SCHEDULE:
1pm – 2pm: Audition Protocol and Creative Team Q&A
– Meet the creative team (directors and stage management team) and field your questions about the audition and rehearsal process. The creative team will discuss their goals for casting the production.
2pm – 3pm: Music
– The music director will review music from the production and discuss what type of vocal quality is needed.
3pm – 4pm: Movement
– The choreographer will teach a movement combination from the show in preparation for the audition.
* Please wear/bring appropriate movement-appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes that you are able to move in. No opened-toed shoes including sandals of any type.
You may come for any or all of the sections above. Please indicate this when you sign-up using the sign-up link above.
We can’t wait to see you there! We welcome all abilities regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and /or personal background.
Audition Call:
Saturday, September 30th
thru
Monday, October 2nd
Co-Director and Music Director: April Lisette Ball
Co-Director and Choreographer: Jonathan Ragsdale
Stage Manager: Alissa Hall
SEEKING:
Musical Theatre Southwest (MTS) is seeking unique & talented volunteer performers ages 18+ with schedule availability on evenings and weekends in fall-winter of 2023 for roles in Jonathan Larson’s RENT.
MTS welcomes all abilities regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual identity, disability, and / or personal background. (The creative team would like to specifically welcome members of BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities to participate in auditions. Although casting will not be limited to these folx, allyship is absolutely a requirement.)
SYNOPSIS:
RENT tells the story of a close knit community of artists in New York’s alphabet city on Christmas Eve 1996, and the enigmatic year that followed. The rock musical by the late Jonathan Larson was first developed at the New York Theatre Workshop and was later moved to Broadway’s Nederlander Theater where it played for 12 years and received 8 Tony Awards.
AUDITION INFORMATION:
*Note from the directors: Please attend your audition as your most genuine self. We want to meet YOU, so please do not wear a costume. If invited to the movement call, please wear movement-appropriate clothing and athletic or dance shoes. (No skirts/dresses, jeans, sandals/crocs, or open-toe shoes.) Thank you!
*For MTS’s production of RENT we are currently requiring all of our auditioners to be fully vaccinated and to show proof of vaccination at auditions. This production highly recommends mask wearing for the audition process. {Please see complete Health and Safety Guidelines below so that you are aware of and understand rehearsal and performance requirements before auditioning.}
Saturday, September 30 AND Sunday, October, 1- VOCAL AUDITIONS
BY APPOINTMENT (Walk-ins may be seen if time allows)
Initial Notice: Saturday, September 30 at 10am – 12pm AND 1pm – 3:30pm; Sunday, October 1 at 5:30 – 7pm
Please use sign-up link above to sign up for a slot
Please prepare a brief excerpt (32 bars, verse and chorus, 60-90 seconds) of a song in the style of the show that best shows your vocal range, style, and acting ability. DO NOT sing from the show. Please place your sheet music in a three ring binder. Bring your binder (with other sheet music of songs you are prepared to sing) in case you are asked to sing a second selection. An accompanist will be provided. Movement and character-specific callbacks may be requested after vocal appointments.
**Please provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the time of your vocal audition.
**Video submissions will be considered if you are unable to attend vocal auditions, but it is strongly recommended that you are able to attend in person and for callbacks. If applicable, please select video submission at the start of the audition form.
Sunday, October 1- MOVEMENT CALL: General Movement Combination
By invitation ONLY
7pm – 8:30pm
**Please wear movement-appropriate clothing and athletic or dance shoes. (No skirts/dresses, jeans, sandals/crocs, or open-toe shoes.) Thank you!
**A video tutorial and pre-audition workshop (Saturday, September 23, 1 – 4pm) breaking down the movement combination will be made available prior to auditions.
Monday, October 2- CALLBACKS
By invitation ONLY
6pm – 10pm
Please keep this time available in case you are called back, or include it as a conflict on your audition sheet if you cannot make it.
PRODUCTION DATES:
Performers MUST be available for all rehearsals and performances. Conflicts will greatly affect casting decisions. Please see production dates below.
Rehearsal Dates: Monday, October 9 – Thursday, November 30
Typical Rehearsal Times: Sunday – Thursday evenings 6:30-9:30 pm (Other times may be added, but will be with sufficient notice.)
Please note the following dates will not be accepted as conflicts:
Photoshoot: Sunday, October 29 at 2pm – 5pm
Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Sunday, November 19 – Thursday, November 30
OFF: Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving) and Sunday, November 26
Performances: December 1 – December 31; Thurs/Fri/Sat at 7:30pm and Sun at 2pm
Note: Matinee performances (2pm) on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
All Auditions, Rehearsals, and Performances will be held at
The MTS Center for Theatre Black Box, 6320-B Domingo Rd NE
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
All roles are available, and include:
MARK COHEN: Pop baritone. A filmmaker.
