McCarter Theatre Center 2025-26 Season Equity Principal Actors - McCarter Theatre Center Auditions

McCarter Theatre Center 2025-26 Season - Princeton, NJ EPA

AUDITION DATE

Friday, March 14, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an audition appointment please fill out the following form:
here. If you have any questions, please direct them to Casting@McCarter.org. The deadline for filling out this form will be Monday, March 12th, 2025 at 12pm ET.

CONTRACT

LORT Non-Rep
$1245 weekly minimum (LORT B+)
$1051 weekly minimum (LORT C)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in McCarter Theatre Center's 2025-26 Season (See breakdown). All roles will be understudied. At McCarter, we unite the ideals of joy and justice, beauty and belonging. We seek actors that represent a vast diversity of our human experience. Actors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, body types and identities are strongly encouraged to attend.

PREPARATION

Each actor will have three minutes. Please prepare a brief monologue or two contrasting one-minute monologues. If you wish to sing, please prepare a monologue and a 16-bar cut of a contemporary music theatre song. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your picture and resume, stapled together.

LOCATION

McCarter Theatre
91 University Pl
Princeton, NJ 08540-5121
Mastrobuono Rehearsal Room, use the Administrative doors off University Pl. - Holding Room opens at 9:45am. Metered street parking is available on Alexander Street and University Place. Free two-hour parking is available on College Rd.

PERSONNEL

Artistic Director – Sarah Rasmussen
Director of Artistic Initiatives – Julie Felise Dubiner
Artistic and Office Assistant – Jaimee Harmon-Taboni
Expected to attend:
Associate Artistic Director – Donya K. Washington
Artistic and Casting Assistant – Meredith Bartmon
See breakdown for production specific personnel.

OTHER DATES

See breakdown for production specific dates.

OTHER

www.McCarter.org

https://www.mccarter.org/for-artists
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

EQUITY

CONTRACT

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

I AND YOU
Book by Lauren Gunderson
Music and Lyrics by Ari Afsar
Directed by Sarah Rasmussen
A Co-Production with Olney Theatre Center
Berlind Theatre (LORT C)
First Rehearsal: August 5th, 2025
Tech Begins: Sept 6th, 2025
Previews Begin: Sept 13th, 2025
Opening: Sept 19th, 2025
Closing: October 12th, 2025
Tech Begins (Olney Theatre): April 16th, 2026
Opening (Olney Theatre): April 25th, 2026

SYNOPSIS: I and You: The Musical is a world premiere which will take all the spark, zeal, passion and poetry of the acclaimed play by Lauren Gunderson and translate and augment the intimate yet colossally emotional story with an epic and contemporary score by Ari Afsar. One afternoon, Anthony arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline’s door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass and an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Caroline hasn’t been to school in months due to illness, but she is as quick and sardonic as Anthony is athletic, sensitive, and popular. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this seemingly mundane poetry project unlocks a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. The end of this new musical, like the play, will blow people away with a wild yawp of an emotional punch. We are seeking understudies for both roles.

SEEKING:

• [ANTHONY]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 18+ to play 17. Curious, persistent, mature for his age. He’s a team player and a nice guy but he’s not really great around girls. He takes his poetry very seriously. When he likes something, he is all in. He really wants to figure Caroline out, to know who she is. This role includes frank talk of death and dying. Tenor with a pop sensibility and an ability to navigate multiple genres. Goofy and heartfelt. Mix/belt to a high D or C, down to C below middle C.
• [CAROLINE]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 18+ to play 17. She is guarded, over it, and does not want your pity. Her room is her entire world due to her illness, and she is put on the defensive by the unexpected intrusion that is Anthony. But he is instantly attractive and thus massively nerve-wracking to her. Nerves make her mad. She’d never admit it, but she is yearning for connection. This role includes frank talk of death and dying. Plays guitar. Strong vocal control with a pop sensibility and an ability to navigate multiple genres. Gritty and commanding. Mix/belt up to high E, down to F below middle C.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Written By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Lauren Keating
Matthews Theatre (LORT B+)
First Rehearsal: Nov 5th, 2025
Tech Begins: Dec 4th, 2025
Previews Begin: Dec 9th, 2025
Opening: Dec 12th, 2025
Closing: Dec 28th, 2025

