Gainesville Community Playhouse Auditions: Roald Dahl’s James And The Giant Peach
- When: Monday, September 22, 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
- Location: 4039 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605
- Cost: free
The Gainesville Community Playhouse presents Roald Dahl’s James And The Giant Peach
Book by: Timothy Allen McDonald
Words and Music by: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Directed by: Megan Clark
Auditions: Sept. 21-22, 2025
Callbacks: Sept. 23, 2025
Rehearsals: M-F, 7 p.m.-9/9:30 p.m.
Preview: Nov. 20, 2025
Performance Dates: Nov. 21, 2025-Dec. 14, 2025
(No performance Thanksgiving Day)
About the Show:
When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach…and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks, and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James’ quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.
What to Prepare for Audtions:
Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song of your choice that is similar to the style of the music included in the show. Auditioners will need to provide their own track that can be bluetoothed to the speaker that is provided at auditions.
What to expect for Auditions:
Please plan to arrive 15-30 minutes before the start of auditions to fill out the audition form, warm up, and stretch if needed. Before auditions start, the director will introduce members of the production team as well as give a brief description of the vision for this production. We will begin with music auditions and after the first 10 people have gone, we will have groups that will go out to learn the dance call in the lobby. Once everyone has completed their audition, auditioners will be dismissed and the director will send emails out that night on whether you have been called back or not.
What to expect for Callbacks:
At callbacks (callbacks are not on the second night of auditions; it will be the day after), you will be asked to cold-read scenes from the show. In addition to cold-reading scenes, those who have
been called back for James, Spiker, Sponge, and Ladahlord will have a music callback which will be specific cuts of music from the show.
Additional Information:
● Memorization of material is not required for auditions or callbacks
● Majority of the characters in the show speak in a British dialect
● This show will have specialized stage makeup and quick changes. If cast, you are expected to provide your own stage makeup and under garments as it will not be provided by the production team unless stated otherwise.
● To listen to the show’s music, please use this link: https://youtu.be/RTXqdmy8xQw?si=V2C8ZAyZh8kR3EAx
● For any questions or concerns, please email the director, Megan Clark (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Roles:
Ladahlord: A strange, magical storyteller. Often inserts himself into the story, in disguise, to help push the action forward.
Gender: Male
Age: 25-55
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
James: A lonely young boy who lacks confidence. Having lost both his parents in a freak accident, he feels he belongs nowhere in the world. However, when given the right encouragement he becomes resourceful and innovative. A good friend.
Gender: Open Gender
Age: 7-15, possibility of double casting
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Green Grasshopper: A wizened grasshopper who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. An excellent musician. Has his eye on Ladybug.
Gender: Male
Age: 30-60
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Ladybug: A motherly ladybug who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Respectable and classy, she has a warm, caring heart. Has her eye on Grasshopper.
Gender: Female
Age: 30-60
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Spider: A normal spider who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. She is warm and friendly to James.
Gender: Female
Age: 20-40
Vocal range top:E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Centipede: An ornery centipede who becomes human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. He hates humans and is prickly and rude; everyone thinks he is a pest.
Gender: Male
Age: 20-40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Earthworm: An earthworm who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. A bit of a scaredy-cat. He is neurotic and worried about everything, but is very friendly and brave when called upon.
Gender: Open Gender
Age: 20-40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C2
Spiker: James’ mean aunt. A thief and a scoundrel. Shrewd and opportunistic. Very tall and thin.
Gender: Open Gender
Age: 30-70
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Sponge: James’ other mean aunt. Also a thief and a scoundrel, but not nearly as bright as her sister. Very corpulent, she often has her mind on food.
Gender: Open Gender
Age: 30-70
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
- Website: www.facebook.com
- Category: Auditions/Tryouts
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