DIARY OF A WIMPY KID AUDITION INFORMATION

All those cast in DIARY OF A WIMPY KID are required to become a KVTA member ($30) by the initial cast meeting/read-thru. One parent/guardian being a member of KVTA does cover the membership requirement for all family members 17 and under. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the cast member being removed from the production.

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Director: Kayla James

Assistant Director: Sharla Ronchetto

Vocal Director: Jamie Howard Breeden

Choreographer: Jaylen Rick

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​​PERFORMANCE DATES / LOCATION:

Lincoln Cultural Center 240 Warren Ave Kankakee IL 60901

There will be seven (7) mandatory performances of this production.

School Performances*: Thursday, November 19 & Friday, November 20 

(There will be two school performances* each day at 9:30 am and 12:30 pm.)

Public Performances: Saturday, November 21 at 2 pm; Saturday, November 21 at 7 pm; Sunday, November 22 at 2 pm

*Every young person cast in this production will be required to miss two days of school for the school performances. Every cast member will be required to have a permission slip signed by his/her teachers and principal during the first week of rehearsal. Failure to return this slip by the deadline given may result in the cast member being removed from the cast. 
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AUDITION AND CALLBACK DATES / LOCATION:

AUDITIONS: Wednesday, August 19 & Thursday, August 20 starting at 5:30 pm each day

CALLBACKS: Friday, August 21 starting at 6:00 pm

LOCATION: KVTA Studios  1 Stuart Dr  Kankakee IL 60901

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Questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting, may be emailed to the Director, Kayla James, at: wimpykid@kvta.org​​

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All auditioners must be at least 6 years of age and no older than 17 years of age by November 19, 2026. Proof of age may be requested. Actors of any ethnicity / race are encouraged to audition for any part. All auditioners must complete an audition form, a conflict calendar, and sign KVTA's policy acknowledgement form. Cast members are required to provide the following personal items: shoes, socks, and stage makeup. In addition, cast members may be asked to supply other items such as: leotards, tights, etc. Optional expenses include: a digital download from the production, a picture CD, apparel items, production party attendance, cast/staff chill times, etc. PLEASE NOTE: Child care is not available during rehearsals and performances. Cast and staff members are not permitted to bring their children, or any additional family members, to rehearsals, unless prior permission has been given by the KVTA Board of Directors. ​All rehearsals are closed to the public unless otherwise stated. All KVTA facilities are smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free. Anyone found to be in violation of these policies may be removed from the production.

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If you have already signed a policy acknowledgement form during our 2026-2027 Season, you do not need to sign this form again.

KVTA Policies: PDF

KVTA Policy Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF

All participants, on-stage or off-stage, will be required to sign KVTA's Social Media, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies. If said participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will sign for the participant. Any parent or guardian signing for their auditioner agrees to instruct and provide information to their auditioner regarding KVTA's policies. An Emergency Card and Waiver of Liability must also be completed and signed in order to participate. These forms will be distributed when you first volunteer with KVTA. If you have any questions please email: kvta@kvta.org

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AUDITION INFORMATION:

Please sign up for an audition time HERE.
-  Time slots are currently limited to 10 auditioners per time slot. 

-  Additional time slots may be added and/or the number of auditioners per time slot may be increased, if needed.

-  If you cannot attend any of these audition time slots, please email the Director at wimpykid@kvta.org and we will come up with a suitable option for everyone involved.

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CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF AUDITIONERS. THIS LIST WILL BE MANUALLY UPDATED ONCE A DAY.

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Audition Form can be downloaded here: Microsoft Word    PDF

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Conflict Calendar can be downloaded HERE.

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All auditioners must provide a completed audition form, a conflict calendar and a signed KVTA policy acknowledgement form. Be sure to print out the forms and bring them to auditions. Please include weekend conflicts on your conflict calendar. List ALL conflicts including dance, youth groups, sports, school concerts, recitals, karate, gymnastics, vacations, etc. Being in a theatre production is a big commitment, so please be honest when completing your conflicts.

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ANTICIPATED REHEARSAL TIMES:​​

Rehearsals will start the week of August 23rd. During August and September, individual cast members can expect to have rehearsal no more than three times per week. During October and November, individual cast members can expect to have rehearsal up to five times per week. While we are learning vocals, choreography/movement, and blocking, not all actors will be needed at all rehearsals. Once we begin running the acts, rehearsals will be full cast. 

