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Audition Dates:
Thursday, January 18th, at 6:30 pm
Friday, January 19th, at 6:30 pm
at the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing antisemitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy, and sadness.
Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth, and honesty. This universal show is a staple of the musical theatre canon.
Those auditioning need to attend only one audition date. Auditions are open to anyone in high school or older.
*Due to the ages of some of the characters, OCC Theater reserves the right to recruit the younger characters in the show.
Callbacks will be on Saturday, January 20th, as needed.
Performances: March 15-17 & 21-24
How to Audition:
Review materials from our audition workshop here.
Below are instructions, materials, and tips for auditioning for OCC Theater productions. Auditioners will be brought into the theater in groups of three, but each person will audition individually.
For a musical, the audition consists of three parts: a song excerpt, a reading, and a dance call.
Song Excerpt:
- Choose 30-60 seconds of a song that best represents your voice and also fits the character for which you are auditioning.
- Bring in sheet music for the accompanist to play along with you. There are many good sites online where you can purchase and print sheet music if you do not have any music books.
- Practice! You should be well-rehearsed for the audition.
- Perform as a character. You want to show that you can tell a story when you sing.
Reading:
- You will read a prepared excerpt (or two) from the script for the audition. These are called sides.
- This is not a cold reading. All sides are posted in advance, and auditioners are expected to have rehearsed them before the audition.
- The characters and their corresponding sides are in the audition materials. Access the sides by clicking the "Audition Sides" tab below.
- You may prepare more than one character to read.
Dance Call:
- You will perform a small dance as part of the audition. Dance call videos are shared in advance. See the Dance Call folder below.
- You will dance in groups of three or four.
- The choreographer will review the dance with auditioners before performing the dance. The choreographer will also lead the dance during the audition.
*Due to the ages of some of the characters, OCC Theater reserves the right to recruit the younger characters in the show.
Individual audition sides are listed with the characters below. Please read and prepare one side for your audition. Click here for the full script.
Tevye
The likeable, hard-working, pious dairyman who always tries to see the positive side of life. He is a proud patriarch and father of five daughters, closely raised according to the old scriptures. He is humorous and relaxed, but when pushed, can show stubbornness and rage.
Gender: Male
Age: 45 to 60
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Golde
Tevye's strong-willed wife who wishes for her daughters to have good husbands and live easier than she and Tevye. Golde is the real strength behind Tevye, the one who keeps the household going. She is very concerned that her daughters make good matches and have easier lives than she and Tevye have had.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Tzeitel
Tevye's eldest daughter, who is madly in love with Motel. She is loyal to her family but typically challenges the town's traditions.
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Yente
The meddling matchmaker. She is a widow and village busybody who knows all of the town gossip..
Gender: Female
Age: 50 to 60
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Motel
The poor and meek tailor who shares a deep love with Tzeitel. Sensitive and nervous, but sincere and friendly.
Gender: Male
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Lazar Wolf
The feisty, brawny butcher and the town's wealthiest citizen who wishes to marry Tzeitel. Promising to give her a good & secure life.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Constable
Russian military official stationed near Anatevka who knows the villagers well, however he has superficial relationships with the villagers, particularly Tevye. But these superficial relationships don’t prevent him from carrying out violence against the people.
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 45
Other characters that will be cast are listed below. Please read for one of the characters above for these parts:
Hodel
Tevye's second eldest daughter, who becomes involved with Perchik. She eventually leaves Anatevka to join Perchik in Siberia.
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 23
Chava
Tevye's middle daughter who loves to read. Falls in love and runs off with Fydeka, a Russian soldier.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Shprintze
Tevye's fouth eldest daughter who takes lessons at home from Perchik.
Gender: Female
Age: 9 to 13
Bielke
Tevye's youngest daughter. Takes lessons at home from Perchik.
Gender: Female
Age: 8 to 12
Perchik
The outspoken student and visitor to Anatevka, who constantly challenges the traditions of the town. He eventually falls in love with Hodel.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Avram
Runs the local bookshop and keeps the town advised of all the news in the area.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Grandma Tzeitel
Golde's deceased grandmother, who endorses the marriage between Tzeitel and Motel.
