BEETLEJUICE JR.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Presented by The Augusta Jr. Players
Music and Lyrics by Eddie Perfect
Book by Scot Brown and Anthony King
Based on the Geffen Company Picture, with a story by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson.
Beetlejuice JR. is presented through special arrangement with
Music Theatre International (MTI).
Production Team
Director: Roy Lewis jrplayers@augustaplayers.org
Assistant Director & Stage Manager: Caroline Smith carolineesmith06@gmail.com
Musical Director: Ashley Rivera theashleyrivera@gmail.com
Choreographer: Cindy Folger
Assistant Stage Manager: AJ Wiggins
Props/Puppetry: Tiffany Chad
Costumes: Corinna Hedgecock
Head Set Construction: Richard Smith
Sound: Bill Wilson
Lighting: Alex Thomas/Emily Le
Special Effects Makeup: KJ Johnson
Audition Dates and Times:
Friday July 25th at 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday July 26th starting 10:00am until 4:00pm.
Callbacks as needed will be Sunday July 27th (2:00-5:00pm).
Video Auditions allowed. See the notice below for details.
Please sign-up for audition slots. Details and sign-up link in the notice below.
Auditioners must be 13 years old by September 2025, and not 20 years old before September 2025
ABOUT THE SHOW: It’s our show now, kid. The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in Beetlejuice JR., the frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion-picture-turned-Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium.
Created for the generation that made it a hit, Beetlejuice JR. is a wacky theatrical party for all! With music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Eddie Perfect and a book by Tony Award-nominated pair Anthony King and Scott Brown, Beetlejuice was nominated for eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical. A viral “sucks-yes” on social media, this musical struck a chord with young theatre lovers who adored its unabashed humor and emotional honesty.
Rehearsals and Performances
Rehearsals dates are listed in your online audition form. Please ensure you document all conflicts accurately when completing the form. Rehearsals will be at 712 Ellis St (The Augusta Players building) and starting September 13th at the Kroc Center.
Evening Performances: September 26, 2025 (7:00 pm)
Matinee Performances: September 27, 2025 (3:00 pm and 6:00 pm)
All auditions are held at the Augusta Players 712 Ellis Street. If you have any questions, please feel free to email jrplayers@augustaplayers.org or call 706-826-4707.
Notes About Casting
Casting is competitive, but exciting and worthwhile! We cast students who audition best for the roles available, regardless of age, grade, school, or previous experience. Not every show has lead roles that fit every student. We are going to try to cast everyone who is interested. Often, our best performers are not considered for lead roles because it is just not the right role for them this time. This is because every play or musical is different. This is hard to explain and even harder to deal with when it happens to you or your student. On top of that, we are an educational environment, not a professional theatre, and while we aim to produce high-quality theatre, we are working on putting together a complex puzzle that will come together in a way that helps students learn, present an amazing product, and helps each student on and offstage shine. Sometimes you get the lead, sometimes you are in the ensemble, sometimes you are on crew! As always, we hope to continue to provide creative and exceptional learning experiences in the performing arts.
Casting Policy
These items are equal in weight and are in no order.
What we consider:
- Quality of audition regarding students’ presentation of their knowledge, skills, & abilities in the areas of acting, singing, and dancing.
- Professionalism and behavior during auditions in line with age, background, & previous training.
- We ask: What casting choices will serve the production best as a whole?
- We ask: What would the reality of casting be in the “real world”?
- We ask: What are the best choices for casting in an educational institution and community setting?
- Grade, age, and gender will not guarantee a part. Contract restrictions, vocal ranges, dance aptitude, character understanding, and direct comparison to others auditioning will all be taken into consideration.
- Casting will not be completed by only one staff member.
- We will implement gender and race-conscious casting.
- Budget constraints will affect casting and the total number of students that can be onstage at any given time.
- Students from all grade levels will be cast in this production (ages 13-19).
Directors will not explain why one person earned the role over another. It is not a productive conversation as the process is a subjective one. It is objective as possible but casting in and of itself is always a complicated puzzle. We are happy to offer constructive feedback on auditioning, but we will not answer “why didn’t I get a part?” Feedback will only be given to those not cast as a lead and by appointment only via e-mail request.
