ADULT & YOUTH AUDITION NOTICE: Finding Neverland - Spotlight Theatrical Company

Title: Finding Neverland

Presented By: Spotlight Theatrical Company

Genre: Musical / Fantasy / Drama

Synopsis: Based on the Academy Award-winning film and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired his beloved creation, Peter Pan. Struggling to find inspiration, Barrie encounters recently widowed Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four sons in Kensington Park. As he becomes increasingly involved in their lives, he discovers the extraordinary power of imagination, particularly through Peter, a young boy struggling with grief after losing his father. Together, they rediscover the magic of childhood and inspire Barrie to create a theatrical world where children can fly, pirates roam, and nobody has to grow up.

Audition Date: Saturday 10 October 2026. Online audition submissions close at 5:00pm on Friday 9 October 2026.

Audition Time: Individual audition times allocated through registration. Callbacks, if required, Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Audition Location and Address: 4/50 Johnston Street, Southport QLD

Audition Requirements:

• Lead roles: Prepare two contrasting 90-second musical theatre excerpts that demonstrate vocal ability and suitability for the character.

• Ensemble and youth roles: Prepare one 60–90-second musical theatre song demonstrating vocal ability.

• Backing tracks: Provide your own accompaniment via USB, AUX or Bluetooth. No rehearsal pianist will be available.

• Dance/movement: All auditionees must attend a compulsory movement and dance call, except those auditioning exclusively for Mrs. du Maurier. The combination caters to all experience levels, with opportunities for advanced dancers to demonstrate technique.

Audition Registration: Register via Jotform

Audition Pack: Finding Neverland Audition Brief (PDF)

Performance Dates: 4–27 February 2027.

Performance Location: Spotlight Theatre Complex, Halpin Auditorium, 185–187 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217.

Rehearsal Dates: Commencing Tuesday 3 November 2026 for approximately 12 weeks, with a break over Christmas and New Year.

Rehearsal Times: Sundays during the day, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Additional filming, photoshoot and marketing calls will be scheduled with advance notice.

Warnings:

The production explores mature emotional themes, particularly grief, bereavement and family loss. Specific performance requirements include:

• J.M. Barrie and Sylvia: Onstage romantic intimacy, including hugging, close dancing and kissing.

• Youth roles: Emotionally challenging scenes involving grief and loss, physical lifting during fantasy/flying sequences, and platonic familial contact such as comforting hugs.

• Adult cast and ensemble: High-energy movement, theatrical play-fighting and partner lifting.

• Aerial flying: Selected ensemble performers must be comfortable with heights and professional harness flying.

• Live animal: Principal and ensemble performers must be comfortable working onstage with a dog.

Performer Age: 17+ for adult roles and ensemble, with exceptions for the four child roles. Character ages are suggested playing ages rather than strict performer ages. Applicants outside the listed playing ages may still audition if they can convincingly portray the character.

Creative Team:

• Director/Choreographer: Clay English

• Musical Director: Shari Willner

• Creative Producer: Laura English

Production Website: Spotlight Theatre Auditions

Other information:

• This is the Queensland premiere of Finding Neverland and an unpaid amateur production.

• All successful performers must become financial members of Spotlight Theatrical Company and be locally available on the Gold Coast throughout the engagement.

• All adult cast and crew aged 18+ must hold a current Queensland Blue Card before rehearsals begin.

• Audition enquiries: findingneverlandgc@gmail.com

Available Roles/Character Breakdown:

J.M. Barrie

• Male identifying | Playing age: 30–40 | Vocal range: Ab2–A4 | Scottish accent

• A successful Scottish playwright with a rebellious, childlike spirit. Barrie struggles against the restrained expectations of society while maintaining a generous, imaginative outlook.

• Requires excellent comic timing alongside emotional vulnerability, a strong pop/rock tenor voice and confident movement ability.

• Dance training is not essential.

• Specific requirements: Romantic intimacy with Sylvia and interaction with a live dog.

