The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Schedule & Audition Information

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Rehearsals will take place October 17 - December 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6-10pm), and Sundays (3-10pm) There are additional evening rehearsals during tech week.

Most rehearsals take place at Lancaster Alliance Church.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Performances will take place from December 2-19, with 3 weekends of performances at Lancaster Alliance Church, December 2-5, 9-12, 16-19.

CASTING

We are looking for strong actors and storytellers of all ages to tell this wonderful story. We anticipate double casting most roles. Small stipends will be available for a few featured adult roles. Supporting roles and youth roles will be volunteer.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

The Adults

MOTHER (Grace Bradley) – (female, age 30-40ish) A leading role. When the usual director ends up in the hospital, Grace steps up to direct the annual Christmas pageant. Mother to Beth and Charlie and wife to Bob. Must be comfortable leading the pageant within the play, which includes directing a large group of children on stage. She exudes warmth, humor, compassion, grit, and determination.

FATHER (Bob Bradley) – (male, age 30-40ish) A solid family man. Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. Must have good comedic timing and be able to present witty dialogue smoothly. He is not a fan of the pageant, but he is a big fan of his wife and supports her in her efforts.

MRS. ARMSTRONG – (female, 50-ish) Large (personality) and in charge. Imperious. Managerial in voice and manner. The usual director of the Christmas Pageant (and almost everything else) who is sidelined by an untimely broken leg. Has trouble letting go and relinquishing control. A bossy know-it-all.

MRS. IRMA SLOCUM – (female, any age) A church lady. A pleasant, motherly woman, but not a fan of the Herdmans.

MRS. EDNA MCCARTHY – (female, middle 40s) A church lady. A younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong.

REVEREND HOPKINS – (male, middle to late 40s) The minister of the church. Father of Elmer. 

MRS. CLARK – (female, any age) A church lady. Mother of Hobie.

MRS. CLAUSING – (female, any age) A church lady.

FIREMEN

The Kids

BETH BRADLEY – (female, age 10-13) A lead role who narrates the show; must have a strong voice and great stage presence; able to show an array of emotions. Sister to Charlie and daughter to Grace & Bob. Beth is a great role for an experienced young actress as she must set the tone and drive the entire show through her storyline. She’s an average kid, but with more insight than many.

CHARLIE BRADLEY – (male, age 8-10) Younger brother to Beth, and son of Grace & Bob; typical “little brother” character, but an all‐around good kid. Must have good comedic timing and a strong voice. An average kid just trying to avoid getting beat up by a Herdman. 

RALPH HERDMAN – (male, age 12-15) Ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, with a touch of adolescent cool. The oldest member of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.” Definitely the perpetrator of minor crimes. Plays Joseph in the pageant. 

IMOGENE HERDMAN – (female, age 11-14) Loud, bossy, and crafty. The second oldest member and leader of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.” One tough cookie. Imogene shows an array of emotions from sassy to sadness in this play. This is an important role and takes a strong young actress to portray her. Plays Mary in the pageant. 

LEROY HERDMAN – (male, age 10-13) Tough, sure of himself. The third member of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.” Regularly steals Charlie’s lunch.

CLAUDE HERDMAN – (male, age 9-12) Tough, combative. The fourth member of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.” 

OLLIE HERDMAN – (male, age 8-11) Looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime. The fifth member of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.” 

GLADYS HERDMAN – (female, age 7‐10) Small, wiry, feisty. The sixth and youngest member of the Herdman clan of young ruffian siblings who are considered “the worst kids in the history of the world.”

ALICE WENDLEKEN – (female, age 10‐13) Prim, proper, and a pain in the neck. She is one of Beth’s Sunday School classmates. A goody two shoes and very prissy. 

MAXINE – (female, Age 10‐13) The narrator of the Christmas Pageant within the play. She is one of Beth’s Sunday School classmates. Must have a loud, clear speaking voice.

ELMER HOPKINS – (male, age 11-14) The minister’s son. He is a little nerdy, but still sweet. Friends with Charlie Bradley and NOT a fan of the Herdmans.

Other Roles:

HOBIE (male, age 9-14)

DAVID (male, age 8-12)

BEVERLY (female, age 7-10)

SHIRLEY (female, age 5-9)

JUANITA (female, age 5-9)

DORIS (female, age 9-14)

Angel choir members, Baby angels, shepherds, etc.