AUDITIONS

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that being different is not a bad thing to be.

Riccarton Players’ production of Honk! will be the full version (not the Junior version) and feature dance sequences and a live band. We will be looking for performers who can bring depth to our characters in a way that is compelling to both children and adults, and who embrace physical theatre and a 90s musical theatre vocal style. Strong, characterised movement is important, and there will be opportunities for strong dancers to flex their skills. We are looking for a diverse cast of all ages, experiences and kinds to fill our lead roles and our ensemble.

Director: Caitlyn O’Rourke
Musical Director: Luke Longworth

Onstage – 1st to 10th October 2026

Auditions will be held in the Rangi Ruru Drama Theatre. This is located on Merivale Lane.

Auditions will be in two parts:

An individual audition lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Please prepare a ~1 minute segment of a song to demonstrate your musicality and vocal style. You may like to select a song from a musical written in the 90s or earlier, but any song will do. We can provide a bluetooth speaker and a keyboard, but we cannot provide an accompanist. A capella singing is also fine.
- We will ask you to read a section from the script to demonstrate your character work. Said sections will be available for you to peruse beforehand in the waiting room.
- We will do a short ear training exercise to see how you follow music and hold harmony, as well as to find your range. Don’t worry - we’re not expecting perfection!
- We may ask you to do any of the above parts again with some amount of direction
- Whilst we don’t expect all members of our show to be dancers, we do want everyone to have strong, characterised movement as we will be playing farm animals! We also want to give dancers a chance to show off their skills.
- The movement/dance auditions will begin with a short exercise in moving as different animals
- Then we will teach a short segment of dance and ask you to perform it back to us. This won’t be a long dance, and we don’t expect perfection here either!
- We may film the dance audition to aid us in casting. Any video taken will not be shared outside of the production team and will be deleted later.

Click here to book your 15-minute slot and let us know which of the two movement/dance audition times you want to attend.

https://outlook.office.com/book/Honk1@riccartonplayers.co.nz

Auditions are running at the following times and will be assigned on a first-in-first-served basis:

Individual singing/acting:

Friday 19th June: 7pm - 9.30pm
Saturday 20th June: 11am - 7:30pm
Sunday 21st June - 11am - 1pm

Group movement/dance:

Saturday 20th June: 10am - 11am
Sunday 21st June: 10am - 11am

If you are unable to attend either of the movement/dance audition times we may ask you to learn a very quick dance step in your individual audition. If you are unable to attend any of the audition times, we are also happy to accept video auditions. Please contact us by email if you would like to organise this. (giles@riccartonplayers.co.nz)

Roles

The following is taken directly from MTI (the rights-holders). We are open to people of any gender auditioning for any role that suits their vocal range. We may also cast individual actors in multiple smaller roles and/or ask ensemble members to understudy some roles.

Ugly

Our story's youthful protagonist. Gawky and odd-looking, he is shunned for his odd appearance. Possesses a heart of gold.

Gender: male

Age: 15 to 25

Vocal range top: G#4

Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Ida

Ugly's loving mother and the only person who is supportive of the outcast child. Gender: female. Age: 30 to 45

Vocal range Top: F5

Vocal range bottom: F3

Cat

Our story's antagonist. Sly and cunning, he is a very hungry cat who preys on his next meal. Gender: male. Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: Bb4

Vocal range bottom: C3

Drake

Ugly's father who detests his son. Gender: male

Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: G4

Vocal range bottom: A2

Greylag

A goose and the Admiral of the squadron charged with Ugly's safe return. He is Dot's husband. Gender: male. Age: 40 to 60

Vocal range top: G4

Vocal range bottom: A2

Turkey

The School Headmaster who is self-basting, self-boasted prime specimen. Deathly afraid of Thanksgiving. Gender: male. Age: 40 to 60

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: A2

Bullfrog

A laidback, self-confident frog who is encouraging, light-hearted, and optimistic. Gender: male. Age: 20 to 50

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: A2

Father Swan

Penny's loving, protective, and caring father. Gender: male. Age: 35 to 55

Vocal range top: F#4 Vocal range bottom: A2

Grace

Most distinguished duck on the lake and the school governor. Proud, honest, and genuine. Gender: female. Age: 20 to 40

Vocal range top: Gb5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Dot

Greylag's composed, respectful wife. Gender: female Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: Gb5 Vocal range bottom: A3

Queenie

Very domesticated, humorous, snobby cat who lives the "high life."

Gender: female Age: 16 to 25

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: G#3

Mother Swan

Tender, compassionate, loving, and caring. Mother to Penny. Gender: female

Age: 35 to 45

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: G#3

Henrietta

A friend of Maureen and Ida's, she is somewhat of a busybody. Gender: female

Age: 30 to 50

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: C4

Penny

A beautiful Swan that is kind, compassionate, and caring. Ugly's unlikely love interest and friend.

Gender: female Age: 16 to 25 Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: C4

Ensemble

There are many featured roles in the ensemble, including the Ducklings, Ugly’s siblings.

Callbacks

Depending on the auditions, we may choose to call back some auditionees to read and/or sing again for specific roles on the evening of Monday 22nd June. We will contact the relevant individuals directly if applicable. Note that being called back is not a guarantee of being offered a role, and that a lack of callback is not an indication that you will not be offered a role.

Key dates

Riccarton Players typically rehearse on Monday, Wednesday and/or Thursday evenings, and Sundays. The exact rehearsal times will be decided based on the requirements of the cast and crew.

Rehearsals will not begin until the week of 20th July due to existing commitments of the production team. We will endeavour to have a readthrough in the week of the 21st June to hand out rehearsal materials and meet everyone.

The show will be on stage from the 1st October to the 10th October with the 5th and 6th as a mid-season break. Some extra rehearsals will be called in the lead-up to opening night, likely each day from the 26th to 30th September.

https://outlook.office.com/book/Honk1@riccartonplayers.co.nz

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Auditions

Roles