SYNOPSIS: There is magic, music and merriment for all in this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, as Ebenezer Scrooge is taken on a fantastical journey through Christmases past, present and future in order to discover delight, wonder, and generosity. All roles will be understudied. Principal actors will also perform various ensemble roles. All will have a British dialect or any other dialect that may have existed in London in the Victorian era. All actors are encouraged to have musicianship, singing skills and/or movement skills.

SEEKING:

• [EBENEZER SCROOGE]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 50s+. Stoic, guarded, distrustful, the anti-Santa Clause, all hard edges and frosty insides. His coldness comes from the abandonment and loneliness he suffered as a child, and the fears of heartbreak and poverty that plague him still. Over the course of his fantastical journey, the layers of self-protection, anger and coldness melt away to reveal a joyful, warm, childlike and eager individual.
• [BOB CRATCHIT/ AS CAST]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 30s - early 40s. Scrooge’s clerk. A family man of kindness and compassion, good humor and enduring good spirits. A hard worker who cares about his community and is devoted to his family. Despite life's hardships, he remains optimistic and compassionate.
• [MARGARET CRATCHIT/ AS CAST]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 30s - early 40s. The realist to Bob’s optimist. An author, as well as protective wife and mother who is fierce, loving and warm. She shares her husband’s compassionate disposition but is quicker to anger. She sees more clearly the injustice in the world and does not suffer fools.
• [CHRISTMAS PAST/ AS CAST]: Any Gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. A spritely ghost and the most angelic of the four spirits we meet. Welcoming and warm, as well as tough and investigative. Good movement and vocal skills.
• [CHRISTMAS PRESENT/ AS CAST]: Any Gender. Any race/ethnicity. 40s+. A spirit of immense jolliness and good spirits, such that it overflows from them. The incarnate of Christmas fun, with a talent for taking Scrooge to task when need be. Not afraid of confronting the darker side of things.
• [CHRISTMAS YET TO COME/ AS CAST]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. Mid 40s+. A phantom; an unspeaking and ominous presence with physical acuity. Good movement and vocal skills. Doubles as MR. FEZZIWIG – the warm and generous employer of young Ebenezer Scrooge.
• [JACOB MARLEY/ AS CAST]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 30s. Scrooge’s deceased business partner. Shrewd and intelligent. He shuts himself off to anything outside of work and business. Strident, harsh and cold in his youth, repentant in his ghostly return. A hard-nosed businessman who also cares about his friend Scrooge. We see Marley at the age of his apprenticeship and as his ghostly, older self.
• [FRED/ AS CAST]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s. Scrooge’s nephew. Hearty and caring, exuding joy and goodwill wherever he goes. Recently married and very much in love. The beloved only son of Scrooge’s sister Fan, who died in Fred's youth. Excellent movement and vocal skills. Plays mandolin or fiddle. Doubles as the young EBENEZER.
• [CAROLINE/ AS CAST]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s. A big heart and a great wit. Recently married to Fred and very much in love. Feels the joy of the season and shares it with all around her. Loves a good joke and a good party. She is not afraid to stand up to Scrooge. Excellent movement and vocal skills. Plays tambourine and violin.
• [MRS. DILBER/ AS CAST]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Scrooge’s maid. She believes in ghosts, is easily spooked and is not great at gruel-making, but she has a kind heart and is beloved in the town. Comedically skilled. Good vocal skills.
• [BELLE/ AS CAST]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s. An optimist with clear values and a vision for her future. She has a positive outlook and isn’t afraid of a challenge. She comes from a large family and has an apprenticeship. Scrooge’s fiancé for a time. Strong movement and vocal skills. Plays tambourine.
• [OLD JO/ AS CAST]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 50s+. Kind-hearted and scrappy, a kind of anti-Scrooge. Runs a street vending re-sale business dealing in any and everything. Always a good time; tries to hide their soft heart with a fast-talking exterior. Good movement and vocal skills.
• [CAROL THE CAROLER/CHARLIE/EBENEZER’S FATHER/ AS CAST]: Any Gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Strong vocals and movement. Plays violin. Charlie is Old Jo’s friend.
• [YOUNG PERFORMERS]: We will be auditioning young performers at a later date. If a minor attends any audition, they must be accompanied by an adult:
  • [Tiny Tim & others]: The Cratchit's youngest child.
  • [Belinda & others]: The Cratchit's child.
  • [Peter & others]: The Cratchit's child.
  • [Martha & others]: The Cratchit's oldest child.
  • [Young Scrooge & others]: Scrooge as a young person.
  • [Fan & others]: Scrooge’s sister.
  • [Want & others]: A phantom who visits Scrooge.
  • [Ignorance & others]: A phantom who visits Scrooge.
  • [Caroler & others]: Vocalist and ensemble member.

