Character Descriptions

UPDATE:  We are still looking to cast the roles highlighted in yellow below! If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact me ASAP at katiewojtalewicz@gmail.com to let me know! Thanks, Katie

The following list offers information about the roles to be cast. While the vocal ranges are generally fixed, the ages are flexible for some of the parts and represent the age range for the character, not the actor playing the role. The Secret Garden has a slate of principal characters, as well as secondary supporting characters referred to as "The Dreamers" (denoted by asterisks). These are family and friends from Mary's life in India and actors cast in the chorus will be a part of this group of "ghosts."

Mary Lennox (mezzo)
Female lead (11 years old)--orphaned in India, sent to live w/ uncle in England, 100+ speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)

Archibald Craven (tenor)
Male lead (30-60 years old)--wealthy, grieving master of English manor in ill health, 50+ speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)

Lily Craven (soprano)
Female lead (25-40 years old)--deceased wife of Archibald who lovingly haunts him, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)

Colin Craven (boy soprano)
Male supporting lead (10 years old)--invalid son of Archibald and Lily, 80+ speaking lines, participates in 3 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Martha (mezzo)
Female supporting lead (16-40 years old)--maidservant and friend to Mary, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos and ensemble)

Dickon (tenor)
Male supporting lead (16-30 years old)--Martha's spritely brother, 40+ speaking lines, participates in 7 songs (solos, duets, and ensemble)

Dr. Neville Craven (baritone)
Male supporting lead (35-50 years old)--Archibald's embittered brother, 60+ speaking lines, participates in 4 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Ben Weatherstaff (baritone)
Male supporting lead (45-70 years old)--gruff, senior gardener at manor, 20+ speaking lines, participates in 2 songs (quartet and ensemble)

Mrs. Medlock (speaking only)
Female supporting lead (40+ years old)--strict head housekeeper at manor, 30+ speaking lines, non-singing role

Captain Albert Lennox (tenor)*
Male supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased father, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Rose Lennox (mezzo)*
Female supporting (25-45 years old)--Mary's deceased mother, few speaking lines, participates in 9 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Fakir (tenor)*
Male supporting (18+ years old)--deceased Indian friend to Lennox family, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Ayah (alto)*
Female supporting (18+ years old)--Mary's deceased Indian nanny, no speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble) 

Lieutenant Peter Wright (baritone)*

Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Lieutenant Ian Shaw (tenor)*
Male supporting (20+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Major Holmes (bass)*

Male supporting (30+ years old)--deceased officer in Mary's father's unit, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Claire Holmes (soprano)*
Female supporting (40+ years old)--deceased wife of Major Holmes, few speaking lines, participates in 10 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Alice (soprano)*

Female supporting (25-45 years old)--deceased friend of Rose Lennox, few speaking lines, participates in 11 songs (solo, duet, and ensemble)

Mrs. Winthrop (speaking only)

Female cameo (30+ years old)--headmistress that visits the manor, 10 speaking lines, non-singing role

Major Shelley (speaking only)

Male cameo (30+ years old)--officer in Mary's father's unit responsible for transporting Mary to England, 3 speaking lines, non-singing role

Mrs. Shelley (speaking only)

Female cameo (25+ years old)--Major Shelley's wife responsible for transporting Mary to England, 1 speaking line, non-singing role

Chorus (SATB)*
Males and females (18+ years old)--additional deceased people from Mary's life in India, participate in several large ensemble numbers as singers and/or dancers