Show: OLIVER!
Theater: Algonquin Arts Theatre
Theater Website: https://www.algonquinarts.org/auditions.php
Theater Phone: (732) 528-9211
Start date of auditions: 08/08/2026
Theater Address:
60 Abe Voorhees Drive
Manasquan, New Jersey 08736
OLIVER!
8 performances will run from October 16-25, 2026
Director | Anthony Greco
Choreographer | Jessica O’Brien
Musical Director | Stephen Strouse
Lead AYE Teaching Artist | Jennifer Eagan
ACCEPTANCE THROUGH AUDITION ONLY
In-person auditions scheduled as follows:
Saturday, August 8, open call from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Elementary / Middle School students (AYE)
Sunday, August 9, open call from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
High School + Adults
LOCATION
All auditions will be at the Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Please prepare a 32-measure cut of a song in the style of the show that shows your vocal range to be heard and performed at the open call audition. Actors need to provide sheet music (piano/vocal), in the correct key, of the song they are auditioning with for the piano accompaniment. SINGING FROM THE SHOW IS ENCOURAGED, and for those auditioning for specific roles, audition cuts for songs will be found later in this notice at the end of each character description.
Students under 14 years of age may consider using Disney songs or any song they are most comfortable and familiar singing.
Students under the age of 18 who are cast in this production will participate in the Algonquin Youth Ensemble. More information is at the end of this audition posting.
If you would like to audition but cannot attend in person, please email oliver26aat@gmail.com.
ACTORS MUST FILL OUT THIS AUDITION FORM PRIOR TO ATTENDING AN OPEN-CALL AUDITION:
Complete the Audition Form
Please submit the following via this form:
Headshot
Resume
CALLBACKS
Callbacks will be by invitation only and will take place on Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m.
REHEARSAL INFO
Rehearsals will be at Algonquin Arts Theatre or in a nearby location. Rehearsals will begin approximately August 18 and will be held 2-3 nights a week. Starting in September, rehearsals will be held 3-4 nights a week and on Sunday early evenings. Please note everyone cast will not be needed at each rehearsal until the week before the production. The exact rehearsal schedule will be set once the availability of all actors is learned but will take place during weekday nights (Monday-Thursday) and Sunday afternoons/evenings.
BEFORE YOU AUDITION, be advised that it is mandatory for actors to be available for all scheduled TECH rehearsals (October 11-15) and performances (October 16-25). Conflicts will not be accepted after the cast has been announced.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
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SYNOPSIS
A beloved musical based on Charles Dickens’ timeless novel, Oliver! tells the story of a young boy searching for home and belonging. Featuring unforgettable songs like “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” and “As Long As He Needs Me,” this classic remains a moving and uplifting theatrical experience.
ROLES AVAILABLE
ALL ROLES OPEN! Seeking actors of all backgrounds, races, and genders. All actors will need to be able to speak/sing in either (or both) Cockney and British (RP) accents. Coaching will be available to all throughout the rehearsal process.
The roles are listed by age grouping below.
ADULT ROLES
FAGIN
Male-presenting, baritone, ages 40+. A conniving career criminal who takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets. Although a darker character, he has a humorous side which he uses to his advantage. Cockney accent.
Song suggestion: “Reviewing the Situation”
NANCY
Female-presenting, mezzo with a strong belt, ages 25+. When she was younger, she worked for Fagin but is now a “barmaid” at the Three Cripples Bar. She lives with and loves Bill Sikes, is pretty, intelligent, and longs for a better life. She feels very protective of Oliver but is eventually murdered for the steps she takes on his behalf. Cockney accent.
Song suggestion: “As Long As He Needs Me”
BILL SIKES
Male-presenting, baritone, ages 30+. Bill worked for Fagin as a youth but is now a feared master criminal. Nancy’s brutal, abusive lover and her eventual murderer. Always on the brink of violence, he is menacing and surly, but good looking in a rough sort of way. Cockney accent.
Song suggestion: “My Name”
MR. BUMBLE
Male-presenting, tenor, ages 40+. A larger-than-life, pompous and corrupt bureaucrat and Beadle of the workhouse where Oliver was born. Horrible to the boys in his supposed care and in love with Mrs. Corney, who dominates him! British accent.
Song suggestion: “Boy for Sale”
WIDOW CORNEY
Female-presenting, soprano, ages 40+. The Mistress of the Workhouse and a sharp-tongued widow who is also corrupt. She later marries Mr. Bumble. Accent that tries to be posh to hide her Cockney roots.
Song suggestion: “I Shall Scream!”
