
Thank You for your interest in joining the cast of our thrilling holiday feature film! Auditions are now open for all roles. Rehersals will take place in Washington Terrace, Utah starting in October, 2025. Take some time to read through this page for all of the information pertaining to this film, and how to submit your audition or application. We're excited to hear from you!
Lucas the director's small explainer videos

02:41
Breaking down the The music of Lufferton description #murdermystery #communityfilmproject

02:59
Magic Porch Swing Audition Talk

00:48
Erin Black on "Before Your Time" (2017)

00:50
Ronni Nybo on "Before Your Time" (2017)

02:32
Dan Jacobs on "Before Your Time" (2017)

01:01
Ryan Boam on "Before Your Time" (2017

02:24
Karlie McKinnon
When a beloved holiday performance meant to save the local theater is halted by a freak onstage accident, the eccentric cast, their fearless director, and a detective who hates musicals must face their pasts and band together to solve the mysterious downfall of their most insufferable member — and save the theater from ruin.
The charming Lufferton Theatre during a chaotic rainstorm, where the annual holiday musical becomes the scene of a shocking crime.
Detective H. Michael Redding must spend an evening sequestered with a cast of quirky theater people to do his best work and glean answers from the most murky of situations.
Shooting is set to begin in early September. Please see the top of this page for a summarized outline of special dates, or e-mail cfilmproject@gmail.com for the complete detailed schedule.
Concept imagery created using Ai but the film itself will be live action.
In the heart of charming Lufferton, the annual holiday production is meant to revive the aging theater and secure its future. Shannon, the passionate director, has poured her heart into ensuring its success. However, on opening night, disaster strikes when Chad, a notoriously disliked cast member, plummets from the stage in what appears to be a freak accident.
Chad's shocking fall during the finale number results in the cast being quarantined in the theater during a violent rainstorm.
Detective Redding, who hates musicals, must unravel a web of motives and secrets.
As alliances shift and secrets emerge, the line between performance and reality blurs.

The artistic heartbeat and de-facto steward of the Lufferton Theatre. Shannon holds the company together after its founder, Dottie Bunkford, dies and Dottie's son Chad assumes ownership and runs the playhouse toward ruin. She becomes both protagonist and moral compass as the mystery unfolds.
Smart, sharp-tongued, and grounded. A natural leader with a quick wit, she balances empathy with sarcasm and carries herself with confidence earned from years of community theater. Though she’s often the most competent person in the room, she’s not interested in the spotlight—she wants the show (and the people) to succeed. Beneath her cool exterior is a deep well of loyalty and heartbreak.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

Audience surrogate and reluctant sleuth. Drafted by county officials when opening-night tragedy strikes, Redding becomes the eyes and ears through which we unearth the theatre's secrets. His dogged logic and bone-dry wit frame the investigation.
Hyper-observant, pragmatic, socially awkward, and possesses a dry sense of humor. He has a profound disdain for musicals, which makes every backstage outburst doubly painful—and funny—for him.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Non Singing Role

Narcissistic antagonist whose schemes imperil the Lufferton Theatre. Publicly the dutiful son honoring founder Dottie Bunkford; privately the saboteur plotting to sell the building.
Undeniably talented with a golden baritone, but a spotlight addict who sees every scene as a chance to showcase himself. Entitled, petty, and vindictive.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

Beloved founder of the Lufferton Theatre and creator of the annual holiday musical "It's a Wonderful Life in Lufferton. Though deceased before the story opens, her legacy drives every character's motivation.
Warm, commanding, and fiercely passionate about the Lufferton Theatre. She led heart and hustle, nurturing generations of misfits and dreamers through her productions. She believed in the power of community and art to transform lives and wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers to protect what mattered. Underneath her bold exterior was a deep well of secrets, regrets, and a maternal love that extended beyond her own fractured family.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Non Singing Role

Alison is known for her mismatched clothes, camcorder-in-hand, and constant sense of urgency. She volunteers for everything, questions everything, and fully believes the theater hides secrets. Her quirky charm makes her a standout—and a surprising key to the truth.
Eccentric, excitable, and curious, Alison lives halfway between reality and a world of conspiracy theories and ghost stories. She’s the type to bring night-vision goggles to rehearsal and scribbles in her personal conspiracy notebook. Though some see her as odd, Alison is loyal, insightful, and unexpectedly brave when it matters most.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

