YOUTH AUDITION NOTICE: Annie Jr. - Roar Academy, Redcliffe Musical Theatre Youth

Title: Annie JR.

Presented By: RMT Youth and ROAR Academy

Genre: Musical Theatre / Family / Comedy-Drama

Synopsis: Based on the beloved comic strip Little Orphan Annie and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Annie JR. follows a spirited young orphan determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage. Set during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Annie's optimism and determination help her navigate life under the cruel Miss Hannigan. When she is invited to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, her life takes an unexpected turn. With help from Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell and her loyal canine companion Sandy, Annie discovers that family can be found in the most unexpected places.

Audition Date: Saturday 17 October 2026

Audition Time: Three audition sessions available. Each session is limited to 25 auditionees.

• 10:00am–12:00pm

• 12:30pm–2:30pm

• 3:00pm–5:00pm

Audition Location and Address: Redcliffe Showgrounds, Bicentennial Room, Scarborough Road, Redcliffe

Audition Requirements:

• Auditionees should prepare the song associated with their preferred character or role category.

• Auditionees should also be prepared to participate in a dance audition

Audition Registration: Register for your preferred audition session through the ROAR Academy Annie JR. webpage. 

Audition Pack: Annie JR. Audition Pack (PDF)

Role	Audition Song
Annie	Tomorrow
Other Orphans	It's the Hard Knock Life
Grace Farrell	I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here
Rooster Hannigan / Lily St. Regis	Easy Street
Miss Hannigan	Little Girls
Older Ensemble	NYC

Performance Dates:

• Saturday 6 February 2027

• Sunday 7 February 2027

Performance Times: 11:00am and 3:00pm on both days (four performances).

Performance Location: Redcliffe Entertainment Centre (REC), Redcliffe QLD.

Rehearsal Dates:

• November: Thursdays 5, 12, 19 and 26 November 2026

• December: 14–16 December 2026

• January: 20–22, 28 and 30 January 2027

• February: 2, 4 and 5 February 2027

Rehearsal Location: All rehearsals take place at the Redcliffe Showgrounds, Bicentennial Pavilion, except the final dress rehearsal on 5 February, which takes place at the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre.

Performer Age: ROAR Academy caters to young performers aged 5–18. Specific character playing ages are listed below.

Other information:

• Optional Audition Preparation Workshops:

  • Saturday 10 October 2026 at Redcliffe Showgrounds: 10:30am–12:30pm or 1:00pm–3:00pm

  • These workshops cover vocal preparation and the audition dance routine.

  • Cost: $50, deducted from the production workshop fee if the performer accepts a role in Annie JR.

• Production Participation Fee:

  • Early Bird: $325 if paid in full by 1 November 2026.

  • Standard Fee: $395, due by 1 December 2026.

  • Instalment Option: Three payments of $140, due 1 November, 1 December and 1 January (total $420).

• The fee includes costumes, script and score, show shirt, pizza party and an after-show party at the Showgrounds following the final performance, including a visit from an ice cream van.

• ROAR Academy encourages culturally diverse casting. Performers do not need to physically resemble traditional portrayals of the characters, provided they can communicate the character's personality and intentions.

• Enquiries: Madeleine Johns — 0488 103 759

Available Roles/Character Breakdown

Annie

• Female character | Playing age: 11

• A tough, streetwise orphan who is also surprisingly vulnerable. Independent, resourceful, spirited and occasionally aggressive, Annie longs to find a family who will love her. Despite her difficult circumstances, she remains compassionate and optimistic.

• Requires strong singing and acting abilities, with the confidence to carry the production.

Oliver Warbucks

• Male character | Performer age sought: 15–18

• A wealthy, middle-aged billionaire who initially appears confident, authoritative and businesslike. His relationship with Annie gradually reveals a warmer, more affectionate side as he becomes completely charmed by her personality.

• Requires maturity and a commanding stage presence.

