Elf Jr. Auditions
Stage Local Prep is thrilled to announce auditions for Elf the Musical JR.!
Auditions are open to performers ages 5–17.
Performances: December 4–6, 2026
In-person auditions will be held the afternoons of October 12 & 13. In-person auditions are preferred; however, performers who are unable to attend those dates or who find that all audition appointments are full may submit a video audition.
All performers—whether auditioning in person or by video—must complete the same audition registration form.
All audition materials are provided below.
Please read this page completely before submitting your audition.
Audition Info At-A-Glance
Who: Performers ages 5–17*
(Performers must be age 5 by October 1 and cannot turn 18 before December 7, 2026.)
Audition Format: In-person auditions preferred; video submissions available for performers who are unable to attend in person or if all in-person audition slots are full.
In-Person Auditions:
October 12 & 13, 2026 — Afternoons
Stage Local Lebanon
521 West Main Street, Lebanon, TN
Directly across from Sonic!
Video Auditions:
Submissions open: September 23, 2026
Submission deadline: October 10, 2026
All performers—whether auditioning in person or by video—must complete the same audition registration form.
Mandatory Callbacks:
October 15, 2026 - Times TBA
In person at Stage Local Lebanon
521 West Main Street, Lebanon, TN
(Please do not audition if you cannot attend callbacks)
Mandatory Parent Meeting & Company Read-Through:
October 18, 2026 —2:00 PM
Location TBA
(Attendance is required for the parent meeting. Performers and a parent/guardian who cannot attend the October 18 meeting/read-through will not be considered for casting.)
Performances: December 4–6, 2026
December 4 — 7:00 PM
December 5 — 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
December 6 — 2:00 PM
Performance Location: June and Bill Heydel Fine Arts Center at Cumberland University
Lebanon, TN
Important Scheduling Note:
Due to the condensed rehearsal period and scheduled holiday breaks, performers are limited to two rehearsal conflicts. All tech rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
Participation Cost:
No tuition or production fee. A $75 costume fee is required for performers who are cast in the production. Financial assistance is available. We never want cost to prevent a student from participating, so families who need assistance with the costume fee are encouraged to reach out to us confidentially.
How To Audition
All performers must complete the Elf Jr. Audition Registration Form, whether auditioning in person or submitting a video.
In-person auditions are preferred and will be held the afternoons of October 12 & 13 at Stage Local Lebanon. Performers will select an available audition time during registration.
We understand that schedules don’t always cooperate! Video auditions are available for performers who are unable to attend October 12–13 or if all available in-person audition appointments are full.
If called back for a specific role (Buddy, Jovie, etc), all performers, regardless of audition format, must be able to attend the invite only mandatory callback on October 15 to be considered for casting.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Every performer should prepare one acting side and one vocal selection.
ACTING
Choose ONE of the audition sides provided below. Sides do not need to be memorized. We want to see your acting choices, characterization and storytelling! In-person auditions will read with other performers during their audition so please be familiar with all sides. Not sure what to choose? We recommend “Elves/Ensemble Only”!
Video auditions may have a parent, family member or friend read the other character(s) off camera but if chosen to attend callbacks, please be familiar with all sides.
Santa & Buddy — DOWNLOAD SIDE
Buddy & Jovie — DOWNLOAD SIDE
Walter, Greenway, Buddy & Deb — DOWNLOAD SIDE
Walter, Emily, Michael & Buddy — DOWNLOAD SIDE
Darlene & Emma — DOWNLOAD SIDE
Elves/ Ensemble Only - DOWNLOAD SIDE
VOCAL
Prepare approximately one minute OR 32 bars of one song from Elf Jr. Memorization is preferred, but not required. You must sing with a karaoke or background track without guide vocals. Not sure what to choose? We recommend “There Is a Santa Claus” or “Sparklejollytwinklejingley (Reprise)” (Links below)!
Click here for songs with lead vocals (to learn and practice)
Click here for songs without lead vocals for audition use
WHAT TO EXPECT
Auditions should be exciting—not scary! Here's what to expect when you arrive:
Performers will check in at Stage Local and audition alongside a small group of other students. Please arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. Each performer will sing their prepared vocal selection and read their chosen side with others auditioning in their group.
Parents/guardians will not be permitted inside the audition room. Our goal is to create a comfortable space where performers can work directly with the creative team and one another. Parents are welcome to sit in the lobby at Stage Local and listen in on auditions (a curtain will be hung in the hallway so you can still hear everything going on!)
UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON?
Video auditions are available for performers who cannot attend October 12 or 13 or if all in-person audition appointments have been filled.
Video auditions should prepare the same acting and vocal materials as in-person performers. Your video should include:
1. Slate: Name, age and grade
2. Vocal Selection: Approximately one minute/32 bars
3. Acting Side: One provided side; another person may read opposite you off camera.
Professional equipment is not necessary—a clear phone recording is perfectly fine!
Please email audition videos with name of child auditioning to bethany@stagelocallebanon.com. An audition video submission without a registration form completed will not be considered.
Callbacks will be in person regardless of in person or video audition.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
BEFORE YOU AUDITION: PLEASE CHECK YOUR CALENDAR
Elf Jr. has a condensed rehearsal period that includes scheduled breaks for the Thanksgiving holiday. Because of this, each performer is limited to TWO rehearsal conflicts. Families must disclose all known conflicts on the audition form. Please review school calendars, sports schedules, travel, concerts and family commitments before registering. Tech rehearsals and all four performances are mandatory and may not be listed as conflicts.
