• The audition will be an hour long. You will be auditioning with Elijah Botkin, Revels Music Director; Debra Wise, Revels Interim Artistic Director; and Sarah Higginbotham, Assistant Music Director.
• When you arrive you will have your picture taken and will be asked to sign a few waiver forms that will be used if you are accepted into the Chorus. This will consist of an agreement to use your photograph in publicity, and a behavioral policy agreement.
• You will be taken into the next room with your audition group of eight people. You will then be asked to learn a simple dance to see how you move and will be taught and practice a group song.
• While you’re learning those things as a group, you will be pulled one by one to sing your two songs individually for the directors in a separate room. You can find preparation instructions below.
• Once all individuals have sung, you will be taken in to see the directors as a group, where you will sing the group song, do the group dance, play a theater game, and do some group storytelling.
• Audition results will be announced within a week or so.

For your audition for Midwinter Revels, please be prepared to sing two unaccompanied songs.

For your first selection, please sing one of the songs listed below. For your second selection, you may sing a song of your choice.

• Deck the Hall
• The Holly and the Ivy
• The Boar’s Head Carol
• Or another similar carol

This year, we would also like everyone to read lines for our audition panel. Everyone will be asked to read The Shortest Day poem. The text of the poem will be provided.

Additionally, we are asking everyone to think of an anecdote or very short story (less than a minute) from your life inspired by the idea of “illumination.” This can be interpreted any way you like: a memory of light or a revelation, humorous or celebratory or serious — you just need to care about it.

We will also be doing a group singing piece. Music will be available soon. You will be taught the group song at the audition, but if you want to look over the music ahead of time, you will be able to do so. This will allow us to hear how you blend with other voices.

We will also be taking time to learn choreography and see how folks move. If you are interested in dancing or any choreography in the show, please come dressed to move (no flip flops or open-toed shoes). There will likely be a few different dance opportunities in the show – something for everyone!

Performing in Revels is a big commitment. Throughout October and November, we generally hold 1-2 weeknight rehearsals a week, with three “all-day” Saturday rehearsals.

PLEASE NOTE: Most rehearsals will be held on Mondays this fall, not Tuesdays. This change is a result of having to change rehearsal locations.

The 2025 rehearsal schedule will be announced soon.

Rehearsal locations will be announced soon.

ADULT WEEKDAY REHEARSALS:  7 – 9:30 PM

*Dance rehearsals will be held from 6:00 – 6:45 PM, prior to evening rehearsals, likely starting with a dance audition in September, for all who are interested.

SATURDAY REHEARSALS: 9 – 5 PM

All-day rehearsal dates will be announced soon.

TECH WEEK: December 8 – 10, 6 PM – 11 PM

DRESS REHEARSAL: December 11, 5:30 PM call

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):

December 12 – 28

Show schedule will be announced soon!

Show information will be announced soon!

Diversity is a fundamental element in Revels’ musical and theatrical productions. Through music, dance, and storytelling, we celebrate the seasonal and cultural traditions of our world, honoring and upholding the differences that make individuals and cultures truly unique and reminding us of the universal values that connect us all. This principle guides our organizational approach with events, educational programs, performers, audience, volunteers, partners, and staff. We offer an open, creative space that welcomes every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences.

Revels commits to diversifying all aspects of our productions. To achieve this, we have created the Revels Opportunity Fund to make it possible for any interested person to participate in our volunteer auditioned chorus for The Midwinter Revels. The Opportunity Fund will help to cover the costs of transportation, childcare, and other expenses that might make it difficult to participate in our annual flagship production. We welcome every person to help shape and take part in our distinctive community experiences. More details on the Revels Opportunity Fund will be available in June.

The Revels Youth Protection Policy was adopted by the board in June 2016. If you are eighteen or older and accepted into the Midwinter Revels Adult Chorus please note your acceptance will be pending a CORI check. If you have any questions contact Administrative Service Manager Jen Sur at jsur@revels.org.

Review Revels Youth Protection Policies here.

Review CORI Procedures here.

The safety and well-being of all our participants is an ongoing priority. The Revels Health and Safety Committee meets regularly to monitor public health data, trends and best practices, and strongly recommends that Midwinter Revels chorus members are up to date on flu and COVID boosters in the fall and RSV vaccination if applicable. Masking is currently optional, although Revels retains the right to institute protocols including testing and masking if indicated.