Show: ALICE BY HEART
Theater: Church Hill Theatre
Theater Website: https://churchhilltheatre.org/shows/auditions/
Theater Phone: (410) 556-6003
Start date of auditions: 07/06/2026
Auditions
ALICE BY HEART
ABOUT THE SHOW:
From the creators of Spring Awakening, ALICE BY HEART is a musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Co-written by Jessie Nelson, it offers a magical journey filled with witty dialogue and evocative songs reminiscent of The Beatles’ hallucinogenic era.
Set during WWII in a London tube station amid the Blitz, Alice Spencer’s life changes as she and her friend Alfred seek refuge. When Alfred falls ill, Alice inspires him to escape into their beloved book, leading to an exploration of first love, loss, and resilience. This show highlights the power of imagination even in challenging situations.
We are casting for all roles – actors of all ages (non-union / non-paid). Roles and character vocal ranges are listed below for reference. Genders and “stage age” for character descriptions are an indication of the way the character is scripted. We encourage performers to audition for any roles they feel they suit and that suit their vocal range. Our team is open to all options and creative solutions for performers, where possible. Please share your comfortable vocal range with your submission materials. All cast members will need to be strong harmony singers and movers.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
September 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 – 2026
AUDITION LOCATION:
Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center (KAACHC) in Centerville
410 Little Kidwell Ave. Centreville, MD 21617
AUDITION DATES/TIMES:
Monday July 6 – 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Tuesday July 7– 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Callbacks: Wednesday July 8 – 6:00 to 9:00 (vocal / choreo / script sides)
Video Audition Accepted until 9 PM on July 7 – email to mayamcgrory122@gmail.com
AUDITION INFORMATION & WHAT TO BRING:
Bring headshot & resume if available – We will also use an audition intake form.
Be prepared to provide your complete and accurate conflict schedule.
Vocal Audition: Prepare 32 measures (about 1 minute). We strongly encourage singing a song in the style of the show.
No accompanist is provided, please bring appropriate vocal tracks that can be played to our provided bluetooth speaker.
Cold reads: You may be asked to read from the script.
Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in
Callbacks: If you are called back – music cuts, choreo video and script sides will be provided for you to study before callback.
This story is set in Britain in WW2 and appropriate British / RP accents will be used.
AUDITION PANEL
The following people make up the audition panel:
Director – Maya McGrory
Asst. Director – Courtney Adams
Choreographer – Gabby Pfeiffer
Music Director – Reanna Sherman
Co-Producers – Ginger Ellis and Becca Van Aken
Other production staff may attend & will also be at the venue to assist with pre-audition registration.
REHEARSAL DATES:
FIRST REHEARSAL / READTHROUGH: Thursday July 9, 6:00PM to 8:30PM
Until the week of July 20th, we will have a few full cast weekend music rehearsals based on availability.
Please note: You may not be needed for all rehearsals – a schedule will be provided after conflicts are known
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
All ages listed below and elsewhere in the audition material represent the general age the actor can ‘play’ on stage. All roles require singing and a British dialect.
Inclusive Casting: The creative team is committed to casting practices that advance diversity and inclusion. All ethnicities, types, and abilities will be considered for every role.
Alice Spencer
Full of questions, wonder, and a tenacious stubbornness when it comes to achieving her goals. Entering a confusing time of transition in her body while trying to survive a distressed situation – living in a tube station, displaced from her family. Possesses a wonderful imagination that allows her to escape her present situation. Strong contemporary pop/rock singing voice.
Character: Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 15-25
Vocal range: G3 – D5
Alfred Hallam / White Rabbit / March Hare
Alice’s ailing childhood friend. Alfred contracted tuberculosis while living on the streets and is now being cared for by a small medical staff in the Underground station. Doubles as White Rabbit: Attractive, obsessive-compulsive, and a little manic – running from something he doesn’t understand. Strong contemporary pop/rock singing voice.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 15-25
Vocal range: B2 – A4
Red Cross Nurse / Queen of Hearts
In the real world a strict Red Cross nurse tasked with taking care of the many people trapped in the tube station, the stress of the situation leads her to be harsh and even cruel. In Alice’s Wonderland she is the Queen of Hearts, a childish and short tempered ruler obsessed with aging. Tough, funny, sultry, and take-charge, she dominates her husband and shows how to get what she wants.
Character: Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 20-50
Vocal range: F#3 – D5
Tabatha / Cheshire Cat
In the real world and Wonderland a street smart leader, helping Alice on her journey to accept her grief.
Character: Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 16-30
Vocal range: Bb3 – D5
Harold Pudding / Mad Hatter
In the real world, a young soldier suffering from shell shock from the war who is manic, funny and charming. In Wonderland, the Mad Hatter who is preening, demanding and full of riddles.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 18-30
Vocal range: C3 – F4
Dodgy / Duchess
In the real world, a somewhat flamboyant street urchin with “sticky fingers”. In Wonderland, the Duchess, a very funny and overdramatic older woman.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 16-25
Vocal range: C3 – G4
Nigel / Dormouse
In the real world, a frightened teenage boy who has been traumatized by the bombs and the loss of his family. In Wonderland he plays the sleepy Dormouse.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 14-25
Vocal range: E3 – Bb4
Angus / Caterpillar 1
In the real world a member of the working class with a penchant for opium and escapism. In Wonderland, he is the Caterpillar. He is seductive, charming and funny.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age:18-30
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Vocal range: F3 – B4
Dr. Butridge / King of Hearts / Jabberwocky
In the real world, a nervous yet somehow still threatening doctor tasked with managing the Underground station. In Wonderland he is both the King of Hearts, a weak-willed counterpoint to the Queen, and the Jabberwocky, a monstrous expression of Alice’s fears.
Character: Male, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 35-50
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Vocal range: C3 – G4
Clarissa/ Queen of Diamonds
In the real world, a once wealthy young woman who attempts to hold on to that class in the war. She is mean and haughty. She plays the Queen of Diamonds in Wonderland.
Character: Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 18+
Vocal range: B3 – D5
Betty / Caterpillar 2
In the real world a working class factory worker who had to leave school and work in a factory to support her family at the start of the war. In Wonderland, Caterpillar 2 who is seductive, charming and funny.
Character: Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 16+
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Vocal range: Ab3 – C5
Possible Ensemble
Characters: Male & Female, All Ethnicities
Stage Age: 13+
Vocal range: All ranges
