Auditions for Ruth

Open to all students and adults ages 6+. To sign up, click the link above and complete the form.

Audition Dates:
December 9th at 5pm OR December 10th at 5pm

*You only need to attend ONE audition date*

DANCER ONLY Auditions: December 9th at 7pm

Callbacks:

Invite only - December 10th at 7:00pm

Show Participation Fee: $25 - *Fees are due by the Parent/Cast Meeting on April 18th. *We never want to turn away a child from participating in a production because of financial hardship. If you feel you need financial assistance, please email Santana at bamareptheatre@gmail.com or talk with us at auditions.

Click HERE to pay your participation fee.

Click HERE to join the Facebook cast/crew group. 

Auditions and Rehearsals take place at our studio - 329 5th Ave NW Attalla, AL 35954.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Parent/Cast Meeting - December 17th 6pm

TECH WEEK - April 6-10

REHEARSALS

Weekly rehearsals, Mondays (5-8pm), Tuesdays (5-8pm), and some Saturdays.

**Not all cast members are called to rehearsal every week. Many younger cast members will only rehearse once a week for about an hour** 

SHOWS/PERFORMANCES:

April 11th - 7pm (Possible School Showing in the morning)

April 12th - 10:30am and 7pm

April 13th - 2:30pm

How to audition:

Young Performer - Ages 6-11: 

• Pick a song that you are comfortable singing in-front of people (No longer than 1 minute. If you are singing with music, please have it ready on your own device.)

• We understand that auditions can be scary. If you are uncomfortable singing in front of others but you still want to be in the show, we will have you sing with a group to make the audition experience more comfortable.

• Be sure to complete the form below before coming to the audition.

• Children will be asked to do a few fun and engaging acting exercises as well.

Vocal Role/Lead/Ensemble Cast - Ages 12 and up:

• Pick a song that shows off your best vocal abilities. We want to see you shine!

• Songs should be no longer than 1 minute. If you are singing with music, please have it ready on your own device.

• Be sure to complete the registration form before coming to the audition.

• Be prepared to do a cold read (read from the script).

• You may be asked participate in a dance audition as well.

Dancer Audition Only - Ages 11+

• Come to the designated audition time and date.

• Dress comfortably in dance appropriate attire.

• Be prepared to learn choreography in a quick time frame.

Parents! Is your child new to theatre? Read over this!

During the course of this process, student cast members will audition, rehearse and perform the full-length musical, learn the process from audition to performance, and develop rehearsal techniques and professional etiquette.

Rehearsals range between 1.5 - 3 hrs long and will include instruction in singing, dancing, and acting. 

How will this program help my child?

Your child will learn to develop their speech, how to use eye contact, body language and the joy of storytelling using their body and their voice. Confidence and communication will grow as they work within an ensemble to create a magical world of their own, a place where dreams really do come true!

RUTH - Character Descriptions. Please note that ages listed with characters are suggested, not required.

Narrator: *Can be split into 3 roles* 

(timeless, ageless female(s)/must sing). 

She introduces the story, furthers the story and concludes the story. She also appears once as a character sent to encourage Naomi. She is the connection between reality and storytelling. Beautiful, calming voice, warm, personable. She knows the story, its purpose, its relevance and wants to bring the audience into it. At the end of the show, we realize she is an angelic figure who ascends during the finale. 

Elimelech:

(Must be able to look late 50’s/must sing) 

A Jewish husband and craftsman of Bethlehem. Somewhat prideful and determined but mostly compassionate and light-hearted. Makes a rash decision to move to Moab during a severe famine in Bethlehem. He loves his family and continually rallies them together. Name means “God is Kind.”

Naomi:

(Needs to be able to look 40’s – 80’s/must sing) 

The wife of Elimelech. Name means “sweetness” or “pleasure.” She is kind, good, lovable and keeps religious traditions strong in the family. She is reluctant to leave Bethlehem and raise her sons in a foreign land but honors her husband’s decision to leave. She is widowed early in the story and slowly develops bitterness toward God and life, especially after the death of her sons. (“call me Mara - bitter”). She returns to Bethlehem as an old and hopeless woman with her devoted daughter-in-law Ruth. Naomi is in need of a kinsman redeemer. She laments her life until Boaz and Ruth bring restoration. Her redemption is a core element in the storyline. 

