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The Pigeon Gets a Bigtime Holiday Extravaganza!

Based on Books and Characters by Mo Willems
Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems and Adam Tobin
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Orchestrations and Arrangements by Danny Abosch

Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz

Back to Auditions

About The Show!

For the very first time ever, The Pigeon, Gerald and Piggie, and the Unlimited Squirrels all come together. This holiday season, join Mo Willem’s funniest characters as they plan the biggest holiday extravaganza EVER! Will Gerald and Piggy get the most perfect gift for each other? Will the Squirrels be able to have one million pizzas delivered? Most importantly, will The Pigeon GET TO DRIVE THE SLEIGH?!?

Bring the whole family, but maybe leave The Duckling at HOME!

Audition Information

The Rose is holding local auditions for adult roles in its 2025 production of The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza directed by Stephanie Jacobson. In person auditions will be held on Monday, August 4th with callbacks taking place Monday, August 11th. Information regarding youth auditions will be coming at a later date. Please see the character breakdown & details below. 

The Rose is joyfully and boldly committed to ensuring diversity & equity in the casting of each of its productions. Actors of all types regardless of race, gender, age, or disabilities are welcome to audition for both lead and ensemble roles.

Audition RegistrationSubmit Video Audition
*In-person registration is not required to submit a video audition

Time Commitment

      • Rehearsals: Actors must be available for weeknight & weekend rehearsals from October 28 – December 4. Rehearsals will be held at our downtown location.
      • Performances: Actors must be available for weekday daytime performances as well as weekend performances from December 4 – 21. See calendar full calendar here.

Adult Actor Compensation

$3,000. Most favored nation terms in effect.

When, Where & How to Audition

  • Sign up to attend in-person auditions on Monday, Aug. 4th starting at 5:00p OR Submit a video audition by 11:59pm on Sunday, Aug. 3rd
    • In person auditions will take place at the The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102
  • Callbacks will be held on the evening of Monday, August 11th starting at 5:30pm also at The Rose Theater.

What to Prepare

Acting

  • Acting: Prepare a 60 second monologue of your choice OR select from the provided sides to read from. If auditioning in person, we will have someone available to read opposite of you. If submitting a video audition, please have someone out of frame read opposite of you.

    • Provided sides can be found in the registration & video submission forms.

Music

  • Music: Prepare 16-32 bars of the auditionee’s choosing OR choose to use the provided sheet music & backing track.

    • For in-person auditions, an accompanist will be available as will a bluetooth speaker & laptop for those wishing to provide their own playback or use the backing track. Acapella (without any accompaniment) singing is also acceptable.

    • Sheet music & the backing track can be found in the registration & video submission forms.

Dance

Learn a dance combo!

      • In-person auditions- upon arrival ALL auditionees will join the show’s choreographer to learn a short dance combo.
        • Please wear clothing and shoes you can comfortably move around in. 
        • If you have tap shoes please bring those as well.

    In person auditions will have a different dance call than folks submitting a video.

  • For video submissions: In the video submission form you’ll find an instructional dance video. Review and submit a video of yourself performing the dance combo. Or if you have a prepared dance reel you may submit that in lieu of the dance video.

Character Breakdown

Please note that the pronouns listed next to the character are those used in the script. We are looking to cast actors of all identities for all roles. We have 10 adult roles we are casting for:

  • The Pigeon – Performer & Puppeteer
  • Elephant (Gerald)
  • Piggie
  • Zoomy Squirrel/Ensemble Squirrel
  • Zappy Squirrel/Squirrel Ensemble
  • Zoopy Squirrel/Squirrel Ensemble
  • Flappy Squirrel/Squirrel Ensemble
  • Squirrel Performer & Youth Coach – Will also understudy Piggie
  • Squirrel Performer & Youth Coach – Will also understudy Elephant
  • Squirrel Performer & Youth Coach – Will also understudy The Pigeon

**A Youth Coach track is an actor that will sing and dance in the squirrel ensemble as well as act as an educator role with the youth squirrel ensemble. There will also be plenty of backstage support for youth actors, but the Youth Coach’s show experience might include running the order of scenes with students, leading warmups, reviewing choreography, modeling professionalism, and lifting students with affirmations.