Calling all directors!

HONK Jr - Season 3, 2026​

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​Book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe
Music by George Stiles
Licenced by Music Theatre International Australasia

​Directed by: Ash Farrough (they/them)

Musical Director: Josh Lowe (he/they)

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​A lovable, quacking retelling of the classic story of The Ugly Duckling, Honk Jr explores family, belonging and showing that being authentically you is truly eggcellent!

Ugly may not look quite like the other ducklings, but they have their talents, despite the rest of the farm animals thinking otherwise. Feeling down, Ugly waddles off on a journey of self-discovery, meeting a flock of friends and outsmarting a fowl foe as they try to find a pond to call home.​

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Youth at Eltham Little Theatre
Eltham Little Theatre has a long and happy tradition of working with youth in the theatre. Since ELT’s inception in 1958 there has been a production specifically for youth performers for nearly every one of those years.

We are delighted to again be offering the opportunity to keen young members of the community.

Honk! Jr is a youth production open to all aged between 10 to 17 years. Some flexibility may be given to performers turning 18 during the season.

We also welcome expressions of interest from any youth looking to explore the behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre. We have a number of youth on the production team in the areas of sound and stages, and our team of experienced adults can provide mentorship within the production.

Child Safety
All adults connected to the show will be asked to provide current volunteer Working With Children checks and following child safety guidelines. Parents offering their time will also be asked to provide a volunteer Working With Children check to ensure we are meeting child safety requirements.

All members of the production will be given access to wellbeing support, and are encouraged to report any concerns regarding the safety of the cast and/or crew.

There will be a no tolerance policy on bullying of any sort.

Parents and guardians must sign their children in and out of rehearsals and performances. Children will not be permitted to leave the building without an adult present. This means children will not be permitted to exit to the car park or to walk home/to public transport. Please factor this into your consideration of the commitment to the production.

Our Goal
Our priority in Honk! Jr is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for youth to explore theatrical production, make like-minded friends and learn new skills.

Children will be encouraged to think outside the chicken coup and spread their wings in an encouraging setting.

The production team is committed to highlighting the strengths of each performer on stage, whether that be a featured acting, singing or dancing opportunity.

Audition Information
Auditions will be hosted by the Director and MD and will be performed solo. Please book a 10 minute time slot on Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. You will be asked to indicate if you are auditioning for specific characters, ensemble, or do not have a preference. Please see the list of characters at the end of this pack.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend the specified times but would like to submit a video audition, please email us.

Audition times:
Wednesday 25th March, 6.30 pm - 9 pm
Friday 27th March, 6.30 pm - 9 pm
Sunday 29th March, 8.30 am - 12 pm

Audition location:

Eltham Performing Arts Centre
1603 Main Road, Research Vic

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Book an audition:

To book an audition date and time, visit our Trybooking page.

Audition format:
Singing
Please prepare 1 song of your choice to perform to a backing track.
Songs should be no longer than 3 minutes, and preferably of a musical theatre style.
Please have your backing track prepared to connect to a bluetooth speaker.

Acting
Auditionees may be asked to perform one or two short pieces of dialogue from the script with notes for direction.
All audition sides can be found here, and are labelled in accordance with the corresponding characters.
You do not have to memorise the sides. Sheets will be available at the audition for reading. Accents are not required and will be studied in rehearsals.

Dancing
We will not be holding a dance audition for this production.
Auditionees will be asked their comfort level with dancing and movement, and the choreographer will determine dance ability during rehearsals.
All dance ability is welcome. If you are particularly keen on the dancing aspect of musical theatre, please let the production team know.

Please note: Children may be asked to take a picture at the audition to help the panel with recall during casting. These pictures will not be shared anywhere and will be immediately deleted upon casting decisions.
Please let the production team know if you do not want a picture taken.

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​Cast Information

Schedule
Please review the rehearsal schedule at the end of this pack before auditioning. We will begin rehearsals with a Parent Information Night and full script reading on Wednesday 8th April.

Cast members may not be required for every rehearsal, however broad availability is required. Please ensure you inform the production team of any known unavailability at your audition. We will use this to properly schedule rehearsals, so it is of significant importance that we know if you will not be in attendance.

All cast members will be required for all rehearsal and performance dates from 21 June.

The performances will happen over 3 weekends across the term 2/3 holidays:

2 shows on Saturday 27th of June
1 show on Sunday 28th of June
2 shows on Saturday 4th of July
1 show on Sunday 5th of July
2 shows on Saturday 11th July
1 show on Sunday 12th July

The final show will be followed by a clean up process to reset the theatre and a small party for all involved in the show.

All shows and rehearsals will be held at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Road, Research.

Membership and Fees
All members of cast and crew are required to be members of Eltham Little Theatre. This pays for our volunteer liability insurance during the rehearsal and production period. Youth membership with Eltham Little Theatre is $15.

In a production this size, there is also a production fee of $150 to be paid by each cast member to help cover the cost of scripts, costumes and other expenses during the production of the show. It also includes a cast hoodie and the provision of a meal during the technical rehearsal.

Parents who intend to help out with the production are also required to become members. A special parent membership exists for show parents which costs $10 (instead of the normal $25 for adults).

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For details of membership, please visit our membership page. To become a member, follow our Trybooking link.

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All adult members of cast and crew are required to have a current Working With Children (WWC) card. This will be verified prior to rehearsals commencing. Full information and application details can be found here.

