ANNIE

Annie is a complex little girl. She is a tough, streetwise urchin who is nevertheless vulnerable when she thinks she might lose what has become most important to her: a newfound “family” who loves her. She has to be motherly in scene one, independent in scene two, overwhelmed in scenes four and five, needy in scene seven, and hopeful for the future in scenes ten and eleven. The actor who plays Annie must be strong vocally and musically. She must be capable of vocal projection without strain. Although she is at times aggressive or crafty, the audience should never doubt Annie is a friendly and caring child; she will go to any extent to gain the love of a family to which she can belong.

Vocal Range: G (below middle C) - High F

Annie Audition Materials - Songs: Tomorrow & Hard-Knock Life, Dialogue

GRACE FARRELL

Warbucks' assistant, calm, cool, mature, classy, sophisticated and businesslike.

Grace is mature, calm, cool and "together." She is classy and businesslike when dealing with Miss Hannigan and Warbucks, yet maternal toward Annie. The student playing Grace can set herself apart from the other characters simply by the sophisticated way she walks. Grace should seem ready with an answer for just about anything. Each dramatic situation should seem to come "under control" the moment she glides into a scene. The student playing Grace must be able to negotiate the challenging intervals in "N.Y.C.

Vocal Range: A flat - High F sharp

Grace Audition Materials - Songs: I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here & N.Y.C, Dialogue

OLIVER WARBUCKS

This may be the most challenging role in Annie for a student in this age group. He must appear middle-aged, self-assured and confident. At first awkwardly affectionate toward Annie, he soon finds himself completely charmed by her. The student who plays Warbucks will need to be extremely focused throughout the show. His posture, walk and speech patterns are very important.

Self assured, confident--most challenging role in show for student. Capable of showing emotional transformation and maturity. Good singer.

Vocal Range: A flat - E flat

Warbucks Audition Material - Song: N.Y.C. , Dialogue

MISS HANNIGAN

This woman is definitely a "has-been." Her distaste for her job and the children that are part of it should be obvious in every line she speaks, every song she sings and every move she makes. The student who plays her must have an excellent sense of comic timing. The acrid delivery of her lines and the torch-like rendition of her songs must distinguish her from the other characters in the show.

Vocal Range: G - High D

Hannigan Audition Material - Songs: Little Girls & Easy Street, Dialogue

ROOSTER & LILY

These two are quite the team -- “team” being the operative word, as the characters play off each other constantly. You might consider casting students of contrasting heights. Rooster can even be shorter than Lily; after all, these two are not to be taken too seriously! Rooster is flashy and self-assured. His “moves” should be as smooth as a gambler’s, as should be the message he sells in “Easy Street.” Lily (airhead that she is) is always distracted, although she manages to pick up on any conversation involving money. She never acts as the leader, always bringing up the rear while tripping over her own feet (it is difficult to walk and check your makeup in a compact at the same time). “Easy Street” is the most challenging number in the show, in terms of vocal range. If the students playing Rooster and Lily are strong both vocally and visually, the audience will feel like joining them in “Easy Street”!

ROOSTER HANNIGAN (see Rooster and Lily)

Flashy, self-assured, "bad guy," brother to Miss Hannigan. Good singer and actor, moves well.

Vocal Range: G - E flat

LILY ST. REGIS (see Rooster and Lily)

Distracted airhead, a bit bumbling, girlfriend to Rooster. Good singer and actress, moves well.

Vocal Range: B flat - E flat

Rooster & Lily Audition Materials - Song: Easy Street, Dialogu

SPEAKING ORPHANS

These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially lovable. The actors portraying them must be able to have mischievous fun with each other as well as “sibling-style” fights. Each student should be able to create and shape her own character. Children auditioning for these roles need to have vocal strength and be visually expressive. All of their blocking and movements must appear motivated and strong. Cast these characters well and you will have won over your audience by the end of scene one.

Speaking Orphans Audition Materials - Songs: Hard-Knock Life & You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, Dialogue

ENSEMBLE

Ensemble Audition Materials - Songs: I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here & N.Y.C., Dialogue