THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
By Barbara Johnson
Directed by Amanda Jenkins
ABOUT THE SHOW
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas! Adapted from the bestselling Young Adult book.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Amanda Jenkins moved to Cary NC in January 2023, from a very small countryside village in England, having always been active in theatre she reached out to Cary Arts Center- seeking opportunities to become involved in youth theatre and education in her new home area.
Back in England she taught drama in local schools and ran her own Saturday morning and holiday theatre workshops out of a cozy 120 seat theatre. A highlight of her teaching career is having her senior workshop class selected to work and perform with the National Theatre as part of their Connexions program.
In addition to teaching, Amanda also worked for the National Health Service as a Specialist Child Development Practitioner, specializing in play therapy and support for children (and their families) being assessed for or having a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neuro-diverse disorders.
She is passionate about making creative drama accessible to all and feels lucky to have worked with, and learnt from, so many diverse young people.
Amanda trained with LAMDA and New Era and also has a degree in Early Childhood Education.
In her spare time Amanda loves exploring the beautiful NC parks, mountains, beaches and trails. She enjoys live music, dancing, reading, yoga and spending time with her husband of 32 years – Jeff.
She has 2 wonderful adult kids who are still in the UK, Ben & Robyn and visits them and other friends and family back in England regularly.
As part of the Cary Arts Centre’s theatre team Amanda has directed 2 mainstage musicals – Matilda and Tuck Everlasting as well as teaching many summer camp classes and on track out days.
She is very excited to be working with the Cary Players!
Audition Information:
Each night, there will be two time slots. You only need to attend once. Please arrive by 6:15 pm for check-in for the first group or arrive by 7:45 for the second group.
Important Details:
Auditions: Tuesday, October 7th and Wednesday, October 8th at the Cary Arts Center - In the Theater.
Headshots: You may bring a headshot if you have one, but that is not required. We will take a photo of you.
Monologue: Bring a short poem, story, or a monologue (about one minute long) to read or recite. The director may have you read some segments from the script and do some basic stage movement. Kids, if you would like to sing a short Christmas Carol, you may do that too.
Length: Plan to stay about one hour.
Roles: All roles are open.
Forms: Print, complete, and bring the audition form and conflict calendar with you. If under 18, be sure to include the parental data, permission, and signature section on the completed audition form.
Callbacks: The director may call back some actors if they need to see them again or read more from the script. call backs will be on Saturday, October 11th at 1 pm. If you are called back this will be posted on the Cary Players website the day after the auditions.
Cast of Characters:
We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. We believe that all performers, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, national origin, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law, should have the opportunity to audition for our roles. For every role, we will consider all qualified performers who submit. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, we will not discriminate against any performer on the basis of any protected characteristic.
If you have any questions or require any reasonable accommodation, please let us know at info@caryplayers.org.
YOUTH ROLES
Ages noted in (parentheses) are “stage ages” (how one appears on stage).
BETH BRADLEY. (10-13): Confident older sister to Charlie. The show’s narrator. Needs a strong stage presence.
CHARLIE BRADLEY (8 to 10): Kid brother to Beth. Confident and has a sense of humor.
RALPH HERDMAN (12-14): Rough around the edges but with a touch of “adolescent cool” attitude.
IMOGENE HERDMAN (10-13): Loud, bossy, likes to be in charge and thinks she’s smarter than everyone else. Initially disenchanted about Sunday school, but curious.
LEROY HERDMAN (10-12): Tough, acts very sure of himself.
CLAUDE HERDMAN (8-9): Tough, combative. A buddy to Ollie.
OLLIE HERDMAN. (8-9): Always looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime.
GLADYS HERDMAN (7-9): Feisty, loud and energetic.
ALICE WENDLEKEN (10-13): Prim, proper, and worried about the Herdman kids.
MAXINE: (10-13): Beth’s church Sunday school classmate. Narrates a portion of the pageant.
ELMER HOPKINS (11-14): The minister’s son. Knows the Bible well. Not fond of the Herdman kids.
HOBIE CLARK (8-11): Plays a shepherd in the pageant.
DAVID (8-10): Plays a shepherd in the pageant.
BEVERLY (7-9): Plays an angel in the pageant.
SHIRLEY (6-7): Plays an angel in the pageant.
JUANITA (6-7): Plays an angel in the pageant.
DORIS (8 to 11): Plays an angel in the pageant.
ADULT ROLES
GRACE BRADLEY (30 +): A caring mom, who steps into the role of director for the annual Christmas pageant; mother to Beth and Charlie; wife to Bob.
BOB BRADLEY (30+): Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. A solid family guy.
MRS. ARMSTRONG (50-70s): Managerial, in voice and manner; bossy, impatient.
REVEREND HOPKINS (40+): A caring but concerned pastor who wants to keep the peace.
MRS. MC CARTHY (40s to 60s): Means well but is a bit of a busybody.
MRS. IRMA SLOCUM (30 to 40): A judgmental church lady, but with a tender side.
MRS. CLARK. (35-70s): Cameo for a pleasant, but curious church lady.
MRS. CLAUSING (35-70s): Cameo for a pleasant, but curious church lady.
FIREFIGHTER ONE/ ORDERLY (20-50): Brief comedic scene.
FIREFIGHTER TWO/ ORDERLY (20-50): Brief comedic scene.
Want to audition? Great! We want to see you audition! Send any questions to: info@caryplayers.org.
Please download and complete an audition form and a conflict calendar.
PRODUCTION STAFF / CREW
Director - Amanda Jenkins
Assistant Director - Toni Schloss
Stage Manager - Sarah Gendron
Production Stage Manager - Alyssa Wise
Technical Director - Kevin McIntire
Set Designer - Joel Soren
Master Carpenter - Joel Soren
Costume Designer - Maura White Stewart
Sound Engineer - Jack Kaufmann
Microphone Assistant -
Sound Effects Designer -
Lighting Designer -
Sound Board Operator -
Light Board Operator - Barbara Corbin
Props - Paula Andrews
Concessions Managers - Irene Schloss
Producers - Debra Grannan, Jeri Summer
Graphic Artist - Catherine Campbell
Playbill Layout - Toni Schloss
Photography - Dan Chadwick, DC Chadwick Photography
Volunteer Coordinator - Jeri Summer
Finance Manager - Bob Grannan, Sareek Hosein
Audition Assistance -
Interested in joining our volunteer production team for our shows? Check out our Volunteer page or contact us at info@caryplayers.org