Hit the Bricks!

Experience 250+ years of Saint Charles history..... in one hour!  Two tours are currently offered on most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Book Your Tour Now!

Character Performer Roles:

For your audition, choose up to two (2) characters from EACH festival you are interested in being considered for and prepare a 90-second improvisational performance as each.

Mrs. Lovett and Sweeny Todd

LEGENDS & LANTERNS®

Jacob Grimm (1785-1863)
One-half of the famous sibling duo that wrote some of the world's most famous fairy tales. Part Willy Wonka, part Walt Disney, the Brothers Grimm find out that through the magic of Legends & Lanterns, some of their most notorious villains have sprung to life off the pages of their books...and hijinks ensue! German accent. This character will also perform in a daily scripted show alongside Wilhelm Grimm, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, and Edgar Allan Poe. 

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851)
A literary pioneer, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was an icon in women's history. In an industry dominated by men, she wrote what is arguably the crown jewel of horror literature, Frankenstein. Spunky, bold, and a little strange (after all, she kept her dead husband's heart wrapped in a copy of a love poem), she is a perfect blend of Jane Austen and Wednesday Addams. English accent. This character will also perform in a daily scripted show alongside Edgar Allan Poe and the Brothers Grimm.

Sweeney Todd
The demon barber of Fleet Street, this iconic, revenge-driven villain made his debut in the Victorian thriller "The String of Pearls," and was later made famous by a Broadway musical that bears his name and details how he dispatches his clientele by offering the "closest shave" they'll ever know. Cockney accent. This character will perform as a duo alongside the character of Mrs. Lovett.

Mrs. Lovett
Sweeney Todd's quirky accomplice. The proprietor of a meat pie shop (infamous for serving the "worst pies in London.") Funny and over-the-top, Mrs. Lovett is excited to offer patrons her new and improved pies (made from a "secret ingredient.") Needless to say, she's dying to MEAT you! Cockney accent. This character will perform as a duo alongside the character of Sweeney Todd.

Martian Ambassadors
A quirky spoof on the alien characters of 1950s Sci-Fi B-Movies, these extraterrestrial visitors from the Red Planet have crash landed their flying saucer on Historic Main Street, and are now intrigued by the strange habits of the earthlings they encounter. They come in peace...or do they? Mars Attacks meets Galaxy Quest. Multiple roles available. Seeking performers who can bring a fun physicality and character voice to the characters. 

Monster Hunter Merchants
Allies of the Angry Villagers, these antagonists of the festival know all of the tips and tricks to ridding your neighborhood of monsters and supernatural visitors. They also happen to run an outpost with an eclectic array of Legends & Lanterns festival souvenirs and mementos. Multiple roles available. Seeking outgoing performers who would be comfortable selling merchandise.

Stingy Jack
Centuries ago in Ireland, a scallywag named Stingy Jack was infamous for playing pranks and tricks on people (with mischievous delight). One day, after tricking the Devil himself, Jack was cursed to wander the earth for all eternity with only a glowing ember from the underworld to light his way (which he placed in a hollowed out turnip). Hence creating the world’s first Jack-o-Lantern…a tradition that endures today! Irish accent. Seeking a comedic performer who can bring a sense of physicality to the role.

Lizzie Borden (1860-1927)
Did she or didn't she? Acquitted for the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother, Lizzie never quite convinced history of her innocence. Now she's on Main Street, looking to "bury the hatchet," as she teaches festival guests all of the pointers for crafting the perfect alibi. If you're lucky, she might even recite the classic nursery rhyme that details her "alleged" crime. 

Civil War Santa

SAINT CHARLES CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS®

The Yule Lads
These mischievous Icelandic goblins ("Candle Stealer," "Sausage Swiper," and "Spoon Licker,") are three of the 13 Yule Lads that have been a traditional component of Scandinavian Christmas celebrations for generations. They are the sons of the ogress, Gryla (who takes naughty Icelandic children and makes them into stew). The Yule Lads however have no interest in naughty children stew, and instead love to be goofy, spread merriment, and participate in all forms of pranks. Three roles available. These characters may be portrayed by male or female presenting performers who will be outfitted with whimsical beards and bushy eyebrows. 

8 Maids Wassail Tavern
NEW FOR 2023! When not "a-milking," these Milkmaids spend their holiday season offering Christmas Traditions® patrons cups of Wassail (a traditional old English spiced cider), amidst their cow-bell ringing and (bad) yodeling to attract customers, they also share stories about their adventures with the 10 Lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, and those infamous five golden rings! English or German accent preferred. Multiple roles available.

Jacob Marley
The ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge's long-dead business partner from Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol." He carries heavy chains as punishment for the greed he exhibited in life as he warns his miserly friend that a similar fate can only be avoided by visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come. English accent.

Pere Noel
Joyeaux Noel! This French Father Christmas is the traditional gift giver for the children of France. Foregoing Santa's sleigh and reindeer, Pere Noel travels from his home in Lapland (near the Arctic Circle) with his donkey named "Gui" (French for "mistletoe"). He often leaves gifts for good boys and girls after Christmas Eve mass as he enjoys a glass of wine (as opposed to milk and cookies). 

Victorian Merchants
Hearkening back to the by-gone era of Victorian street merchants who sold their wares along the banks of the River Thames, these cheerful London peddlers, flower girls, and chestnut roasters create witty slogans in order to sell their fine wares to Christmas Traditions® patrons (including ornaments, festival t-shirts, pins & buttons, and various other mementos and souvenirs that help guests display their yuletide spirit all year long!) Cockney/English/Irish accent. Multiple roles available. Seeking outgoing performers who would be comfortable selling merchandise.

Civil War Santa
This depiction of Father Christmas first debuted in a January 1863 edition of Harper’s Weekly magazine. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast, a staunch Union supporter, drew an image of Santa (dressed in a star-spangled uniform) delivering gifts to a Union camp. This drawing of Santa solidified the traditional look of Mr. Claus that endures to this day.

Mari Lwyd part-time role
Part Dr. Seuss and part Halloween, the Mari Lwyd is a treasured Welsh yuletide custom with roots in ancient Celtic tradition. Every year, a Welsh villager parades through town wearing a festively decorated horse skull, going door to door, exchanging rhymes and songs in return for being invited in for a holiday treat (think of it as Christmas trick-or-treating). While odd, the Mari Lwyd is cheerful and whimsical. This performer shares the background of this practice (and often challenges visitors to "rhyme battles.") Welsh/English accent. May be portrayed by a male or female-presenting performer. This character will appear only on Friday evenings (excluding 11/24) during Christmas Traditions as part of the Krampus Karnival programming. 

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

SPONSORED

SPONSORED