Farmers Alley Theatre, an Equity SPT (Small Professional Theatre, Tier 3) is now casting for its 2024-2025 season. We are seeking both Equity (AEA) and Non-Equity performers. Full cast breakdowns for the season are below.
Kalamazoo Auditions: Thursday Aug 1, 10am - 6pm with a lunch break from 1:30-2:30 at the KNAC building at 315 W. Michigan Ave. Click here to sign up for an audition slot.
Chicago Auditions: Friday Aug 2, 9am – 5pm with a 60-minute lunch break from 12:30-1:30pm at the Chicago Equity Office 557 West Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661. Sign up on the AEA website.
Note: If you cannot attend either in-person audition, videos will be accepted.
For all auditions, please prepare either two short contrasting songs (approx 1 minute in length), two contrasting monologues (1 minute in length) or one short song and one short monologue appropriate to the role(s) you would like to be considered for. NOTE: some productions may have specific song/monologue requirements, please read the descriptions carefully.
Please send audition videos to submissions@farmersalleytheatre.com - NOTE: We will accept video submissions throughout the year so there is no deadline - submit videos at any time.
SALARY: $414/week AEA Equity SPT Tier 3 Actor Minimum | Non-AEA: negotiable. Equity and non-Equity contracts available.
Rehearsals are usually Tues-Fri 4-9pm, Sat & Sun 12-5pm with Mondays off.
Performances are usually Thursday thru Sunday with occasional performances and sponsor shows on Tuesday evenings, Wednesday evenings, Saturday afternoons or Sunday evenings.
Housing and travel provided for out-of-town talent.
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Music by Bob Gaudio & others
Lyrics by Bob Crewe & others
Rehearsal Dates for the Jersey Boys: 8/20/24 – 9/18/24 (4.5 weeks)
Rehearsal Dates for the full cast: 8/27/24 - 9/18/24 (3.5 weeks)
Performances: 9/19/24 - 10/6/24 (with possible extensions thru 10/13 and 10/20)
Director: Kathy Mulay
Music Director: Chris Gray
Choreographer: Denene Mulay Koch
Click here for audition materials.
Character Descriptions:
FRANKIE VALLI: 20-35; Italian-American; preferably between 5’5” and 5’9”; Lead vocalist of The Four Seasons. Extremely strong tenor to high A or Bb (chest belt) with sweet and strong falsetto to High G5. Must be able to sing in the style of Frankie Valli; Must be an excellent actor with star quality who is charismatic, charming, comfortable with narrative text and can handle portraying an impulsive youthful gritty side of Frankie in Act 1 as well as displaying Frankie’s strength, wisdom and polished veneer in Act 2. Must dance well, have excellent ear and be an expert with learning and singing four-part harmonies.
TOMMY DEVITO: 25-35 years old. Italian-American; Natural-born leader with appealing bad-boy quality. Must be a tremendous actor with excellent energy and able to drive the pace of the show for most of Act 1. Must be comfortable with narrative text. Ability to play guitar a plus. Must dance well, have excellent ear and be an expert with learning and singing four-part harmonies. Bari-Tenor to high G4.
BOB GAUDIO: 20-35 years old. Italian-American; Ideally 5’11” or taller. Intelligent, sensitive, introspective musical prodigy. The youngest and last member to join the group. Must be comfortable with narrative text. Ability to play piano a plus. Must dance well, have excellent ear and be an expert with learning and singing four-part harmonies. Tenor to high A4.
NICK MASSI: 25-35 years old. Italian-American; Quiet dreamer longing for a life outside of The Four Seasons. Stoic, strong and silent type. Must be comfortable with narrative text. Ability to play bass a plus. Must dance well, have excellent ear and be an expert with learning and singing four-part harmonies. Bass/Baritone (down to a low E2 preferably and up to high F4).
JOE PESCI: 20-35 years old. Must be 5’9 or shorter; young, energetic and funny; must be a good actor with strong comedic skills, a strong dancer and an excellent singer. Will also play various roles. This performer will understudy Frankie. Tenor to high A4.
BARRY BELSON: Black/African-American; 22-39; Strong actor and singer to play various roles (friends, producers, etc.); strong tenor to high C5; with a strong falsetto to G5 above high C; Has the ability to riff in rhythm-and-blues style.