Young Mahlon:

(8-10/must sing) 

His name means “weakness in sickness.” He is carefree and takes his life and religion seriously. Intelligent and observant. Loves his parents but is closest to his mother, Naomi. He becomes a craftsman like his father and falls in love with Ruth when he is older. 

Young Chilion

(10-12/must sing)

His name means “weakness.” He is a jokester, hot tempered and loves his family. He is a fighter and somewhat spontaneous in his thinking and actions. Falls in love with Orpah when older. 

Older Mahlon 

(Older Teen-20’s/must sing) 

He is kind and loving, not a physically strong son. Closer to his mother after his father’s death. He is a good businessman, and carries on his father’s business. Calm, mild-mannered. Lives on the edge when it comes to Ruth. Godly character. Sees Ruth for who she really is. 

Older Chilion 

(Older Teen-20’s)

He is the physically stronger of the two boys. Loves conflict, loves his mother, but not a mama’s boy. Willing to die for his brother. He breaks all the rules like dating a Moabite woman (Orpah). He lives way on the edge of life. Likable but distant, moody. 

Boaz

(Needs to look early 20’s–through 50’s/must sing)

Starts the story as a driven, arrogant, wealthy young man who has promise of being a very influential man in Bethlehem. He resents his older cousin Elimelech for leaving family and the Promised Land during a time of crisis. Hot tempered, does not think before he speaks. Has yet to get a sense of what “family” really means. Excellent businessman, very prejudiced against foreigners. He yells a curse on Elimelech as they leave Bethlehem. In Act II, Boaz has grown older and matured greatly. He is a very influential man in the community and has the respect of many despite an underlying fact that he is only half Israelite, for his mother was Rahab, a Gentile prostitute who committed her life to God. Boaz’ spirituality has deepened over the years, and he honors God with more than word and deed. He is caring and loves to share his wealth with his workers, a good employer. Upholds the Law at all costs and expects others to as well. He falls in love with Ruth’s heart and devotion to Naomi. He protects Ruth from harm early on. Although he is no longer prejudiced, he is still torn over the fact that he is falling in love with a Moabitess. He goes with his heart and redeems Ruth and Naomi. 

King of Moab

(Needs to look 40’s) 

He is pompous, arrogant and the leader of the temple. Totally sold out to Chemosh. He arranges for the sacrifice of young girls to Chemosh. Somewhat heartless and cold. He is not prejudiced over any race, as his land is filled with people from all nations. He respects the craftsmanship of Elimelech and his sons and treats them well by doing business with them. As long as things are going his way, he is content.

Head Priestess

(Needs to look late 30’s)

She is the King’s “girl Friday.” She has served since she was a little girl. Deeply supportive of the king and Chemosh. Finds no problem with child sacrifice. She is somewhat alluring. Somewhat heartless, loves her position and is quite strict. 

Young Ruth

(8-10) 

A sweet young girl who is given by her parents to the temple of Chemosh. A loving girl who matures into a beautiful soul. 

Ruth 

(Needs to look 20’s-30’s/must sing)

A young woman of Moab who grew up in the temple of Chemosh, her character develops from a woman lost in a dark world of idolatry to one who finds truth in the God of Israel, as well as a woman who leads others to Truth. She falls in love with Mahlon’s godly character early on. After making a difficult decision to leave the Temple and overcoming several obstacles with Naomi, she marries Mahlon and grows as a believer in God. She is soon widowed and is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life. Will she return to her old ways or choose the difficult path and commit to her mother-in-law Naomi? Her love for Naomi is unfaltering, and she claims, “Where you go, I will go.” Throughout the rest of the story, she and Naomi journey together and form a bond unable to be broken by man. A woman of unending devotion to her mother-in-law, God and eventually Boaz, Ruth was woven into the line of King David and to Christ. An unlikely person used for an extraordinary purpose.

Orpah

(Needs to look 20’s-30’s) 

She and Ruth are the best of friends, and she is a servant girl in the temple of Chemosh. She falls in love with Chilion and also chooses to leave the temple and live according to the ways of the Israelites, while never totally embracing it. She is not as devoted as Ruth and falters when it comes time to decide between Bethlehem and going back to Moab. She struggles with who she is and why she does the things she does. She has a difficult time saying goodbye to Naomi and Ruth. She is a good contrast to Ruth.

