About the show:

Ages: 10-17

Cast size: 19+

Run-time: 90 min

Background: Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda Jr. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsals will be held twice per week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:00pm-8:00pm. The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, August 13th.

Rehearsals may increase in frequency, depending on need, as we get closer to the show. The cast will have advance notice of any scheduling changes.

The show will be performed December 13-15, 2024 at Tolman High School in Pawtucket, RI. The weeks of December 2-15 will be a “blackout period” and will contain mandatory rehearsals each evening for all cast and crew members.

Casting

Please note that auditioners are auditioning for a part in the show, not for a specific part. If there is only one part you are interested in or only one ensemble group you’re interested in being in (dance/tap ensemble only, for example), please let us know at your audition so that this information can be considered during casting.

Callback requests will be virtual and will be emailed out after the final in-person audition on August 4th. Virtual callbacks will be due by Tuesday, August 6th, at 5:00pm. Casting emails will be sent out following callbacks, indicating whether or not an actor has been cast in the show and which part (if any) they have received.

Click here for more details.

Information Packet 

This document contains our audition requirements for both in-person and virtual auditions, as well as our expectations of cast members and staff and rehearsal and performance plans. If you are cast in the show, we will expect you to review this document before your first rehearsal.

Audition Sign-up

Out of respect for everyone’s time, we require all actors to sign up for an audition slot, whether they are auditioning in person or submitting a virtual audition.

Please note: If all in-person audition slots are filled, you will need to sign up for a virtual audition instead.

Audition Requirements

Actors who are interested in auditioning for Descendants should prepare the following:

1. Review the Information Packet above & sign up for an in-person or virtual audition slot.

2. Prepare & print a short performing arts resume, which highlights any acting, dance, or vocal experience that the actor has. If the auditioner has no prior performing arts experience, they could include other activities that they enjoy or skills that they may have. This resume should also include a recent picture or headshot of the actor.

3. Acting Portion:

   • Choose a side from the Doc linked above to memorize and perform.

   • Auditioners should choose one character’s part to read on their side; the parts of other characters will be read by someone on the audition panel.

   • Feel free to gender-bend.

   • Not sure who a character is? Scroll down to view our Character Breakdown.

4. Vocal Portion:

   • Choose a musical selection from the Doc linked above to prepare and perform at your audition.

   • Auditioners may not choose a song outside of these selections to present at the audition. Only the song selections provided by East End are acceptable.

   • We will have instrumental tracks available at your audition. We recommend that you prepare a second selection as well, as we may ask to hear something else.

   • Please note: If you are having a hard time playing the tracks, try clicking “slideshow” at the top of the page. This should make the links clickable.

5. Dance Portion:

   • Choose one of the routines linked below to memorize and perform at your audition.

     • Audition Choreo 1

     • Audition Choreo 2 (Advanced)

Principal Character Breakdown

Matilda Wormwood

The hero of the show. She’s brilliant, resilient, creative, and kind, despite growing up in difficult circumstances. Her parents treat her poorly, but Matilda escapes into a world of books, which puts her reading level far above the other children in her class, and she develops a bit of magical power in an effort to defeat Trunchbull.

Eric

A student at school with Matilda. He has the very first solo line of the entire show and some featured moments as one of Matilda’s schoolmates.

Amanda

A student at school with Matilda. She has a few solos and lines, but her most featured moment is when Trunchbull throws her through the air using her pigtails.

Bruce

One of Matilda’s schoolmates. He has the bad luck to get caught after eating Trunchbull’s cake.

Alice, Hortensia, & Tommy

Alice, Hortensia, and Tommy are classmates of Matilda who each sing solos, and Hortensia has a few lines.

Lavender

One of the kids at school with Matilda. She is kind and bright (though not as brilliant as Matilda) and quickly decides that Matilda is her best friend.

Nigel

One of the kids at school with Matilda. He is enthusiastic, sweet, and always in a bit of a panic. Nigel has a few solos and some great featured moments in the show.

Mr. Wormwood

Matilda’s father. He is egotistical, rude, and not very bright, not to mention a liar. Though Mr. Wormwood is not a good person and he is mean to Matilda, his harebrained schemes can be hilariously funny.

Mrs. Wormwood

Matilda’s mother. Like her husband, she dislikes Matilda and does not understand why her daughter loves to read. Mrs. Wormwood is selfish, obsessed with her own appearance, and believes everything she sees on TV.

Michael

Matilda’s brother. He is not very bright, though he is the apple of his father’s eye.

Mrs. Phelps

The kindly librarian who loves hearing Matilda’s stories.

Escapologist

A character of Matilda’s creation. Everything this character does is grand and exaggerated – he’s performing for the cheap seats!

Acrobat

A product of Matilda’s imagination - married to the Escapologist.

Miss Honey

A teacher at Matilda’s school. She is kind, is generous, and really cares about the children despite her own desperate circumstances.

Agatha Trunchbull

The quintessential terrifying tyrant. As headmistress, she runs her school like a dictator, making up arbitrary rules to suit her every whim and dreaming up creative punishments.

Rudolpho

Mrs. Wormwood’s self-obsessed dance teacher. This is a hilarious featured role for a comedic performer who moves well.

Sergei

A customer swindled by Mr. Wormwood. Though he shows up looking for payback, Matilda has had quite enough of revenge, and Sergei lets the Wormwoods escape.

Ensemble

Ensemble roles include Russians, Little Kids, Big Kids (including Big Kid 1, Big Kid 2, and Big Kid 3), Kids, Mums, Dads, the Cook, and the Mechanic.