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Yes, Virginia Auditions
November 4, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Auditions will be held in-person as follows:
Date: November 3 & 4
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: East Newark Recreation Center, 44 Central Avenue, East Newark 07029 (behind Tops Diner)
Actors ages 7 – 80+ are invited to read from the provided sides. Printed copies will be available.
Sides
- Side 1: Francis, Virginia
- Side 2: Mary Lou, Wendy, Virginia
- Side 3: Virginia, Samantha, Mother
- Side 4: Walter, Francis
- Side 5: Virginia, Samantha, Mother, Father
QUESTIONS? Contact yesvirginia@whatconj.org
About the Production
Playwright Jamie Gorski’s adaptation of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, directed by Alyssa Schirm is a story inspired by a simple, poignant letter written over 100 years ago by 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon to the editor of the New York Sun—and by the timeless editorial response printed on the front page of the Sun.
Virginia wondered and wrote: “Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in the Sun, it’s so. Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” Ed Mitchell, the Sun’s editor, gives the assignment of answering Virginia’s letter to Frank Church who, until his wife and baby died last Christmas Eve, was the Sun’s best and most dependable reporter.
Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus is a play for young and old, magically reaffirming life’s highest beauty and joy—”the eternal light with which childhood fills the world.”
Characters
Virginia O’Hanlon (8 years old, inquisitive)
Mother O’Hanlon (about 35)
Father O’Hanlon (about 36)
Samantha O’Hanlon (about 10)
Francis Church (young editor, eccentric, klutzy)
Walter Gibson (editor and chief of “The Sun”)
Mary Lou Parker (about 8)
Wendy Parker (about 7)
Post-Person
Martha (friendly soup server)
Old Christmas Prologues (3)
* Other non-speaking roles, stage and technical crew, set building, and other volunteers are also needed for this production! To volunteer, contact admin@whatconj.org.
**COVID-19 Guidelines: West Hudson Arts & Theater Company follows all current state and federal health guidelines. During auditions and at performances, all audience members will be required to wear masks as well as any unvaccinated cast members, stage crew and volunteers, per building requirements.