Reuvan 

(Needs to look older) 

A jovial Israelite who left Bethlehem years ago and established a business in Moab. He has now sold his lantern business to Elimelech and is returning to Judah. He is returning because he has made his money and wants peace and quiet. It’s a perfect world, and he has chosen to close his eyes to the evil he has been a part of in Moab. Happy day. 

Ferryman 

(Needs to look 20’s-50’s)

He first arrives on the scene as a young man of Bethlehem who ferries the boat back and forth over the Jordan River. He knows the passageway like the back of his hand. Good storyteller and friend to all his passengers. This will be his job for a lifetime. Loves Yahweh. He is seen the second time much older and wise. He is able to read situations without a word being spoken. Like a seasoned taxi driver, he has seen it all. He has seen many Israelites leave the Promised Land full and return empty. Sympathetic individual.

Yakob

(Needs to look 40’s/must sing)

He is the Jewish butcher living in Moab and sells his “kosher” meats to all Israelites. He has a delightful personality. His biggest weakness is that he can not stop talking. He rambles. His meat business is profitable, but he does complain too much about work. He eats too much of what he sells. Underneath the jovial façade is a compassionate truth that comes through when he is forced to bring Naomi, Orpah and Ruth the devastating news of Mahlon’s and Chilion’s deaths. 

Achbor

(Needs to look mid 20’s)

A true son of Moab, he despises foreigners, especially ones who set up a business in Moab and steal the women away. He has not liked Mahlon or Chilion since they arrived in Moab as children. He is a true, bigoted bully. Hot-tempered and always ready to pick a fight. He eventually murders the sons of Naomi. No redemption here. Leader of a gang that picks fights with Mahlon and Chilion.

Yared 

(Older Teen)

A follower of Achbor, he has no mind of his own. He does whatever Achbor says. Always ends up in trouble and in fights. Has a strong dislike for Israelites from Bethlehem. Sinister. 

Field Worker

(Adult Female)

A hardworking Israelite widow with no kinsman redeemers available. She has embraced her fate and encourages the little people. She is the mother hen in the fields of Boaz. Makes a lasting friendship with Ruth by showing her the ropes of gleaning.

Hiram

(Adult Male)

Hiram is the villain of Act II. He is what Boaz was in his earlier days. Bold, prejudiced, revengeful, pretentious and proud. His deep loyalty to Israel overshadows any sort of heart toward God. Like Boaz, he is very influential and prominent in Bethlehem. But Hiram is hungry for more power. He uses his weight to push around the “low lifes.” His fields were burnt to stubble by some Moabites, which fuels his hatred toward them even more. So, when Ruth arrives in Bethlehem, he has her number. He and his posse add tension throughout the Act, but the real conflict comes when it is revealed that he is the closest kinsman to Naomi, first in line to buy her, the land and Ruth.

Kaleel

(Adult Male) 

Boaz’ foreman and closest friend. A gentleman, trustworthy, he sticks closer than a brother and is willing to do whatever it takes. He can read Boaz’ thoughts and deal with any situation with calm confidence. He becomes a platform for Boaz to share his heart regarding Ruth. One day, he will take over Boaz’ position.

Oldest Elder

(elderly) 

Wise, unmatched knowledge of the Law, great love for God but very spunky and charming. He gives very sound insight in such a light-hearted manner that you are forced to love him. He hits the nail on the head when it comes to finding the source of the problem and then makes certain he does his part in resolving the issue. He’ll give you truth, the rest is left up to you. 

Storyteller

(Adult Male) 

An energetic, loud, colorful and spontaneous fellow who loves to tell stories of old. He is great at stirring excitement and holding the attention of the crowd, especially children. His stories always reflect the goodness of God but never lack pizzazz. He is athletic and even does a stunt to get everybody’s attention.

Performer 1

(Any age)

Ability to perform special tricks. 

Performer 2 

(Any age)

Ability to juggle various objects with agility. 

Performer 3

(Any age)

Must be acrobatic

Ensemble

Made up of many ages. Will appear as both Israelites and Moabites.