BOB CREWE: 25-40 years old. Intelligent and flamboyant; genius music producer and lyricist; an integral part of creating the magic of The Four Seasons. Bari-tenor voice – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
NORM WAXMAN: 25-35 years old. Owns a private money lending agency; strong actor/singer to play various roles; strong tenor/bari-tenor voice. – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
NICK D/HANK & OTHERS: 30-40 years old. Strong character actor who sings and dances very well to play Nick Devito, Hank Majewski and other roles; strong tenor/bari-tenor voice. – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
GYP DECARLO: 45-55 years old. Tough, Mafioso type; must be a strong character actor and strong Bari-Tenor singer who moves well.
MARY & OTHERS: 25-39 years old. Frankie’s wife; tough, “Seen it all”, Italian, Jersey girl; she’s got a killer sense of humor; actor also plays a variety of other roles including member of a 60’s style girl group; strong belt useful; high straight tone soprano also useful; very good dancer.
LORRAINE & OTHERS: 25-35 years old. Frankie’s girlfriend; educated; not from Jersey; a reach career girl; young Diane Sawyer; actor also plays a variety of other roles, including member of a 60’s style girl group and tough-as-nails Jersey girl; strong high belt useful, mix/belt to high F extremely useful; high, straight tone soprano also useful; very good dancer.
FRANCINE & OTHERS: 20-30 years old. Frankie’s daughter; named for, doted on and deeply loved by Frankie. She’s a Jersey girl—vulnerable, lost and acts out to make up for lack of attention from her dad. Actor also plays a variety of other roles including a member of a 60’s style girl group and a tough-as-nails Jersey girl. Needs strong, high belt. Belt to high F and high straight tone soprano preferable; very good dancer.
SYNOPSIS: With phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling, JERSEY BOYS follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. Winner of Best Musical at both the Tony Awards® and Olivier Awards®, JERSEY BOYS takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Featuring electrifying performances of chart-topping hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “My Eyes Adored You,” which brought The Four Seasons the highest honor: induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story
Rehearsals: 10/29 - 11/20 (3.5 weeks)
Performances: 11/21 - 12/8 (with possible extensions thru 12/15, 12/22 or 12/29.)
Director: Christopher Llewyn Ramirez
Character Descriptions:
Actor 1: Male; 50-60: Versatile, physical actor to play Scrooge. Singing and dancing skills and able to lift other actors preferred. All Ethnicities.
Actor 2: Male; 26-40: Versatile, physical actor to play Bob Cratchit, Marley, Young Scrooge, hand puppets, and others as cast; must have cockney and upper-class English accent abilities. Singing and dancing skills and able to lift other actors preferred. All Ethnicities.
Actor 3: Female; 20-40: Versatile, physical actor to play Fanny, Spirit of Christmas Present and others; must have cockney, Irish, and upper-class English accent abilities. Singing and dancing skills and able to lift other actors preferred. All Ethnicities.
Actor 4: Female; 30-49: Versatile, physical actor to Spirit of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit and others; must have cockney and upper-class English accent abilities. Singing and dancing skills and able to lift other actors preferred. All Ethnicities.
Actor 5: Male; 30-50; Versatile, physical actor to play Frederick, Mr. Fezziwig, Cratchit Children and others; must have cockney, northern English, Irish, and upper-class English accent abilities. Singing and dancing skills and able to lift other actors preferred. All Ethnicities.
Synopsis: It wouldn't be Christmas without A Christmas Carol. In this new stage version, Patrick Barlow takes Charles Dickens' classic story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts and eleventh-hour redemption, and makes it feel brand new again.
DIAL M FOR MURDER
Adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Frederick Knott
Rehearsals: Tuesday 1/21/25 - 2/5/25 (2.5 weeks)
Performances: 2/6/25 - 2/16/25 (2 week run with possible extensions thru 2/23/25 or 3/2/25.)
Director: D. Terry Williams
Character Descriptions:
Margot Wendice: Female; 30-49; British, Charming, Naive, Wealthy wife of Tony, has an affair with Maxine. All Ethnicities. – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
Maxine Hadley: Female; 35-45; American; a murder mystery writer, smart, tough, worldly, has an affair with Margot, works with Tony. All Ethnicities.
Tony Wendice: Male; 35-45; British dialect; clever, smart, dashing; seemingly a good man but has a dark and scheming side; married Margot for her money; a failed novelist. All Ethnicities. – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
Lesgate: Male; 35-45; British dialect; appears strong and a bit threatening but is desperate; an old schoolmate of Tony’s; a convicted criminal, Tony blackmails him to murder Margot. All Ethnicities.
Inspector Hubbard: Male; 45-55; British dialect; a police inspector; insightful, by the book, intelligent, proper. All Ethnicities. – NOTE: THIS ROLE IS CAST.
