Godspell 2025 – dates and information about workshops and auditions, plus character breakdown
Production team
Director/ Choreographer: Cleo Carter
Musical Director: Andrew Longland-Meech
Choreographer: Charlotte Pask
Production Manager: Condoleezza Hankins
Important dates
Workshops – Tuesday 7th January and Thursday 9th January 2025 at 7.30pm (see below for more information)
Auditions: Sunday, 12th January from 12pm-5pm
Rehearsals and Show dates
Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 13th January plus last Sunday of every month.
Show week: Monday 13th May to Saturday 19th May
Cast Size and Requirements
We are looking for a cast size of 14-16, all of whom will be strong singers, movers and storytellers.
This is a high-energy show with the cast on stage for the duration. Everyone must be comfortable with lots of movement and physical theatre. All auditionees are required to be 18+.
Character Breakdown
In the script, other than the characters of Jesus and John the Baptist/Judas, the characters are called by the first names of the original cast members. We will be using our actors’ first names.
While the original cast was broken down into 5 male and 5 female actors, the production will be open to casting differently than those gendered roles. The descriptions below provide an idea of the differences between the personalities and arcs of each character. Much of each character’s personality is developed by the actor and director and are based around the song each character sings. Some songs may be shared between singers and there are additional, non-singing roles and soloist dance roles.
For clarity – Jesus will be cast as female, Judas will be cast as male, all other roles are open to everyone.
Jesus (Female, originally tenor): Must be the most charismatic individual in the cast. High energy, charming, funny, gentle but with strength. She is the sort of person others instinctively follow.
John the Baptist/Judas (Male, baritone): He has attributes of both Biblical figures: He is both Jesus’ lieutenant and most ardent disciple and the doubter who begins to question and rebel. Like Jesus, he is also charismatic, but in more of an overt revolutionary way. He is the most “serious” and intellectual of the group, though as with all the actors, he must still possess a good sense of physical comedy. He sings “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” and “All For the Best”.
All other roles available are open to any age, ethnicity, or gender:
Anna Maria (Alto): She is the first of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song “Day by Day.”
Celisse (Mezzo-Soprano): The class clown. Goofy and a cut-up. In the 2012 Broadway revival, she played several instruments, including conga, ukulele and guitar. That is not necessary for our production. She sings “Learn Your Lessons Well.”
George (Tenor): The comedian, another class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. He sings “Light of the World.”
Lindsay (Soprano): The confident one, the show-off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes she jumps in before she really understands what’s going on. She sings “Bless the Lord.”
Morgan (Alto): Sassy and slightly cynical. Also the “sexy” one, but her sexiness contains a large element of put-on, in the manner of Mae West or Madonna. She sings “Turn Back, O Man.”
Nick (Tenor): Very high energy. Impish and playful. In the original, he played several musical instruments, including concertina, recorder and guitar. He sings “We Beseech Thee.”
Telly (Tenor): There is a great sweetness and innocence about him. He sings the difficult and beautiful song, “All Good Gifts.”
Uzo (Alto): The shy one. Sometimes a little slow to get things, but when she does, she commits all the way. Has an “earth mother” kind of warmth to her. She sings “By My Side.”
Additional ensemble roles may be added at director’s discretion.
Workshops and auditions
Everyone auditioning will be taught an excerpt of movement. You will also be asked to workshop an excerpt of the script in small groups. The material will be provided to you on the day. It is not mandatory to attend both sessions, as we will be repeating the same material, however if you wish to attend more than once, we would love to see you there!
We will go through suggested solo pieces. For those interested in auditioning for principle/singing roles, we would like you to prepare an audition song in a similar style and range to the part(s) you would like to audition for.
For those auditioning for Jesus or Judas, you will also be asked to perform a short excerpt from the script in pairs.