A bank clerk by day, hopeful actor by night—and the proud descendant of Gabriel Luff himself. His deep love for Lufferton and its history drives him to audition for the Christmas musical before the theater can go under. Though often underestimated, Tommy’s talent and sincerity shine through, and his presence stirs both admiration and rivalry (especially from Chad). His blend of awkward charm and genuine heart makes him both comic relief and a subtle anchor in the chaos.
Friendly, earnest, and a little awkward, Tommy is a wide-eyed optimist with a heart full of enthusiasm and zero poker face. He’s eager to please, desperate to belong, and always ready with a nervous grin or an overly formal introduction. Tommy believes in legacy, community, and doing the right thing—sometimes to a fault, as he’s quick to trust and slow to see the theater’s hidden tensions.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

Flamboyant, witty, and loyal, Dave is the group’s sarcastic truth-teller. Best friends with Judy Richey, he doesn’t hold back, but beneath the sass is deep compassion. He’ll call you out—and show up when it counts. Humor masks old wounds of small-town rejection.
Dave is sharp-tongued, stylish, and always in the middle of the action. His close bond with Judy brings both laughs and heart. Behind the drama, he’s often the one holding things together.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Background Singing Role

Powerhouse voice and a flair for drama—both onstage and off. Judy clashes with slackers and divas alike (especially Chad, but Dave is the exception). Her bond with Dave adds warmth and comedy. She’s a rising star, still figuring out who she is offstage.
Ambitious, intense, and wildly talented, Judy takes theater very seriously. She’s driven to stand out and doesn’t suffer fools—but beneath her competitive streak is a deep insecurity about being stuck in a small town.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Background Singing Role

Tall, athletic, and full of excellent pranks, Ronald once had a full-ride basketball scholarship lined up—until Chad Bunkford interfered. While he plays the clown alongside Don, betrayal bothers him more than he lets on. His blend of comedic timing and buried resentment makes him both comic relief and a surprising emotional anchor.
Charming, determined, and slightly overconfident, Ronald is the self-appointed leader of the Ron & Don duo. He’s got big ideas, bigger ambition, and a deep need to prove himself—especially after what Chad did to him. While he’s often the loudest in the room, he’s surprisingly thoughtful underneath. He’s also recently developed a serious soft spot for Alison Langley, and it shows in his awkward attempts to impress her.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Non Singing Role

Soft-spoken with a big grin and an even bigger heart, and holds an even brighter candle for Alison. He looks up to Ronald like a brother and trusts him completely. While he rarely takes initiative, his calm nature balances Ronald’s energy. Whether he's moving set pieces or misreading stage directions, Donald brings warmth and unexpected insight to the chaos around him.
Quiet, loyal, and a little spacey, Donald is the laid-back half of the Ron & Don duo. He’s not one for big speeches or big plans—he’s just here to help, follow Ronald’s lead, and have a good time. Though he seems slow on the uptake, he often stumbles into wisdom without realizing it.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Non Singing Role

Weathered and intense, Charles Sr. was once the heart of Lufferton’s musical legacy, having composed the key piece for the town’s annual Christmas production. But after Dottie’s death and Chad’s rising control, he’s been pushed aside and stripped of recognition. His relationship with his son is strained, fractured by silence and unspoken pain. In moments of vulnerability, though, Charles reveals a quiet yearning—for forgiveness, for legacy, and for connection through music.
Passionate, prideful, and deeply wounded, Charles Sr. is a lifelong musician whose identity is tied to the music he wrote for the theater. He’s sharp-tongued and stubborn, often letting his ego get in the way of reconciliation—especially with his son, Charlie Jr. His feud with Chad over stolen credit for his music fuels much of his bitterness, but underneath, he’s a man desperate to feel seen and respected before it’s too late.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

