The City of Fairfax Theatre Company will hold auditions for its 2025 holiday show, A BACKSTAGE CHRISTMAS, by Ellen Dean Price, for actors age 7 and up. This production will be directed by Ellen Dean Price (author and director of THE HEIRESS OF HAWTREY HALL) and produced by Lora Buckman.
When/where are auditions?
AUDITION DATES/TIMES: Friday, August 22, from 5:30 to 9 pm and Saturday, August 23, from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
LOCATION: CFTC’s new blackbox theatre (11216 Waples Mill Road, Suite 103, Fairfax VA)
VIDEO AUDITIONS: For those unavailable for an in person audition, video auditions will also be considered and are due August 21st at 9pm. Please contact us at backstagechristmascftc@gmail.com to arrange for a video submission.
Who can audition?
AGES: 7 and up
When/where will the show go up?
PERFORMANCES: there will be 8 performances of A BACKSTAGE CHRISTMAS at the Katherine Johnson Middle School from December 12-21, 2025.
When/Where will we rehearse?
REHEARSALS: will take place at the CFTC blackbox and begin mid-September, with two weekday evenings and some Saturdays until tech week. See the more detailed tentative calendar here.
What should I expect at auditions?
Please fill out the online audition form before you arrive here
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Audition scenes will be available to review one half hour before your audition slot.
While this is not a musical, there are roles that require some singing (Noah, the “Trio” and Carolers). If you are interested in one of these roles, please prepare the cut of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” as indicated here in the key of your choosing. We will have you sing it a cappella at the audition as all the singing in the show is without piano accompaniment. (Review the detailed character descriptions below for more information about roles with singing.)
FAQ’s: here
Reserve an audition slot: here
Read an excerpt from the show: here
Review Detailed Character Descriptions: here
See tentative Rehearsal/Performance Calendar here.
SYNOPSIS:
Elise Garland wants a quiet Christmas, so she can focus on the holiday rush with her online marketing business. But when her son Noah is offered a stage role in “Bob Cratchit’s Toy Shoppe” at a local amusement park, she can’t say no, especially when dynamic actor Calderon Myles makes a desperate plea.
It’s a far bigger commitment than Elise realized but with Noah loving every minute, she can’t help but take on some of the holiday cheer – and take note of Cal – whose enthusiasm for the stage and the season has warmed her heart. But when she’s forced to make a decision that will not only affect Cal’s Christmas present but also his Christmas future, will it also derail a second chance for love?
A backstage Christmas wasn’t in the plans – but it may be a Christmas to remember!
We’re looking forward to your audition!
More questions? Please contact us at backstagechristmascftc@gmail.com