Auditions

Magical Starlight Theatre invites you to be part of something new and exciting on our community theatre stage!

September 26 & 27, 2026

Magical Starlight Theatre will hold auditions for actors on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th (with call backs September 29th) at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, located at 305 W. Jackson Avenue at the northwest corner of Eagle Street and Jackson Avenue in Naperville (enter from upper level). Lead and supporting roles are available for all ages, and a strong ensemble cast comprised of actors of all ages also will be needed. Auditions for all ages (9 years old and above) are from 1:00-7:00 p.m. on September 26th and 1:00-5:00pm on September 27th. If you are checked in at 7:00pm on Saturday or 5:00pm on Sunday, you will be able to audition. Youth must be in fourth grade or higher. ***If needed, call backs will be held on Tuesday, September 29th at 6 p.m.***

Youth and adults are asked to perform one monologue reading for their audition for their main desired character (see character descriptions). Practice with strong diction, facial expressions, and volume. Additionally, youth and adults will be required to sing the provided song for their main desired character (practice playback music available below). Immediately following will be a general movement audition and dance audition, so please come prepared to move after your vocal and script readings. (No need to sign up for a second time slot.) Everyone auditioning only needs to attend one of either two audition days, and time slot reservations are not required. Walk-up auditionees will be placed in the next available slot as they arrive. Once your group has completed the music, reading, and choreography auditions, you are excused.

ALL PERFORMANCES AND TECH WEEK REHEARSALS ARE MANDATORY

Eight performances will be presented January 8-10 and 15-17, 2027. at Naperville Central High School Auditorium. Tech week (mandatory) runs Sunday-Thursday: Sunday 1:00-7:30 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 6:00-10:00 p.m. Performance times: Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1:30 p.m. (all mandatory). Rehearsals are generally scheduled for Sunday afternoons and Tuesday/Thursday evenings. Once cast, a specific rehearsal calendar will be distributed. Please note/bring all conflicts for rehearsals, tech week, and performances to auditions.

Cast members may be responsible for providing a costume or basic costume components for the production.

Tentative Rehearsal Dates (subject to change)
Please bring conflicts for all highlighted dates.
Possible rehearsal
Other Activities
Tech week rehearsal- All days required
Performance- All days required
October 2026
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
November 2026
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
December 2026
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 181 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31    
January 2027
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
      1 22
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Possible rehearsal
Other Activities
Tech week rehearsal- All days required
Performance- All days required

Notes:

  1. Dec 18- Sitzprobe
  2. Jan 2- Mic/Tech prep

Youth must be 9 years or older.
Some roles might have stage appearance age lower than this requirement, but we can’t accept any youth who’s less then 9 years old.

Audition Checklist

Before your audition

At auditions

Anastasia – Audition Character Breakdown

Audition Guidance

We’re seeking performers who can bring the sweep and emotional weight of Anastasia to life – a story of revolution, loss, reinvention, and the search for home. This show asks for real dramatic commitment as much as vocal strength: come ready to act the songs and the sides, not just sing and read them.

Several principal roles require strong movement and/or dance ability – please note the requirements listed for each character below and come prepared to move if that role interests you.

What We’re Looking For

  • Emotional honesty over “performing” the accent or era
  • Strong storytelling in the sung cuts – connect to the lyric
  • Movers/dancers for Anya, Dmitry, Vlad, and Lily especially
  • Ensemble open to gender-fluid casting, ages 9+

Casting Note

The primary role of the ballerina dancer has been filled. All other roles are still open. Email us at auditions@magicalstarlight.org if you’re interested as ONLY a backup ballerina dancer.

Dance/Choreography Videos

Audition Resources – What Each File Is

  • Sheet Music (PDF): Vocal PDF for the part. Great for printing and independent rehearsal.
  • Audition Track: Instrumental accompaniment (no vocals) to practice timing and entrances with confidence.

