CHARLOTTE’S WEB
adapted for the stage by JOSEPH ROBINETTE
Town Hall, 2nd Floor, Summer St. Charlestown, NH
Tuesday, February 17 4-6:30 PM
Thursday, February 19, 6-8 PM
Saturday, February 21 10AM-12 PM
Directed by HEIDI FAGAN. Staged on location at Fort No. 4, Charlestown, NH in June 2026.
Who can audition? We are looking for a cast of 15-30 actors, ages 8 through adult, to play 15 main roles and numerous ensemble roles. No prior experience acting is necessary. The ability to memorize lines is a must!
When and where is the production? Charlotte’s Web is tentatively scheduled for the second and third weekends in June 2026. It will be held on location at Fort No. 4 in Charlestown performing in and around the buildings. Currently we are planning between 4-6 shows; details are still being worked out.
Do you need volunteers for the production? YES! We need people in support roles for both rehearsals and the show as well as helping out with general needs of the production. For every hour someone volunteers, it’s an hour the director does not have to do that task! Since the director is already putting in 15-30 hours per week, it makes a difference. You do not need to have theater experience, just a work ethic/common sense/initiative/willingness. Help with costumes, moving supplies, building things, organizing props and costumes, emailing, picking up supplies, getting posters out, taking photos, concessions, ushering, and so much more are necessary and very important to the success of the show. Even if you can only help ONE DAY you are part of the bigger picture and appreciated! Email us at rivertheater@yahoo.com.
When and where are the auditions?
Auditions will be held in Feb. and by appointment on the second floor of the Town Hall in Charlestown. Scenes will be provided ahead of time for actors to practice reading. (Available on the website by Feb. 1) You do NOT need to memorize the audition scenes. Someone will read opposite the auditioning actor so we can focus on watching them. We highly encourage actors to practice their scenes for volume, physical expression and emotion, as well as sounding like the character. You may be asked to read an additional scene, at the director’s discretion.
What are the roles in Charlotte’s Web? There are a variety of roles, and several can be played by different ages/sexes depending on the actors auditioning. Actors will select on their audition sheets what roles they would like to be considered for. There are no guarantees that those roles will be offered but it helps when casting. We like to remind cast members that ALL roles are important and it’s a privilege to be offered a role! Depending on the number of actors auditioning, we may not be able to offer a role to everyone but we try very hard to expand our casts to give as many people a shot on stage as possible.
FERN, a young girl
AVERY, her brother
JOHN AVERY, their father
MARTHA ARABLE, their mother
HOMER ZUCKERMAN, their uncle
EDITH ZUCKERMAN, their aunt
LURVY, the farmhand
WILBUR, a pig
TEMPLETON, a rat
CHALOTTE, a spider
GOOSE, mother goose
GANDER, father goose
SHEEP
LAMB
ENSEMBLE: REPORTERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, SPECTATORS, JUDGES, FAIRGOERS, ANNOUNCERS
Other animals etc.
UNCLE, a large pig
BABY SPIDERS, Charlotte’s children
What is the rehearsal schedule like? We will begin rehearsals in late February/early March two to three times a week, usually early evening, potentially a weekend morning or Sunday afternoon/early evening, and we usually work with people’s availability to schedule rehearsals, so it is important to inform the director of any and all conflicts on the rehearsal form. We can work around most things, but request that the two weeks leading up to the show are kept clear and all rehearsals that are scheduled for actors are mandatory. If you are called for a rehearsal, and did not previously let us know that there is a conflict, you need to be there. Obviously, in cases of illness/transportation/family emergencies, which we will excuse but repeated absences may result in being released from the production. We try not to have actors “sit around” rehearsals without doing anything on stage, especially for younger members and smaller roles, so some rehearsals may only be once a week for the first month or two for those members. As we get closer to the show dates and are running the show, we do require everyone to attend. Larger roles will require more time spent rehearsing. Rehearsals will be held at the Town Hall in Charlestown and as the weather improves, at the actual Fort itself in May and June, date TBD.
What is it like performing at the Fort as opposed to in a regular theater?
Besides being a really unique and rewarding experience, Fort shows do have differences to traditional shows. Projection/being loud especially for outdoor scenes is very important. Weather is a factor; it may be cold, hot, buggy, foggy, rainy…and unless it’s really hazardous weather, we perform! Unlike a stage, you actually see the audience and there are no blackouts or lighting effects. You have to travel potentially from place to place and stay focused and flexible for changes. It’s as if you have traveled back in time/location and are actually living the roles at times. We have performed three previous shows now at the Fort (The Crucible, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and A Christmas Carol) and all have unique challenges. This will be the first spring production held there and hopefully not as cold, so we will work together to tackle those as a cast and crew.
Who is directing the production of Charlotte’s Web? Heidi Fagan, a veteran director with over thirty years of professional, community and educational theater will direct Charlotte’s Web. In addition to holding both a BA and an MFA in Theater Directing, she has trained with Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox, MA and founded the Education program at Northern Stage. She has directed for Northern Stage, Vermont Theater Company, and River Theater Co. Heidi founded and taught the Drama program at New England Classical Academy where she directed over a dozen shows and taught acting to students in first grade through twelfth grade. Additionally, she has directed productions at Mount Royal Academy, Springfield Middle School, The Grammar School, Springfield High School and Fall Mountain High School. She has taught acting for ages 5 though adult extensively and led workshops at the New England Theater Conference.
Other questions? Email Heidi Fagan at rivertheater@yahoo.com! Information will also be updated on the FB Page.
River Theater 