Aurora Civic Center Authority | Aurora, IL
Breakdown revised -- Annie Jo Fischer (she/her) – Tap Choreographer for WHITE CHRISTMAS added.
Friday, February 28, 2025 2:00 PM (C)
LOA
$1,024 weekly minimum (LOA ref. COST) - Broadway Series
$784.20 weekly minimum (LOA ref. COST) - Bold Serie
Equity Chorus Dancers for roles in Paramount Theatre's 2025-26 Season (see breakdown).
Actors and Singers of all genders, ethnicities, ages and types are encouraged to audition.
The Aurora Civic Center Authority (parent company to Paramount Theatre) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.
Please bring ONE copy of Headshot/Resume even if we have seen you for previous auditions. Please come ready to dance, in comfortable clothing, and jazz, tennis, or character shoes. You will be taught a short jazz-style combination and then you will be asked to perform the combo in small groups.
Actors' Equity Association - Chicago Member Center
557 W Randolph St
1st Fl
Chicago, IL 60661
See breakdown for production-specific personnel.
EXPECTED TO ATTEND:
Trent Stork (they/them) –Director of Come From Away, Artistic Producer & Casting Director for Paramount Theatre
Elena Gerk (she/her) – Artistic & Casting Associate for Paramount Theatre
Lauren Berman (she/her) - Director of Ride The Cyclone
Kasey Alfonso (she/they) - Choreographer of Come From Away
Tiffany Krause (she/her) - Choreographer of White Christmas
Matthew Weidenbener (he/him) – Choreographer of Ride The Cyclone
See breakdown for production-specific dates.
www.paramountaurora.com
ECC Procedures are in effect for this audition.
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.
A NOTE from Casting:
Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns. However limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
Paramount Theatre- Broadway Series
Trent Stork (they/them) –Director of COME FROM AWAY, Artistic Producer & Casting Director for Paramount Theatre
Devon Hayakawa (Any Pronouns) - Associate Director & Dramaturg of COME FROM AWAY Kasey Alfonso (she/they) - Choreographer of COME FROM AWAY
Kory Danielson (he/him) – Music Director of COME FROM AWAY
Elena Gerk (she/her) – Artistic & Casting Associate for Paramount Theatre
PRODUCTION DATES
First Rehearsal: July 21, 2025
Tech Begins: August 12, 2025
First Public Performance: August 20, 2025
Opening Night: August 29, 2025
Closing Night: October 12, 2025
BEVERLY & Others
Female, 51
BEVERLY- The first female captain for American Airlines. Beverly has always loved planes and flying, then her world suddenly changes on 9/11.
OTHERS- Annette (schoolteacher in Gander), Reporter.
DIANE & Others
Female, 50-60s
DIANE- A divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself. Falls in love with Nick.
OTHERS- Crystal (Waitress in Gander), Brenda (Newfoundlander, Matty, the bar owner’s, wife).
NICK & Others
Male, 50-60s
NICK- An English oil engineer who is focused on his work. His life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.
OTHERS- Doug (Newfoundlander, air traffic controller, married to Bonnie), Officer Stephenson.
KEVIN T. & Others
Male, 30s-50s
KEVIN T- The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend/secretary (also named Kevin), when they become stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin created the Pay It Forward Foundation.
OTHERS- Garth (The head of the local union in Gander, representing the Bus Drivers), President Bush.
KEVIN J. & Others
Male, Middle Eastern, 30s-50s
KEVIN J- Kevin T’s Boyfriend/Secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave Gander as soon as possible.
OTHERS- Dwight (Newfoundlander, friend of Doug and Claude), Ali (a Muslim from Egypt, is profiled and body searched by the police at the airport).
BOB & Others
Male, Black, 20s-40s
BOB- A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where they have landed. Fearing that it’s World War III, he is anxious someone will end up jumping him and steal his wallet- instead he ends up losing his New York jadedness.
OTHERS- Muhumuza (an African husband who tries to sooth his scared wife), Captain Bristol (pilot who is “very handsome and good with his passengers.” Makes Annette swoon).
HANNAH & Others
Female, Black, 40s – 60s
HANNAH- The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for the news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.
OTHERS- Margie (Newfoundlander, friend of Annette and Beulah), Mickey (Bus driver in Gander).
CLAUDE & Others
Male, 50s- 60s
CLAUDE- The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople, and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before.
OTHERS- Derm (Mayor of Appleton who befriends Bob), Brenda’s Brother (Newfoundlander who finds Bi-Sexuals fascinating), Eddie (another Newfoundlander who remembers Jewish prayers from when he was a young boy).
BEULAH & Others
Female, 40s- 60s
BEULAH- The Head of the Gander Legion, mother hen of Gander, walks Hannah to her church and prays with her.
OTHERS- Delores (Plane Person who is not handling the stress of being on a plane for 28 hours very well. Later loosens up and sings a karaoke version of “My Heart Will Go On” in Gander).
Paramount Theatre 2025-26 Season - Chicago ECC Dancers (Morning - Page 4 of 8 All Genders)
BONNIE & Others
Female, 30s- 40s
BONNIE- A no-nonsense mother of 3, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety.