Principal & Featured Roles

ANYA / GRAND DUCHESS ANASTASIA NIKOLAEVNA ROMANOV

Print
Female-identifying Reads age 26 Soprano/Mezzo Ab3-F5 Strong Mover / Some Dance

Description

Anya is brave, fiery, witty, and above all determined. With no memory of her life before age 17 and having lived through the horrors of the Russian Revolution, Anya jumps at the sound of gunshots and is distrustful of strangers, but her true strength lies beneath the surface. Anya is strong-willed and compassionate. Her mantra, “Home, love, family” is her goal. All she knows is her family is in Paris and she will find them however she can.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 14 “Journey to the Past”
Cut: mm. 107-end
Vocal Range: Soprano/Mezzo (Ab3-F5)

Reading

(entering the run down remains of what was once the Romanov Palace- Vlad & Dmitry are there) I’m looking for someone called Dmitry? I need exit papers and I was told you’re the only person who can help me. I know they are expensive and I’ve saved a little money (shows him the money). I’m a streetsweeper! They pay me every week and I’m a hard worker. I used to wash dishes in Odessa, and before that, I worked in a hospital in Perm. You’ll get your money. You don’t know what it’s like, not to know who you are. I’m running to someone. I don’t know who but they’re waiting for me in Paris. (beat) I’m not crazy. I’m ready to find out who I am.

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

DMITRY SUDAYEV

Print
Male-identifying Reads age 28 Baritenor A2-A4 Strong Mover

Description

Dmitry is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. A street rat who grew into a conman, Dmitry does all he does to get out of poverty and is not above lying, cheating, and stealing to do so- until he meets Anya. What starts as just another scheme turns into the adventure of a lifetime that requires Dmitry to look inward and figure out how to put the one he loves before himself.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 9 “My Petersburg”
Cut: mm. 65-end
Vocal Range: Baritenor (A2-A4)

Reading

(Dmitry has brought Anya to a park in St. Petersburg with a grand view of the river) My father used to bring me here. He’d put me on his shoulders so I could have a better view and he’d say” Bet you can see all the way to Finland from up there Dima!” That’s what he called me- there isn’t a day I don’t miss him. (beat) Ahh enough about me-we gotta get you to Paris! So let’s continue your lessons.. Your dog..the little one she had in the palace..what was his name? Come on.. You can do it… Toby?.. Remember? It was Toby! Ha- you knew it all along..

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

VLADIMIR “VLAD” POPOV

Print
Male-identifying Playing age mid 40s-early 50s Comic Baritone A2-F4 Strong Mover/Dancer

Description

Vlad is Dmitry’s comical but big hearted partner in crime and surrogate father. Before the revolution he was a softie at heart. While Vlad is not above lying, cheating, and stealing, he cares greatly for his loved ones and is generally affable, though he can be calculating when he needs to be.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 12 “We’ll Go From There”
Cut: mm. 94-132
Vocal Range: Comic Baritone (A2-F4)

Reading (also used for ensemble male parts)

(on the train bound for Paris) This is outrageous! I paid for first class! We should be having champagne and caviar. I know, I KNOW! There is no more First Class..everyone is equal now! And if you can’t tell….I’m not happy about that! Alright Anya.. it’s a long trip..you’ll need your rest. In Paris, your first challenge will be the Dowager Empress’s lady in waiting, Lily, the Countess Malevsky-Malevitch. No one has access to Her Majesty without her-she’s beautiful, voluptuous….married! Everything I look for in a woman!

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER GLEB VAGANOV

Print
Male-identifying Playing age mid 30s Baritone (strong upper extension) Bb2-Ab4 No dance requirement

Description

Gleb is the villain of the show, though not a bad person. He fully believes in the Communist ideals he follows. Loyal, honest, and hard working, Gleb almost has the potential to be a hero. A deeply conflicted person, Gleb’s infatuation (and borderline obsession) with Anya leads to his battle with the idea of doing one’s duty vs. doing what is right. Gleb is a very strong presence in the show.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 13 “Still”
Cut: mm. 54-71
Vocal Range: Baritone with a strong upper extension (Bb2-Ab4)

Reading

(speaking to Anya who is in his office)-intimidating and calculating) It’s a remarkable city our Leningrad. All those people down there, coming and going, creating a future for themselves. I stand at this window for hours admiring them and wondering why a few bad apples are getting up to mischief instead. I can see all the way to the old royal palace. Funny business going on there…counter- revolutionary behavior some would say. (beat) I’m warning you to leave your world of make believe before it’s too late-if you really were who you’re pretending to be, they would kill you without hesitation. But of course…that’s all just a rumor… isn’t it.