Gender: Female
Age: 60 to 75
Fruma-sarah
Lazar's Wolf's deceased first wife. She becomes enraged when her husband plans to wed Tzeitel.
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 45
Fyedka
A strong, young Russian soldier who sees past his military obligations and falls in love with Chava. He challenges Tevye's imposed silence.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 25
Ensemble
Villagers
Russian Soldiers
You will be asked to perform a small dance combination at your audition, which you will perform in a small group. Please review the following videos to learn the dance combination.
Dance Breakdown
Dance with Counts
Dance with Music
Auditioning for an OCC production, or any production, can be a nerve-racking and scary experience. Here are a few tips to help with that process.
If you have never auditioned before, here is what to expect. You will arrive at the college and enter the lobby in front of the theater. There will be a table where you will sign in and fill out a couple of forms. Once that is completed, you will wait until your name is called.
Someone will walk you into the theater and introduce you to the audition committee (be prepared for a little small talk). You will head to the piano, which is on stage, and give the pianist your music. Tell the pianist where you want to start and what tempo you would like the song played (we recommend quietly singing it in their ear). You will then head center stage and sing your song excerpt. You will next be asked to sing a scale with the piano to see your vocal range.
When that is complete, you will read for the character you have chosen. Someone will come on stage and read opposite you. When you are finished, you will walk back out the way you came. Occasionally, the audition committee will ask you a few questions or ask you to read for another character.
How to Prepare for the Audition:
- Practice, practice, practice! You do not have to be memorized, but it is expected that you are prepared.
- Dress nicely. Make a great first impression.
- Pick out a song that showcases you. Realize you will be nervous, so do not push your vocal range too much.
- You love Wicked. We love Wicked. Do not sing a song from Wicked unless you have a big, big voice. We love Hamilton. You love Hamilton. Rapping when you are auditioning for a character that sings a ballad is not your best bet. Choose a song that matches the character you are trying to portray.
- When doing your read, be the character. Make choices.
- Learn as much as you can about the show story. Learn as much as you can about the character you are auditioning for. The Internet is truly a wealth of information when it comes to shows. Use it!
- Have someone read opposite you several times beforehand: a friend, spouse, co-worker, anyone.
- Unfortunately, the nature of theater auditioning is disappointment. If you cannot handle disappointment, theater may not be for you. Multiple people audition for one part, but only one person will get that part. But if you are cast in a part, allow yourself to fall in love with your role.
1st Rehearsal: Monday, January 29th, from 6:30-9:30 pm
All cast members should attend the first rehearsal. Each member of the cast will receive a rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. In addition, cast members will receive weekly updates on what specific scenes will be covered on each day that week via Virtual Callboard. Rehearsals will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. You may or may not be required to attend rehearsal every day each week.
We understand that cast members have families, jobs, school, and are also involved in other activities, so we try to be flexible. If you must miss a rehearsal for something important, we ask that you communicate that to the stage manager in advance. However, please be sure that you can attend most rehearsals so that the cast has time to work together.
Do I have to have experience on stage to audition?
No! We welcome anyone who is interested in participating, even if you have never done a show before.
What if I cannot make the audition dates?
Video auditions can be accepted, but please arrange those in advance. Your video must be submitted before auditions are completed.
Do I have to live in Olney to be in the show?
No! We love having people from different communities participate in our shows. We are always happy to see new faces.
Do I cold read at the audition?
Nope. Audition materials are posted in advance, and we expect you to come rehearsed and prepared with a character.
Do I have to be memorized at the audition?
Memorization is not required, but please come prepared and having rehearsed.
Where are auditions held?
Olney Central College at the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center
305 N West Street
Olney, IL 62450
Drive past the main building all the way to the east end of the campus. The theater is in the separate brick building next to the main building (the lobby is all windows).
I heard that I get class credit for being in a show. Is this true?
It is! You get class credit for being in the cast and the crew. The tuition and fees for the class are waived.
Interested in joining our theater behind the scenes? Contact us: occtheater@iecc.edu