If you are auditioning as part of the ensemble you must be at least 14 years of age and have a minimum of 2 years experience in either band, choir, or orchestra.
If you are auditioning for a solo part, the requirements are listed below in the biographies. Characters are listed youngest to oldest and we are seeking performers who are as young as 7 to as old as mid 60s. Clicking the links below the roles will open a window where you can download a PDF with a portion of the music for that part and a lengthier bio about the character.
Main Roles
Mary Hurren, age 7, was selected to represent children on the plains. She traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley in the Willie Handcart Company with her parents, James and Eliza; sisters, grandfather, and an aunt and uncle from her father’s side. We are seeking a young performer between the ages of 7-9 with good stage presence and prior singing experience. Note: One of Mary’s songs is a duet about death as she lost 2 close friends along the trails due to the extreme conditions they journeyed through. You can read more about her here.
Thomas Dobson, age 19, was selected to show the challenges of the journey as well as for his powerful example of faith leading to a mighty miracle. He traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his mother, Alice Dobson; and siblings, Mary Ann(23) and Willard Richards(17), in the Martin Handcart Company. We are seeking a young man aged 16-25 with a tenor vocal range. Note: While Thomas is predominantly a singing role, he does have a few spoken parts as well. You can read more about him here.
Joseph Angell Young, age 22, was a rescuer sent from Salt Lake to bring these saints into the valley. He was President Brigham Young’s son, and had just returned home from a four-year mission to England when the call for rescuers was issued. He was selected for his tender connection to these saints on the plains, some of which he had met and served on his mission. We are seeking a man between the ages of 18-26 with a tenor voice, who can sing with tender emotion. You can read more about him here.
Sarah Ann Franks, age 24, was selected to show love and loss on the plains. She was a part of “one of the greatest love stories in all of western migration”. She traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her Fiancé, George Padley and her friend Ann Malin. Her and George traveled in the Martin Handcart Company and Ann traveled with the Hunt Wagon company. We are seeking a young woman in her 20’s or late teens with a good vocal range and some acting experience. You can read more about her here.
Daniel Webster Jones, age 26, was a convert to the church and one of the members of the Rescue party sent out by President Brigham Young in 1856. He played a significant role in the rescues of both the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies as well as the Hunt and Hodgett Wagon Companies. He was selected due to the great account he left regarding this ever important event.We are seeking a man in his 20s who has a baritone voice and commanding stage presence. Note: Daniel is both a singing and speaking role.You can read about him here.
Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson, age 30, was selected as our female narrator for her strong faith and courageous example. She traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her husband Aaron, (age 32), their children, Martha Ann (7), Mary Elizabeth (4), and Aaron Jr. (2) as well as her sister, Mary (19) in the Martin Handcart Company.We are seeking a woman between the ages of 24-36 who can reliably do an English accent. You can read more about her here.
Ephraim Knowlton Hanks, age 30, was selected for his deep faith and willingness to answer the rescue call, a journey he believed was guided by a dream from the Lord. While he is sometimes associated with the rescue of the Willie Handcart Company, he is best known for aiding the Martin Handcart Company—famously bringing them fresh buffalo meat, which saved many lives. We are seeking a man between the ages of 25-35 who has good stage presence and a deep, resonant voice. Note: Ephraim is both a singing and speaking role. You can read more about him here.
Levi Savage Jr., age 36, was chosen as our male narrator for his great faith and the leadership perspective he brought to the company. As a sub-captain in the Willie Handcart Company, he journeyed to the Salt Lake Valley, entrusting his 8-year-old son to the care of his sister, Hannah. We are seeking a man between the ages of 30-45 who can accurately convey emotions through his speaking. You can read more about him here.
Elizabeth Simpson Haigh Bradshaw, age 48, was a twice-widowed mother selected for her remarkable faith and strong testimony of the gospel. She traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her five children in the Martin Handcart Company. Her children’s names and ages are: Samuel Haigh (20), Sarah Ann Haigh (19), Robert Hall Bradshaw (11), Isabella Jane Bradshaw (10), and Richard Paul Bradshaw(6). We are seeking a woman in her mid 40’s -mid 50’s with a mezzo-soprano(medium) voice. You can read more about her here.
