Additional Info

Callbacks:

Callbacks are by invitation only and will be held on Saturday, September 13 from 2:30 - 8:30 PM (subject to change).

Rehearsals:

• September 23, 2025 - November 20, 2025 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 3:30pm - 6:00pm)
• November 24th, 2025 - December 5, 2025 (Mondays - Friday from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
• Thanksgiving Holiday will be observed

Performances: December 8, 2025 - December 20, 2025

• Monday - Friday @ 4:30 pm (3:30 pm call time)
• Saturday @ 9:00 am (8:00 am call time)
• School Matinees Tuesday 12/9, Wednesday 12/10 @ 10:00 am
  • Possible added school matinees Tuesday 12/9, Wednesday 12/10 @ 1:00 pm.

Production Team:

Directed by Jon Liddiard
Music Direction by Christian Wawro
Choreography by Izzy Arrieta

A Note About Casting:

At The Ruth & Nathan Hale Theater Academy we seek to honor the authors intent pertaining to each our productions. We care deeply about casting in a way where everyone feels respected, supported, safe and welcomed. 

We invite anyone and everyone to audition for any and all of our productions, regardless of any physical attribute, gender, race, ability, ethnicity, or experience. All are welcome at The Ruth.

Character Descriptions

All roles are available. We are looking for a diverse cast with a variety of body types.

Buddy the Elf

Male Presenting, Adult 
Vocal Range: B3-G5
The heart of the story. A human raised by elves in the North Pole, Buddy is cheerful, childlike, enthusiastic, and full of holiday spirit. He’s endlessly optimistic, often to the point of being over the top, and his innocence can make him a little clueless about the “real world.” Needs strong comedic timing and a big personality.

Jovie

Female Presenting
Vocal Range: B3-Db5
A New York City department store worker with a bit of a tough, sarcastic edge. She’s practical, guarded and initially unimpressed by Buddy’s cheerfulness, but she slowly warms to him. A singer with warmth and subtle vulnerability beneath the dry humor.

Walter Hobbs

Male Presenting
Vocal Range: B3-E5
Buddy’s biological father, a busy and work-focused children’s book publisher who starts off gruff, impatient and more concerned with his career than his family. Over the course of the show, he learns to open his heart.

Emily Hobbs

Female Presenting
Vocal Range: G3-D5
Walter’s patient, kind, and loving wife. She’s supportive of her family but frustrated with Walter’s lack of attention to them. She is welcoming to Buddy and helps the gap in the family.

Michael Hobbs

Male Presenting
Vocal Range: G3-D5
Walter and Emily’s young son. Smart, curious, and initially skeptical about Christmas magic. Forms a close sibling-like bond with Buddy.

Santa Claus

Male Presenting
Vocal Range: Bb3-D5
Jolly, warm, and occasionally a bit sarcastic. Acts as both the narrator and a key figure in Buddy’s life. Needs a big personality and strong stage presence.

Deb

Female Presenting
Walter Hobbs’s secretary, in charge of keeping her boss and the whole office happy. She shares her positive attitude with everyone, especially her love of Chrsitimas. She is friendly and helpful to Buddy.

Charlie

Any Gender
Charlie is in charge of monitoring the other Elves, making sure every present is wrapped and every bow is tied. A jolly but dependable Elf, one of Sana’s right hands.

Shawanda

Female Presenting
A kind and dependable elf. She will do whatever she can to help others, including Buddy, even though she accidentally reveals that he is a human.

Mr. Greenway

Male Presenting
Walter Hobbs’s boss. Cranky, demanding, and no-nonsense. Focused entirely on profit with a commanding presence.

Chadwick and Matthews

Any Gender
Walter’s right-hand employees at the publishing company. Business-focused and sometimes clueless, they offer to do everything they can think of to save the day and make their boss happy.

Fake Santa

Male Presenting
Fake Santa is a poor replacement for the real Santa. A Macy’s employee who is rough around the edges. A little over the top, adds comedic moments during Buddy’s adventure in the department store (combined with other ensemble roles).

Santa's Helper

Any Gender
Santa’s Helper works as a Macy’s employee and announces when each kid gets to visit with Santa. Adds comedic moments during Buddy’s adventure in the department store (combined with other ensemble roles).

Charlotte Dennon

Female Presenting
TV reporter with a big personality. She does her best to keep a professional persona in public, and covers the city’s Christmas Spirit Meter (combined with other ensemble roles)

Darlene Lambert and Emma Van Brocklin

Female Presenting
Young girls who are convinced of Santa’s magic after Buddy reveals their past Christmas gifts (combined with other ensemble roles).

Ensemble

Any Gender
Includes Elves, New Yorkers, Macy’s Employees, Rockefeller Crowd, Office Staff, Flyer Guys, Carolers, Children and Parents–all important roles for creating the distinct worlds of the North Pole and New York City. Each ensemble member is a vital role in the show, helping to create a rich and vivid story.