MR. SOWERBERRY
Male-presenting, bari-tenor, ages 50+. The undertaker who buys Oliver to work in the funeral home. Sinister and malevolent. Cockney accent. This role may also double as MR. BROWNLOW or DR. GRIMWIG.
Song suggestion: “That’s Your Funeral”
MR. BROWNLOW
Male-presenting, non-singing role, ages 50+. A kind, upper-class gentleman who we eventually discover is Oliver’s grandfather. We must see the element of regret that he once “lost” a daughter and then the joy at finding his grandson. British accent.
MRS. SOWERBERRY
Female-presenting, alto with a strong belt, ages 50+. The undertaker’s wife, who matches her husband in character. She has no qualms about leaving a young child to sleep amongst coffins! Cockney accent. This role may also double as MRS. BEDWIN or OLD SALLY.
Song suggestion: “That’s Your Funeral”
MRS. BEDWIN
Female-presenting, soprano, ages 50+. The warm and caring housekeeper of Mr. Brownlow. British accent.
Song suggestion: “Where is Love? (Reprise)”
ADULT ENSEMBLE
Lionel Bart’s Tony Award-winning score of songs like “Consider Yourself,” “Ooh-Pah-Pah,” and “Who Will Buy?” is brought to life by this ensemble group. Features include vocal solos and/or speaking roles for the following characters cast from the Adult Ensemble: WORKHOUSE BOARD OF GOVERNORS + CHAIRMEN, TAVERN KEEPER, ROSE SELLER, MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE-GRINDER, DR. GRIMWIG, OLD SALLY, BOW STREET RUNNERS, etc.
Please note that some young adults from the Adult Ensemble may also be cast as members of FAGIN’S GANG.
TEEN ROLES
THE ARTFUL DODGER
Male-presenting, baritenor, appears to be the age range of 13-18. A kid of the street and Fagin’s right-hand “man.” Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent, and savvy beyond his years. Cockney accent.
Song suggestion: “Consider Yourself”
BET
Female-presenting, mezzo-soprano, appears to be the age range of 14-20. Nancy’s spirited, loyal friend and constant companion. She was once part of Fagin’s gang and acts as a devoted follower of Nancy. Cockney accent.
Song suggestion: “It’s a Fine Life”
NOAH CLAYPOLE
Male-presenting, appears to be the age range of 18-21. The Undertaker’s (Mr. Sowerberry’s) apprentice. May have also come from the local Workhouse and feels threatened by and torments Oliver. Cockney accent.
CHARLOTTE
Female-presenting, appears to be the age range of 16-21. The rude and lazy teenage daughter of the undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry. She’s attracted to Noah and flirts with him while also terrorizing young Oliver. Cockney accent.
FAGIN’S GANG
Male-presenting and female-presenting, appears to be the age range of 10-18. Kids of the street who are now pickpockets for Fagin. They appear in several scenes and songs, and there are some with names and speaking lines including CAPTAIN, CHARLEY, PAUPER ASSISTANTS, GANG BOYS, NIPPER, MESSENGER BOY, etc.
Song suggestion: “Be Back Soon”
CHILDREN’S ROLES
OLIVER TWIST
Male-presenting, appears to be 9-12, boy soprano. An orphan workhouse boy who is bright and innocent. British accent. This character is in over 80% of the show and requires solo singing and the memorization of nearly 100 lines of dialogue. Parents/guardians should note he will be required at rehearsal more than any other person in the show.
Song suggestions: “Where is Love?” AND “Who Will Buy?”
WORKHOUSE ORPHANS
Male-presenting and female-presenting, appears to be the age range of 8-12. Children who are vulnerable and destitute and have been put into the workhouse system with Oliver. Some Workhouse Orphans MAY appear in FAGIN’S GANG or as Children of London and appear in the song “Who Will Buy?”
Song suggestion: “Food, Glorious Food”
ALGONQUIN YOUTH ENSEMBLE (AYE)
Here at Algonquin Arts Theatre, our produced Broadway Series performances work closely with the Education Department. This gives us an opportunity to educate students in all areas of the performing arts. Through our Performing Arts Academy (PAA), each semester (Fall-Winter, Winter-Spring & Summer) we offer a program called the Algonquin Youth Ensemble (AYE). AYE is an audition-only, comprehensive instructional, full-immersion theatre education program. The Algonquin Youth Ensemble is a class first. There is not a tuition fee to participate in this particular program. Students will be selected based on their audition alone. Not all who audition will be cast/selected for the program. Transcending the typical theatre program, AYE members not only have the opportunity to study theatrical disciplines with experienced professionals, but also must apply what they have learned in a fully mounted main stage production. This particular production is open to students in elementary and middle school. Participants commit to all production rehearsals, as needed, as well as tech rehearsals and performances.