Charlie is the silent soul of the theater—always present at the piano, supporting others from the shadows. Tension with his father, Charles Sr., and resentment toward Chad have kept him isolated, but his music reveals a deep well of feeling. When he finally plays again alongside his father, it becomes a powerful act of forgiveness and healing.
Quiet, introspective, and emotionally tuned in, Charlie rarely speaks but says everything through music. He avoids conflict, internalizes pain, and lets his piano do the talking. Tactics that are all employed when it comes to his strained relationship with his father, Charles Sr.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Singing Role

Maxwell is the behind-the-scenes backbone of Lufferton Theatre. He paints sets, fixes what’s broken, and keeps secrets no one else knows. He once loved Dottie in silence—and never forgave Chad for how he treated her. Calm in chaos, Maxwell is the kind of man who builds more than just sets—he builds trust.
Steady, quiet, and deeply loyal, Maxwell is a craftsman with a soft heart. He sees what others miss, speaks only when it matters, and holds tight to the legacy of Dottie and the theater.
Ethnicity: Open to all
Non Singing Role

Anita attends every show with a cane in one hand and a thermos in the other. Once a celebrated Brazilian performer—Anita De Rio—she hides her past behind sarcasm and soup. Fiercely devoted to the stage (and to Chad, for reasons of her own), Anita sees more than she lets on…and in the end, plays a key role in justice being served.
Sharp-tongued, theatrical, and full of secrets, Anita is the theater’s most loyal (and most opinionated) patron. Beneath her sass is a deep well of heartbreak and untold history.
Ethnicity: Latina, Brazilian
Non Singing Role
Ron's Mom - Video Conference Call Moment (Can be a REMOTE ROLE)
Don's Dad - Video Conference Call Moment (Can be a REMOTE ROLE)
Lil Tyson - Young Boy 5-12 years old
Lil Tyson's Grandpa or Grandma - 65-80 years old
Young Charlie - 10 Years Old (Singing Role)
Young Charles Sr. Man in his 20s-30s (Possible Singing Role)
2-4 Paramedics, Nurses at a Medical Center.
Police Voice on the Phone
ONLINE FOLLOWERS FOR ALISON's CONSPIRACY's (Can be a REMOTE ROLE)
Theatre Going Crowd.
Towns People in the Flahsbacks
Our show features a play-within-a-play: "It's a Wonderful Life in Lufferton," the annual Christmas musical that becomes the setting for our mystery. The following is a glimpse of the background of the history of Lufferton as it is told within the play.
Set in the small town of Bunk during the winter of 1933, as townspeople struggle through the winter amidst the Great Depression.
Gabriel Luff, a scrappy self-made man, saves the town amidst a terrifying snowstorm, and organizes efforts to rebuild the town from within.
Gabriel's love for Missy Thatch, the mayor's daughter, complicates his mission to save the town.
Not an actor? We need talented crew members too! Email cfilmproject@gmail.com to get involved.
Create the atmospheric lighting that shifts between cozy Christmas cheer and suspenseful mystery.
Bring the original score to life, including the pivotal "Another Silent Night" that plays a key role in the plot.
Design both contemporary costumes and 1930s period pieces for the show-within-a-show.
Build the multi-level set featuring the theater stage, backstage areas, and the crucial trapdoor.
This production is truly a community effort, mirroring the themes of the show itself. Join us in creating original theatrical (and spooky)magic this holiday season!
Support the production through sponsorships and see your business featured in our film credits and social media posts. We are a perfect holiday marketing opportunity!
From ushering to concessions to backstage help, we need community volunteers to make this production shine.
Special student assemblies are available with post-show talkbacks about filmmaking, acting, design, and the creative process.
Just like in our story, where the Lufferton Theatre needs saving, community theaters and indipendednt filmmakers everywhere thrive through the dedication of volunteers and performers. By participating in this production, you're not just joining a cast—you're becoming part of a creative network!
On Stage, or Behind the Scenes, we need you and your talents! We need actors, designers, production staff, and so much more! Not sure where you could fit in our network? E-mail us at admin@communityfilmproject.com. We've got a place for you to learn as much about film as possible.
Form lasting friendships with other like-minded creatives, and make new contacts within the industry to further along your own dreams and goals.
At CFP, we LOVE a good story, and we especially love telling said story. Join us, and part5ivipate in the experience of giving some holiday magic to the greater community.
AUDITIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!