MRS. CHRISTIE

Written By Heidi Armbruster
Directed by Donya K. Washington
Berlind Theatre (LORT C)
First Rehearsal: Mar 31st, 2026
Tech Begins: May 1st, 2026
Previews Begin: May 6th, 2026
Opening: May 8th, 2026
Closing: May 31st, 2026

SYNOPSIS: In 1926, famous author Agatha Christie disappeared for eleven days, setting a mystery in motion that remains unsolved. Nearly 100 years later, Lucy, a detective fiction fan, stumbles upon a clue that just might solve Christie’s disappearance once and for all. Heidi Armbruster’s new comedy shifts back and forth across time to explore the woman behind the mysteries and prove that sometimes you need to disappear in order to find yourself. All roles will be understudied.

SEEKING:

• [AGATHA]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. At least 37, no older than 45. British. Wife, mother, and “dabbler” in writing detective fiction. Driven to desperation by her mother’s death, her daughter’s indifference, her husband’s cruel infidelity, and balancing a writing life with a home life. (We age differently than we used to so 1920’s 37 is closer to 2020’s 45.)
• [LUCY]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. At least 37, no older than 45. American. Mixologist, sister, and detective fiction fan who has a bit of a larceny habit and a lot of anxiety and bottled-up grief. A reader.
• [JANE]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 50s+. British. A Christie fan. Often mistaken for a nosy old spinster. Shrewd and uncompromising. She is thrilled to help Lucy solve the mystery. Anyone who underestimates her is in for a surprise.
• [CHARLOTTE]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. Late 20s. British. Agatha's secretary, companion, and catch-all drudge. Doubles as MARY – a put-upon modern-day guide at the Agatha Christie Festival and a hotel maid in 1926 and a maid in Chloe’s house and somehow everywhere... Magical AF.
• [ARCHIE]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 40s. British. Colonel Archibald Christie - Agatha's husband, formerly of the Royal Flying Corps, now in finance. He wants his wife to leave writing behind and play a more traditional role in their home. But mostly he wants a divorce. Doubles as NIGEL – a modern-day hotel concierge.
• [NANCY]: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s. British. Archie's blithe mistress. Smart, young, athletic. She fell in love with Archie, who was unfortunately already married. Doubles as CHLOE – the smart and sardonic 21-year-old granddaughter of Agatha’s best friend Nan. Consumed with the ennui of life.
• [WILLIAM]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. Late 20s. British. A charming Christie scholar who discovered a clue that could solve the mystery of Agatha’s disappearance. Or at least that’s what he tells lonely female Agatha Christie fans. Doubles as COLLINS – Agatha Christie’s eager publisher.
• [THE DETECTIVE]: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 40s-60s. A man with a well-groomed mustache. Fastidious of mind and fashion. Speaks English with a French accent.