Miss Hannigan

• Female character | Mature character role

• The cruel, flamboyant director of the orphanage. Manipulative, selfish and convinced of her own glamour, Miss Hannigan can switch instantly between genuine nastiness and exaggerated affection when it suits her.

• Requires a strong comedic actress with excellent timing, a mature singing voice and the ability to create a larger-than-life character.

Grace Farrell

• Female character | Older youth role

• Oliver Warbucks' elegant and capable private secretary. Calm, composed, well-dressed and compassionate, Grace becomes an important source of kindness and stability in Annie's life.

• Requires a strong singer with a more traditional or legitimate musical theatre vocal style.

Rooster Hannigan

• Male character | Older youth role | Brooklyn accent

• Miss Hannigan's scheming brother. Flashy, confident and dishonest, Rooster moves with the swagger of a gangster and works closely with his girlfriend Lily to swindle Warbucks.

• Requires strong comedic acting, a wide vocal range and excellent chemistry with Lily.

Lily St. Regis

• Female character | Older youth role | Brooklyn accent

• Rooster's glamorous but dim-witted girlfriend. Lily is obsessed with appearances, wealth and personal gain.

• A confident comedic performer is needed, with a strong singing voice and the ability to play off Rooster's schemes.

Molly

• Female character | Playing age: 6

• The youngest and smallest orphan. Easily frightened and vulnerable, Molly looks to Annie for comfort and motherly reassurance.

Kate

• Female character | Playing age: 7

• One of the youngest orphans, second only to Molly in size. A member of the mischievous orphanage group.

Tessie

• Female character | Playing age: 10

• The most emotional orphan, quick to laugh, cry or become overwhelmed. Known for her repeated exclamation, "Oh, my goodness!"

Pepper

• Female character | Playing age: 12

• The toughest orphan. Outspoken, strong-willed and defensive, Pepper stands up for herself and the other girls.

July

• Female character | Playing age: 13

• The quietest orphan. A more reserved member of the group.

Duffy

• Female character | Playing age: 13

• The tallest and most mature orphan, often displaying an older, more confident presence.

Supporting and Featured Roles

• Bundles McCloskey - The orphanage laundry man who enjoys flirting with Miss Hannigan. A character acting role.

• Apple Seller / Dog Catcher - Small featured roles with dialogue alongside Annie. No solo singing required.

• Sandy - Annie's lovable stray dog. This production is auditioning a performer to portray Sandy rather than using a live dog.

• Lieutenant Ward - A police officer who encounters Annie. A featured cameo with dialogue but no solo singing.

• Drake - Oliver Warbucks' English butler and head servant. Ideally, the performer should be tall or strong enough to carry Annie.

• Cecille and Annette - French maids employed at the Warbucks mansion. Strong singing ability required, with dance skills an advantage.

• Mrs. Greer - The head housekeeper at the Warbucks mansion. Part of the mansion staff ensemble.

• Mrs. Pugh - The Warbucks household cook. Her surname is pronounced "Pew."

• Star-to-Be - A glamorous aspiring Broadway star with a featured solo in "NYC". A strong singing and performance opportunity.

• Usherettes - Featured performers with small vocal solos in "NYC".

• Bert Healy - The charismatic host of the Oxydent radio show. A natural scene-stealer who loves being the centre of attention. Requires a big voice, comic confidence and strong stage presence.

• Bert Healy's Girls - Three radio show singers who perform close vocal harmonies. Strong ensemble singing and blending required.

• Radio Announcer - A featured speaking role requiring a polished, professional announcer's voice and manner.

• Sound Effects Man - A comedic radio performer responsible for operating old-fashioned sound effects props. May be combined with the Radio Announcer role.

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt - The President of the United States. Requires a performer who can convincingly portray an older, authoritative character, use a wheelchair onstage and imitate Roosevelt's distinctive voice and mannerisms.

• Louis Howe - President Roosevelt's trusted assistant. A featured supporting role.

• Ensemble - Additional performers will portray orphans, New Yorkers, tourists, servants, radio performers and other featured characters throughout the production.