ROGER DAVIS: Rock tenor. A singer-songwriter. Guitar skills a plus. (*performer WILL play some guitar live.)
MIMI MARQUEZ: Rock Mezzo. Latinx. An exotic dancer.
TOM COLLINS: Gospel Baritone/Bass. A university philosophy professor.
MAUREEN JOHNSON: Rock Soprano. A performance artist and activist.
JOANNE JEFFERSON: Pop/Rock Alto. A lawyer.
BENJAMIN COFFIN III: Pop Baritone. An entrepreneur.
ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD: Pop tenor. A busker and drag performer. (Percussion and heels skills a plus. Drag experience preferred, but not required.)
Ensemble roles are specific and notated below. Ensemble members will be a pillar of the storytelling, and most likely be asked to understudy a principal role. The creative team is seeking dedicated triple-threat performers for these demanding roles.
ENSEMBLE 1: Soprano. Plays multiple roles including Bag Lady, Pam, Joanne’s mother, Mimi’s mother, and others. Covers one principal role.
ENSEMBLE 2: Mezzo. Plays multiple roles including Mark’s mother, Ali, homeless woman, and others. Covers one principal role.
ENSEMBLE 3: Alto. Plays multiple roles including Alexi Darling, April, Sue, Roger’s Mother and others. Covers one principal role.
ENSEMBLE 4: Tenor. Plays multiple roles including Paul, Priest, and others. Covers one principal role.
ENSEMBLE 5: Baritone. Plays multiple roles including Gordon, Joanne’s Father, Drug dealer, Mr. Grey, and others. Covers one principal role.
ENSEMBLE 6: Bari-tenor. Plays multiple roles including Steve, Squeegee man, Waiter, and others. Covers one principal role.
SWINGS: MTS is seeking to cast 2 swings for the run of RENT. Swings will understudy all ensemble roles as well as one principle role, and perform as needed throughout the show’s intensive run. Swings are an essential part of the company and require skilled and dedicated performers. Swings will be called to all rehearsals and performances, and provided a seat in the booth when not required to perform.
SWING 1: Covers Ensemble roles 1-3 and one principal role.
SWING 2: Covers Ensemble roles 4-6 and one principal role.
*If you are interested in being a swing, please notify the creative team at the time of your audition.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Policies for RENT (2023)
*For MTS’s production of RENT, we are currently requiring all of our auditioners to be fully vaccinated and be able to show proof of vaccination at the auditions.
COVID-19 Disclaimer
This production has taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our volunteers, and those working at MTS. You must follow all safety instructions while participating in this project at MTS. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and those with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
By participating at MTS for RENT (2023) you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
These policies are subject to change at any point.
MTS Health Guidelines
- A Health and Safety Coordinator will be designated for this production. This is the “go to” person for questions regarding Health and Safety policies.
- All members who are able (including cast, crew, and production team), are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask while in the building except if actively eating, drinking, performing (during tech week/performances), taking promo photos, or a specified time with the agreement of stage management.
- MTS does not approve of gaiters.
- All participating in this production (including cast, crew, production team, and band/orchestra), must provide proof of vaccination prior to their involvement.
- If an actor chooses to wear a mask, even during non-required times, no repercussions shall be held against the individual.
- All members are strongly encouraged to wash their hands or use the hand sanitizer provided every time they enter the building, including after a short outdoor break.
- SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Cast members are cleared to meet and greet the audience after performances, we encourage that this take place in the stage area and not in the lobby to allow for the ability to space out.
Actors
- Auditioners must be vaccinated to participate.
- Proof of vaccination must be presented during audition weekend (before casting calls are made).
- No exceptions.
- Auditioners are strongly encouraged to wear a mask throughout auditions except if they are actively eating, drinking, or specified times while auditioning (i.e. actively performing a callback, actively singing their audition song, actively dancing their dance audition for the production team, etc.)
Production Personnel
- This includes actors, crew, production team, band/orchestra members, board members, etc.
Testing is not required unless there is a known exposure and/or the individual is experiencing symptoms.
Patrons
- MTS highly recommends that its audience members wear a mask while in the building. This includes personnel being asked to not “downplay” the recommendation but encourage it whenever possible including signage and curtain speech mentioning.
- Patrons are no longer required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test to be allowed entrance to the building, but vaccination is recommended.
- If a patron thinks that they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and/or exhibiting symptoms when they have tickets for a production, MTS asks that they refrain from attending and the Box Office will exchange the patron’s tickets to another performance.
About These Measures
These production safety measures are designed to offer the theatre experience we all love in a responsible way. We understand that these times are challenging, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through this as responsibly as we can. The MTS Health and Safety committee will continue to monitor and adhere to current NMDOH guidelines and mandates.
Dance Workshop:
Saturday, October 28th
9:30am
