Brightside Theatre Seeks Colin Craven and Fakir for Secret Garden

Brightside Theatre Casts Nominations and Open Roles for The Secret Garden in Concert

Brightside Theatre has opened casting submissions for two pivotal roles in its upcoming concert staging of The Secret Garden, offering local performers a chance to step onto the Naperville stage this winter, auditions.leagueofchicagotheatres.org reported.

The Naperville-based company is currently seeking submissions for the roles of Colin Craven and Fakir for the musical featuring book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Jeffrey Cass is directing the production, with Phil Videckis serving as musical director.

The production is casting a young male actor around 10 years old who identifies as a treble or boy soprano to play Colin Craven, Archibald’s sheltered and sickly young son whose friendship with Mary helps awaken his confidence. The role will perform Saturday matinees while covering Friday and Sunday performances. Producers are looking for an Asian Indian male tenor to play Fakir, a mystical figure from Mary's early life in India who connects her past with her new surroundings.

Rehearsal Schedules and Performance Dates at Madden Theatre

Rehearsals for the concert production are scheduled for evening slots between December 6 and December 10, and again from January 3 to January 6, though not all cast members are called to every session. A mandatory dress rehearsal is set for the evening of January 7, with management noting that no rehearsal conflicts will be accepted for that date or any performances.

All eight performances will take place at the Madden Theatre on the campus of North Central College, located at 171 Chicago Ave. in Naperville. The run opens on January 8, 2027, and closes on January 17, 2027, featuring Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. alongside Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Actors cast in these roles will receive a $175 stipend. Interested performers are instructed to submit a headshot, resume, and a link to a one-minute video of themselves singing in the style of the show via email to [email protected].