Ann Jewell Rowley, age 49, was a widowed mother selected for her motherly perspective as well as her mighty miracle wrought by faith. She traveled From England to the Salt Lake Valley with her seven children in the Willie Handcart Company. Her children’s names and ages are: Louisa (18), Elizabeth (16), John (14), Samuel (12), Richard (11), Thomas (10), and Jane (7). Her stepdaughter, Eliza Rowley (32), also came with her. We are seeking a woman in her mid 40’s – mid 50’s with a low female voice and motherly presence. Note: Ann is both a singing and speaking role. You can read more about her here.
Brigham Young, aged 55, served as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; serving from 1847 to 1877. He was renowned for his strong leadership and commitment to education. In 1855, Young introduced the handcart immigration system and officially called for rescuers to ride out and aid the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies, ensuring they received the supplies they needed to reach the Salt Lake Valley. We are seeking a man in his 50s with a tenor or high baritone voice. This role involves both singing and speaking. You can read more about him here.
James Loader, age 57, was selected for his remarkable faith. He traveled from England to New York in 1855 then to the Salt Lake Valley in 1856 with his wife Amy and most of their 13 children in the Martin Handcart Company. James unfortunately died along the way and was buried in Nebraska on September 24,1856. We are seeking a man in his mid 50’s- mid 60’s with a baritone voice. You can read more about him here.
Minor Roles
Elizabeth Crook Panting, age 28, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her two children, Christopher(6) and Jane(1), in the Willie Handcart Company. You can read more about her here.
George Cunningham, age 15 traveled from Scotland to the Salt Lake Valley with his parents, James and Elizabeth, and his sisters, Catherine, Elizabeth(“Betsy”), and Margaret in the Willie Handcart company. You can read more about him here.
Francis Webster, age 25, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his wife Betsy; Betsy’s mother and step-father, William and Amy Parsons Middleton; and their son, John in the Martin Handcart company. You can read more about him here.
Charlotte and Lousia Mellor, age 14 and 15 (respectively), traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with their parents James and Mary Ann and 6 siblings in the Martin Handcart company. You can read more about them here
Alice Brooks, age 21, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her aunt and uncle Alice Smith Brooks and Nathan Brooks in the Martin Handcart company. You can read more about her here.
Alice Walsh, age 25, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley in the Martin Handcart Company with her husband John and their 3 children. You can read more about her here.
Sarah James, age 19, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with her parents William and Jane along with her 7 siblings in the Willie Handcart company. You can read more about her here.
Mette Mortensen, age 11, traveled from Denmark to the Salt Lake Valley with her family in the Willie Handcart Company. You can read more about her here.
Josiah Rogerson, age 15, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley in the Martin Company with his mom and 4 siblings. You can read more about him here.
John Jaques, age 29, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his wife Zilpah, their baby Flora, and her parents, James and Amy Loader, five sisters and a brother in the Martin Handcart company. You can read more about him here.
Amasa Linford, age 11, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his parents John and Maria as well as 2 of his 3 brothers in the Willie Handcart Company(the oldest was serving a mission). You can read more about him here.
John Chislett, age 24, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his fiance Mary Stockdale in the Willie Company. You can read more about him here.
John Bond, age 12, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley with his parents and six siblings in the Hodgett Wagon Company which traveled just behind the Martin Handcart Company. You can read more about him here.
Peter McBride, age 6, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley in the Martin company with his parents and 4 siblings. You can read more about him here.
Susanna Stone, age 25, traveled from England to the Salt Lake Valley in the Willie Handcart Company She had “no relatives, but many dear and devoted friends [who] did all [they] could to aid and encourage each other.” She was an avid scripture reader and often wished she had lived in the days of the apostles and prophets. You can read more about her here.
George Grant, age 44, served as the Captain of the Advance Rescue Company. He, along with William H. Kimball was assigned to help prepare for the upcoming wave of Mormon immigrants. After about 6 months, he headed for home, no doubt anxious to be reunited with his family and obtain a little rest. Instead, after arriving in Utah, he went back to rescue the last companies. You can read more about him here.
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