OTHERS- Martha (pregnant, helpful Newfoundlander. Hosts some Plane People in her house).
OZ & Others
Male, Late 30s- 50s
OZ- The quirky constable in the two-person Gander Police Force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps in unexpected ways.
OTHERS- Joey (Plane Person who doesn’t mind the free liquor they are getting on board...), Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels (Gander’s gym teacher who speaks a little bit of Spanish and is very proud of that fact), Terry (bus driver in Gander), Matty (Owner of a bar in Gander. At first, a threatening exterior but soon shows his soft side and acceptance of all people), Rabbi (leads prayer to calm Eddie’s nerves), Head Cardiologist.
JANICE & Others
Female, 20s-30s
JANICE- An eager new local TV reporter who is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her.
OTHERS- Britney (helpful Walmart employee in Gander. Offers to have people come shower at her house), Flight Attendant (gets nervous when Ali boards the plane headed back to the United States).
NOTE ON VOICE TYPES: For all roles, can be varying voice types but all must be strong part singers.
This show deals with the events of 9/11. There are moments when passengers of the flight we follow mention Bomb Threats, Distrust in Muslim and Middle Eastern passengers which results in Customs becoming involved, and deep concerns of other passengers and firefighters in Manhattan. There are no physical altercations, but Racial Discrimination occurs in heightened moments. There are also light moments of intimacy/a kiss shown between Diane and Nick.
Paramount Theatre- Broadway Series
Stephen Schellhardt (he/him) – Director of WHITE CHRISTMAS
Tiffany Krause (she/her) - Choreographer of WHITE CHRISTMAS
Annie Jo Fischer (she/her) – Tap Choreographer for WHITE CHRISTMAS
Kory Danielson (he/him) – Music Director of WHITE CHRSITMAS
Trent Stork (they/them) –Artistic Producer & Casting Director for Paramount Theatre Elena Gerk (she/her) – Artistic & Casting Associate for Paramount Theatre
PRODUCTION DATES
First Rehearsal: October 13, 2025
Tech Begins: November 4, 2025
First Public Performance: November 12, 2025
Opening Night: November 21, 2025
Closing Night: January 11, 2026
ENSEMBLE
Adult ensemble of dancers and singers, any age.
The ensemble will, over the course of the show, play: Jimmy’s Back Room Clubgoers, Train passengers, Guest of the Inn, Patrons of the Regency Room, as well as dancers and singers in various numbers. Must be equally strong in ballroom, jazz and tap.
VOICE TYPE: Strong Part Singers, Well Versed in Style
Because this show opens in the Western Front of World War II,1944 and continues in 1954, there are many moments in which World War II is referenced. While the show opens in WWII, there are not any moments of the war in action. There is mention of Waverly recovering from being shot in the leg (not shown on stage). There are two moments in which Betty and Bob Kiss. Phil and Judy share a few intimate moments from Phil kissing her hand and the two sharing a kiss. The characters Rita and Rhoda are often extremely forward and flirtatious, they also wear scanty Christmas-themed outfits at one point.
Paramount Theatre- Broadway Series
Jessica Fisch (she/her) – Director of Dear Evan Hansen
TBD- Choreographer of Dear Evan Hansen
Kory Danielson (he/him) – Music Director of Dear Evan Hansen
Trent Stork (they/them) –Artistic Producer & Casting Director for Paramount Theatre Elena Gerk (she/her) – Artistic & Casting Associate for Paramount Theatre
PRODUCTION DATES
First Rehearsal: January 5, 2026
Tech Begins: January 27, 2026
First Public Performance: February 4, 2026
Opening Night: February 13, 2026
Closing Night: March 22, 2026
Dear Evan Hansen explores the realities of love and loss following the tragic death of student Connor Murphy. After Connor’s passing, a note is found, and his family misinterprets it as a suicide note falsifying the friendship of Connor and Evan. This show discusses the topic of mental health, as well as grief and suicide. There are a few moments in which mature sexual language, and a few mild sexual gestures are displayed on stage. The characters Evan and Zoe share a kiss.
Paramount Theatre- Bold Series
Lauren Berman (she/her) – Director of RIDE THE CYCLONE
Matthew Weidenbener (he/him) – Choreographer of RIDE THE CYCLONE
Kory Danielson (he/him) – Music Director of RIDE THE CYCLONE
Trent Stork (they/them) –Artistic Producer & Casting Director for Paramount Theatre Elena Gerk (she/her) – Artistic & Casting Associate for Paramount Theatre
PRODUCTION DATES
First Rehearsal: February 16, 2026
Tech Begins: March 10, 2026
First Public Performance: March 18, 2026
Opening Night: March 27, 2026
Closing Night: May 31, 2026
This play discusses and depicts death, self-harm, suicide, depression, tragic accidents, and trauma.
This play discusses and depicts sexually explicit content and physical displays of affection including: simulated sex acts, kissing, hugging, and handholding.
This play discusses and depicts drug use/abuse, alcoholism, underage drinking, smoking.
This play contains explicit language, profanity, and derogatory language.
This play discusses and depicts racism, violence, crime, assault, murder, prostitution, theft, and class identifications.
This play discusses and depicts religion, occult practices, resurrection, and life after death.
One character pushes and punches another character.
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