HOW TO AUDITION:
Go to www.augustaplayers.org and sign up for an audition time here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054DA8AA2DA7FCC16-57426368-beetlejuice.
Auditions will start Friday July 25th at 4:00pm until 8:00pm and Saturday July 26th starting 10:00am until 4:00pm. Callbacks as needed will be Sunday July 27th (2:00-5:00pm). If you are unable to audition in person either of these days, we are allowing video auditions to be sent in by July 26th at 4pm. Please email video auditions (choreography, monologue, and vocal) and a filled in copy of the audition form to jrplayers@augustaplayers.org and carolineesmith06@gmail.com.
Please complete and bring with you the audition form which you can download HERE
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS
1) Monologues / Sides
This story has a wide range of characters who often banter back-and-forth in rapid dialogue and witty one liners. For Callbacks, we will read sides from the script, but for the first round of auditions, we would like you to focus on dynamic storytelling. Please prepare a one-minute monologue, additional information and tips can be found at the end of this document!
2) Music
Please prepare 16-20 bars of a song that demonstrates your singing ability. You can sing with a track at auditions. Performances for Beetlejuice will be using musical track accompaniment.
*NOTE: You may audition for any characters of any gender you feel comfortable playing, keeping in mind vocal range requirements and ability to be convincing as the character.
The aim is to have the BEST fit for each character and for the show overall. For callbacks, auditioners will sing excerpts from the show. Please click on the links later in this notice for the songs!
3) Movement
Beetlejuice will come to life with both playful, energetic musical staging! At your audition, you will learn and perform collaborative movements. Please dress for movement and wear closed-toed shoes or at least socks.
Video 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gkEpkdNC60qi7xJBDfNp7h9wwhOoI9f-/view?usp=drive_link
Video 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IuOu_Sv5GjmsXN5G-85u6srn4KaXZ0zB/view?usp=drive_link
Character List & Descriptions
Character Breakdown
Lydia Deetz (Female) Whip-smart, grieving fifteen- year-old whose dark sense of humor helps her cope with the loss of her mother, Emily. Lydia is unfazed by Beetlejuice’s antics and easily holds her own against both him and all things Netherworld.
Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Charles Deetz (Male) Lydia’s father. He wants to help her get over the loss of her mother, although the ways he tries to “help” are not really what Lydia needs. Charles is under a lot of pressure between his concerns over Lydia, his secret relationship with Delia, his professional life, and his own grief (which he tries to ignore).
Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Beetlejuice The dead guy of the hour! This titular character is zany, spooky, and hilarious. Though Beetlejuice exists in a morally gray area, he’s more of a trickster than a malevolent threat. He’s happy to align his interests with others, but ultimately, he’s looking out for himself.
Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Adam Maitland (Male) Devoted husband of Barbara, just can’t catch a break. While life’s stresses were getting to him – renovation of the house, financial difficulties, and the decision about having a child – he certainly wasn’t ready for death.
Vocal range top: Eb5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Barbara Maitland Female) Barbara’s stresses align with her husband’s, in life and death, although Barbara is a bit more adventurous than Adam. She is very kind but also strong-willed and a quick thinker. Barbara immediately bonds with Lydia.
Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Delia Schlimmer (Female) Hopelessly (sometimes maniacally) optimistic. She believes fully in her guru, Otho, and considers herself a life coach, though underneath her façade she’s quite fragile and desperately wants to fit in with the Deetzes. Delia loves Charles and genuinely cares about Lydia’s well-being, even if her attempts to connect are somewhat misguided.
Vocal range top: C#5 Vocal range bottom: G2
Maxie Dean (Male) The business tycoon whom Charles hopes to impress.
Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: C4
Sky (Female) Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Miss Argentina (Female) Former beauty queen greets the recently dead in the Netherworld. She leads “What I Know Now.”
Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Maxine Dean (Female) Maxie’s fourth (or fifth) wife.
Otho Delia’s guru and occasional exorcist.
Juno (Female) Beetlejuice’s mother runs the recently dead intake with an iron fist. She has “a voice like road tar” and no sympathy for anyone.
