CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:

For RENT by Jonathan Larson seeking:

Mark: Male-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; a young filmmaker and video artist coming into his own and struggling to articulate his values and his place in the world. He has integrity, is clean cut, and perhaps a little nerdy, as well as articulate and smart. Mark guides the audience through the show. Should be mercurial, quick on his feet, dexterous, and physically expressive. Vocal range top: A2-G4. Any Ethnicity. 

Roger: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; a haunting and unforgettable character with a sense of loneliness. He is traumatized and emotionally cut off due to his past experiences and struggles with being HIV-positive. A rugged and sexy leading man who needs to be sympathetic and not just self-pitying. Struggling musician and former drug addict; reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Rock tenor with authentic grittiness, resonance and emotion. The ability to play the guitar is preferred. Vocal range top: G2-A4. Any Ethnicity.

Mimi: Female-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; an HIV-positive stripper with drug addictions who lives each day to the fullest. She is fully comfortable in her own body and sexuality and shows vulnerability alongside ferocious charisma. A complicated and damaged young girl; must be emotional yet strong. Vocal range top: Eb3 - E5. Ethnicity: Latina / Hispanic / Latinx.

Maureen: Female-presenting, 21-35; strong actor and singer; a diva - super confident, striking, bold and brash; also, a fearless performance artist. She is carefree and a source of high spirits and relentless energy. Must be a vocal powerhouse: huge healthy belt and mix; a big soulful sound that comes from the gut. Maureen oozes sexuality and used to live in the loft. She has recently dumped Mark for Joanne. Vocal range top: C4-F5. Any Ethnicity.

Tom Collins: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; a philosophizer, computer scientist/genius, liberal professor and anarchist who starts a tender, romantic relationship with Angel filled with unconditional love. Tom has an emotional openness and lack of self-conscience, with a generous heart and low-key sense of humor. He is a self-deprecating and wise free spirit. Vocals should be deep and warm - some bass moments with a high baritone. Vocal range top: F2-A4. Any Ethnicity.

Benny: Male-presenting, 25-35; strong actor and singer; the landlord of Mark and Roger's apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny traded in his personal morals for power and wealth. An important character with complex motives and a tangled history with other characters. Benny needs a solid actor with charm and charisma, who can be slick and intimidating to pose a credible threat but can allow the audience to see his conflicted feelings underneath. Vocal range top: Bb2 - F#4. Any Ethnicity.

Joanne Jefferson: Female-presenting, 25-40; strong actor and singer; a public interest lawyer and headstrong person. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a tumultuous relationship with Maureen. She's tough and no nonsense and unafraid to back down from a confrontation but good hearted. She prides herself on her self-discipline and organizational skills and might even be a bit compulsive. The actress needs to be deft and precise with text to put tricky lyrics across clearly in her song and vocals should be earthy and warm with a certain maturity and confidence. Vocal range top: G3 - E5. Any Ethnicity.

Angel Dumott Schunard: Genderfluid/non-binary femme, 21-35; strong actor, singer and dancer; an HIV-positive street drummer with an incredible gift of dance and rhythm; a magnetic personality who loves to get dressed up and party. Angel is all about kindness and generosity. Angel has had a tough life but is still full of high spirits and is a force of goodwill and peace. Vocally: requires a high and light tenor sound but needs to be powerful at times as well. Drumming skills are preferable. Angel needs to have star presence and exude sweetness and warmth. Vocal range top: C3 - A4. Any Ethnicity.

Ensemble: Seeking several performers to a multitude of characters such as: houseless people in NYC; Junkies, Parents (Mrs. Cohen, Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson); Support Group Members (Steve, Gordon) and more

SYNOPSIS: Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon. with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

This is theatre at its best – exuberant, passionate and joyous.