 

Please list all conflicts that you have Monday-Friday, from 6:00-9:00, and Saturday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm and Sunday 3-7, August 23 through November 22nd. We will not rehearse during all of those time slots every week; those are simply the possible time slots. Conflicts will not preclude you from being cast; they are needed for us to develop a rehearsal schedule, which will be based on cast and staff availability. If at all possible, we would appreciate minimal conflicts in November. Attendance during Tech Week (November 13-22) is mandatory. 

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Rehearsal dates are subject to change. We want to have all of the cast at ALL of our final tech rehearsals, so please be open and honest when completing your conflict calendar. Please be sure to list all of your conflicts from the audition date through the final performance date. If you have any questions about the information provided here, please email the Director, Kayla James, at wimpykid@kvta.org.

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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (ages listed are stage ages):

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GREG HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 11 years old, a first-year middle schooler, driven with a burning desire to achieve popularity and acclaim at any and all costs. Equal parts cocky and insecure, Greg’s single-focus on popularity often makes him short-sighted and immature, almost costing him his closest friendship. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.

ROWLEY JEFFERSON – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 11 years old, first-year middle schooler, with a determinedly sunny disposition and über positive outlook on life. Almost blindly devoted to Greg, but ultimately capable of standing up for himself. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.

RODRICK HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. A sullen, sarcastic 16 year old, older brother of Greg, and his main tormentor. Brash and obnoxious, Rodrick is the front-man of the heavy-metal, garage band Löded Diper and delights in torturing Greg and taxing their parents’ goodwill. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful singing voice.

FRANK HEFFLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s put-upon father, who possesses an interest in U.S. history and a deep distrust of teenagers. Uncomfortable speaking with tweens, Frank is always trying to toughen Greg up and get him to “go be active,” perhaps in an effort to keep his son from following in his own wimpy footsteps. Strong comedic performer and singer.

SUSAN HEFFLEY – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s chipper, loving and overly supportive mother, Susan is a former pre-school teacher who is constantly looking for “teachable moments” with her boys. Though she always sees the best in her kids (sometimes blinding her to reality), she is also quick to become the household disciplinarian when necessary. Strong comedic performer and singer.

MANNY HEFFLEY – Impossibly adorable and spoiled baby brother of Greg and Rodrick. Manny enjoys exalted status as his parents dote on him and make constant excuses for his behavior. Strong comedic young performer of any gender to portray a toddler.

CHIRAG GUPTA – Male-identifying, South Asian descent. Greg’s quick-witted and wily classmate, who is enthusiastically engaged in a years-long prank battle with Greg. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice. 

PATTY FARRELL – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Ambitious, driven and overachieving classmate of Greg. Always out to best him at every turn since he poured glitter-glue down her back in second grade, Patty sees success as the only destination. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful singing voice.

FREGLEY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s deeply odd-ball classmate, who is sensitive to sugar and unapologetically interested in his own boogers. Strong comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.

BRYCE ANDERSON – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Dreamboat classmate of Greg’s who enjoys unfettered adoration and popularity. Infamous for his cutting remarks and cute-butt status, Bryce has hit his growth-spurt early and presents as more mature than many of his peers. Strong comedic young performer and singer.

JOSHIE – Male or female-identifying, any ethnicity. European teen pop star and Rowley’s idol. A cross between a boy band star and KidzBop performer, Joshie is obviously manufactured to make responsibility sound cool to 6-8 year old girls. His or her motto: Follow your dreams and respect your parents! Strong comedic young performer and singer with pop chops.

CHRIS/CHRISTINE HOSEY and LIONEL/LEONA JAMES – Male or female-identifying, any ethnicity. Two of the most unpopular and nerdy kids in Middle School. Strong comedic young performers and singers.

 

PAULENE and YVETTE – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Patty Farrell’s minions. They like what she likes and dislike whatever she dislikes – aka Greg. They are perfect in every way but always look up to Patty. Strong comedic young performers and singers. 

