Little Theatre On the Square | Sullivan, IL
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
BREAK: 12:30PM - 1:30PM
SPT
$859 weekly minimum (SPT 9) + transport and housing
Equity actors for roles in Little Theatre On The Square's 2025 Season (see breakdown).
Please prepare two brief contrasting song selections. Feel free to prepare a selection from one of the shows of our season. An Accompanist will be provided. Please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Actors' Equity Association - Chicago Member Center
557 W Randolph St
1st Fl
Chicago, IL 60661
John Stephens - Executive Producer
Therese Kincade - Associate Artistic Director
Jordan Cyphert - Director/Choreographer
Kevin Long - Musical Director. John Stephens and Therese Kincade are the casting authority.
John Stephens executive producer
Therese Kincade associate artistic director
Kevin Long musical director and accompanist
See breakdown for production-specific dates.
www.thelittletheatre.org
All Shows will rehearse and perform in Sullivan, IL at The Little Theatre On The Square.
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
First rehearsal on May 19
Opens June 5
Closes June 15, 2025.
Mary Poppins – Female Presenting – 25-40, Practically perfect in every way, Mary Poppins is the lovable, firm, and unflappable nanny that mysteriously appears to help the Banks family learn to befriend one another. Extraordinary and strange, kind but vain, Mary Poppins is a set of walking contradictions. Gb3-C6, some dance required.
Bert – Male Presenting 25-40, The narrator and gentle chimneysweep, artist, and musician that frequents Cherry Tree Lane. He possesses the wisdom of a much older man but the imagination of a much younger one. Bert is an energetic and dazzling showman with a perpetual wink and grin. B2-F#4, strong dance and tap skills.
George Banks – Male Presenting 35-50, The Banks patriarch who has rather lost his way in pursuit of societal norms and conventional success. George’s traumatic childhood informs his icy connection to his current children, but he learns to confide in his family. Bb2-Eb4
Winifred Banks – Female Presenting 35-50, Unprepared for motherhood, Winifred struggles with feeling like an imposter. She is torn between her past as an actress, her goals of a model family, and the demands of her unsympathetic husband. Eventually, she learns how to support her family and also be their leader. A3-D5.
Jane Banks – Female Presenting Child age 11-14 under 5 foot 3 inches tall. The high-spirited Banks daughter and oldest child, Jane learns to grow from a selfish and chaotic child to an empathetic young woman. She can be impulsive and impatient but is also intelligent and imaginative. Jane is 11. A3-F#5
Michael Banks – Male presenting Child age 9-12 under 5 foot tall. Easily the most observant occupant of Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, Michael is the youngest Banks child. He begins as a mischievous but meticulous boy with a big mouth, and he grows to express his feelings and show compassion. Michael is 9. A3-E5
Mrs. Brill – Female Presenting, 40-60 years old. The Banks’ housekeeper and cook. Mrs. Brill is easily flustered and high-strung, but with a warm heart and good humor. F#3-D#5
Robertson Ay – Male Presenting 20-30. The Banks’ clumsy houseboy. Robertson Ay possesses a pleasant, if somewhat dry, demeanor and occasionally surprises himself with his talents. F3-G#4.
NELEUS – A teenage statue who misses his father and is a graceful dancer.
BANK CHAIRMAN – Male Presenting 40-60. The crabby and hot-tempered boss of the bank. C3-D4
BIRD WOMAN – Female Presenting that can play older 40-60. The impoverished and haunting figure who spends her days outside St. Paul’s Cathedral, imploring passerby to feed the birds. Gb3-C5
MRS. CORRY – Female Presenting Mezzo Soprano 25-50. An exotic and colorful confectioner who delights in made-up words.
MISS ANDREW – Female Presenting 30-60, The austere and terrifying nanny that briefly replaces Mary Poppins. Ever the psychotic diva, Miss Andrew is an entirely humorless character, so naturally, we’re seeking an actor of considerable comedic skill. Gb3-F5
Ensemble – 4 male presenting and 4 female presenting singer/dancers playing various roles including Londoners, Statues, Penguins, Bankers, Customers, Toys, Park-Goers, and/or Chimney sweeps. All ages welcome for ensemble.
First rehearsal on June 5
Opens June 19
Closes June 29, 2025.
Trenna/Player 1 - acoustic guitar and vocals – Female Presenting of any age.
Jason/Player 2 - acoustic guitar, various percussion and vocals – Male Presenting of any age.
Eddie/Player 3 - electric guitar, various percussion and vocals – Male Presenting of any age.
David/Player 4 - acoustic/electric guitar, resonator, fiddle, banjo, various percussion and Vocals – Any gender of any age.
Mark/Player 5 - bass (double or electric), various percussion and vocals – Any genders of any age.
First rehearsal June 19
Opens July 3
Closes July 13, 2025
RONA LISA PERETTI (Female presenting age 35-50) This former Spelling Bee champ is not only the county's top realtor, she also runs a highly lucrative e-Bay business, selling sensible pumps at sensible prices. She is incredibly kind to the spellers, having been in their shoes many years earlier. She is a sweet woman who loves children, but she can be very stern when it comes to dealing with Vice Principal Panch and his feelings for her. Her interest in the competition is unflagging and drives it forward. Vocal Range: B3-F5. Has high-belt and is able to improv. Along with Panch, she guides the comedy of the show and the audience volunteers.
