ADULT AND JUNIOR AUDITION NOTICE: Alice by Heart - Phoenix Ensemble

Title: Alice by Heart

Presented By: Phoenix Ensemble

Genre: Musical Theatre / Contemporary Pop-Rock / Ensemble Drama

Synopsis: Wonderland isn’t what you remember. As war rages above ground, Alice Spencer and her childhood friend Alfred Hallam are trapped beneath the city in a tube station. Their shared escape is the story they once knew by heart, but as Alice guides Alfred through Wonderland, the tale shifts and deepens with them.From the creators of Spring Awakening, Alice by Heart is a haunting, imaginative ensemble musical about friendship, love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit — and the courage it takes to let a story go.

Audition Details:

Individual Auditions:

• Friday 30 January 2026 (from 6:00pm)

• Saturday 31 January 2026 (from 3:00pm)

Group Dance Audition:

• Saturday 31 January 2026 (choose one session):

  • 11:00am–12:15pm OR 12:30pm–1:45pm

Callbacks: Sunday 8 February 2026 (by invitation only, from 7:00pm)

Audition Location and Address: Phoenix Ensemble (The Tin Shed / Pavilion Theatre), Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh QLD 4207

Group Dance Audition Venue: Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre Hall

Audition Self-Tape Due (if applicable): Video auditions accepted (email auditions@phoenixensemble.com.au for requirements)

Audition Requirements:

Dance (all auditionees except Young Alice & Young Alfred):

• Must attend a group dance audition on Saturday 31 January (11:00am OR 12:30pm session)

• You’ll learn two short routines and perform in small groups

• Wear dance-appropriate footwear (sneakers or jazz shoes) and clothes you can move in

• No thongs/crocs/open-toed shoes/jeans

Individual Audition (Adult cast):

• Prepare two contrasting songs, max 1 minute each

  • One folk style song

  • One pop-rock style song

  • Only one selection may be musical theatre repertoire

  • Do not sing a song from the show

• No piano provided — bring backing tracks on an AUX-compatible device (speakers/cables/adaptors provided)

• Prepare one provided monologue (does not need to be memorised, but be familiar)

• Monologues must be performed in a General British accent

Young Alice & Young Alfred: Only required to attend an individual singing and acting audition (no group dance call)

Audition Registration:

• Book your audition online here

• Help / issues booking: auditions@phoenixensemble.com.au

Audition Pack: Download here

Monologues PDF: Download here

Scheduling:

Performance Dates: Performances commence Friday 1 May 2026 (4-week performance period)

Performance Times:

• Friday & Saturday evenings

• Saturday matinees

Performance Location: Phoenix Ensemble (Pavilion Theatre / “The Tin Shed”) Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh QLD 4207

Rehearsal Dates: Rehearsals commence Sunday 15 February 2026

Rehearsal Times:

• Monday 7:00pm–10:00pm

• Wednesday 7:00pm–10:00pm

• Sunday 1:00pm–6:00pm

Warnings: Themes include death, loss, war, and trauma. Physical touch is required as part of choreography. Phoenix Ensemble will engage an intimacy coordinator and is committed to safe intimacy practices.

Performer Age:

• Adults: must be 18+ by first rehearsal

• Young roles: 8–12 (stage age)

Creative Team:

• Director – Hayley Gervais

• Musical Director – Rae Rose

• Choreographer – Hannah Macri

• Assistant Director – Sarah Bennett

Production Website: https://phoenixensemble.com.au/audition/

Other information:

• Casting outcomes sent by Thursday 12 February 2026

• Commitment expectations emphasise punctuality, professionalism, and declaring all conflicts upfront

• Successful cast must become a financial member of Phoenix Ensemble and hold (or be willing to obtain) a Blue Card

• This is an unpaid amateur production.

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

ALICE SPENCER / ALICE

• Presenting gender: Female | Stage age: 18–25

• Vocal range: G3–D5

• Full of questions and stubborn determination, surviving displacement with imagination. Strong contemporary pop/rock voice.

ALFRED HALLAM / WHITE RABBIT / MARCH HARE

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 18–25

• Vocal range: B2–A4

• Alice’s ailing childhood friend; obsessive-compulsive; emotionally raw. Strong contemporary pop/rock voice.

TABATHA / CHESHIRE CAT

• Presenting gender: Female | Stage age: 18–25

• Vocal range: B♭3–D5

• Street-smart leader in both worlds, guiding Alice toward acceptance and grief.

RED CROSS NURSE / QUEEN OF HEARTS

• Presenting gender: Female | Stage age: 30–50

• Vocal range: F#3–D5

• Strict nurse in the real world; domineering Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. Tough, funny, sultry.

HAROLD PUDDING / MAD HATTER / KNAVE OF SPADES / MOCK TURTLE

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 18–25

• Vocal range: C3–F4

• Shell-shocked young soldier; manic charm. Demanding, riddle-filled Mad Hatter in Wonderland.

DODGY / DUCHESS / MOCK TURTLE

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 25–35

• Vocal range: C3–E4

• Flamboyant street urchin with “sticky fingers”; overdramatic, comedic Duchess.

NIGEL / DORMOUSE / KNAVE OF CLUBS

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 18–25

• Vocal range: E3–B♭4

• Frightened teen traumatised by bombings; sleepy Dormouse in Wonderland.

ANGUS / CATERPILLAR / KNAVE OF HEARTS

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 25–35

• Vocal range: F3–B4

• Working-class opium escapist; seductive, charming Caterpillar.

DR. BUTRIDGE / KING OF HEARTS / JABBERWOCKY

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 30–50

• Vocal range: C3–G4

• Nervous but threatening doctor; weak-willed King; terrifying Jabberwocky embodying Alice’s fears.

CLARISSA / QUEEN OF DIAMONDS / MOCK TURTLE

• Presenting gender: Female | Stage age: 25–35

• Vocal range: B3–D5

• Once-wealthy, mean, and haughty; clings to class status amid war.

YOUNG ALICE

• Presenting gender: Female | Stage age: 8–12

• Vocal range: F#4–A#4

• Appears in flashbacks; some singing lines.

YOUNG ALFRED

• Presenting gender: Male | Stage age: 8–12

• Vocal range: C#4

• Playful and present; appears in flashbacks; some singing lines.