Auditions
CENTERstage Productions
A Christmas Story | The Play
Saturday, September 27 at 1:00 PM
Sunday, September 28 at 7:00 PM
Tuesday, September 30 at 7:00 PM callbacks
CENTERstage Productions is excited to announce open auditions for A Christmas Story directed by Rik Lopes.
By Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros., written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd.
Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out!"
All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial.
Producer: CENTERstage Productions
Location: The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck NY 12572
Performance Dates: December 5-21, 2025.
Seeking: Folks of all ages (children through adults) who are willing to play multiple roles, including ensemble.
We strongly encourage women, persons of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.
Prepare / Bring: No need to prepare anything. Actors will be asked to read from sides.
Questions: Contact Director Rik Lopes at riklopes149@gmail.com
Casting Breakdown
Narrator (Adult Ralphie) (30+) – A nostalgic, witty voice who reflects on his childhood Christmas with equal parts humor and heart.
Ralphie Parker (9-16) - A bright-eyed, imaginative boy whose holiday dream of owning a Red Ryder BB gun sets the story in motion.
The Old Man (30-50) – Ralphie’s gruff yet lovable father, known for his short fuse, colorful language, and unwavering pride in his infamous leg lamp.
Mother (30-40) – The patient, nurturing center of the Parker family, who balances household chaos with warmth and quiet humor.
Randy Parker (8-15) – Ralphie’s younger brother, often bundled in layers of winter clothing, who brings both laughter and sibling exasperation.
Flick (9-16) – Ralphie’s loyal friend, best remembered for his unfortunate dare to stick his tongue to a frozen flagpole.
Schwartz (9-16) – Another of Ralphie’s pals, full of bold ideas and equally questionable dares.
Scut Farkus (9-16) – The neighborhood bully, with his signature coonskin cap and menacing grin, who looms large in Ralphie’s world.
Miss Shields (20-50) – Ralphie’s stern but caring schoolteacher, whose reactions to his daydreams and essays shape his holiday hopes.
Ensemble to play roles such as Townspeople, Neighbors, Cowboys, Classmates, Delivery Person, Tree Lot Owner, and Santa Claus.