Announcing auditions for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas this September!
The City of Fairfax Theatre Company will hold auditions for its 2026 winter musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday, September 23 at CFTC’s blackbox (11216 Waples Mill Road, Suite 103, Fairfax VA) for actors, singers, and dancers ages 6-adult.
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.
Creative TeamDirector Nancy LavalleeMusic Director Rachel BradleyChoreographer Jessica StahlCFTC Producing Director Elizabeth Couchman
White Christmas will be performed at Katherine Johnson Middle School (KJMS) in Fairfax, VA from December 11-19, 2026. Rehearsals begin September 26 and will take place at the CFTC blackbox until December and at KJMS for the remainder of the production. Strike will be held on December 20, followed by the cast and crew party.
We are committed to open and inclusive casting of actors of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and abilities. We also encourage you to audition even if you have never been in a play or musical before.
What to Prepare
Please prepare a 32-bar (approx. 1 minute) cut of a song of your choice in the style of the show. We prefer you to bring sheet music with you for our accompanist, but you may also play a karaoke track from your phone, if necessary. Please do not sing a song from the show.
Please prepare one of the provided monologues (does not need to be memorized): https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Z4Q42-Awm_pMBHo2JGWvu0CeZuVfFOYkOsg849ceGQ/edit?usp=drivesdk
Please wear clothes and shoes you can move in for the dance audition. There will not be time to change more than your shoes. You do not need character/tap shoes for the audition.
Callbacks will be held by invitation on September 24 at 6pm at KJMS. We will email you by 11:59pm on September 23 if we would like to see you at callbacks. Even if you are not called back, that does not mean you have not been cast in the show. We will only be calling back for specific roles in the production. You will be expected to sing a vocal cut, dance, and read sides from the showat the callbacks. Callback materials will be emailed in advance. If you have auditioned for the production, we will reach out about casting decisions by Saturday, September 26 at the latest. The cast list will be emailed and posted on all social media platforms corresponding with the first rehearsal.
Fill out our audition form here: https://forms.gle/pkb4785PwfPkpWXc8
Sign up for an audition slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FAEA722A5FD0-65130611-white
Please plan to stay for the full one hour time slot. You can sign up to sing or dance first, and then you’ll switch.
Walk-ins will be accepted. We recommend arriving at the very beginning of auditions that day if you’re planning to walk in. You can fill out our audition form ahead of time, or fill one out on-site. If you plan to fill it out on-site, please be sure to arrive early so you have time to check in and fill it out. Make sure to check our rehearsal calendar to indicate possible conflicts on your audition form. We do make casting decisions based on conflicts and may not be able to accept new, non-emergency conflicts after rehearsals begin on Saturday, September 26.
Video Auditions: If you are unable to make one of our audition dates, please still fill out an audition form and then email us at whitechristmascftc@gmail.comby September 22 at 5pm with a link to your video audition. Please ensure it is set to be accessible to anyone with the link. Please indicate if you are available for callbacks.
Questions? Contact whitechristmascftc@gmail.com
Character Breakdown
Note that ages and genders mentioned are for the character and not necessarily the actor playing the role.
Principal Roles
BOB WALLACE – (late 20s to mid 30s) A major singing star, Bob is the guiding force behind the song and dance team of Wallace and Davis. He wears his fame easily and is a born leader, but he has some trouble with social and romantic interactions. Despite his occasional gruffness, he is a deeply kind and principled man who is searching for his true love. A superb singer with a crooning style who moves very well. Baritone.
PHIL DAVIS – (late 20s to mid 30s) The fun-loving, go-getting song-and-dance partner of the team of Wallace and Davis. An irrepressible clown, operator and incorrigible ladies’ man who is determined to see his friend happy, even if it requires scheming and outright deception. He has a boyish charm. Strong jazz and tap-dancing needed – a song-and-dance comic performer. Bari-Tenor.
BETTY HAYNES – (mid to late 20s) The sensible, responsible half of the upcoming song-and-dance team, The Haynes Sisters. Destined to be a star in her own right, she is nonetheless hesitant to take the spotlight for herself. A woman of decent, upstanding principles, she is devoted to her younger sister. Like Bob, she hides her yearning for true love under a protective shell. A female singer of quiet beauty and charm with a rich chest mix sound and a soprano extension. Must move well.
JUDY HAYNES – (early 20s) The younger, more ambitious, slightly scheming Haynes sister. While wholesome and adorable, she is sexy and flirty – a winning charmer whom no man can resist. Strong jazz and tap dancing needed – a major song-and-dance performer. Chest mix.
GENERAL HENRY WAVERLY – (late 50s to mid 60s) A retired U.S. Army General, adjusting to civilian life in post-World War II America. Once a powerful leader, he now struggles to run an Inn in Vermont. He remains a man of great principle and dignity. Beneath his curmudgeonly military exterior lies a warm, compassionate man in need of family and love. Except for one line, a non-singing role.
MARTHA WATSON – (late 40s to mid 60s) Once a Broadway star, now the general’s housekeeper at the Inn, Martha has a very dry, wry, wisecracking sense of humor. Bighearted but completely unsentimental, she runs the General’s life despite his protestations. She is an irrepressible meddler, but always for what she believes to be the other guy’s best interests. A winning, appealing character-comedienne with a clarion belt voice.
SUSAN WAVERLY – (9-12 years old) The General’s granddaughter, Susan is a lovable and outgoing real kid. She is very smart, wise beyond her years, and cares deeply about her grandfather. Once bitten hard by the showbiz bug, she demonstrates everything that is winning in the ultimate child performer. She must have an excellent belt voice and be able to move well.
Featured Roles
RALPH SHELDRAKE – (mid to late 30s) Army buddy of Bob and Phil’s, now a major television executive with the Ed Sullivan Show. Fast-talking, New York professional. Baritone.
RITA and RHODA – (mid 20s to early 30s) Bob and Phil’s star chorus girls, they are brash, sexy, and fun, although perhaps not the smartest.
EZEKIEL FOSTER – (mid 40’s to late 50’s) The ultimate taciturn New Englander, he helps out at the inn and takes life at a very slow pace. Can be double-cast with the role of SNORING MAN.
MIKE – (mid 20s to late 30s) Bob and Phil’s stage manager. He tends to be over-dramatic and completely hysterical, but he gets things done. Never seen without his whistle and clipboard, which he uses to attempt to keep order. Can be double cast with the role of ED SULLIVAN ANNOUNCER.
Ensemble Roles
TESSIE – Bob and Phil’s extremely competent assistant. Can be double cast with the role of ASSISTANT SEAMSTRESS.
JIMMY – The proprietor of “Jimmy’s Back Room,” a none-too-classy nightclub.
CIGARETTE GIRLSNORING MANMRS.
SNORING MAN – Can be double cast with the role of SEAMSTRESS.
TRAIN CONDUCTOR
DANCE CAPTAIN
SEAMSTRESSASSISTANT
SEAMSTRESS
ED SULLIVAN ANNOUNCER
REGENCY ROOM ANNOUNCER (OFFSTAGE VOICE)
SHELDRAKE’S SECRETARY (OFFSTAGE VOICE)
SOLDIERS, TRAIN PASSENGERS, INN GUESTS, CLUBGOERS, CHORUS KIDS AND PATRONS OF THE REGENCY ROOM
CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE (ages 6-13)