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

DOWAGER EMPRESS MARIA FEODOROVNA ROMANOV

Print
Female-identifying Playing age 70-80 Regal Mezzo G3-Bb4 No dance requirement

Description

The Dowager Empress has lost everything she once held dear and must now put up with imposter upon imposter never allowing her to grieve in peace. She is icy, proud, intimidating and regal…to all but her family. She does have a very sharp wit and is especially warm with Anastasia both when a child and after it’s revealed that Anya really is the princess. She commands authority and attention the minute she enters a room.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 2 “Once Upon a December” (shared with Young Anya/Ensemble)
Cut: mm. 9-36
Vocal Range: Regal Mezzo (G3-Bb4)

No dedicated reading side was provided for this role – a scene reading will be assigned separately if needed.

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

COUNTESS LILY MALEVSKY-MALEVITCH

Print
Female-identifying Playing age 40s-early 50s Jazzy Mezzo G3-B5 Strong Dancer

Description

Lily is the lady in waiting to the Dowager Empress. She has been by the Dowager’s side since before the revolution. Lily is clever, dutiful, and above all fun. She deals with her exile from Russia with a resigned dark humor…and a LOT of vodka. She and Vlad were once an item and rekindle their romance upon re-uniting.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 18 “Land of Yesterday”
Cut: mm. 60-74
Vocal Range: Jazzy Mezzo (G3-B5)

Reading (also used for ensemble female parts)

(inside a luxurious Paris Townhome-Lily is showing an annoying Count the way out!) I’m sorry Count Leopold! Her Majesty is indeed resting and she is well aware you have important papers she needs to sign… I know…I KNOW.. yes ..yes.. The papers designating YOU the heir to the Romanov fortune..please know that she will NEVER sign them! Out you go! (slams the door- to the Dowager Empress who comes out of her bedroom) He’s like a dog with a bone that one!

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

FEATURED ENSEMBLE ROLES

Print
Ages 9+ Open to Gender-Fluid Casting Some Roles Doubled

Description

The ensemble is made up of approx. 45 men, women, teens, and children of all vocal ranges and dance abilities. Some roles may be doubled.

Audition Song & Cut

Song: No. 2 “Once Upon a December” (shared with Dowager Empress/Young Anya)
Cut: mm. 9-36

Reading – Male Ensemble Parts

(on the train bound for Paris) This is outrageous! I paid for first class! We should be having champagne and caviar. I know, I KNOW! There is no more First Class..everyone is equal now! And if you can’t tell….I’m not happy about that! Alright Anya.. it’s a long trip..you’ll need your rest. In Paris, your first challenge will be the Dowager Empress’s lady in waiting, Lily, the Countess Malevsky-Malevitch. No one has access to Her Majesty without her-she’s beautiful, voluptuous….married! Everything I look for in a woman!

Reading – Female Ensemble Parts

(inside a luxurious Paris Townhome-Lily is showing an annoying Count the way out!) I’m sorry Count Leopold! Her Majesty is indeed resting and she is well aware you have important papers she needs to sign… I know…I KNOW.. yes ..yes.. The papers designating YOU the heir to the Romanov fortune..please know that she will NEVER sign them! Out you go! (slams the door- to the Dowager Empress who comes out of her bedroom) He’s like a dog with a bone that one!

Reading – Teens/Children Parts

(gossip among townspeople) I’ve heard that she plays with dolls in the alleys. No one ever sees her face but she cries out…”Pappa,Mamma”…that’s what I heard and ain’t no one is gonna say otherwise! Oh, another rumor I heard was that the royal family spoke French! Merci mademoiselle (bowing)! Parlez French? (laughs) All aristocrats spoke French- only the common people like you and me speak Russian!