Sylvia Llewelyn Davies

• Female identifying | Playing age: 25–35 | Vocal range: F#3–F5 | English RP accent

• A recently widowed mother of four boys who encourages creativity and independent thinking. Sylvia is warm, playful and spirited but must also navigate serious emotional circumstances.

• Requires a strong pop/rock belt and mix with confident soprano notes.

• Specific requirements: Romantic intimacy with Barrie and interaction with a live dog.

Charles Frohman / Captain Hook

• Male identifying | Playing age: 50–60 | Vocal range: B2–G4 | Standard American accent

• A wealthy American theatrical impresario who has supported Barrie throughout much of his career. Also portrays Captain Hook, representing Barrie's darker alter ego, with a mischievous and wicked sense of humour.

• Requires a strong character actor with an excellent pop/rock baritenor sound.

• Strong movement skills are important, although formal dance ability is not essential.

Mrs. du Maurier

• Female identifying | Playing age: 50–60 | Vocal range: C#4–F5 | English RP accent

• Sylvia's mother, a socially conscious woman who values etiquette, propriety and tradition. Stern and occasionally overbearing, she genuinely wants the best for her daughter and grandchildren.

• Requires dry comic timing and a strong alto voice with pop/rock sensibility.

• This is the only role exempt from the compulsory dance/movement audition when auditioning exclusively for the character.

Peter Llewelyn Davies

• Male identifying | Playing age: 8–10 | Vocal range: Ab3–E5 | English RP accent

• The second youngest Davies boy, Peter is deeply affected by his father's death. Initially withdrawn, angry and reluctant to embrace imagination, he gradually learns to believe in magic and rediscover the joy of childhood through his friendship with Barrie.

• Requires a pop/rock singing voice and strong emotional acting ability.

• Specific requirements: Emotionally demanding scenes involving grief, physical lifting and familial contact.

George Llewelyn Davies

• Male identifying | Playing age: 12–14 | Vocal range: G3–E5 | English RP accent

• The eldest Davies boy. Sensible, mature and responsible, George naturally assumes a leadership role among his brothers while retaining his capacity for imagination and play. His character develops into a more responsible young man during Act Two.

• Specific requirements: Emotionally demanding scenes involving grief, physical lifting and familial contact.

Jack Llewelyn Davies

• Male identifying | Playing age: 10–12 | Vocal range: A3–Eb5 | English RP accent

• The second eldest Davies boy. Mischievous, adventurous and outspoken, Jack is often the naughtiest of the brothers, although his cheekiness comes from a good heart.

• Requires a pop/rock singing voice.

• Specific requirements: Emotionally demanding scenes involving grief, physical lifting and familial contact.

Michael Llewelyn Davies

• Male identifying | Playing age: 6–8 | Vocal range: A3–Eb5 | English RP accent

• The youngest Davies boy. Loud, confident and enthusiastic, Michael is unafraid to express himself and embraces the imaginative adventures around him.

• Requires a pop/rock singing voice.

• Specific requirements: Emotionally demanding scenes involving grief, physical lifting and familial contact.

Mary Barrie

• Female identifying | Playing age: 25–35 | Vocal range: E4–D5 | English RP accent

• Barrie's wife and a former actress. Serious, proper and concerned with social appearances, Mary increasingly struggles to connect with her husband's unconventional interests and imagination. Their differences gradually drive them apart.

• Requires a strong pop/rock sound with soprano ability.

• The performer will also appear in the ensemble.

Minor Roles / Ensemble

• Any gender | Ages 17+

• A versatile, physically expressive ensemble portraying multiple characters, including townspeople, actors, maids, butlers and characters from Barrie's plays, including Peter Pan.

• Movement and/or dance experience is desirable. Ensemble members will participate in energetic theatrical sequences, with selected performers undertaking aerial flying using professional harness equipment. Some roles also involve interaction with a live dog.