BETHEL – Inside the foyer office at Spring Street Dance Studio Saturday afternoon, it was wall-to-wall people of all ages.

Some wore garb from the Depression era, others wore weekend, day-off-from-work clothes. Some were nervous. Others thought it was a lark to be there at the third day of casting for an upcoming movie to be made.

Across from the crowd sat the owner of the dance studio, Maryanne Jordan, behind a desk, atop which, lying in a row, were sheets of lines to be read for the eight bit parts.

These are the Cute Kid, the Editor, Miss Walsh (a teacher), the Life (magazine) Reporter, the Bully Boys, the Smart Girl, Mike O’Conner (father of the 12-year-old boy upon whom the movie centers), and the Butcher.

Precisely placed on top of a small filing cabinet beside the desk were old black and white photographs showing fashions of the Depression era. Other pictures and drawings portrayed women’s hats and clothing styles.

Before those seeking a part or role in “The 12 Dogs of Christmas” independent family film entered the dance studio for an audition or to leave photographs of their dog, Jordan had them fill out a casting form.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Alan Day of South Paris said of the movie after he, his wife, Katey Branch, and children, Emma and Ruby DayBranch, read for the respective parts of Mikey’s dad, Miss Walsh, Smart Girl and Cute Girl.

“It’s great to be a part of the process of making a film. I love films. I used to be a projectionist at the Nickolodeon. Just to have this opportunity is great,” he added.

The family was one of several that auditioned or brought pictures of the family pet or pets.

Filmmakers wanted 84 canines for the movie, which uses dog breeds to parody the English folksong, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The breeds are Golden and Labrador retrievers, boxers, huskies, English sheepdogs, Chihuahuas, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, Saint Bernards, Dalmatians, mongrels and a poodle.

On Wednesday, Daenen Merrill of Los Angeles said they were seeking more turn out from owners of Chihuahuas, boxers and newborn Saint Bernard puppies, and people aged 50 and over.

Casting director Bonnie Marshall said that in just three auditioning sessions, more than 250 people of all ages tried out for parts, either talking or as silent extras.

“Acting’s really fun,” said 11-year-old Sarah Cramton, a student at Hebron Academy.

“This sounds like fun” to get the opportunity to work with all these dogs, she added.

Her sister Ellie, 9, who attends Crescent Park School in Bethel, said, “It’s funny that they picked Bethel, because it’s such a small town.”

Both girls are no stranger to acting, having appeared in several local plays.

Mom Nanette Cramton of Bethel thought it was a wonderful opportunity for Bethel area children and adults to come together in a family-oriented film.

“It offers wonderful theatrical opportunities. They couldn’t have picked a better town, because of the theatrical opportunities here,” she added.

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