Auditions: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (July 6 & 7) and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (July 20 & 21)
Production: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Adapted from the story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks
Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks
Script Adaptation by Robert Penola
Director: Emily Ernst (Artistic Director)
Choreographer: Alli Betsill
Music Director: Adam C. Wright
Dates: Monday, July 20th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm and Tuesday and July 21st from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Callbacks: Monday, July 27th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Call or email for appointment: 214-978-0110 or e-mail at auditions@dct.org
Location: DCT’s Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman at Northwest Highway, Dallas, 75231
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About the Director:
Emily Ernst is the Artistic Director of Dallas Children's Theater and has trained as an actor, director, and movement coach. Prior to joining DCT, she was the founding Artistic Director of Fair Assembly and served as Associate Artistic Director of River & Rail Theatre Company in Knoxville, Tennessee. She began her career as the assistant to the Artistic Director at Theatre for a New Audience Off-Broadway in New York City, and later became the Associate Director of Flatwater Shakespeare Company in Nebraska. In Dallas, she has held staff positions at Cry Havoc Theater, Teatro Dallas, and TACA. Recent directing credits include King Lear, Macbeth, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, The Merit System, and Mame. Emily has taught advanced acting at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and acting and directing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. With Junior Players, she led the inaugural female cohort of Shakespeare with Henry, the youth-focused Shakespeare in Prison program in the State of Texas and third in the nation. Emily holds a B.F.A. in Acting from SMU's Meadows School of the Arts, trained at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, and is a fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture.
Roles
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Seeking a diverse ensemble of singing and dancing adult actors to portray characters based on the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special.
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All stage managerial positions have been filled.
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Local actors are encouraged to attend.
Requirements
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Prepare a short musical selection of an up-tempo musical theatre song or holiday song.
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An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music properly marked in your key.
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Please bring a headshot and resume.
Rehearsals begin: Monday, October 19th
Production dates: Saturday, November 21, 2026 - Sunday, December 20, 2026
Other Information
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Equity Contracts are available
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DCT is a member of the Actors Equity Candidacy Program
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Non-union adult actors will receive a weekly performance fee
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Performances will take place at DCT’s Rosewood Center Baker Theater
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Schedule includes weekday student matinee and weekend matinee performance
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Perusal script will be made available at DCT
Character Breakdown
The roles of Sam Snowman, and Yukon Cornelius/Boss Elf have been cast.
Track 1: Rudolph
Rudolph is young, deeply feeling, and a bit lost. Finds his inner courage and that leadership doesn’t always belong to the most forceful and commanding people. Curious, present, courageous, and longing for real connection.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Bb2
Vocal range bottom: D3
Track 2: Hermey
Hermey is a young, charmingly apologetic oddball elf with a dream to become a Dentist. Straightforward. Midwestern. Probably loves ranch. Strong mover.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: C#3
Track 3: Clarice/Ensemble
Clarice is a youthful, physically agile young doe who trusts her intuition. Loyal, calm in a crisis, optimistic, and bold. Could pass the bar exam on her first try. Soprano.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Track 4: Santa Claus/Ensemble
Santa is a larger-than-life personality; cheerful, forgetful, patient, middle-aged, and on a secret diet. Too slim in Mrs.
Clause’s opinion.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Track 5: Mrs. Claus/Ensemble
Mrs. Claus is a feisty, matter-of-fact, matriarch. If Santa is the face of the North Pole, Mrs. Claus is making sure their taxes are paid on time. Maya Rudolph from the SNL sweater weather skit meets Caroline Manzo from RHONJ.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B♭3
Track 6: Donner/Ensemble
Donner is Rudolph’s father, and is tougher on the outside than he is on the inside. Tough and encouraging. Roger Sterling from Mad Men meets Calvin’s Dad in Calvin and Hobbes. U/S Sam Snowman
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Track 7: Fireball/Ensemble
Fireball is a young buck and featured member of the chorus; friendly, status-conscious, confident, future fraternity president. Tenor/Alto. U/S Hermey
Gender: Any
Track 8: Coach Comet/Ensemble
Coach Comet is the Reindeer Games Coach; physically agile, old school, and is seriously called to do this work. Hints of Phil in Disney’s Hercules to Sue Sylvester in Glee. U/S Yukon Cornelius and Boss Elf
Gender: Any
Track 9: Mrs. Donner/Ensemble
