Audition Notice

WHO CAN AUDITION:
Anyone aged 16+ (1 Role for child aged 12-16)

SYNOPSIS:
It’s 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, and quirky, plus-sized, teenage Tracy Turnblad has one dream: to dance on "The Corny Collins Show". Tracy transforms from a nobody into a star and uses her newfound influence to advocate for racial integration on the television show. Tony Award-winning Hairspray featuring 1960s-style dance music and rhythm and blues continues to be one of the most widely produced musicals today, not only because of its wit and charm but also because of the beautiful message of acceptance and progress that it portrays. The bright, energetic story of Tracy Turnblad teaches us all to look past the color of one’s skin and fight for every human being’s equal rights.

Audition Sign Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844AAAF2BA4FEC25-54192767-hairspray

Audition Dates (please pick one 30 minute time slot and arrive at the selected time):
Monday, February 10th, 2025 6:00PM - 10:00PM
Tuesday, February 11th 17th, 2025 6:00PM - 10:00PM
Callbacks: Thursday, February 13th, 6:30PM-9:30PM

Please Note: Your audition may take up to an hour to complete both the singing and dancing portions. Please plan accordingly. 

Video auditions will be accepted for those that are unable to attend in person auditions. 

Be prepared to:

Sing a selection in the style of the show. Songs should be 1 minute or less and use a karaoke/instrumental track. No accompanist will be provided and no a cappella auditions. If you need us to play a backtrack, please provide the link and include the precise time (minute; second) that you would like to begin. Otherwise, please provide your own device and backtrack.

Complete a dance audition, taught by the show choreographer (dress appropriately). Dance combination to be provided prior to audition to allow auditioner preparation.

Please Note: Your audition may take up to an hour to complete the singing and dancing portions. Please plan accordingly.

Vocal video auditions will be accepted for those who are unable to attend in-person auditions. Please send them to Katie@rhodecenter.org. If a video is submitted, you must still complete an in-person dance audition.

Production Dates:

Please ensure that you can fully commit to the rehearsal period and performance schedule before auditioning.  

Friday, May 2 2025, 7:30pm
Saturday, May 3 2025, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 4 2025, 2:00pm
Friday, May 9 2025, 7:30pm
Saturday, May 10 2025, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 11 2025, 2:00pm
Friday, May 16 2025, 7:30pm
Saturday, May 17 2025, 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 18 2025, 2:00pm

REHEARSALS will begin November 11th, 2024 and will run all the way through tech rehearsal February 6th, 2025. Rehearsals will take place at Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St, Kenosha, WI 53104.

LOCATION:
Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Will begin Monday, February 17th and will run all the way through tech rehearsal May 1st. A rough schedule will be provided at auditions. Rehearsals will take place at Rhode Center for the Arts, 514 56th St, Kenosha, WI 53104.

DIRECTING TEAM

DIRECTOR- Katie Gray; katie@rhodecenter.org
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-Abby Miller; abby@rhodecenter.org
MUSIC DIRECTOR- Bryan Chung
Choreographer- Danny Dwaine Wells II

Questions?
Katie Gray - katie@rhodecenter.org

Roles Available:

Performers 16 and older are welcome to audition. Experienced or first time performers who enjoy singing, dancing, and acting are invited to audition. In addition, there are two roles that are specifically open for child auditioners.

Please Note: Unless strictly and specifically mandated from the playwright, all roles are open and available to anyone regardless of race, ethnicity, or body type. 

Roles Available

Tracy Turnblad: White Female (Age 16-25) Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3.

Edna Turnblad: White Actor (Age 45-55) Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: F3.

Motormouth Maybelle: Black Female (Age 35-55) Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin's Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3.

Link Larkin: White Male (Age 16-25) The star heartthrob on Corny Collins' show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: G3.

Corny Collins: White Male (Age 25-35) The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good-looking and smooth-talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: D3.

Amber Von Tussle: White Female (16-25) Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist and needs to be the center of attention. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3.

Penny Pingleton: White Female (Age 16-25) Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed. Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: A3.

Seaweed J. Stubbs: Black Male (Age 16-25) Tracy's classmate and friend who falls for Penny. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Strong Vocalist and dancer. Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: F3.

Velma Von Tussle: White Female (Age 45-55) Amber's mother and the director of Corny Collin's show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3.

Little Inez: Black Female (Age 12-16) Seaweed's little sister.

Wilbur Turnblad: White Actor (55-65) Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter despite everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: A3.

Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron: White Female (Age 40-55) Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed-minded. Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: D4.

Harriman F. Spritzer / Principal / Mr. Pinky: White Male (Age 40-55)

Ensemble Roles:

Nicest Kids In Town: White Male and Female (Ages 16-25)

Dynamite (3) Black Female (Ages 18-25)

Motormouth Kids: Black Male and Female (Ages 16-25)