Following the success of last year’s production of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, The Cresset Theatre are now looking to cast for a number of principal roles and their youth ensemble for Wizard of Oz.
All youth performers, up to the age of 18, will need to attend one of the ‘Ensemble’ auditions on either Weds, 6th or Thurs, 7th May 2026. If you are interested in applying for a principal role, you will also need to submit a self tape relating to your preferred role (see details further down).
Anyone over the age of 18, who is interested in auditioning for a principal role, only needs to submit a self-tape, at this stage.
Please read all of the information below prior to registering for an audition.
Minimum age 9. Maximum age for the Youth Ensemble is 18. These ages are as at 6th October 2026.
Audition materials:
Wizard of Oz – Audition Material – Dropbox
Audition Details:
– Weds, 6th May – 5.00pm – 9.00pm Youth Ensemble (9 – 18 year olds)
– Thurs, 7th May – 5.00pm – 9.00pm Youth Ensemble (9 – 18 year olds)
– Saturday, 9th May 10.30am – 2pm Adult Principals age 18+ (initial recalls – invitation only)
– Sunday, 10th May Principal recalls (invitation only – timings to be confirmed)
Important info – please read prior to registration!
· There is no cost to audition for this production
· Check-in will open 30 mins before the start of the audition. Please be on time!
· Please expect to be here for the entire time slot as there may be large numbers of auditionees and we may ask to see children more than once, within the audition.
· Please encourage and help your child to familiarise themselves with the storyline of the musical and if possible, familiarise themselves with music from the show.
· The ensemble audition takes approx. 30 minutes and auditionees will be called through in groups to learn a short excerpt from a song and a short dance routine. They may also be asked to work on some script in pairs.
· Script and music material that will be used for the principal auditions can be accessed here <link>. Please prepare for these auditions, but note that you are not required to learn the script off by heart for the auditions.
· We understand that children may feel nervous. However, we try to keep our auditions relaxed and fun so please encourage them to enjoy the experience.
· Please wear comfortable clothing
· Auditions will take place to select the entire ensemble. We will then select children from the ensemble to take any featured roles during rehearsals.
· We will inform you of the outcome within 7 days after the final audition
· For youth performers who are successful in being offered a place in this production, there will be a performance fee payable of £95 to cover the many costs involved in a production such as this, including child licensing, chaperones and costumes. There will be a number of bursary places available for anyone who may need support with this payment, to ensure that this is not an obstacle. More information regarding this will be sent out to all successful applicants.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will commence in May on Wednesday evenings here at the Cresset Theatre. There will also be some weekend rehearsals scheduled.
Principal performers will also be required for some Monday evening rehearsals from September.
Exact timings and a full rehearsal schedule will be confirmed after auditions.
Ensemble roles
There will be a youth ensemble that will take on roles such as Munchkins, Ozians, Flying Monkeys, Winkies / Guards, etc.. as well as other featured roles.
Information regarding principal roles is detailed in the next section.
Please note that all audition finish times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. You should prepare to be waiting around, so please bring snacks and drinks.
Please click the link below if you are only interested in the Youth Ensemble audition.
https://form.jotform.com/261033460630041
Principal roles
Audition materials: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0z79o3318nr94h88c1l72/ACtUsbVqMe6xh-aYrop4Elg?rlkey=pfv7u9k5ri0hmukewy9k9ggle&st=9arr490w&dl=0
All principal roles will be open to youth performers and adults.
You will be required to submit a self tape / recording, which will consist of you acting out a short scene to camera and singing a small section of a song relevant to the character.
If you are interested in more than one role, please select all roles that you are interested in, but only submit one tape with the material of your preferred character or the character that you think you are most suited to. We will take your multiple interest into account when selecting people for recall auditions.
You will receive an email by 30th April 2026 confirming whether we would like to progress you to the next audition stage for a principal role.
If you are under 18, you still need to attend one of the ensemble auditions. This is included in the ‘Principal Registration Form’ below.
