Auditions Announced for WEST SIDE STORY at Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra

Performance dates November 10-12, 2023 at The Arbogast Performing Arts Center – Troy Ohio.

Auditions
Sept. 16 at 10am
Christ Church Kettering – 3440 Shroyer Rd

• Video auditions may also be submitted via email no later than 9/15/23 to brians45414@gmail.com

What To Prepare:

• Please come to auditions prepared with 32 bars of any musical theatre song that best fits and showcases your range.
• Give your audition as much character as possible!
• We ask that you do not audition acapella. An accompanist will be present.
• Dress comfortably for dance portion of auditions
• Have any and ALL conflicts ready to list for us – NO conflicts permitted between October 16 and November 12.

Awadagin Pratt will conduct the full symphony orchestra. Non Equity stipend is available.

Audition Day:

• Registration begins at 10am on September 16th
• An audition form is required to be filled out upon arrival (resume and headshots are optional but appreciated)
• Auditions will begin at 11:00 am
• Auditions are private. Vocal auditions will be performed in front of the production team alone.

Set in the 1950’s, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the “Puerto Rican” Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time

Directed by Brian Sharp (Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables, Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Carousel, and more)

Production dates are November 10, 11 and 12 at The Arbogast Performing Arts Center in Troy, Ohio.

The MVSO is currently seeking a diverse, medium to large-sized, cast of all ethnicities to portray characters in West Side Story. As such, we are refraining from listing expectations, such as age, from our character descriptions. We encourage all performers to put forth their best audition for consideration.

• Riff – A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang’s dominance. Tony’s best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo.
  Gender: Male
• Tony – A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.
  Gender: Male
• Bernardo – A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for he and his friends. Maria’s brother and Anita’s boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks.
  Gender: Male
• Maria – A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo’s sister. Puerto Rican.
  Gender: Female
• Anita – Feisty and assertive. She dispenses “older sister” advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo’s girlfriend and Maria’s friend. Puerto Rican.
  Gender: Female
• Chino – An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo’s.
  Gender: Male
• Anybodys – A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.
  Gender: Female
• Doc – The owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.
  Gender: Male
• Schrank – A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic.
  Gender: Male
• Krupke – The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.
  Gender: Male
• Ensemble – Jets, Sharks, Jets Females, Sharks Females

Vocal ranges by role can be found online.

The ideal cast will be 22 female and 26 male