Book, Music & lyrics by lionel bart

Oliver is a young orphan living in Victorian England. After escaping a workhouse and an abusive apprenticeship, he finds himself amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets, and so begin Oliver's whirlwind adventures and his search to find the true love of a family. Lionel Bart's Tony® and Olivier Award®-winning Broadway musical interpretation of Charles Dickens' classic novel has been regarded as a masterpiece among audiences for seven decades.

Directed by Taryn Hoyt
Music Directed by John Nipe
Choreography by Harper E. Rego

CONTENT ADVISORY: Some staged physical violence. Topics of alcohol, poverty and loneliness.

[ AUDITION DATES ]

Mon, April 13 & Tues, April 14 from 6-8pm

CALLBACKS (if necessary) TBD

Only need to attend ONE day. Choose which days works best for you!
(dates & times subject to change)

[ PERFORMANCE DATES ]

June 26-27 & July 3-4, 2026

[ AGE RANGE ]

• ALL AGES!

[ WHERE ]

•  TBD

* Please fill out the online audition form prior to auditions! *

• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  AGE RANGE:

  • ALL AGES

  WHAT TO PREPARE:

  • MORE INFO TBD (SEE OUR AUDITION FAQs HERE)

  • Auditionees will only need to come to one night of auditions, unless requested to return.

  • Bring a list of any conflicts you may have during the rehearsal process. April 13 - July 3, 2026

• DATES TO KNOW

  FIRST MANDATORY CAST MEETING/READ THRU/HEADSHOTS:

  • TBD

  BASIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

  Starts April 13 and end on July 3, 2026

  • EXACT REHEARSAL DATES TBD

  • Not all actors may be called for every rehearsal

  • Additional rehearsals may be scheduled during weekends/holidays if scheduling allows

  • Schedule will be finalized after auditions at the director's discretion.

  MANDATORY DRESS REHEARSALS/PERFORMANCES DATES:

  Tech Week: Saturday, June 20 to Thursday, June 25 - TIME TBD

  • Friday, June 26 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday, June 27 at 2:00pm

  • Saturday, June 27 at 7:00pm

  • Pick Up Rehearsal TBD

  • Friday, July 3 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday, July 4 at 2:00pm

  • Saturday, July 4 at 7:00pm

  (dates and times subject to change)

• BASIC CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

  The ages and gender identities below are the ages and gender identities of the characters. Actors who fall outside of these may still be considered.

  PRINCIPAL ROLES

  • Oliver Twist | Male age 8-13
    A orphan workhouse boy, singer (smooth boyish soprano)/actor. British (not cockney) accent, bright and innocent. This character is in approximately 80% of the scenes, parents should note he will be required at rehearsal more than any other person in the show.

  • Artful Dodger | Male age 13-18
    A street kid, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent and savvy beyond his years, Fagin’s right hand “man”.

  • Fagin | Male age 35-50s
    Middle aged leader of a children’s band of thieves, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Described as devious, a user, sly fox, con man, very personable.

  • Nancy | Female age 20-30s | Mezzo-Soprano Belt
    When she was younger worked for Fagin, now a “barmaid” at the Three Cripples Bar, singer/actress should have decent movement skills. Cockney accent. She lives with and loves Bill Sykes, pretty, intelligent, longs for a better life.

  • Bill Sykes | Male age 20-30s | Baritone
    Also worked for Fagin as a youth now a feared master criminal, actor/singer. Cockney accent. Good looking in a rough sort of way, sociopath, a killer who only looks out for himself.

  • Mr. Bumble | Male age 35-55 | High Tenor
    The Master of the Workhouse, singer/actor. Cockney accent. A large, pompous and corrupt bureaucrat.

  • Widow Corney | Female age 30-50 | Soprano Belt
    The Mistress of the Workhouse, singer/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp tongued widow, also corrupt.

  • Bet | Female age 16-25
    Nancy’s friend, may also have worked for Fagin, singer/actress should move well. Cockney accent. She idolizes Nancy.

  OTHER ROLES:

  • Mr. Sowerberry | Male age 30-45 | Baritone
    The undertaker, actor/singer. Cockney accent. Kind of creepy, “buy” Oliver from Bumble to work in the funeral home as a coffin follower, may be an alcoholic.

  • Mrs. Sowerberry | Female age 30-45 | Mezzo-Soprano
    The undertaker’s wife, actress/singer . Cockney accent. More business savvy than her husband.

  • Noah Claypole | Male age 18-25
    Undertaker’s apprentice. Cockney accent. May have also come from Workhouse. Feels threatened by, dislikes and torments Oliver.

  • Charlotte | Female age 16-21
    Sowerberry’s daughter. Cockney accent. Attracted to Noah, kind of flirty.

  • Mr. Brownlow | Male age 40-60
    Older gentleman, actor/singer. British (not cockney) accent. Kind upper class gentleman, Oliver’s grandfather.

  • Dr. Grimwig | Male age 35-55
    A doctor. British (not cockney) accent. Upper class, friend of Mr. Brownlow.

  • Mrs. Bedwin | Female age 35-55
    A housekeeper. British (not cockney) accent. Works for Mr. Brownlow. Warm personality.

  WORKHOUSE & FAGIN KIDS:

  Age ranges 7-18, will cast boys AND girls. Including Dodger’s friend Charley.

  • Singers/actors, let us know if you have any “special skills” example: acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, dance etc. We are looking for boys and girls who are bright and personable. Boys and girls will be in one or more of the following:

  • Workhouse Boys

  • Workhouse Assistants

  • Bow Street Runners

  • Street Vendors (Criers)

  • Crowd of Onlookers and Passersby

  ADULT FEATURED ENSEMBLE:

  Age ranges 15 and up, singers (all voice types), characters with cockney and traditional British accents. Include in this are the “featured” soloists:

  • The Rose Seller (mezzo)

  • Strawberry Seller (soprano)

  • Milk Maid (soprano)

  • Knife Grinder (baritone)

  • Long Song Seller (Tenor)

  • Old Sally and Old Lady (cockney accents)

  • The Chairman.

• OTHER IMPORTANT INFO

  • There is a $50 cast fee (due after cast list is posted); the fee cover scripts and essential production costs, like costume cleanings, to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone. In addition you will receive an RHT Season T-shirt.

  • We do ask for at least (1) parent volunteer per youth actor to assist in different areas of the production.

    • i.e. Cast Support, Costumes, Fundraising, Set Build/Construction, plus many more volunteer options!

  If you have any questions about this fee, please contact us prior to auditions at finance@rockhilltheatre.org.

  Disclaimer: Rock Hill Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing theatre experiences and education to Rock Hill and the surrounding community. Your participation in this performance(s) is considered to be on a volunteer basis, and no financial compensation will be provided.

“LIONEL BART’S OLIVER!” is presented through special arrangement with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (www.mtishows.com)

Production Graphics by Alex Peña