Audition Notice:
RENT
THIS PRODUCTION IS PART OF OUR BLACKFRIARS THEATRE SUMMER INTENSIVE: all actors must be students aged 16-22, or rising high school juniors through recent college graduates.
As this is an educational training experience, BTSI performers are UNPAID; we do not provide travel, meals, or housing.
book, music & lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Danny Hoskins
Musical Direction by Sarah Staebell
Choreography by Lani Toyama Hoskins
Auditions: Sunday, May 19th, 6-10pm
Callbacks: Monday, May 20th, 6-10pm
THE AUDITION:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY — please email info@blackfriars.org to schedule your appointment; scroll to the bottom for video submission information.
Initial auditions will consist of a singing call only (select characters may be asked to do a dance call at callbacks). Please arrive having read the play, and be familiar with the characters. There is a link to a PDF of the script and score at the bottom of this page.
THE NITTY-GRITTY:
Please prepare two 16-bar cuts of contrasting musical theatre or pop/rock songs that show strong character/acting choices. Come with sheet music in a binder and in the correct key. DO NOT PLAN TO SING A CAPELLA.
Please bring a headshot/photo & resume (if you have them), and your calendar to complete the rehearsal conflicts (YOU MUST FILL OUT A COMPLETE CONFLICT CALENDAR AT AUDITIONS). Please read the content disclosure at the bottom of this post before auditioning.
THE PROCESS:
Rehearsals: begin as early as June 9th, 2024
Tech: July 13-18 (NO CONFLICTS)
Shows: July 19, 20 (mat & eve), 21, 25, 26, 27, 28
*July 20th, 21st, & 27th have a 2pm performance; all other dates, in addition to the 20th, are 7:30 performances; we will hold 2pm on July 27th for a possible added performance
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Casting 12-16 actors of varying ages/ethnicities/genders; must be comfortable with strongly suggestive content and sensitive topics/language (all actors must be students aged 16-22, or rising high school juniors through recent college graduates).
MARK | Male | Vocal Range: Tenor (C#3-G4): an aspiring filmmaker who narrates the show as he films the lives of his friends; Roger's best friend and caregiver, and he was once Maureen’s boyfriend (who left him for Joanne); Mark is a little nerdy and quirky; more comfortable viewing the world through his lens than in actively engaging in it.
ROGER | Male | Vocal Range: Rock Tenor (B2-A4):
a once successful, now struggling musician who discovered he had HIV/AIDS in a note his girlfriend left him before she took her own life; His main goal in life is to write one great song before he dies; roommate and best friend of Mark; Guitar skills are desired, but are not required.
MIMI MARQUEZ | Female| Vocal Range: Alto (F#3-E5): works in a strip club and struggles with addiction, which has resulted in her contraction of HIV/AIDS; falls in love with Roger, who is unable to commit to a relationship with her; Benny's ex‐girlfriend; extremely sexy, optimistic, and likeable but with dark secrets.
BENNY COFFIN III | Male | Vocal Range: Tenor (Eb3-F4): used to be Mark and Roger’s roommate, but married into a rich family and is now their landlord; Roger and Mark consider him a yuppie sell-out; had an affair with Mimi before she started to date Roger.
MAUREEN JOHNSON | Female | Vocal Range: Soprano Belt (C4-F5): a bisexual performing artist and Mark's ex‐girlfriend; left Mark to be with her new girlfriend, Joanne; sexy, flirtatious, sassy, and funny; not afraid to take on the establishment and fight for what she believes in.
JOANNE JEFFERSON| Female | Vocal Range: Soprano Belt (Bb3-E5): an Ivy League educated lawyer and activist; struggles to not be jealous of Maureen’s flirtatious nature with others; though she was raised in an affluent, political family, she is committed to helping those less fortunate.
TOM COLLINS | Male | Vocal Range: Baritone (F#2 – A4): a gay computer genius, teacher, and anarchist who was recently expelled from MIT; brave enough to allow himself to fall in love with Angel, knowing that since both of them are infected with HIV/AIDS, their relationship will not have much of a future.
ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD | Male | Vocal Range: Tenor with Falsetto (C3-A4): A a young drag queen and street percussionist; meets and falls in love with Collins; has HIV/ AIDS and dies of the disease in Act II; the most generous and selfless character in the show; though he has HIV/AIDS, he embraces life and lives it to its fullest; Percussionist skills desired but not required.
ENSEMBLE | 4-8 actors who are comfortabl embodying multiple characters including, but not limited to:
- Mrs. Cohen; Mr & Mrs. Jefferson; Alexi Darling; Mrs. Davis; Mrs. Marquez; waiters, carolers, police and life support group members
There can be no conflicts during tech week or performances. If you are involved in another show that overlaps with any part of this process, please email us the conflicts at info@.org prior to signing up for auditions. Questions? Please email us at info@blackfriars.org. Auditions and callbacks will take place at Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St, Rochester 14605.
VIDEO AUDITIONS
If you cannot make auditions and wish to submit a video audition, please submit to info@blackfriars.org no later than Friday, May 17th at 5:00 p.m. (late submissions will not be considered). Please provide video of yourself singing TWO 32-bar selections from the musical theatre or pop/rock genres that show personality and strong acting choices. If you're not available for callbacks, we may request a dance reel and additional scenes/songs to record and send in by 8:00 p.m. on May 20th.
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BT’s COVID SAFETY NOTICE:
— Performers will be required to follow all designated Covid protocols throughout the rehearsal process including mask-wearing, if necessary, prior to tech week and social distancing when possible.
—Detailed protocols will be provided and reviewed with those cast prior to any in-person rehearsals.