Ensemble includes the Priest, The Recently Deceased (Parachute Jumper, Death by Toaster, Dead Cheerleader, Death by Fireworks, Cigar Mobster, Dead Jockey, Machete Groom, Dead Drill Team, and Hunter with a Shrunken Head), Mourners, Movers (Mover #1, Mover #2), Lawyers, Girl Scouts, Caiter-Waiter, Beetlejuice Clones (Clone #1, Clone #2), Cheerleaders, Studio Audience, Sandworm
Audition Prep:
MONOLOGUES
For your Beetlejuice audition please prepare a one-minute monologue. Choosing the right monologue is an important part of your audition preparation. A polished monologue gives you a chance to show off your acting skills and demonstrate your connection to the production. Here are some suggestions on how to get started! For free monologues check out www.theatrefolk.com
1) Familiarize yourself with the show! Read the script, listen to the music, watch samples of performances on YouTube, and thoroughly read all the audition information, including the character descriptions, that has been provided.
2) Ask yourself: Which role(s) do I see myself in? Which role(s) do I think the directors will see me in? Consider all the possibilities! Do not get set on just one character as performers may be asked to cover multiple roles.
3) Choose a monologue that captures the essence of the characters that you would like to be considered for.
4) Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Perform your monologue in front of others and ask for feedback to help you improve your audition and increase your comfort.
5) Memorization is a plus but is not required. Have fun!
MUSIC
Choose your music carefully to showcase your voice. Remember to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Do not try to imitate any voices from other recordings. We want to hear your voice. You may be asked by our music director to do a voicing such as singing scales or repeating notes. At auditions let us know if you have other skills such as playing an instrument!
DANCE
Watch the attached video and prepare. We want to see you move. At auditions let us know if you have other skills that include gymnastics, tap, tumbling, etc….
CALL BACKS ONLY
BEETLEJUICE JR. CALLBACK SONGS
Link to tracks: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N_P1bhysskzqNOHDUhKzsvzuive4C5br?usp=sharing
Beetlejuice- The Whole Being Dead Thing (measures 2-48) and Say My Name measures 2-20)
Lydia- Dead Mom (measures 36-end—but try to prepare the whole song!)
Adam- Ready, Set, Not Yet (measures 4-29)
Barbara- Ready, Set, Not Yet (measures 37-61)
Delia- No Reason (measures 5-57 and 100-end) and Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) (measures 1-30)
Charles- Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) (measures 1-30)
Sky- Girl Scout (measures 5-26)
Miss Argentina- What I Know Now (measures 4-44 and 93-end)
BEETLEJUICE JR. AUDITION MONOLOGUES
Please choose one of the following monologues to present at call back auditions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gLSiWuoec_NtZDQlz0mQVuJAVrQd_sUY/view?usp=sharing
You need to memorize one monologue and present it as though you are that character communicating with another character/other characters. Imagine the details of who is listening and reacting to your character. Make sure we can see you and hear you.
You only need to memorize one, but if you are interested in being considered for a speaking role, make sure you are familiar with the others. (The others do not need to be memorized though!)
Please be careful with your voices. Professional Actors sounding “rough” vocally are doing so completely safely and with consultation with voice specialists. You do NOT need to do “the Beetlejuice voice.”
BEETLEJUICE (1) Thank you. Thank you. That’s an old Scandinavian folk song. Like to think I put my own spin on it but what’s the point? All I want is someone to look my way and say: (group therapy) I SEE you, I ACCEPT you, I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY around you.
BEETLEJUICE (2) Never mind! Forget the whole thing! BYE! I’m just leaving Adam ‘because this isn’t working out. So, GOODBYE! Sayonara! Don’t text me in the middle of the night saying, “U up?” ‘Cause NEW PHONE WHO DIS!?
BEETLEJUICE (3) Whoa whoa whoa – don’t jump! Your Dad won’t be sorry. You’ll just be dead! Hey, here’s an idea! How about you…say my name three times? Please don’t make me beg. I just really don’t want to (drops to his knees) Okay I’m begging! Please! I am so tired of being invisible. And you-! You can change that!
BEETLEJUICE (4) Are those…birds? They sound so beautiful! (then full of joy) And that makes me FEEL! I actually FEEL… HAPPY! I’ve never felt this way before! But – (then fretting) – what if it doesn’t last? That makes me feel WORRIED. Now the happiness is gone and – (then crying so much) – that makes me feel SAD. What if I’m never happy again? Just the thought of that— (then seething) – makes me SO ANGRY.