Resources

Sheet Music Audition Track

If you have additional questions not answered below, email: info@MagicalStarlight.org.

Frequently Ask Questions

Do I need to come on both days of auditions?
No. You only need to come on either Saturday or Sunday, not both days.
Do I need to schedule an audition time?
Magical Starlight Theatre will be doing scheduled auditions for 2026.  Walk-ups are still allowed and will be placed in the next available time slot.
Where do I go to audition?
Auditions are held on the upper level of the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center located at 305 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540. Upon arriving, proceed to registration located in the “Community Hall” room (also on the upper level) – signs will be posted to help guide you.
How old do I have to be to audition?
Magical Starlight Theatre casts youth and adults of all ages; however, youth auditionees are required to be 9 years or above at the time of the audition.
How long will this audition take?
Auditions will take about 80 minutes – we strive to allow each and every auditionee an equal opportunity to audition their best. For walk-ups, there could be a wait of about 30 minutes or more (depending on when the next slot is available) before being called from the waiting room into the audition room.
What will I have to do for the audition?
Auditionees will be taken in small groups.  After music and dialog (~40 min), the group will immediately move to the choreography audition room (~40min). Breakdown:
    • A quick introduction from the team.
    • The Music Director will ask auditionees to sing a scale to show and determine their range.
    • Each auditionee will sing part of a song from the show (see the audition materials).
      • A music recording is provided.
      • Other recordings and personal accompanists are not permitted.
      • Auditionees may be stopped before finishing if the staff has heard what they need.
    • Auditionees will participate in a monologue from the script.
      • Monologue cuttings will be available beforehand on the website (see the audition materials).
      • You may peruse the monologues in the registration room as needed.
      • Auditionees may be asked to read additional cuttings of the director’s choice.
    • Auditionees will then learn and perform a brief piece of choreography as a group.
    • The choreographer may ask you to stay, if they would like to see more.
What if I want to audition for multiple roles?
You can indicate the roles you want to audition for.  Pick the song and monologue for the role you are most interested in performing.  Depending the roles, the director may ask you to do another reading.
Do I need my own music?
No, a recording or accompaniment will be provided for you. NO recorded music or outside accompanist is permitted.
Do you have to speak with an accent?
If the role you are auditioning for has an accent, it’s suggested, but not necessary.
Will there be tap shoes required for auditions?
Nope
Can a parent(s) watch their child’s audition?
No.  Parents are welcome to wait in the check-in room.
Is there a cost if I am cast in the show?
There is no registration or production fee. You will have to register with a NPD course, and there is no fee.  You will be expected to provide the designated footwear, undergarments, and personal make-up that your character requires.  Cast members may be responsible for providing a basic costume or costume components for the production.  Options will be discussed if needed.
Will I have to provide my own costume?
Depending on your character, there may be basic components to your costume that you would need to provide. For example: black pants and character shoes.
Will there be callbacks?
Yes
If there are callbacks, when would I be notified?
We strive for no later than 11 pm on Sunday.  Some calls might happen Monday if we are unable to reach you on Sunday.
If I am not called back, does that mean I am not in the show?
No. Many roles are cast based on the first audition. Not all roles are called back.
When will I know if I am cast in the show.
If you are cast, you will be called by the end of the day Thursday; no later than 10 pm.
How can I find out the cast list?
The cast list will be posted on www.magicalstarlight.org website by noon on Friday after callbacks.
In general, when are rehearsals?
Sundays: 1 – 6 pm, Tuesdays 6:30 – 9 pm, Thursdays 6:30 – 9 pm Tech week is Sunday through opening.  Those times are will be provided on the first rehearsal date; these nights do go slightly later.
Will I have to attend all rehearsals?
Your attendance is required at all rehearsals that your character is called for and that you have NOT communicated an existing conflict.  Typically Sundays are used for large group numbers, where Tuesday and Thursday are smaller groups with specific characters.  When filling out conflicts, please relay all Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday conflicts during rehearsal time and all tech week and performance conflicts.