AUDITION INFO

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for our next Riverbend Players Community Theater production at the NCRD Performing Arts Center in Nehalem, OR.

Here you will find information to help you learn more about the play and the characters you’ll be auditioning for.

No experience is required. We all have to start somewhere. And community theater is a great place for that to happen!

If you have auditioned for us before, welcome back! If this is your first time auditioning for a Riverbend Players production, thank you! We are excited to meet you!

Riverbend Players' auditions are open to all, and there is no need to prepare anything for the audition process.

Arrive prepared to fill out an audition form and make sure to bring your schedule and any potential conflicts.

  • Everyone will read from pre-selected sides of the show.

  • All characters listed are open to actors of all racial backgrounds and types.

  • Age ranges are flexible for the characters.

  • The director is open to casting actors in non-traditional gender roles.

We also encourage everyone to get involved in the production of our performances by helping with set design and props, sound and lighting, backstage, in the booth, or as the stage manager. There are many ways to get involved with our theater group. Just ask!

We understand there will be scheduling conflicts during the rehearsal schedule but all actors must be able to commit to all performance dates and tech week rehearsals.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the auditions!

THE HOLIDAY CHANNEL CHRISTMAS MOVIE WONDERTHON

Directed by: Frank Squillo
Assistant Director: TBD
Executive Producer: Frank Squillo

THE STORY: This fast-paced comedy satirizes predictable holiday TV movies by presenting six cheesy, trope-filled Christmas stories all happening at the same time.

NUMBER OF ACTS: 2

DURATION: 90 Minutes

FIRST PRODUCED: December, 2019

GENRES: Comedy, Satire

SETTING: The story takes place at an inn located on a Christmas Tree Farm.

TIME & PLACE: Present day. The entire play is set in the fictional, charming town of Hopewood Falls, Vermont, the self-proclaimed "Christmas Capital of the United States.”

AUDITION PACKET ON GOOGLE DRIVE:

AUDITION DATES: Thursday, 09/11/25, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm and Saturday, 09/13/25, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

AUDITION LOCATION: NCRD Performing Arts Center Lobby

REHEARSALS BEGIN: 09/18/25

WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

TECH WEEK: 11/30/25 - 12/04/25

PERFORMANCE DATES: 12/05/25 - 12/21/25

Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m., Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.

SUMMARY: THE HOLIDAY CHANNEL CHRISTMAS MOVIE WONDERTHON

The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon by Don Zolidis is a hilarious spoof of the classic holiday TV movie formula (think Hallmark and Lifetime).  

Set in a cozy inn during the Christmas season, the play follows six predictable, yet intertwined, love stories filled with small-town charm, romantic misunderstandings, and holiday magic. 

From a workaholic executive finding love to a secret prince hiding in plain sight, the show comically embraces every cliché, trope, and heartwarming twist of holiday movies. 

With quick wit and festive spirit, this comedy celebrates and pokes fun at the feel-good holiday romances we all secretly love.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: 7 W, 7 M, 4 Any

Primary Roles:

  • Narrator 1 & Narrator 2: These two characters guide the audience through the intertwined stories with sarcastic and humorous commentary.

  • Holly: The quintessential small-town inn owner with a heart of gold in Hopewood Falls, Vermont.

  • Brett: A charming visitor who is secretly a prince from a fictional European country.

  • Joy: A romance novelist struggling with writer's block.

  • Paul: A rival, and somewhat arrogant, romance novelist.

  • Carol: A war reporter who has returned to her hometown for the holidays.

  • Jackson: A local veterinarian and Carol's love interest.

  • Merry: A driven businessperson from the big city in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

  • Blake: A ruggedly handsome Christmas tree farm owner.

  • Kris: The son of the town's former Santa Claus, who is hesitant to take up the family mantle.

  • Noelle: The spirited owner of the local Christmas ornament shop.

  • Sven: Another secret prince from a different fictional European nation.

  • Rita: A famous movie star who is filming in town while in disguise.

  • Bridgette: The sassy and supportive best friend to all the female leads.

Supporting Roles:

  • Laertes: An evil real estate developer.

  • Jimmy: The ex-boyfriend of several of the female characters.

  • TSA Agent: A comedic minor role.

  • Various other small roles can be played by the ensemble to populate the town of Hopewood Falls.