Synopsis: A new version of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece! Tony is convinced that his wife Margot has been cheating on him. Now it seems that the affair is over, but in his jealousy, Tony spins a web of suspicion and deception that will tighten around them and ensnare them both in danger, recrimination and murder.
A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN
Written by Paul Stroili
Rehearsals: Tuesday 3/11/25 - 4/2/25 (3.5 weeks)
Performances: 4/3/25 - 4/20/25 (3 week run with hopeful extension thru 4/27/25)
Director: Paul Stroili
Character Descriptions:
Mrs. McDarren: Female (dual role/same actor also plays Peg) - Privileged, somewhat of a Karen-type.
Annie: Female, 65+, White; Of Irish descent. Poor eyesight. Involved in any and all activities at Placid Pines Senior Living Center.
Josefina (ho-seh-fee-na): Female, 40’s to 50’s, of Hispanic and Italian descent. Placid Pines Senior Center Administrator. Business-like and no nonsense but has a soft spot for this particular group of residents.
Dennis: Male, 65+, (any ethnicity*) Gay. A lover of all things literary, especially the Algonquin Round table and its participants.
Johnny: Male, 65+, African American – Bit of a curmudgeon. Bronx born and raised. Wants to buy a jukebox for the rec room.
Chuck: Male, 40’s-50’s, (any ethnicity*) – A maintenance worker at the facility. Not where he wanted to be at this point in his life.
Peg: Female, mid to late 50’s, (dual role/same actor also plays Mrs. McDarren - (any ethnicity*) Recently divorced. Lives in Silver Pines, a 55+ condo complex that neighbors the Placid Pines Senior Center.
Tyler: Male, early 20’s, (any ethnicity*) – A maintenance worker – laid back, but inquisitive. Loves older people.
*Any ethnicity does not by default indicate whiteness, but rather that a character can be of any race or ethnicity.
Synopsis: At a senior living community in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, a small group of residents decide they’re not quite ready to go “gentle into that good night.” This band of displaced former city dwellers from Brooklyn and The Bronx devise a plot to prove that “old” is not a New York state of mind.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ride The Cyclone
Music, Book, and Lyrics by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond
Rehearsals: Tuesday 5/6/25 – 5/28/25 (3.5 weeks)
Performances: 5/29/25 - 6/15/25 (3 week run)
NOTE: Hopeful extension thru 6/22/25
Director: TBD
Music Director: TBD
Character Descriptions:
OCEAN O’CONNELL ROSENBERG - Female, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. Could be a strong leader, but is also relentlessly competitive, and sometimes cruel, though she sees herself as a virtuous person. High Broadway mix, with a pop quality; broad range: Ab3-A5. Playing a musical instrument is welcome, but not required. Performers who play piano and/or cello are particularly sought.
MISHA BACHINSKI - Male, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. Adopted from Ukraine as a teenager; he speaks with a Ukrainian dialect and carries a lot of internal conflict balanced with a soulful, romantic side. Baritenor with the ability to sing lyrical Ukrainian folk music as well as rap. Bb3-C5. Playing a musical instrument is welcome, but not required. Performers who play piano and/or cello are particularly sought.
NOEL GRUBER - Male, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. The only openly Queer kid in Uranium; he’s never had a relationship IRL and is obsessed by French New Wave cinema. Must be able to sing in the style of a French chanteuse. F#2-C5 Playing a musical instrument is welcome, but not required. Performers who play piano and/or cello are particularly sought.
RICKY POTTS - Male, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. The most imaginative boy in town, Ricky has developed a rich fantasy life to navigate life’s challenges. The long-lost space glam soul brother of Ziggy Stardust. Baritone rock voice; tumbling a plus. Bb2-Bb5. Piano/Accordion especially sought. Cello skills sought too.
CONSTANCE BLACKWOOD - Female, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. Has a remarkably mature and deep understanding of the world, which gets hidden by her desire to please the people around her. Plus size and sometimes conflicted about it. She will do anything for Ocean's friendship; dubbed "the nicest girl in town," a title she secretly despises. Very charismatic comic actress; alto belt, with a rock edge. F#3-D5. Playing a musical instrument is welcome, but not required. Note: Recorder, Violin, Penny Whistle, Flute, Melodica/Piano are sought; she plays a simple solo. Cello skills sought too.
JANE DOE - Female, Any Race/Ethnicity, 18-22. She was decapitated in the accident, and no one claimed her body. She reacts in a literal way which leads to some surprising and unexpected moments; the other contestants aren’t quite sure how to interact with her. Classically trained soprano with a flexible coloratura upper range (including melismas), and some grit in the lower register. Bb-D6. Playing a musical instrument is welcome, but not required. Piano is very likely to be involved at times for this character.
