Auditions: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

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Cumberland ETC Theater is holding auditions for their upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Saturday September 6, and Saturday September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Cumberland ETC Ruppel Family Theater. Rehearsals will begin in October, and the show will run from December 4-7, (two shows on the 6th) 2025. The production is based on the book and play by Barbara Robinson, and will be directed by Diane Thorp and Chris Hopkins-Hile.
Adults and children who are readers will be asked to read from a script. Children can also come in with a memorized poem or a short song.
The Story:
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdman’s collide head-on with the story of Christmas. This crowd-pleasing comedy features a few Christmas Carols and lots of laughs.

ADULT ROLES (Ages are “stage age”)
All adult roles are small except for Grace Bradley
GRACE BRADLEY (MOTHER). 30+. A main role who takes over the annual Christmas pageant; mother to Beth and Charlie; wife to Bob.
BOB BRADLEY/ (FATHER). 30+. Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. A solid family man.
MRS. ARMSTRONG. 50s+. Managerial, in voice and manner; largish, bossy, impatient.
MRS. SLOCUM, MRS. CLARK, MRS. CLAUSING. 30-60+. Pleasant, motherly women very small roles
MRS. McCARTHY. 40s, 50s. A younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong
REVEREND HOPKINS. 30s+. pastor
2 FIREFIGHTERS Ready for any fire! (appear for a few minutes in one scene)
CHILD ROLES
BETH BRADLEY. 10-12ish. A lead role who is also the show’s narrator. Grace/Bob’s daughter. Beth needs a strong voice and stage presence; is in most scenes dealing with a range of moods and situations.
CHARLIE BRADLEY. 8-9; Beth’s brother – the typical kid brother.
ALICE WENDLEKEN. 10-11. Prim, proper, pain in the neck
MAXINE: 10-11. Beth’s church Sunday school classmate,good reader.
ELMER. 12-13. The minister’s son; dislikes church; not fond of the Herdmans.
HOBIE, DAVID, BEVERLY, JUANITA, DORIS. Various ages, 7-10.
THE HERDMANS — “the worst kids in the history of the world.”
RALPH. 12-13. The oldest Herdman; ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, touch of adolescent cool.
IMOGENE. 11-12 Loud, bossy, tough, crafty. The Herdman leader.
LEROY. 10-11. Tough, very sure of himself.
CLAUDE. 8-9. Tough, combative. A crime buddy to Ollie.
OLLIE. 8-9. Boy Always looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime.
GLADYS. 7-8. Small, wiry, feisty, mean. Often funny
ADDITIONAL ROLES
Various ages, 6-up. Angel Choir members; baby angels, shepherds

 

Auditions: Diary of Anne Frank

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Audition Notice!

Auditions for The Diary of Anne Frank will be held at ETC on Friday, August 29 from 5-7pm, and Saturday, August 30 from 10am-12pm.

Summary

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank began to keep a diary on June 14, 1942, two days after her 13th birthday and twenty-two days before going into hiding with her parents, sister, and three other people. Hiding in the sealed-off upper rooms of the annex of her father’s office building in Amsterdam, Anne and the others cope with the day-to-day struggles of life in cramped quarters, as the spectre of tragedy looms, ever-present, over their every move.

Available Roles

Anne Frank – Stage age: ~13–18 (typically plays 13–15)
A spirited, witty, and perceptive adolescent. Warm, impatient, hopeful, and emotionally complex as she matures under duress. 

Margot Frank – Stage age: ~15–20 (often around 16–17)
Quiet, studious, obedient, intelligent, and caring. She’s a peacemaker and a steady, respectful presence in the annex. 

Mrs. Edith Frank – Stage age: ~40–45 (mid‑40s)
A reserved, cultured, devoted mother, torn by her strained relationship with Anne. Tries to maintain harmony under intolerable stress. 

Mr. Otto Frank – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to early‑50s)
Wise, compassionate, optimistic, and the group’s anchor. Anne’s beloved father and moral center, responsible for arranging their hiding. 

Mrs. Petronella (Auguste) van Daan – Stage age: ~40–45 (mid‑40s)
Loud, egotistical, flirtatious, and often meddling. Clings to comforts like her treasured fur coat, but still has moments of vulnerability. 

Mr. Hermann van Daan – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to 50s)
Selfish, quarrelsome, often sarcastic. He’s critical of Peter and others, and central to escalating tensions in the annex. 

Peter van Daan – Stage age: ~15–20 (around 17–19)
Introverted, shy, awkward. Gradually grows close to Anne and matures, forming a tender bond of friendship and first love. 

Mr. Albert Dussel (dentist) – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to 50s)
A pedantic, hyper‑critical, stubborn man. Troubled by cramped quarters and Anne’s adolescence; adds tension by his presence. 

Miep Gies – Stage age: ~25–40 (often ~33)
Loyal, courageous helper. Brings supplies and news, boosts spirits, and ultimately preserves Anne’s diary.

Mr. Kraler – Stage age: ~35–45 (around 35–45)
Trusted friend of Otto Frank, aids in food provisions and hides the annex’s inhabitants. 

 

ETC Presents: Freud’s Last Session

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Tickets Now Available for “Freud’s Last Session”.

Starring Phil Warner & Ben Heer. 

“Freud’s Last Session” is a play that imagines a meeting between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis in London on the eve of World War II. The play explores their contrasting views on God, love, and the meaning of life, as they engage in a fierce intellectual debate while grappling with personal struggles. 

With performances from Phil Warner and Ben Heer, you will not want to miss this show!

CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets! 

Thank you for supporting our mission at ETC! 

Audition Notice!

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The Cumberland ETC Children’s Theatre presents: 
🌼🧚‍♀️✨Thumbelina✨🧚‍♀️🌼 

Audition information and show dates can be found in the image below. Please come prepared with a list of all conflicts for April-show dates! Parents- please come in with your child/children to assist with filling out the audition form. 

Auditions will be held in the ETC basement, please come in the side door. We will have scenes for people to read from! Contact Emilie Springsteen at emiliespringsteen@gmail.com or message our page with any questions.

Here is the link to the script preview, which includes character descriptions: https://histage.com/download/freeview/thumbelina

Cumberland Cabaret: “Love Notes” 2025

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Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025
Time: 7pm

Get ready for a night of romance as our community’s gifted musician’s take the stage for our second year of “Cumberland Cabaret: LOVES NOTES” – a talent showcase dedicated to love songs. 

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, our local performers will be delivering soulful renditions of classic, contemporary, and even original love songs. Bring your family, friends, or that special someone, and immerse yourselves in the magic of live music – an experience that promises to make this a perfect date night to remember! 

AUDITIONS:
To audition, please email etccumberlandwi@gmail.com

Audition Dates are; 
Jan. 25, 2-4
Feb. 1, 2-4

 

The Gift of the Magi

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This year’s Christmas play, “The Gift of the Magi”, is brought to us by director  and longtime ETC talent, Eva Srubar. 

Performances will be help December 12-14 at 7pm, and December 15 at 1pm & 4pm. 

Adult Tickets $12, Student Tickets $6

Tickets can be purchased in person at Peter & Annie’s in Cumberland, or online here!