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.

Direction by Taryn Hoyt
assistant direction by aly cook
Music Direction by John Nipe
Choreography by Harper E. Rego

NOTE TO PARENTS and AUDITIONEES ABOUT PRODUCTION CONTENT: Oliver! the musical is true to Dickens’ novel and contains mild and discriminatory language reflective of the period, suggestive content, depictions of physical violence towards men, women, and children; and themes of domestic abuse, poverty, crime, and murder in Victorian society. Gunfire and smoke/fog are also included.

[ AUDITION DATES ]

Mon, April 13 & Tues, April 14 from 7-10pm (please plan to stay the whole duration)

or via Video Submission by April 13th - end of day
(if you are submitting a video, you have to learn the dance with instructional video provided on audition form)

CALLBACKS (if necessary) - Friday, April 17 from 7-10PM

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 ]

•  WINTHROP BCM
  620 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730

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

• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  AGE RANGE:

  • ALL AGES

  WHAT TO PREPARE:

  • Acting Resume & Headshots will be required for this production.

  • Everyone auditioning should plan to stay from 7pm - 10pm on the day of their audition

  • Prepare a 30 second to 1 minute dramatic or comedic monologue. Standard British or Cockney accent required. Memorization is preferred but not required.

  • Vocal auditions must consist of a prepared 16-32 bars from one of the following numbers from the show: (Standard British or Cockney accent required.)

    • Children: "Where is Love" or "Consider Yourself"

    • Women/Non-binary: "As Long as He Needs Me" or "Oom Pah Pah"

    • Men/Non-binary: "Reviewing the Situation" or "Boy for Sale"

  • + Please bring instrumental track, no a cappella. Using your phone will be fine (either YouTube or downloaded). No Piano Accompanist will be provided. 

  • Wear comfortable clothes for an audition dance number! 

  • 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 20 - July 5, 2026

  VIDEO SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: Monday, April 13

  • Video Submissions must include three items:  a 30 second to 1 min monologue, 16-32 bars (approx. 1-2mins) musical selection from the above list, and the dance combo (instructional video linked further in this audition form). Standard British or Cockney accent required.

  • Please fill out the online audition form to submit your video submission.

  • Film the dance combo after reviewing the instructional video.

  Video Requirements:

  • Landscape/Horizontal Video

  • Clear lighting & visible face features, we want to see you! Full body in frame for the dancing.

  • Clear audio, so we can hear you and the track!

• DATES TO KNOW

  Parent Meeting/Children Cast Meeting/Headshots:

  • Tuesday, April 21 from 6-7pm

  Adult Cast Members Meeting/Headshots:

  • Tuesday, April 21 from 7-8pm

  First Read/Sing-Through:

  • Monday, April 27 from 6-9pm

  BASIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

  Starts Monday, April 27 and end on July 5, 2026

  • Week 1 - 4/27-5/1: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 6-9pm

  • May - 5/4-5/29: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6-9pm

  • June - 6/1-6/12: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 6-9:30pm

  • June - 6/15-6/19: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 6 until finish

  • Starting in June, we will add Friday rehearsals and times will be extended to 9:30pm, and then extend time until finish two weeks before the show opens.

  • Adult actors and children playing Oliver and the Artful Dodger will be called for every rehearsal, other children will be more flexibly scheduled

  • 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: Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 at 6pm until finish

  • Thursday, June 25 at 7:00pm (Final Dress Rehearsal)

  • Friday, June 26 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday,  June 27 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm

  • Wednesday, July 1 at 6-9pm (pick up rehearsal)

  • Thursday, July 2 at 7:00pm (potential performance)

  • Friday, July 3 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday, July 4 at 2:00pm and 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. Casting will be in line with requirements/guidelines set by Music Theatre International, the rights owner for this production.

  PRINCIPAL ROLES

  • Oliver Twist | Male age 8-13 | Boy Soprano
    A orphan workhouse boy, singer/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 | Boy Soprano
    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  | Baritone
    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 woman of ill repute, singer/actress should have decent movement skills. Cockney accent. She lives with and loves Bill Sikes; pretty, intelligent, bold, 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. British or Cockney accent. A large, pompous and corrupt bureaucrat. Also provides comedic relief. Prefer a more operatic vocal style.

  • Widow Corney | Female age 30-50 | Soprano Belt
    The Mistress of the Workhouse, singer/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp tongued widow, also corrupt. Also provides comedic relief. Prefer a more operatic vocal style.

  • Bet | Female age 16-25 | Alto
    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. Feels threatened by, dislikes, and torments Oliver. Attracted to Charlotte.

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

  • 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 openly. Includes Dodger’s friend Charley and little Nipper.

  • 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:

  • Charley

  • Nipper

  • Workhouse Boys

  • Fagin's Kids

  • School children/upper-class children

  • Circus performers

  • Crowd of Onlookers and Passersby

  ADULT FEATURED ENSEMBLE:

  Age ranges 15 and up, singers (all voice types), characters with cockney and traditional British accents. Some of the ensemble tracks include:

  • Singers/actors, let us know if you have any “special skills” example: acrobatics, tumbling, juggling, dance etc. as there are featured dance and circus roles in this production.

  • 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

  • The School Governors 

  • Workhouse Assistants

  • Bow Street Runners

  • Street Vendors

  • Tavern Patrons

  • Crowd of Onlookers and Passersby

  • Sideshow circus performers

• 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