"Aladdin" Diary #2

   Continuing my diary of working on the First Stage production of Disney's Aladdin, Jr.

   For me, the toughest part about directing a show is the casting process. All these wonderful, talented young actors have put the time and energy into the stressful task of auditioning, and it's up to the directing team to decide which actor is included - and which are not.

   It would be fine if you had the exact number of actors auditioning as you had roles to fill. (That never happens.) But invariably, you have dozens more than you can use, so you can't cast everyone.

   It's sad, knowing that somewhere out there, you're delivering bad news when you post that cast list. I always hope those who miss out will come back and try again! One young actor I talked to told me she tried out for four shows before finally landing a part! 

   So right after the auditions ended, the directing team gathered around a table and started sifting through pages of notes, photos and cast lists, trying to match the right actor to the right part. After much debate and discussion, we had our cast. 

   The next step is to post it - and here it is:

Aladdin - Teddy Haddox

Genie - Katie Fulks

Princess Jasmine - Maleea Roy

Jafar - Audrey Fosson

Iago - Lily Browning

Narrators - Olivia Fosson, Caroline Kinley, Holly Price, Elyse Samassekou, Hannah Spurlock

Sultan - Dean Neal

Razoul - Luke Lovejoy

The Guards - Rebecca Gaunch, Shannyn Kyle, Lauren Martinez, Carolyn Rhodes

The Princes (and Chorus) - Lucas Trent, Luke Adkins, Thomas Miller

Townspeople / Genie Chorus / Attendants - 

Ella Adkins

Sydney Barbour

Hannah Blake

Katie Blankenship

Hannah-Rose Broadbent

Juliana Broadbent

Mary Margaret Clouse

Patrick Clouse

Ellie Dean

Lean Dean

Sophie Eastone

Caroline Faucette

Maggie Kayt Franks

Sophia Herbert

Abigail Heuton

Emily Houchens

Owen Jennings

Bailey Lewis

Dylan Lovejoy

Melanie McDowell

Samantha Meek

Emily O’Neal

Abby Parks

Bailey Pope

Macy Prater

Shannon Rawlinson

Arianna Richards

Annie Thacker

Max Specht

Aaliyah Walls

Zadokite Wood

Kylie Wright

   It's a great lineup! Our next step is the first meeting of the cast, and kicking off the rehearsal process!