Willy Wonka (Large Role)

Willy Wonka is an enigmatic character; at once mysterious and mischievous but also charismatic.

This role is perfect for someone who is: Charismatic and engaging, good at storytelling. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime. 

Grandpa Joe (Large Role)

Grandpa Joe is Charlie's grandfather. He is caring, patient, sweet, and always reminds Charlie to look on the bright side. 

This role is perfect for someone who is:

Kind, funny, can sing a bit, but the singing is secondary to the actor's solid acting skills.

Phineous Trout (Medium - Large Role)

Phineous is the reporter who announces the winners of the Golden Ticket contest throughout the show. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Has a great announcer's voice. This role requires some singing.

Mrs. Gloop (Medium Role)

Mrs. Gloop is Augustus' mother who has overindulged her son with food. She accompanies Augustus on the tour of the factory, and sings "I Eat More!" which is one of the more difficult songs in the score for young people. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Isn't afraid to take positive risks both in their acting and singing.

Augustus Gloop (Large Role)

Augustus is the overachieving eater. Augustus sings "I Eat More!" along with his mother and Phineous Trout. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Isn't afraid to take positive risks both in their acting and singing. The singing does not need to be sung with a polished pretty voice, in fact, the more character the better.

Ms. Teavee (Medium Role)

Ms. Teavee is a take on all television moms of the distant past. Think June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) or Marion Cunningham (Happy Days) or even Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch). She's perfectly put together and a bit vacant. 

This role does not require a polished voice.

Veruca Salt (Large Role)

Veruca is  wealthy, class-conscious, and completely spoiled. She is often portrayed with a high British accent (that is by no means required).

This role is perfect for someone who:

Has a strong voice and can be bold onstage.

Matilda (Small Role)

Matilda is also a schoolmate of Charlie's, but she's a bit of bully. Matilda has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with James and Charlie.

This role is perfect for someone who:

Wants a smaller role.

James (Small Role)

James is Charlie's friend from school. He has a few lines and sings the introduction of "The Candy Man" along with Matilda and Charlie. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Is newer to performing. This is a smaller role.

Charlie Bucket (Large Role)

Charlie Bucket is the emotional heart and soul of the musical. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Loves to sing, and can sing and act enthusiastically. This is the lead role. 

Mr. Bucket (Medium-Large Role)

Mr. Bucket is Charlie Bucket's father. He is a kind and hardworking man who struggles to provide for his family. Despite their poverty, he remains supportive and encourages Charlie to stay positive, even in difficult times. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer.

Mrs. Bucket (Medium - Large Role)

Mrs. Bucket is Charlie Bucket's mother. Mrs. Bucket sings "Cheer Up, Charlie" with Mr. Bucket and Grandpa Joe. 

This is a great role for someone who: 

Has a nice voice, and is a natural nurturer. 

Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Grandma Josephina

(Medium Roles)

Charlie's three grandparents are mainly non-singing character roles. 

These are great roles for students who:

Have good comic timing and prefer acting to singing. These are smaller roles.

Mrs. Beauregarde (Medium Role)

Mrs. Beauregard is a geography teacher who has invested a great deal of hard-earned money on therapy for her gum-chewing daughter, with less than stellar results. 

This is a great role for someone who:

Prefers acting to singing. 

Mr. Salt (Medium Role)

Mr. Salt's solution to most problems is to buy his way out. He is upper class, and usually portrayed with a high British accent (this accent is not necessary).

This is a great role for someone who:

Prefers acting to singing. 

Violet Beauregarde (Large Role)

Gum chewer extraordinaire, Violet hails from Snellville, Georgia, so it's nice if she has a Southern American accent, but not necessary. She sings "Chew It" along with Willy Wonka. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Has a strong voice and can be bold onstage.

Mike Teavee (Large Role)

Mike loves tv, video games, the Internet and any other mind-numbing technological device. Mike is bratty, loud and obnoxious. He does not understand the word "no." Mike and Ms. Teavee sing "I See It All On TV".

This role does not require a polished voice.

This role is perfect for someone who:

Can be bold onstage.

Candy Man (Medium Role)

Sings the "Candy Man" song. 

This role is perfect for someone who is: Charismatic and engaging, good at storytelling. The actor should be able to be funny and serious and change between the two on a dime.