High School & Middle School Students

AUDITION INFORMATION

Join us for a world premiere holiday musical!

Lola's Christmas Gifts

Music & Lyrics by Sally Imbriano; Book & Lyrics by KJ Moran Velz

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SHOW DESCRIPTION: Angeles O'Shea-Reyes has been given many gifts in her 12 years on this Earth - from the gift of the gab to her athletic talents on the basketball court, she knows she has been given a lot. But she isn't quite ready to receive the last three presents her grandmother will ever give her. When her Lola dies in the Philippines, Angeles and her siblings must unpack what Lola Reyes has left behind in the form of three presents delivered to their door. With the help of her Irish-American Nan and her Pinoy Tita, Angeles begins to explore what it means to be both Irish and Filipina in Herndon, Virginia. A musical comedy about grief, culture, and basketball, Lola's Christmas Gifts celebrates our ancestors, the gifts they leave behind, and the light we will pass on to our own descendants. 

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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

**Please note: the listed ages reflect the CHARACTER age and do not necessarily need to match the ACTOR'S real age**

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Angeles O’Shea-Reyes, (12-14) - A girl who has just lost her grandmother. And maybe the big game. Of Asian descentF#3-D5, mix belt

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Patrick O’Shea-Reyes, (16-18) - Her older brother who knows what it's like to lose someone. A2-A3

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JJ O’Shea-Reyes, (8-10) - Her precocious younger sibling who isn't sure what's going on. Of Asian descent, G3-B4

 

Evangeline "Mom" O'Shea-Reyes, 50 - Mother to Angeles, JJ, and stepmother to Patrick. Of Asian descent, F3-A4

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John "Da" O'Shea Reyes, 50 - Father to Angeles, JJ, and Patrick. G2-C4

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Lois the Postal Worker

Barb the Postal Worker

Lourdes the Postal Worker

Andrea the Postal Worker

Lumpia, Puppet

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Wren, Puppet, C4-C5, strong belt

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Tinikling Puppet, C4-C5, strong belt

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Coach Carolyn - Basketball coach of the Eagles.

Mr. Carta - English teacher.

Ms. Ryan - Math teacher. C4-C5

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Tinikling Teacher

Hannah, (12-14) - Captain of the basketball team.

Joanna, (12-14) - Wannabe captain of the basketball team.

Lana, (12-14) - Another player on the team

Grace, 7 - Daughter of Tita

Ensemble: Middle/High schoolers, teachers, cheer squad (co-ed), basketball teams (co-ed), Costco workers and patrons, postal workers, Irish ancestors, Filipino ancestors

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Students in Middle and High School have the opportunity to audition for several lead and featured roles in the production. They will be joined by an ensemble of Elementary School actors alongside 2 professional adult actors taking on the roles of Nan O'Shea and Tita Tatlonghari/Lola Reyes.

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Please prepare a 16-32 bar song cut (any style that shows off their voice/personality) that will be performed with live accompaniment, so please bring sheet music! We also ask that you come to you audition slot dressed to move.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Jessi Shull, our Director of Education, at jessi.shull@nextstoptheatre.org

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Thank you for your interest in our 2026 Winter Academy Program! We are so excited about having this unique project at NextStop this winter. Casting decisions will be sent out by the end of the day on Monday, September 14th, 2026. Our first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, September 15th from 6:30-9:30 pm.

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