Sunday October 18, 2-4 PM - Parent Meeting/ Read Thru
Tuesday October 20, 6-8PM
Saturday October 24, 9-12PM
Tuesday October 27, 6-8PM
Sunday November 1, 2-5PM
Tuesday, November 3, 6-8PM
Thursday, November 5, TIME TBD
Saturday, November 7, 9-12PM (OFF BOOK)
Tuesday, November 10, 6-8PM
Thursday, November 12, TIME TBD
Sunday November 15, 2-5PM
Tuesday, November 17, 6-8PM
Thursday, November 19, TIME TBD
Saturday, November 21, 9- 12 PM
Monday, November 23 POTENTIAL DRESS REHEARSAL
Tuesday, November 24 POTENTIAL DRESS REHEARSAL
Wednesday, November 25th- Saturday, November 28th - THANKSGIVING BREAK
Sunday, November 29th - SUPER SUNDAY (2:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Monday, November 30 ELF TECH RUN (5:30 PM - END OF SHOW)
Tuesday, December 1 ELF TECH RUN (5:30 PM - END OF SHOW)
Wednesday, December 2 ELF TECH RUN (5:30 PM - END OF SHOW)
Thursday, December 3 REST "DARK" Night before shows! No rehearsal
December 4th-6th Performance Weekend!
ROLES AVAILABLE
Elf the Musical JR. features a large cast with extensive ensemble opportunities for performers of all ages. While several principal and featured roles may be cast with older performers, the ensemble is an important part of the production and appears throughout the show.
A Note About Casting
Because Elf Jr. includes both adult human characters and North Pole elves, age, height and physical pairing may be considered when casting certain roles to help visually distinguish the different groups of characters.
Performers of all eligible ages are encouraged to audition! Casting decisions will consider each performer's audition, age, vocal and acting needs, chemistry, and overall fit within the company.
Ensemble-Only Auditions
Yes! Performers may audition for ensemble only.
We know that not every student is looking for a principal or featured role. This production will include a large ensemble, with opportunities to sing, dance, act, and help create the larger-than-life world of Elf Jr. Performers may indicate on their audition form that they would like to be considered for ensemble roles only. Choosing this option will not negatively affect casting—it simply lets our creative team know what kind of experience your performer is looking for.
Principal Roles
Buddy
The lead of the show. Buddy appears throughout the production and requires a strong actor and singer with lots of energy, warmth, and comedic timing.
Jovie
A principal role with significant acting and singing. Jovie begins the story cynical and guarded, but her relationship with Buddy brings out a warmer side of her.
Walter Hobbs
Buddy's biological father and a workaholic businessman. A substantial acting role with significant dialogue and a strong character arc.
Emily Hobbs
Walter's wife and Michael's mother. A warm, grounded character with significant dialogue and featured singing, including “There Is a Santa Claus.”
Michael Hobbs
Walter and Emily's son and Buddy's younger half-brother. A major youth role with significant dialogue and featured singing alongside Emily.
Supporting Roles
Santa Claus
Helps narrate the story at the beginning and end of the show and has several sections of featured dialogue.
Deb
Walter's energetic, upbeat secretary. A fun comedic role with lots of personality and interaction in the office scenes.
Mr. Greenway
Walter's demanding boss. A strong character role appearing later in the show with commanding dialogue.
Macy's Manager
The high-energy manager of the Macy's toy department. A featured comedic role in the Macy's scenes.
Featured Roles
Charlie & Shawanda
Featured elves in Santa's workshop who interact with Buddy early in the show.
Chadwick & Matthews
Walter's staff writers who work alongside him at Greenway Press.
Darlene Lambert & Emma Van Brocklin
Reporters featured in the story's media scenes.
Ensemble
The ensemble is a major part of Elf Jr. and will include performers across our eligible age range. Ensemble members help bring the North Pole and New York City to life through singing, dancing, acting, and featured moments throughout the production.
Depending on casting, ensemble tracks may include elves, New Yorkers, Macy's employees and shoppers, office staff, and other featured groups throughout the show.
An ensemble role is not a “lesser” role in this production. We are looking for enthusiastic performers who love to sing, dance, act, and work as part of a company.
AUDITION FAQ
Not at all! We welcome performers with all levels of experience, including students auditioning for their very first production. We are looking for performers who are prepared, enthusiastic, willing to learn, and ready to be part of a company.
Does my child need previous theatre experience to audition?
1
No! Auditions are open to all performers who meet the age requirements. You do not need to be currently enrolled in a Stage Local Prep class to participate.
Does my child need to be a current Stage Local Prep student to audition?
2
No. Callbacks are by invitation only. Following initial auditions, the creative team will contact performers they would like to see again at callbacks on October 15. Not receiving a callback does not necessarily mean that a performer has not been cast.
Does everyone who auditions attend callbacks?
3
Will everyone who auditions be cast?
4
No. Elf Jr. is an audition-based production, and auditioning does not guarantee a role in the cast. Our creative team will consider each performer's audition, callback when applicable, age, vocal and acting needs, dance, chemistry, and overall fit within the company when making casting decisions.
We anticipate a large cast with many ensemble opportunities, but the final size and makeup of the company will be determined through the audition and casting process.