Powerhouse announces more auditions for 'A Christmas Carol'

LACONIA — Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative has announced additional auditions for December’s co-production of Joel Mercier’s A Christmas Carol: The Musical Ghost Story.

Produced in conjunction with NCCA at Jean’s Playhouse, the 2021 production is hoped to be the beginning of an annual tradition of bringing the beloved Dickens’ classic to the Lakes Region.

Auditions will be held on the third floor of the Belknap Mill on Sunday, Oct. 3. Kids and teens ages 6 and up are asked to come at 2 p.m. Adults will sign up for slots beginning at 4 p.m.

For those interested who cannot attend on the 3rd, video submissions will be accepted. There is a participation fee, but nobody will be turned away from the cast if this presents a hardship.

All information about the production and audition details can be found at www.belknapmill.org/powerhouse-auditions.

Directed by Mercier and featuring his original music and lyrics, the majority of the cast has been in place since last spring, but there are several additional roles to fill for adults, and room to cast 10-15 children and teens to play the Cratchit kids and ensemble.

Adult roles available include Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Bob Cratchit, Nephew Fred, Mr. Fezziwig, Topper & Mrs. Topper, as well as the third member of the “ghostly” dance trio.

Says Mercier, "This production is the true definition of an ensemble cast. Everyone has a lot to do and everyone plays a specific character in the ensemble, while also doubling as traditional characters in the story, such as Fezziwig, the School Master, Mrs. Dilber, Old Joe, etc."

Rehearsals will begin Oct. 24 and be Sunday afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Belknap Mill. Vaccinations are required for all participants over 12, and masks may be worn at some or all rehearsals depending on the levels of community transmission.

Participants need to be prepared to be patient and flexible.