CLAIRE – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. A Wednesday Addams-lite, goth-in-training middle schooler. Claire is the keeper of the lore of the Cheese Touch and takes it upon herself to make sure nobody starts the dreaded curse again. Strong comedic young performer and singer.

MR. WINSKY – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. Faculty advisor of the school’s Safety Patrol. He takes his job super seriously, as though he’s head of the FBI or Special Ops. 

BILL WALTER – Male-identifying, any ethnicity. 35-years-old, an unemployed rocker dude who still lives with his folks and plays in Rodrick’s high school band, Löded Diper. Strong comedic performer and singer.

MRS. CLAYTON – Female-identifying, any ethnicity. Greg’s no-nonsense English teacher. Loves to host the Winter Talent Show every year.

FREGLEY’S MOM – A creepy, frail and occasionally terrifying elderly woman. She could be a ghost. Strong comedic performer and singer.​​

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INITIAL AUDITION INFORMATION:

At the initial audition, everyone will read one monologue of their choice from the list provided and sing one of the vocal options from the list provided. Then the group will perform the pre-learned dance together. The dance will not be taught at the auditions; you must learn it beforehand.  

 

Audition materials may be accessed at: AUDITION

 

VOCAL OPTIONS (Please select the one that best highlights your singing abilities.): 

 

Choose one of the following. 

The Cheese Touch
Animal Heart

 

If you are interested in playing Greg, Rowley, Chirag, or the Fashionistas, please prepare the Mom Bucks rap for initial auditions.  

Mom Bucks

 

DANCE:
All auditioners will perform the audition dance within their small group. The audition dance has been recorded for the auditioners to learn on their own before the auditions. There is a front view of the dance and a back view of the dance, as well as an instruction video. We will not teach the dance at the auditions. All auditioners are expected to learn their audition dance before the audition and perform their dance without instruction at auditions.

 

We have included a more challenging dance for anyone wanting to be a featured dancer.  Although it is not required, you may learn this one in addition to the initial dance if you would like to be considered for a featured dancer role. If you audition with this dance, you will still be considered for other roles, not just featured dancer roles.

 

Dance Workshop August 15th, 2026 at the KVTA Black Box. 

 

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to move in, as well as appropriate shoes for dancing. 

 

Dance videos can be accessed HERE.

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CALLBACKS:

Friday, August 21, 2026, beginning at 6 pm.
• For anyone new to the audition process, callbacks are only for select auditioners that the show staff members (i.e. Director, Assistant Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer) would like to see again. If you are not called back, this does NOT mean that you will not be cast in the show. If you are called back, it does not guarantee that you have been cast in the production.

• We will use your audition number when we post the callbacks. Please take note of what number you are given at the initial audition.

• We will post a callback list on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Thursday, August 20, after all initial auditions have been completed, so it will be late in the evening. Your patience is greatly appreciated!
• If for any reason you cannot make this callback date, PLEASE email the Director before your audition, or tell the board member working the check-in table at auditions.
• If you are called back, it is highly encouraged that you make every effort to attend the callbacks.

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Callback materials may be accessed at: AUDITION

 

POSSIBLE SONGS FOR CALLBACKS (only as needed): 

Rowley: Animal Heart: 41-48

Greg & Rowley: Dear Diary: 40-57  

Fregley & Mom: The Fregley Song: 21-36 

Greg: 4-20 Dear Diary

Claire: Cheese Touch: 1-15

Patty: Better Than You: 15-39

 

POSSIBLE SCENES FOR CALLBACKS (only as needed): HERE

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CALLBACK LIST:
The callback list will be posted on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Thursday, August 20, after all auditions have been completed, so it could be late in the evening. 

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CAST LIST: 
The cast list will be posted on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Friday, August 21, after all callbacks have been completed, so it could be very late in the evening. Thank you in advance for your patience as we will have many difficult decisions to make! 

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For those cast in the show, our PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING AND CAST READ THRU will be on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6:00 pm, at the KVTA Studios. This is a mandatory meeting. Parents/guardians are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer time for each cast member in this production.

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Further questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting may be emailed to the Director, Kayla James, at: wimpykid@kvta.org  Please include Diary of a Wimpy Kid Auditions in the subject line.

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Break a leg!

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Sincerely,

The Staff of Diary of a Wimpy Kid​