Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus - AUDITIONS

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Director: Richard Newland

Producer:  Darlene Thomas

 Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus is a heartwarming holiday play inspired by the true story behind the famous 1897 newspaper editorial. When eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon begins to doubt whether Santa Claus is real, her father encourages her to write to the newspaper. The editor's thoughtful response becomes a timeless message about faith, hope, kindness, and believing in things that cannot always be seen. Filled with warmth, humor, and holiday spirit, this family- friendly production celebrates the magic of Christmas and the power of imagination.

December 4,5,6,10,11,12,17,18 at 8pm

December 6,13 & 19 at 2pm

All performances at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Road at Markham Road.

Auditions:

Sunday August 23, 2026 at 2-5pm

Monday August 24, 2026 at 7-10pm

Callbacks:

Tuesday August 25, 2026 at 7-10pm

Scarborough Theatre Guild Rehearsal Unit – 2105 Midland Avenue, Unit 16, Scarborough (the building is immediately north of the defunct Midland LRT station, on east side, south of Progress. Access to the unit and parking lot face Cosentino Drive)

Commence: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (read-through), 7 – 10 p.m.

Continue: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7 – 10 p.m Sundays, 1 – 5 p.m.

Tech week: Sunday November 29, 2026 to Thursday December 3, 2026

*Additional rehearsals may be added if required.

Please read the play before auditioning, if possible.

A downloadable PDF is available below.

Please prepare a monologue no more than 1-2 minutes. You may be redirected by the director. You may be required to attend a callback so that we can have a chance to experiment with different pairings/groupings of actors.

 For information, or to book an audition time, email Darlene Thomas at Auditions4STG@hotmail.com

Please bring a copy of most recent theatre resume and headshot.

If you must cancel on the night of your audition, please phone Scarborough Theatre Guild at 416-439-5349.

Edward P . Mitchell (male – presenting late 40’s to mid-50’s)

Newspaper man, Managing Editor of the New York Sun who will instruct an employee to write an editorial response to a little girl’s letter questioning the existence of Santa Claus. A little rough around the edges, known to imbibe but at his heart he recognizes the worth of people. Functions as the storyteller.

Frank P . Church (male – presenting late 30’s)

Newspaperman. His wife died during childbirth, losing the child as well. Resorted to drinking in this grief, which is interfering with his work at the newspaper. Against his wishes he will be assigned to respond to the child’s letter. In doing so, he finds meaning beyond the present troubles, and comes to a personal redemption.

James O’Hanlon (male – presenting early 30’s)

Irish, father of 3 children. Unemployed labourer struggling to make ends meet financially. He has a bit of that Irish temper, but he is really a good soul. Faced with mild racism, he doesn’t give up hope for something better, although at times he is doubtful.

Dominic (Dom) Donneli (male – presenting early 30’s)

Italian,– friend of James O’Hanlon. Unemployed labourer struggling to make ends meet financially. His wife is ill. Also facing racism, he staunchly supports his friend James, no matter what the cost.

Virginia O’Hanlon (young girl - presenting around aged 10 – 12 years)

Young girl, daughter of James O’Hanlon. She is the child who writes i a letter to the newspaper, questioning about Santa Claus. Her youthful innocence is being eroded by her friends comments. Her hope will rest in what an unknown writer at the New York Sun responds to her letter.

Maria Donnelli (young girl – presenting around aged 10 to 12 years)

Young girl, friend of Virginia O’Hanlon, and daughter of Dom Donneli. She is protective of Virginia because of the close familial relationship.

Susan (young girl – presenting about aged 10 to 12 years)

Young girl, friend of Viriginia O’Hanlon. She is someone who follows the lead of others. Together with Julie she teases Virginia about her belief in Santa Claus. Has the attitude that her way is the only way.

Julie (young girl – presenting about aged 10 to 12 years)

Young girl, friend of Virginia O’Hanlon. She has attitude and is sarcastic. Together with Susan she teases Virginia about her belief in Santa Clause.

Sean O’Hanlon (young boy – presenting around aged 7)

The precocious son of James and Evie O’Hanlon

Evie O’Hanlon (female – presenting early 30’s)

Wife of James O’Hanlon. A stay-at-home wife, making do with meager financial resources to care for her family. Very loving and supportive of her husband.

Andrea Borland (female – presenting late 20’s to early 30’s)

A new, young reporter writing for the newspaper’s society columns.

Teddy Murray (male – presenting early 20’s)

A copyboy

Mrs. Goldstein (female – presenting late 40’s)

A kindly Jewish woman with homey wisdom.

Celeste Donneli (female – presenting early 30’s)

Sickly wife of Dom Donneli, and mother of Maria

Newsboy (teenager)

A boy selling papers on the street

Goss/George/Tom Pryor/Officer Akins

Goss – a gruff, burly dock worker

George – a newspaper man, late 40’s

Tom Pryor – hiring agent at the employment office

Officer Akins – a police officer

Otho/Chambers/Officer Flynn

Chambers, boss of the dockworkers

Ortho, a thin Norwegian bartender

Officer Flynn, a sergeant on the force (interacts with Officers 1 & 2 and thief)

Cornelius Barrington/Shannon/ O’Hara

Barrington, newspaper man, tall, aged 30

O’Hara, owner of O’Hara’s Bar, mid-aged male

Shannon, unemployed labourer

Sam/Thief/Schuller/Red

Sam, newspaper man, in his 40’s

Thief, male

Schuller, a mailman

Red, unemployed labourer

Shorty/Scotty/Art Frtiz

Shorty, employee of O’Hara’s Bar

Scotty, unemployed labourer

Art Fritz – a reporter

Scarborough Theatre Guild welcomes diversity in casting and actors of all backgrounds, identities and abilities are encouraged to apply!