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​​Character Breakdown
The genders associated with the below characters are for performance purposes only. Actors of a different gender can be cast in these roles, however, due to licensing, they will have to perform as the associated gender for the role.

Vocal ranges and descriptions are general indications and may be adjusted for the right performer.

We encourage all auditionees to audition for any character they feel would be suited to them.

Casting will be blind to gender, race, orientation, disability, and other minority groups. The production team will cast whoever they feel is most suited to the roles.

Please note: The stage can only be accessed via stairs. Assistance can be provided for any performers who need help traversing stairways.

Some roles may also form the ensemble. Please make the production team aware if you would not accept any form of ensemble work, and note that this may impact your chances in casting.

All children cast will receive some form of feature within the show, in the form of an acting, singing or dancing feature.

Ugly
The ugly duckling and the main character of Honk! Jr.

Innocent, easily confused and very impressionable, Ugly doesn't understand why it is wrong being different. However, his insecurities melt away as the character gradually changes from a gullible duckling to a wise swan, filled with self-esteem.

This role is best suited to a strong actor and singer.

Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: D4

Ida
Ugly's mom. Ida is extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety. She is the one who teaches him that it is OK to be different. She is sweet but feisty, and she knows how to handle her husband, Drake. After Ugly is lured away from the barnyard by the Cat, Ida is determined to find him.

This role is best suited to a strong actor and singer.

Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: F4

Drake
Ida's husband. Drake is a sarcastic character. He is the stereotypical sitcom father - often shirking his parental duties. Drake finds Ugly quite repulsive and isn't afraid to say it to anyone, including his wife.

This role is best suited to an actor with good comic timing and a strong singing voice.

Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

The Cat
The sly, cunning villain of the show. All of the other animals are deathly afraid of him. He is manipulative, cunning, witty and above all, HUNGRY. The Cat pretends to be Ugly's friend so he can eat him.

This role is best suited to an actor with strong comedic timing and a strong singing voice. Improvisation skills are encouraged but not necessary.

Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Ducklings - Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy
Beaky, Fluff, Billy, Downy are Ugly's siblings - cute little kid types. They are among the "popular" ones in the duck yard who enjoy making Ugly feel left out. They sing as a group.

These roles are best suited to energetic performers.

Maureen
A moorhen and Ida's best friend (originally found on the moors, a moorhen is a hen that lives near the water). Maureen genuinely loves Ida, but she can't resist a bit of good gossip. To the little ducklings, she is the typical annoying and overly affectionate aunt.

This role is best suited to a confident performer.

Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: G#4

Grace
The most distinguished duck on the lake. Very aristocratic, she is considered the queen of the duck yard. All of the other animals look up to Grace and respect her. She, of course, is quite aware of this and is therefore a little bit haughty.

This role would be best suited to a poised and graceful performer.

Henrietta
A hen and another of Maureen's friends. Henrietta and Maureen gossip about the goings on in the duck yard. She takes great pleasure in making fun of Ugly.

This role would be suited to any performer.

The Turkey
The headmaster of the ducklings' school. The Turkey is a bit snobbish and joins in the fun of teasing Ugly. There is of course one word that sends shivers down his spine - THANKSGIVING!

This role is best suited to a character actor.

Penny
The young, beautiful swan that Ugly saves from a tangled fishing net. She is able to see beyond Ugly's looks and she loves him for who he is.

This role is best suited to a gentle performer.

Jay Bird
An investigative reporter. A very "in your face" bird, all they care about is getting a good story. They are the typical TV news personality who reports a story about Ugly's disappearance.

This role is best suited to a fast-talking performer.

Greylag
A somewhat pompous goose and washed-up British military type, Greylag tends to over glorify his mundane activities (i.e. migrating South) to the level of military operation status. Only his wife, Dot, truly knows how to handle him.

This role is best suited to a character actor.

Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A4

Dot
A motherly type, she is genuinely concerned with helping Ugly find his mother. Dot doesn't think that Greylag, her husband, is an entirely capable leader, but she kindly humors his "over the top" actions.

This role would be suited to any performer.

The Bullfrog
A laidback, self confident frog with whom Ugly comes into contact in the second half of the show. The frog cheers Ugly up with his/her song, "Warts and All." Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand up comedian type of character.

This role would be suited to a relaxed actor with strong comedic timing.

Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Father Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate.

This role would be suited to any performer.

Mother Swan
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate.

This role would be suited to any performer.

Berwick
Penny's family. They help to console Ida when she thinks her son has died, and they offer to take Ugly with them when they migrate.

This role would be suited to any performer.

Barnacles
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase."

This role would be suited to any performer.

Snowy
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase."

This role would be suited to any performer.

Pinkfoot
The geese in Greylag's "squad." They join in singing "Wild Goose Chase."

This role would be suited to any performer.

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Schedule
Below is a link to the proposed rehearsal schedule.

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Please note that while some dates have specific plans and cast requirements, the rest are to be confirmed.
Please assume you will be required at these rehearsals until otherwise informed.

The production team will be making precise scheduling a priority upon casting and learning of any unavailabilities.
Please check the dates carefully and note any unavailabilities.

We are aware the dates highlighted in blue are during the Term 1-2 school holidays and that families may already have plans.
While we strongly encourage attendance if possible, we appreciate that some plans may already be set in place and cannot be changed.

A parent information document will be supplied to everyone who cannot attend the information night.​