OACT

OACT Auditions

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical

by Jahanna Beecham & Malcolm Hillgartner

Directed by Hayley Beth Silvers

Weekends, December 4th – December 20th, 2026

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM

 

About the Show

The Herdmans are known around town as the “worst kids in the history of the world.” Now they’re taking over the local church’s Christmas pageant. With a reluctant director at the helm and a concerned church-going community, chaos is sure to ensue.  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical is a hilarious show that gives a whole new perspective to the usual Christmas heartfelt holiday tales.

AUDITIONS

Sept 27th every 30 minutes between 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Sept 28th every 30 minutes between 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Sept 29th every 30 minutes between 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Full Cast/Crew Chair Meeting: Sept 30th 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Prior to your arrival for auditions, complete & print our Audition Sheet.  List any UNCHANGEABLE conflicts on this sheet. Please be honest about conflicts which you know at this time. No absences the final 3 weeks in November 2026 from November 16th – December 20th.

Return this completed Audition Sheet to gaijones2013@gmail.com on or before Sept 22nd, 2026 to secure an audition date and time frame. Once your complete Audition Sheet is received, links to the various characters’ sides will be accessible.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Audition Sheet

Please also print and staple this Audition Sheet to your resume and headshot. Once you are called to audition, give your stapled packet to directors. Bring your recorded accompaniment for your vocal audition.

The Ojai Art Center
113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023

Callbacks

TBD

Become familiar with the character(s) you want to be considered for. They do not need to be memorized but should be familiar. Once your complete Audition Sheet is received, links to the various characters’ sides will be accessible. You will be asked to read scenes with a variety of other actors.

AVAILABLE ROLES

Male Adult Roles:

• Bob Bradley (35-40) Easy doing dad, wry sense of humor.

• Reverend Hopkins (40-50) Occasionally befuddled, always well-meaning.

• Ensemble Roles– Church Goers (18+)

Female Adult Roles:

• Grace Bradley (35-40) Sweet good humored slightly frazzled mom, becomes the director of the pageant.

• Helen Armstrong (40-50) Organized steamroller; always in charge.

• Church Ladies (ages 18+):

  • Luanne– Sassy, tells it like it is.

  • Betty– Sweet Southerner, calls everyone “honey.”

  • Connie– Direct-no-nonsense type.

• Church Goers (18+)

• Ensemble: Adults

 

Youth Roles (Actors can play the listed age ranges):

• The Herdman Family:

  • Imogene (12) Leader of the Herdmans, loud, bossy, crafty.

  • Ralph (13) The oldest and coolest; the enforcer.

  • Leroy (11) Ralph’s backup. Very confident in the muscle department.

  • Claude (10) Scrappy and smart.

  • Ollie (9) A bit of a naïve urchin who follows the older boy’s leads.

  • Gladys (8) Little but fierce. Nothing scares Glayds.

• The Bradley Family:

  • Beth (11) Charlie’s older and wiser sister. Honest and kind.

  • Charlie (10) Typical kid brother. Says what he thinks.

• Church Kids

  • Alice Wendleken (11) Know-it-all; thinks she is perfect.

  • Elmer Hopkins (10) Preacher’s kid, which means he needs to behave and be nice.

  • Teddy Shoemaker (9) Wimpy kid with glasses, asks too many questions.

  • Ivy Reed (11) Beth’s earnest friend who is sometimes a goody-goody.

• Ensemble: Youth

 

Rehearsals and Performances

October 1st -December 3rd

Youth Rehearsals: Mondays AND Thursdays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM until November, then they join the entire cast in rehearsals.
Adults Rehearsals: Monday THRU Thursday,  7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
(We will break for Thanksgiving week.)

Please bring all potential rehearsal conflicts to auditions, and a headshot if you’re new to the Art Center. This is a non-equity production; there is no pay.

LOCATION
The Ojai Art Center Theater
The Ojai Art Center
113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023

 

SIDES

Return your completed Audition Sheet to gaijones2013@gmail.com on or before Sept 22nd, 2026 to secure an audition date and time frame. Once your complete Audition Sheet is received, links to the various characters’ sides will be accessible.

 

Thank you for your interest!

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