THE AMAZING KARNAK - Any Gender, Any Race/Ethnicity, 35-50s. The narrator; a mechanical fortune-telling machine. They have developed a deep and nuanced understanding of the world in their time.
Synopsis: This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived. In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Music and Lyrics by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann & Various Artists
Book by Douglas McGrath
Rehearsals: 6/24/25 - 7/15/25
Performances: 7/16/25 – 7/27/25 (possible extension thru 8/3/25)
Director: Kathy Mulay
Music Director: TBD
Choreographer: TBD
Character Descriptions:
Carole King: 20-35, Female Caucasian. An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good natured, unassuming, and often the peacemaker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music. A powerful, distinctive voice in the styling of Carole King. Note: Piano skills preferred but not required. Vocal Range: Mezzo (G3-Eb5).
Gerry Goffin: 20-35, Male Caucasian. Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner and eventual husband. He is smoldering, dark & handsome with a rebel vibe. Although sexy, he is innately sympathetic, wounded and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more. Great Singer. Vocal Range: Baritone/tenor (D3-A4)
Cynthia Weil: 20-35, Female, Caucasian. A songwriter who partners, professionally and romantically, with Barry. Carole’s best friend. Sophisticated and intelligent, she is self-confident with a quick wit. She prioritizes her career over love. Strong comedic timing and Belter to (E3-E5).
Barry Mann: 20-35, Male Caucasian. A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Cynthia. He is good natured, appealing, comedic and excellent singer. High Tenor (C3-B4).
Don Kirshner: 35-45, Male, Caucasian. An influential music publisher and producer. He is a fast-talking and energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct, and sometimes intimidating, he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hitmaker. Vocal Range: Baritone (A2-C#4).
Genie Klein: 40-50s Female Caucasian. Carole’s mother. Once an aspiring playwright, she has been broken down by life and her divorce from Carole’s father. She projects these feelings onto Carole but is protective of her and occasionally knows the right thing to say. Non-singing role.
Neil Sedaka / Lou Adler / High Righteous Brother / Ensemble: 20-30s male-identifying, Caucasian. Tenor (B3-A4). Strong high rock tenor to play young singer/songwriter and half of the world-famous duo.
Nick / Low Righteous Brother / Ensemble: 20s-30s, male-identifying, Caucasian. Strong bass / baritone (F2-Eb4). Doubles a variety of characters. Nick, Carol’s love interest, Bill Medley (Righteous Brother), Dick Clark, and a variety of other characters.
Lucille / Shirelle / Ensemble: 20-30s, female-identifying, BIPOC. Alto (A3-Db5). Charismatic singer to double as Donny’s assistant and part of the girl-group, The Shirelles. Excellent at holding harmony.
Little Eva / Shirelle / Ensemble: 20-30s, female-identifying, BIPOC. Alto (Bb3- E5). Charismatic singer to double the “Locomotion” singer and part of the girl-group, The Shirelles. Excellent at holding harmony.
Janelle Woods / Shirelle / Ensemble: 20-30s, female-identifying, BIPOC. Alto (B3-D5). Charismatic singer to double the “Locomotion” singer and part of the girl-group, The Shirelles. Excellent singer.
A Shirelle / “Uptown” Singer / Ensemble: 20-30s, female-identifying, BIPOC. Alto (B3-D5). Charismatic singer to sing “Uptown” and be a part of the girl-group, The Shirelles. Excellent singer.
Four of The Drifters / Ensemble: 20-30s, Male BIPOC. Appealing, charismatic singers to play The Drifters. Excellent at holding harmonies. Vocal parts: all must have wide range: low baritone, high baritone, tenor and the Lead singer is a high tenor to Eb5 with strong falsetto.
Marilyn Wald / “Buxom Blonde”/ Connie Francis / Ensemble: Female identifying; age 20- 30. Doubles a variety of characters. Marilyn Wald is a singer based on Marilyn Powell; Gerry’s girlfriend; and recording artist Connie Francis as well as other ensemble tracks. Vocal Range (G3-C5)
Betty / Ensemble: Female identifying Caucasian: age 20-30. Doubles a variety of characters. Carole’s childhood friend and other ensemble rolls as well as cover the Cynthia Weil track. Strong comedic timing and Belter to (E3-E5).
Synopsis: From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, “Beautiful” takes you back to where it all began. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend”, “One Fine Day”, “So Far Away”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”; this Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
*NOTE: Farmers Alley Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
If you have additional questions, please contact our Managing Artistic Director, Jeremy Koch at info@farmersalleytheatre.com