Mrs. Donner is Rudolph’s mother. She is maternal, practical, and decisive. Warm mezzo. U/S Mrs. Clause
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: B♭3
Gender: Female
Track 10: Clarice’s Father/Ensemble
Clarice’s father is an authoritative and protective. Strong mover. U/S Rudolph
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: Bb2
Vocal range bottom: D3
Production: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
Book and Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma
Based on the book Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Director/Choreographer: Alli Betsill
Music Director: Adam C. Wright
Dates: Monday, July 6th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm and Tuesday, July 7th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Callbacks: Monday, July 13th from 6:00pm-10:00pm
Call or email for appointment: 214-978-0110 or e-mail at auditions@dct.org
Location: DCT’S Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman at Northwest Highway, Dallas, 75231
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About the Director/Choreographer
Alli Betsill is a Dallas/Fort Worth-based director, choreographer, and actor. Recent credits include: Something Rotten! (Choreographer) at Utah Shakespeare Festival; Pete the Cat (Director/Choreographer) and the World Premiere of The Pigeon Gets a Big-Time Holiday Extravaganza (Director/Choreographer) at Dallas Children’s Theater; Cabaret (Director) at University of North Texas; The Sound of Music (Assistant Director/Understudy), Clue (Assistant Director/Understudy), and Into the Woods (Associate Director) at Dallas Theater Center; Seussical (Cat in the Hat) and Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur) at Casa Manana; Manic Monologues (Co-Choreographer/Associate Director) and Mary Poppins (Dance Captain) at Watertower Theatre; Broadway Our Way ‘24, ‘25, ‘26 (Choreographer) and Star of Wonder (Choreographer) at Uptown Players; Bright Star (Choreographer) and Sister Act (Choreographer) at Texas Christian University; A Chorus Line (Judy Turner) and Black Comedy (Carol) at Theatre Arlington; The Addams Family (Director/Choreographer), Beauty and the Beast (Associate Director/Choreographer), Legally Blonde (Associate Director/Choreographer) and Matilda (Acrobat/Dance Capt) at Firehouse Theatre; and Puffs (Sally/Others) at Imprint Theatreworks. She choreographed Six Flags' Holiday in the Park, as well as completed Frantic Assembly's TRAIN movement program. Other credits include: Circle Theatre, Amphibian Stage, Garland Summer Musicals, and Prism Movement Theatre. Alli has a BFA in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis from TCU, where she focused her honors thesis on Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography. allibetsill.com @alli.betsill
Roles
- Seeking a diverse ensemble of singing and dancing adult actors to portray characters based on Mo Willems’ popular book series. (see breakdown)
- All stage managerial positions have been filled.
- Local actors are encouraged to attend.
Requirements
- Prepare one 16 bar up-tempo musical theatre song and one 16 bar up-tempo rock song (or musical theatre rock).
- An accompanist will be provided.
- Please bring sheet music properly marked in your key.
- Please bring a headshot and resume.
Rehearsals begin: September 8th, 2026
Production dates : September 30th, 2026 – October 23rd, 2026
Other Information
- EquityContracts are available
- DCT is a member of the Actors Equity Candidacy Program
- Non-union adult actors will receive a weekly performance fee
- All performances will take place at DCT’s Rosewood Center Baker Theater
- Schedule includes weekday student matinee and weekend matinee performances
- Perusal script will be made available at DCT
Character Breakdown
Track A: Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr.
Wilbur is the dreamer, always looking at the clouds when everyone else has tunnel vision. Sees the best (dressed) in everyone. Open-hearted, authentic, and curious.
Gender: Male or Non-binary
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Track B: Grande Mole Rat, H&M Singer
Grande is the popular kid and, consequently, the one with the most to lose. Any shift in the culture could threaten Grande's social dominance.
Gender: Female or Non-Binary
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Track C: Venti Mole Rat, H&M Singer
Venti is the enforcer. The colony is a tricky place to understand, and now that Venti does, the mole rat is scared of having to re-discover a new place in it.
Gender: Male or Non-Binary
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: E2
Track D: Tall Mole Rat, H&M Singer
Tall is a rule-follower with a heart of gold. Cannot reconcile the non-naked rules with her conscience and naked decency. Energetic
Gender: Female or Non-Binary
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Track E: Grand-Pah Mole Rat, Buck Naked, Naked Mole Rat 4, H&M Singer, Announcer Grand-Pah is the moral authority, who is less interested in pomp than in figuring out how to solve problems. Intimidating in the abstract, dyspeptic and really old in reality. Buck Naked is one of the panicked spreaders of information and misinformation. They represent the mood of the larger tunnel culture.
Gender: Male or Non-Binary
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Track F: Weather Mole, Naked Mole Rat 5, H&M Singer, Potential Customer, Secret Service, Weather Mole is one of the panicked spreaders of information and misinformation. They represent the mood of the larger tunnel culture. Secret Service Mole is dead serious, who quickly and magically transforms into a Hendrix/Joplin rocker, then back to dead serious.
Gender: Female or Non-Binary
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A#3
Dallas Children's Theater online audition announcements are intended only to provide general descriptions; none of the information provided for any audition should be interpreted as a commitment by Dallas Children's Theater to specific terms and conditions for acceptance and/or employment.