A CHRISTMAS STORY Adult Understudies

Walnut Street Theatre is currently seeking local non-union actors for External Understudies for ALL roles in A CHRISTMAS STORY this holiday.  Richard Stafford is set as director/choreographer.  Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on October 28 with performances running from November 18, 2025 – January 4, 2026.  The production occurs around several holidays, so please review the performance dates at this link -   https://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/show/a-christmas-story-2025

SEEKING:

ENSEMBLE U/S – All ages, gender-identities, ethnicities, body types, and voice parts to make up a chorus of 18 people in this Indiana neighborhood. Should be able to hold harmonies and all must have strong voices.

                Ensemble Dancers must be strong dancers that can tap.

                Ensemble Singers will cover character parts in the chorus including parents, shoppers, teachers, etc.

JEAN SHEPHERD/NARRATOR U/S: Late 40s to early 50s. Caucasian Male character. Not a singing role.  A great storyteller with charisma. Great speaking voice, who can tell an engrossing story and who has the quality to draw an audience in to his magical world and weave a spell; a good-natured curmudgeon. Believably Midwestern.

THE OLD MAN U/S: Late 30s-40s Male character. A little younger than Jean. A guy with a good heart, though it is buried beneath (what the Ralphy’s impression/memory of him is) a sometimes gruff and sour exterior.  He’s a devoted husband and father who loves his family but doesn’t overtly show it. In his moments of fantasy, he is transformed from his usual grumbling blue-collar self to a true song and dance man. Baritenor voice that must sing to a high G.

MOTHER U/S: 30s Female character. Younger than The Old Man. She is more in charge than he is, but she would never let him know it; affable and warm, but not a pushover; strong willed, no nonsense, likable, midwestern every-mom. Remembered as a vibrant woman with a personality that challenges the 1950s bland wife stereotype. Must possess a warm sense of humor and a contemporary mezzo with a strong mix, sings low G to high Db.

MISS SHIELDS U/S: 30’s Female comedic character who dances well - Taps. The local elementary school teacher. A seemingly stereotypical 1940s educator—prim and proper. Stern, when necessary, but turns comedic and humorous when the situation merits it. In Ralphie’s fantasy, she becomes a dynamic, show-stopping brassy belter. Character woman with a flexible voice who has a strong belt.

Artists who are unfamiliar with Non-Union Understudies from within the Walnut Street Theatre School’s education performance program, details are provided below.

UNDERSTUDIES:

• Are “On Call” for a specific role in the cast and must be in town for the duration of the run of A CHRISTMAS STORY – Oct 28 – Jan 4
• Learn/observe as much of the rehearsal process as you’d like on your own.
• Attend Final Dress Rehearsal– Nov 16
• 6 required understudy rehearsals during the run –11/20, 11/21, 11/25, 11/26, 12/2 or 9, & 12/5- usually 12:30-5:30
• Receive an expense stipend of $350 to cover any expenses in participating (parking for a day, etc.)
  • Additional Rate: $70 per show if you are called on to perform as an understudy.
  • Scholarship for a free class at the Walnut Street Theatre School.

For consideration, please email a headshot and current resume to [email protected]

(Subject Line : ACS Understudies-Last Name)

Auditions will occur by invitation only around Labor Day time.