with any questions.

PLEASE DO NOT AUDITION IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL PERFORMANCES AND TECH REHEARSALS, Nov. 8 - 12. Set strike on Nov. 29 is required for all participants.

This is a non-Equity, non-paying production. Bridge Players Theatre Company is a non-profit organization.

Character breakdown:

The Herdman Kids
RALPH – The oldest and coolest. He’s the enforcer, age 13.
IMOGENE – Leader of the Herdmans. She’s loud, bossy and crafty, age 12.
LEROY – Ralph’s backup. Very confident in the muscle department, age 11.
CLAUDE – Scrappy and smart, age 10
OLLIE – A bit of a naïve urchin who follows the older boys’ leads, age 9
GLADYS – Little but fierce. Nothing scares Gladys, age 8.

The Bradleys
GRACE – Sweet, good-humored, slightly frazzled mom, 35-40ish
BOB – Easygoing dad, wry sense of humor, 35-40ish
CHARLIE – Typical kid brother, says what he thinks, age 10
BETH – Charlie’s older and wiser sister. She’s honest and kind, age 11.

Church People
HELEN ARMSTRONG – Organized steamroller. She’s always in charge, 40-50ish.
REVEREND HOPKINS – Occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning, 40-50ish

Church Ladies
LUANNE – Sassy, tells it like it is, 35-40ish.
BETTY – Sweet southerner, calls everyone “honey,” 30-40ish
CONNIE – Direct, no-nonsense type, 30-40ish

Kids
ALICE WENDLEKEN – Know-it-all. She thinks she’s perfect, age 11
ELMER HOPKINS – Preacher’s kid, which means he needs to behave and be nice, age 10
TEDDY SHOEMAKER – Wimpy kid with glasses, asks too many questions, age 9
IVY REED – Beth’s earnest friend who is sometimes a goody-goody, 11

Additional cast needs include various kids to play angels and shepherds in the pageant and other kids in the lunchroom.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
www.concordtheatricals.com