DOUGLAS PANCH (Male presenting age 35-60) The Vice Principal. Frustrated with his life, he finds the drive of the young spellers alien to him. He was involved in an incident at the Twentieth Annual Bee that got him removed from the judging panel. After five years' absence from the Bee, Panch returns as judge, in a better place, thanks to a high-fiber diet and therapy. He is infatuated with Rona Lisa Peretti, but she does not return his affections. Impeccable comic timing and the able to improv. Does not need to sing.
CHIP TOLENTINO (Male presenting) Speller #21. Last Year's champion of the Twenty-Fourth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. He is strong willed, competitive, and ambitious. An athletic, social, boy scout, he returns to defend his title, but he finds puberty hitting at an inopportune moment. Vocal Range: C3-B4. NOTE: This role requires long sustained high notes.
LOGAINNE SCHWARTZANDGRUNIERRE (SCHWARTZY) (Female presenting) Speller #1. Logainne is the youngest and most politically aware speller, often making comments about current political figures and her mature world views. She has two overbearing gay dads who have turned her neurotic and self-conscious. She speaks with a lisp though has a real confidence about her at times. Vocal Range: A3-F5
LEAF CONEYBEAR (Male or Female presenting) Speller #17. As just the second runner-up in his district's bee, he really shouldn't be competing here. He finds everything about the bee incredibly amusing. He is home-schooled and comes from a large family of former hippies. He makes his own clothes, is home schooled and lacks social skills. He’s strange but very sweet, loving and kindhearted but distracted. He has severe Attention Deficit Disorder and spells words correctly while in a trance. Vocal Range: A2-A4. NOTE: This role allows a ton of personal interpretation and requires physical comedy.
WILLIAM BARFEE (Male presenting) Speller #13. A Putnam County Spelling Bee finalist last year, he was eliminated because of an allergic reaction to peanuts and is back for vindication. He has no interest in making friends at the bee. His famous Magic Foot method of spelling has boosted him to spelling glory, even though he only has one working nostril and a touchy, bullying personality. He develops a crush on Olive. Vocal Range: E2-B4. He has a strong character voice and is an above average dancer.
MARCY PARK (Female presenting) Speller #7. Marcy is the most feared and practiced competitor in the bee. She made it all the way to ninth place in Nationals last year and is back to win again. She speaks six languages, is a member of all-American hockey, a championship rugby player, plays Chopin and Mozart on multiple instruments, sleeps only three hours a night, hides in the bathroom cabinet, and is getting very tired of always winning. She does not recognize her own lack of humor. She is incredibly intense. She is the poster child for the Over-Achieving Asian, and attends a Catholic school called Our Lady of Intermittent Sorrows. She is also not allowed to cry. Vocal Range: C4-E5.
OLIVE OSTROVSKY (Female presenting) Speller #11. A young newcomer to competitive spelling. The heart of the show, Olive is basically deserted at the bee. Her mom is in an ashram in India and her dad never shows up, even after promising that, this time, he'll try to make it. Her best friend is a dictionary. She starts enormously shy and shyly blossoms. Vocal Range: B3-F5. Despite her meek appearance, she has an incredibly strong voice and belt.
MITCH/MEG MAHONEY (Male or Female presenting age 20-35) The Official Comfort Counselor. This former felon is fulfilling his court ordered community service at the bee and acting as the bee’s “comfort counselor,” handing our juice boxes and a dose of reality to the losers. He comes across as scary and tough but is really a big softy deep down. He has no idea how to offer comfort but does find himself wishing he could find a way to make the kids feel better.
First rehearsal on July 3
Opens July 17
Closes July 27, 2025.
MARIA RAINER (Female presenting) (musical theatre mix/soprano, dance, 18+) A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey – young, free spirited, warm, gentle and kind with much determination.
CAPTAIN VON TRAPP (male presenting baritone, 35+) A retired Austrian naval captain. Polished, yet very military in the way he runs his life to repress his sadness over the death of his wife; underneath, he is warm, understanding, and determined.
MAX DETWEILLER (male presenting tenor/baritone, moves well, 35+) Charming and vital; a man of sophistication who enjoys the good life; true and loyal friend to the von Trapp family.
ELSA SCHRADER (female presenting mezzo soprano, moves well, 30+) A baroness of taste and elegance, sophisticated, dignified and mature.
MOTHER ABBESS (female presenting soprano, wide vocal range, 30+) Motherly, understanding, strong and authoritative, but kind.
SISTER BERTHE (female presenting alto, moves well 18+) Mistress of Novices, prudish, straight-laced with a quick tongue, she is less tolerant than other nuns.
SISTER MARGARETTA (female presenting mezzo, moves well 18+) Mistress of Postulants, very kind, understanding, and concerned.
SISTER SOPHIA (mezzo-soprano, moves well 18+) Neither demanding nor critical, sticks with the rules.
