Learn More About Venue Rental
Interested in Auditioning
Learn How You Can Donate Now?

Big River Auditions

 

*UPDATED: DEADLINE AND CALLBACK DATES*

Virginia Samford Theatre’s 2025 production of Big River is hosting a Virtual Open Call!

Submission Deadline: (NOW EXTENDED) THROUGH – JANUARY 5

Directed and Choreographed by Stacy Alley – Music Supervision by Bobby Horton 

Currently Seeking

The Virginia Samford Theatre is seeking dynamic performers to fill multiple roles in our upcoming production of Big River.

Roles to Fill: All roles are available! (20+ roles, various and diverse talents needed)

All Adult Positions Paid (18+) – Local Hire Only – Housing not provided – 

Ages: The accepted age range for this submission is 15+. This is a Mainstage Production | STARS Auditions can be found here.

In-Person Callbacks: (NEW DATE) Friday, January 17th – 6:00 – 10:00

Callbacks will be scheduled by appointment through an invite link. You may be asked to perform your original submission material and all material requested by the creative team. A Dance Call will be held for certain roles during the callback.

  • Rehearsals: June 4 – July 10
  • Tech/Dress Rehearsal: July 12-16
  • Performances: July 17 – August 3. 

Rehearsals typically occur in 3-5 hour blocks Monday through Friday between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM, Saturday between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and Sunday between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the creative team. Monday is our dedicated day off during the process but is subject to adjustments based on the production/creative/talent needs during the rehearsal.

Submission Video Requirments: Prepare two contrasting 16-bar selections of songs that showcase your voice. (Style of the show preferred/Selections from the show OK). Also include a one-minute, comedic or dramatic monologue. No dialects, please.

Conflicts: You will be asked for your conflicts in your submission information. Please list any and all potential conflicts during the process. No conflicts will be considered during the Tech/Dress Rehearsals or Performances.  Only conflicts listed here will be honored and casting preference will be given to those with few or no conflicts.

 If you have issues or questions email production@vstbhm.org. 
 

THE STORY:

Twain’s timeless classic sweeps audiences down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim escape from slavery to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life everyone’s favorite characters from the novel: the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the uproarious King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck’s partner in crime, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck’s drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes, and Mary Jane’s trusting family. Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana.

Additional Show Info

Casting Breakdown

Characters
Mark Twain – author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Jim –  A slave to Miss Watson, Jim has run away to find his family. He is very superstitious but knows Huck and cares for him as they journey down the river.
Huckleberry Finn – A once poor teenage boy, gains fortune through his friendship with Tom. 
Tom Sawyer – Huck’s friend, Tom is a teenage boy who loves adventure novels.
Pap Finn – Huck’s father, Finn is a vagabond drunkard who loves whiskey and hates the government. Tries to get at Huck’s money.
Judge Thatcher -The trustee managing Huck’s money for him.
Strange Woman – A woman new to St. Petersburg, who thinks she knows what’s going on.
Widow Douglas, Miss Watson – Two religious sisters who are invested in Huck’s well being
The King, The Duke – Charlatans, and conmen who try to convince Huck and Jim they are royalty. 
Mary Jane, Susan, & Joanna Wilkes – Trusting daughters, almost taken advantage of by the King and Duke.
Counselor Robinson – A lawyer, cautions the Wilkes daughters of the King and Duke.
Harvey Wilkes – The real uncle of the Wilkes daughters.
Alice, Alice’s Daughter – Both are Slaves of the Wilkes Family.
Sally Phelps, Silas Phelps – Tom Sawyer’s aunt and uncle.
Doctor – Attends to Tom’s gunshot wound and comes to Jim’s defense.
Sheriff Bell – The local sheriff.
Ben Rogers, Jo Harper, Simon – teenage boys living in St. Petersburg, Illinois.
 
Ensemble Roles
Singing Ensemble – Slaves, Townspeople, Tarts, Mourners, Movers, Patients, Hired Hands, etc
 
Note: Jim, Alice, Alice’s Daughter, and appropriate ensemble roles will be cast with black actors. 

Fill out the form below to submit! 

Big River Submission Form

Audition submission form for Virginia Samford Theatre's production of Big River. DEADLINE: JANURARY 5TH

Max. file size: 500 MB.
Max. file size: 500 MB.
Submit your audition video. Prepare two contrasting 16-bar selections of songs that showcase your voice. (Style of the show preferred/Selections from the show OK). Also include a one-minute, comedic or dramatic monologue. No dialects, please.
Please list all conflicts and comments during the rehearsal process. Only conflicts listed here will be honored and casting preference will be given to those with few or no conflicts. Note: Mandatory attendance at all Tech and Performances.  In-Person Callbacks: January 17 - 6PM - 10PM Rehearsals: June 4 – July 10 | Tech/Dress Rehearsal: July 12-16 | Performances: July 17 - August 3.