The core cast consists of twenty actors who perform live each night for the duration of the pageant. These actors represent major historical figures such as Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, Parley P. Pratt, etc. Men's and women's roles range in age from early 20s to late 50s. In addition to performing in the pageant, core cast members will present short historical vignettes during the day in Old Nauvoo and will perform at community outreach events, including performances of an hour-long musical review.

If you are planning to audition for the core cast. but considering involvement in the family cast in the event you are not placed in a core cast position, you should fill out and submit a family cast application by the Saturday, December 15, 2007 deadline. Your family cast application will not be processed until after core cast assignments have been made.

Prior to the pageant the core cast will rehearse in Salt Lake City for several weeks in June. The pageant will cover transportation to and from Nauvoo, as well as providing housing and meals for the core cast while in Nauvoo. As the core cast will be involved fulltime in rehearsals and performances from early June - August 8, 2008, core cast members will receive a modest honorarium to help offset their expenses.

Auditions and callbacks will be held the end of January and beginning of February in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. Pageant roles do not require singing; however, core cast members' musical talents are featured in community outreach events. Auditioners with vocal skill should come prepared to sing 16 bars of two contrasting pieces, such as an up-tempo song and a ballad.

To schedule an audition, please contact the Music and Cultural Arts Division at 801-240-6492.

Thursday, January 24, 2008, 6-10 pm at the Bountiful Regional Center

Friday, January 25, 2008, 6-10 pm in room 3250-3252 of the Wilkinson Student Center, BYU Campus

Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9 am-4 pm in room 3238-3239 of the Wilkinson Student Center, BYU Campus

Thursday, January 31, 2008, 6-10 pm at the Bountiful Regional Center

Friday, February 1, 2008, 6-10 pm at the Bountiful Regional Center

Saturday, February 2, 2008, 8 am-6 pm at the Bountiful Regional Center

from the south: take I-15 north to the Woodscross exit (Exit 315; if you reach the Bountiful 500 S exit, you have gone too far); at the end of the off ramp, take a hard right onto frontage road; the Bountiful Regional Center is the building with the dome roof on your right after the car dealership.

from the north: take I-15 south to the Woodscross exit (Exit 315); at the end of the off ramp, take a left under the freeway; turn right at the light, and turn right again at the end of that short road (by the Wendy's); this will take you back to the frontage road, where you should turn left; the Bountiful Regional Center is the building with the dome roof on your right after the car dealership.

The Wilkinson Center is located on East Campus Drive across from the J. Reuben Clark Law Building. There is a large parking lot on the east side of the street where visitors may park. Auditions will be held in conference rooms on the south end of the third floor. For directions to BYU, please visit http://map.byu.edu/ and click on "Directions to Campus." For a map of the Wilkinson Center, please visit this site.