IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
The beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life on the DBFRT stage. Based on the 1946 Frank Capra film, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds one fateful Christmas Eve. George is the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose childhood dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty. His guardian angel Clarence descends on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him—by showing what the world would have been like had he never been born—that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. Our annual award-winning theatrically staged adaptation overflows with warmth, humor, and Christmas joy.
Author
Based on the 1947 film by Frank Capra which is based on the 1943 short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern
Playing Dates
November 19 - December 23, 2026
Audition Overview
Open Call Auditions: Sunday, August 16th | 2-4 pm
Our goal is to cast the very best actors. Auditions are in-person only; no videos. Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script (sides to be uploaded to the Casting Manager side) for the role(s) you wish to be considered for. Bring headshot and resume.
Callbacks by invitation will be held on Tuesday, August 16th evening.
REHEARSALS: First Rehearsal Read Thru will be on Monday, September 28. Rehearsals are typically held on Monday through Thursday evenings (6-9 pm) and Saturday mornings (9 am-12 pm). Fill out all conflicts for rehearsal. Reasonable rehearsal conflicts are allowed through November 6; there can be NO conflicts (missing rehearsals) beginning November 7. Rehearsals prior to October 18th will be held at our rehearsal studio located in Mesa about 15-20 minutes south of the theatre. Location: 1815 W 1st Ave #127, Mesa. Rehearsals beginning October 18th will occur at the Theatre.
PERFORMANCES: Performance run is November 19 - December 23, 2025. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings and Saturday matinees; During Christmas week there are evening performances on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 12/21-22-23, with optional TBD matinees. We do not perform on Sundays. See the downloadable official performance schedule on audition site for details. Show running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes.
There will be no understudies with the exception of George Bailey. If you are not available for ALL performances, including TBDs, we cannot cast you in this production.
Stipend
All actors will receive a stipend of $350-$400 depending on total number of performances. Plus 4 complimentary tickets and a generous discount for family/friends.
Director
Cheryl Schaar, Award-winning DBFRT Artistic Director
Roles Available
CASTING NOTES: As this is an annual production at DBFRT all other roles NOT listed here have been cast with returning actors.
Role Title: George Bailey understudy/cover
Gender: Male Age - must be able to play age range 25-40 over the course of the show.
George Bailey is the selfless protagonist; he is "everyman". He is a passionate big-dreamer who sacrifices his personal desires to see the world to stay in his small town to put the needs of his family, friends, and the people of Bedford Falls before his own. He is ambitious but trapped. He is smart, but he feels stuck running his father's struggling family Savings and Loan. He is the only person in town to go up against rich Mr. Potter. He ultimately thinks everyone would be better off if he had never been born; setting off the action of the story. The actor must be able to portray George from early 20s through his late-30s with a great depth of emotion, sincerity and humor. This understudy role will have 3-5 guaranteed performances during the week of December 21-23; and will cover all other performances in the run in the case of illness of the principal actor. Great opportunity for a leading young man.
Role Title: Angel Joseph/Josephine
Gender: Any. Age Range: 25-70
This role can be male or female. They can come from any time period in history. Joseph/Josephine is a middle management Angel, who is pretty sure they are destined for greater things in Heaven, so… being assigned to watch over the “wanna be” Angel Clarence as he attempts to earn his wings is a bit, well, disappointing. Serves as narrator and guide to George's life ("If you're going to help a man, you want to know something about him, don't you?"). Must have great comic timing as well as sincerity. Supporting Lead.
Role Title: Uncle Billy
Gender: Male Age Range: 60 - 75
Uncle Billy - he is a simple soul, very kind and very forgetful. He has a job at the Bailey Building & Loan because he is family. Lifelong rivalry with Mr. Potter. Strong emotional acting required. Supporting Lead Role.
Role Title: Mr. Gower
Gender: Male Age Range: 50 - 65
Role Mr. Gower - the owner of the drug store George Bailey worked at as a kid. Respected businessman. He is a broken man due to the loss of his son. Strong emotional acting required. Also plays townsperson Randall who cashes in his money with Potter and tries to convince the others to do so. Supporting Role.
Role Title: Angel Francis/Mrs Hatch/Mrs Carter
Gender: Female Age Range: 50 - 70
Roles include: Francis the Angel - she has been in heaven a long time. Angelic and patient. Mrs. Hatch - Mother of Mary Hatch Bailey; has high aspirations for Mary and wants Mary to marry money. Mrs. Carter - the bank examiner, no nonsense, straight laced. Mrs. Davis - elderly bank customer, very hard of hearing, sweetheart. Ensemble Role.
Role Title: Annie/Tillie
Gender: Female Age Range: 30 - 60
Roles include: Annie - the Bailey's maid; unmarried, hard working woman, she has been part of the family for years. Has a great sense of humor. Could be Irish. Tillie - works for the Bailey Building & Loan; she is a smart, loyal, and hard working. In addition, other Bedford Falls ensemble characters. Comic timing needed. Ensemble Role.
Role Title: Child Actor - Young Mary Hatch/Janie Bailey
Gender: Female Age Range: 11 - 13
Roles include: Young Mary Hatch - a beautiful, sensible and smart young girl who is obviously in love with George Bailey (and grows up to marry him); Janie Bailey - the oldest Bailey daughter, sincere, loving and sensitive; must be able to mime piano playing; must be able to cry or believably reach that emotional level on stage.
Role Title: Child Actor - Young Violet Bick/Zuzu Bailey
Gender: Female Age Range: 7 - 10
Roles include: Young Violet Bick - saucy, natural flirt, confident young girl; she has a crush on young George Bailey; "I like every boy, what's wrong with that?". Zuzu Bailey - the youngest Bailey daughter, sweet, innocent, playful; has the famous line "Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings!"
Role Title: Child Actor - Young Harry Bailey/Tommy Bailey
Gender: Male Age Range: 7 - 10 Actor must be a fairly small boy. Roles include:
Young Harry Bailey - George's younger brother who he saves from falling through the ice; he's not scared of anything! Grows up to be a college All-American football player and war hero. Tommy Bailey - the youngest of the Bailey children; adorable, energetic, wants attention from his parents, excitedly plays with his toys on Christmas Eve. Must be believable playing age 7-8.
SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS OF CHILD ACTORS: Performances occur on week nights and Saturdays and there is considerable downtime to do homework. Children are expected to be committed to the production, behave in a mature and professional manner at all times backstage and onstage while interacting with adult castmates, and keep up with their rest and school work. Children may need to give up some family and social holiday activities to be in this production.
