2025 Character Performer & Singer Auditions
We're seeking creative, diverse, and engaging storytellers to help bring history to life as interactive character performers during the 2025 Halloween and Christmas celebrations along historic Main Street.
Our official audition season for 2025 has closed, however 2 roles have recently become available! Read on for more information on these open roles in Legends & Lanterns® and Saint Charles Christmas Traditions®.
Legends & Lanterns®: Video Audition
Character Performer: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Rehearsal Dates:
- July 23 (6pm-8pm): Orientation
- August 31 (Time TBD): Photo Day
- September 3 (6:30pm-9pm): Character Development Workshop
- September 24 (6pm-7:30pm): Festival Simulation Exercise
- October 4 (9am-12pm): Final Dress Rehearsal
- TBD: One additional rehearsal will be held to block and run a 15-minute show called Writers’ Block that Mary Shelley performs along with Edgar Allan Poe and the Brothers Grimm. This will be coordinated with all performers’ schedules.
Performance Dates:
- Saturdays: October 11 & 18 (11am-6pm), and 24 (11am-8pm)
- Sundays: October 12, 19, and 26 (12pm-5pm)
- Friday, October 24 (5pm-8pm)
Compensation
This role starts at $13.75/hr for all rehearsals and performances
Character Description
A literary pioneer and icon in early 19th century England, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is best known for authoring one of the most beloved novels of the horror genre. While on a trip to Lake Geneva in May of 1816, dreary weather kept her travel party indoors where they had a competition…who could write the scariest ghost story. Nineteen-year-old Mary won with her story, Frankenstein, about a scientist who successfully reanimated a corpse. Mary’s real life was just as macabre (after her husband died in a boating accident, Mary kept his heart, wrapped in a copy of a love poem he had written her). British accent. Additionally, the role of Mary Shelly will perform a 15-minute comedic show each festival day alongside Edgar Allan Poe and the Brothers Grimm, which lovingly skewers the real-life stories behind the most iconic ghost stories and fairy tales.
What to prepare for the Audition, and How to Do It!
Film a self-tape, performing the following selection from the Writers’ Block show. Send the video to Festival Director Ryan Cooper at rcooper@discoverstcharles.com by Wednesday, July 23rd at 5pm. Seeking a performer who is bold and high-spirited to match the campy style of the show. Along with your video submission, please submit all conflicts with the rehearsal and performance calendar above. NOTE: While some conflicts with the rehearsal schedule can be accommodated, interested applicants must be available for ALL performance dates.
MARY:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and ghouls!
We are here, to give all of you bookworms, a “Sparknotes” version of the most popular horror books of all time. But where to start? Ladies first, of course!
Once upon a time in 1816, I traveled to Switzerland for a summer of fun and sun.
Mother Nature, on the other hand had other plans. It rained the whole time. So…what’s a girl to do when your summer va-cay is a wash? What any woman would…you write one of the most iconic books in the history of literature.
While kept indoors, my travel party had a competition. The challenge? Who could write the scariest ghost story. And I won with a story called…
The Modern Prometheus! But you all know it best by its alternate title: Frankenstein.
The story centers around a scientist and his quest to bring a dead body back to life. The doctor was intelligent! You might say he was a real Frank-EINSTEIN!
The doctor was suave! He liked his martinis shaken not Mon-Stirred!
And boy did he have a nice physique! Not surprising given his favorite activity…body building!
Saint Charles Christmas Traditions®: In-Person Audition
Caroler: Maple Leaf Trio (seeking one female singer)
Rehearsal Dates:
- August 13 (6pm-8pm): Orientation
- August 31 (Time TBD): Photo Day
- September 3 (6:30pm-9pm): Character Development Workshop
- November 8 (Time TBD): Christmas Traditions® Parade Rehearsal
- November 12 (6pm-7:30pm): Festival Simulation Exercise
- November 22 (9am-12pm): Final Dress Rehearsal
- Mondays (Oct. 13-Nov. 10) 6pm-8pm: Maple Leaf Trio Music Rehearsals
Performance Dates:
- Opening Day (11/28): 12pm-8:30pm
- Saturdays (11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20): 12pm-8:30pm
- Sundays (11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21): 12pm-5pm
- Fridays (12/5, 12/12, 12/19): 6pm-8:30pm
- Christmas Eve (12/24): 11am-2pm
Compensation
This role starts at $13.75/hr for all rehearsals and performances
Role Description
Specializing in traditional Victorian carols, the Maple Leaf Trio represent the beloved holiday traditions of the Canadian provinces in the late 19th century. They have travelled far to experience the joys of Christmas in Saint Charles (which itself was founded by French Canadians in 1769). In addition to taking in the sights, these three ladies are also excited to share their gift of song with all of the new friends they meet.
Audition Date
Auditions will be held in person at 7pm on Wednesday, July 16th at the Saint Charles Tourism Center (230 South Main Street. Saint Charles, MO 63301). Arrive 15 minutes early to fill out an audition form. Anticipate auditions lasting approx. 30-45 minutes.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW to sign up for an audition appointment:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A8AC22A4F8C52-57512034-caroler
What to prepare for the audition
***CLICK HERE*** to access the music tracks and sheet music. Familiarize yourself with the alto and/or soprano part of both WINTER WONDERLAND and DECK THE HALL. Music Director Rob Gleason will workshop sections of the two tunes with the full group before listening to auditionees sing solo and in small groups. Please bring a full list of conflicts with the rehearsal and performance schedule listed above.
Personnel in the Audition Room
- Rob Gleason (Music Director)
- Beth Derhake (Festival Production Assistant)
We look forward to seeing you at auditions!
Questions? Contact Ryan Cooper at rcooper@discoverstcharles.com