FRANZ (non-singing, 35+) The von Trapp butler, rather formal but not without spirit, he is very German and loyal to the Fascist cause.
FRAU SCHMIDT (non-singing, 35+) The housekeeper, stoic, very little personality; she does her job efficiently but without affection. Strong and somewhat dominating.
HERR ZELLER (non-singing, 20+) Stern and unsmiling, a typical Nazi official whose primary concern is to see that everyone toes the line.
ROLF GRUBER (low tenor, dance, 17+) Suitor to Liesl, telegram delivery boy, later Nazi soldier. A very pleasant young man, somewhat aggressive but in a gentle way.
LIESL VON TRAPP (Mezzo-Soprano, dance, between 16-25) The oldest child, blossoming into a young lady with an interest in boys. She has a maternal edge to her and cares very deeply for her younger siblings.
FRIEDRICH VON TRAPP (Tenor, between 13-15) Tough exterior, very much trying to be “the man” of the family.
KURT VON TRAPP (falsetto, between 9-11) Gentle and mischievous.
BRIGITTA VON TRAPP (Mezzo-Soprano, between 9-11) Smart, reads a lot.
MARTA VON TRAPP (between 6-8) Very sweet and gentle.
GRETI VON TRAPP (Mezzo-Soprano, between 6-8) Must have the cute factor.
ENSEMBLE (Male): (18+) Nazi soldiers, neighbors, Salzburg citizens and von Trapp’s friends. May require some ballroom dancing and singing.
ENSEMBLE (Female): (18+) Salzburg citizens, new postulant, nuns, novices, postulants and contestants in the Festival Concert. May require some ballroom dancing and singing.
First rehearsal on July 17
Opens July 31
Closes August 10, 2025.
Tracy Turnblad 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. Gender: female Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Corny Collins The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Gender: male Age: 25 to 40 Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: D3
Edna Turnblad 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. Character is portrayed in drag. Gender: male Age: 30 to 50 Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Penny Pingleton 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 with childlike curiosity. Gender: female Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Velma Von Tussle Amber's mother and the director of Corny Collins' 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. Gender: female Age: 40 to 55 Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Amber Von Tussle Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. Gender: female Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Link Larkin 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. Gender: male Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Seaweed J. Stubbs Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Gender: male Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range top: D5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Little Inez Seaweed's little sister. Gender: female Age: 16 to 25
Motormouth Maybelle Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collins' Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. Gender: female Age: 35 to 50 Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Wilbur Turnblad Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. Gender: male Age: 55 to 65 Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Prudy Pingleton Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. Gender: female Age: 40 to 50 Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: D4
Ensemble Corny Collins' Kids (Tammy, Brad, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, Lou Ann, Fender, Sketch, IQ); Students; Hookers; Protestors. Open to female and male presenting singer/dancers aged 18-30.
The Dynamites (60's female trio, black) Female presenting belters who dance ages 18-30
First rehearsal on July 31
Opens August 14
Closes August 25, 2025.
Francis - Male presenting of any ethnicity. The leader and caretaker of the group. Stage Age 20-40. Vocal range B5-F3.
Sparky - Male presenting of any ethnicity. The clown of the group. Energetic and clever. Stage Age 20-40. Vocal Range G5-F3.
Jinx - Male presenting of any ethnicity. The shy one. Doesn't always remember what song comes next. Stage Age 20-40. Vocal Range D6-F3
Smudge - Male presenting of any ethnicity. The worrier. Stage Age 20-40. Vocal Range G5-F3.
First rehearsal November 29
Opens December 12
Closes December 21, 2025.
ELVIS – 20s male Actor/singer/guitar player. Elvis in his 20s at the beginning of his career. A good singer/guitar player and able to embody the spirit of Elvis Presley without being an impersonator. Familiarity with Elvis' music is a plus.
JERRY LEE LEWIS – 20s male Actor/singer/pianist; he was rock & roll’s legendary piano prodigy and celebrated “Last Man Standing.” A superb piano player, who embodies the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis; fun, energetic; comic skills a plus.
CARL PERKINS – mid 20s male Excellent guitar player (lead guitar) and singer; he was the American pioneer of rockabilly music and best known for his song “Blue Suede Shoes”; an excellent lead guitarist.
JOHNNY CASH – mid 20s male. Excellent guitar player and singer. Johnny Cash at the dawn of his epic career. A good singer/guitar player and able to embody the spirit of Johnny Cash without being an impersonator. Familiarity with Johnny Cash's music is a plus.
SAM PHILLIPS – mid 30s male Father of Rock ’n’ Roll and founder of Sun Records who discovered Elvis, Johnny, Jerry, Carl, and many others including Roy Orbison and B.B. King. A charismatic figure in American music. Has a strong stage presence and the ability to command an audience.
DYANNE – mid 20s female She was an aspiring singer and Elvis’s girlfriend. Attractive, great singer with a wide range. Sings solos and back-ups through the show.
BROTHER J – 20-30 Male presenting - Bass Player. NOTE: Ability to do tricks on the bass a plus.
FLUKE – 20-30 male presenting – drummer.
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