CHARLES 1 Lydia…you have moped around for months, dressed in black, obsessing about death – But we have to move FORWARD. All of us. Two days to make this a model home. With a model family inside.
CHARLES 2 What I’m trying to say is, I hired you to help my daughter, but you’ve ended up helping me. Do you understand what I’m proposing? I’m proposing. Delia Schlimmer, will you do me the honour. of signing a prenuptial agreement… and becoming my second wife?
CHARLES 3 Lydia! We have to go home. Look, I know things have been difficult — And I haven’t been able to talk about it … BECAUSE IT HURTS TOO MUCH.! She was my world too, Lydia. That’s why I’ve been trying so hard to build a new one.
CHARLES 4 You know your mother knew this was going to happen. I mean not this. I don’t think anyone could have predicted this. But a few nights before she… before the end… Emily took my hand, and she said “I know you want to fix it…but we just have to hold onto each other and live through it. I thought was talking about us (Charles Emily) … I think she was talking about… (gestures to Lydia) us.
LYDIA (1) Sorry I just want something to remember you by when you’re gone. I’ve had a vision. Dad and I are back at our house in New York. Everything’s the way it used to be. And you… don’t exist
LYDIA (2) We used to make these haunted houses in the garage. One year, we tried to do a “classic horror” theme. Mom was “The Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.” I thought she was terrifying, but no one knew who she was. People don’t read. Sorry I didn’t mean to bore you guys talking about my mom.
LYDIA (3) (reading a note) By the time you read this, I, Lydia Deetz, will be gone. There’s nothing for me here. I am alone. Forsaken. Invisible
LYDIA (4) I can see you. You look like a bloated zebra that a lion ripped apart and then didn’t eat ‘cause something was obviously wrong with it, so it just rotted in the hot African sun.
DELIA (1) Lydia, I know I am paid to care about you. But I’d like us to be real friends. Look! I got you a new dress for your father’s business dinner. (pulls out a yellow dress) It says, “I’m warm, I’m friendly, and I think about death only a normal amount.”
DELIA (2) Thank you, future stepdaughter. (clears her throat then) Business friends, I’ve only known this amazing, amazing man and his… unique daughter for a few months. But as my Guru Otho always says… Day O! I’m… SO sorry. I don’t know what just happened.
DELIA (3) I got someone better. My Guru Otho. Because Otho always says “If you don’t take a chance… you don’t have a chance. Because you didn’t take it.
BARBARA So what now? We can’t just stay in the attic. If we want our house back. We have to fight for it. We’re GHOSTS, gosh darn it! Let’s haunt this house!
ADAM Yes stay in the attic! What other choice do we have? There are people downstairs. Strangers. I didn’t like strangers when I was alive. (reacting to her cutting holes in the sheets) Barbara! Those are the guest sheets!
MAXIE DEAN Chuuuuuuuck, you old dog! Put ‘er there! This is my legal team. I never leave home without ‘em. Oh! Have you met my fourth wife?
MISS ARGENTINA This is the Netherworld. Welcome! I am the once and forever Miss Argentina. I died with this sash; they can never take it away! Ooooh! More new arrivals. Let’s get you processed.
PRIEST In times like these, we have no words. We have only each other. Today we come together to mourn the passing of Emily Deetz. Devoted wife of Charles – beloved mother to Lydia.
JUNO All recently deceased individuals… FORM A LINE! My name is Juno. It is my job to help EASE your transition OUT of the OVERWHELMING EMOTION OF LIFE…(gesturing to the space beyond the detector) …and IN-to the soothing solitude that aways you in the Netherworld. Also: no liquids! DRINK IT OR THROW IT OUT!
OTHO Delia! My disciple. Spirit Hug! (hugs without touching) Okay I have the perfect weapon to vanquish your ghost. I call it…The Soul Box. I’m going to trap your ghost there. Forever. Now all we have to do is – Find that ghost!
SKY (Girl Scout) Um okay – but it’s so dark in here. Maybe we should come back another time when your parents are home.
We are excited to see your performance! Thank you for auditioning and BREAK A LEG!!
BEST,
TEAM BEETLEJUICE
