THE COLOR PURPLE
June 27 – July 6, 2025
Torie Wiggins, Director
Jason Alexander Holmes, Music Director
GREASE
August 15 – 24, 2025
Eric Byrd, Director
Matthew Umphreys, Music Director
AUDITIONS BY VIDEO SUBMISSION
Submissions are due by 11:59 PM EST on February 9, 2025.
Performers must be 17 years of age or older by June 1, 2025 to submit an audition.
What to prepare:
- 32 bars of a song in the style of THE COLOR PURPLE or GREASE
- Optional: Submit a 1-2 minute video showcasing your dance/movement abilities
- Resume
- Headshot
Note: Actors interested only in the role of Miss Lynch in GREASE may submit a 1-minute monologue in place of a song.
Audition videos will only be accepted as links. Files requiring download will not be accepted.
Please ensure that privacy settings are such that we are enabled to view by the link only, with no need for password or additional access request. Please film your material in a horizontal/landscape frame on a solid background or plain wall. A ¾ shot is preferred.
Your headshot must be an image file and your resume must be in PDF format. Both should be labeled with you name (i.e. Gabbard_Tyler.pdf)
Please submit your audition here: https://forms.gle/TuNUXGyY9bLhLpVn8
CALLBACKS AND CASTING
Callbacks will be a mix of live and digital based on the availability of the auditionee and production staff. Inperson callbacks for GREASE will take place in the evening on Sunday, February 23 and callbacks for THE COLOR PURPLE will take place in the evening on Monday, February 24.
All auditionees will be notified of casting outcomes by Friday, March 14.
The Carnegie is committed to inclusive casting. All races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and mobilities are encouraged to apply. Pronouns listed in the character breakdown refer to the genders of the characters only. Actors should submit for any roles they feel comfortable playing.
COMPENSATION
- One-time stipends range from $1000-$1500 per contract, dependent on role and swing tracks.
- Local-hire AEA actors may be considered for principal roles using the Guest Artist Agreement.
- No housing provided. A one-time housing/travel stipend may be provided to out-of-town actors for select roles.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES
Rehearsals will take place in the evenings and on weekends. Daytime rehearsals may be added based on the availability of the cast and production staff.
THE COLOR PURPLE
Rehearsals: June 2–26
Performances:
- Friday, June 27 7:30 PM
- Saturday, June 28 2:00 PM
- Saturday, June 28 7:30 PM
- Sunday, June 29 3:00 PM
- Saturday, July 5 2:00 PM
- Saturday, July 5 7:30 PM
- Sunday, July 6 3:00 PM
GREASE
Rehearsals: July 21-August 14
Performances:
- Friday, August 15 7:30 PM
- Saturday, August 16 2:00 PM
- Saturday, August 16 7:30 PM
- Sunday, August 17 3:00 PM
- Friday, August 22 7:30 PM
- Saturday, August 23 2:00 PM
- Saturday, August 23 7:30 PM
- Sunday, August 24 3:00 PM
Conflicts will be accepted on a limited basis. The Carnegie strives to provide flexible opportunities for artists to pursue their craft in an environment that respects work-life balance. If conflicts are too numerous, we reserve the right to retract our offer. No performance conflicts will be accepted.
THE COLOR PURPLE
All characters are of Black/African descent.
The Color Purple features onstage moments of sexual violence and aggression, consensual intimacy, and physical violence between characters. Please familiarize yourself with the material before submitting.
- CELIE: She/Her, 20s-40s (Mezzo-Soprano, Alto)
Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, she has a deep, hard soul, and a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul. - MISTER: He/Him, 30s-50s (Baritone/Bass) Celie’s husband. Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Needs a great singing voice.
- HARPO: He/Him, 20s-40s (Tenor) Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
- SOFIA: She/Her, 30s (Alto) Powerful warrior woman. A great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs a great belt singing voice.
- NETTIE: She/Her, 20s-40s (Mezzo/Soprano) Celie’s younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, educated and knowledgeable. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.
- SHUG AVERY: She/Her, 30s-40s (Alto) A popular singer. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
- SQUEAK: She/Her, 20s-40s (Soprano) Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. She is of mixed ancestry. Needs comic chops and a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability.
- ENSEMBLE: 20s-50s (All singing ranges) Need strong singing voices and dynamic personalities to play various roles in the ensemble. The ensemble includes a trio known as Church Ladies, busybody types who are featured throughout the show.
GREASE
GREASE explores the complexities of adolescence, delving into themes like teen pregnancy, underage drinking, sexuality, and bullying. Before submitting, please ensure you have a solid understanding of the material.
- DANNY ZUKO: He/Him, Teen (Range: tenor, D4–B5)
The leader of the boys; good-looking, strong and confident, with an air of easy-going charm. - SANDY DUMBROWSKI: She/Her, Teen (Range: Soprano, A3–F#5) New girl in town; sweet,
wholesome, naive, cute, and innocent. - BETTY RIZZO: She/Her, Teen (Range: Alto A3–C5)
Leader of the Pink Ladies; tough, sarcastic, and outspoken but vulnerable. - FRENCHY: She/Her, Teen (Range: Alto, A3–D5) A dreamer; good-natured but not too smart. She can’t wait to finish high school so she can be a beautician.
- MARTY: She/Her, Teen (Range Alto, C4–C5) The ‘beauty’ of the ladies. She tries to act sophisticated, but betrays her age when she opens her mouth
- JAN: She/Her, Teen (Range: Alto, A3-C5) Funny, loud, and awkward member of the Pink Ladies. Loud and pushy with the girls, but shy with boys.
- DOODY: He/Him, Teen (Range: Tenor, D4-A5) The youngest of the guys; with a hero-worshipping attitude towards the other guys. He plays the guitar.
- KENICKIE: He/Him, Teen (Range: Tenor, C4–F5) The second in command of the boys; tough-looking, tattooed, surly, and avoids any show of softness.
- SONNY LATIERRI: He/Him, Teen (Range: baritone, G3–A5) One of the boys; he is a braggart who thinks he’s a real lady-killer
- ROGER: He/Him, Teen (Range: Tenor, D4-A5) A clown who enjoys winding people up, he is always dreaming up half-baked schemes and ideas.
- CHA-CHA DIGREGORIO: She/Her, Teen (Range: Alto, C4–C5) The best dancer at St. Bernadette’s; a loud mouth, she wins the dancing competition with Danny.
- EUGENE FLORCZYK: He/Him, Teen (Range: Tenor, A3–E5) The class valedictorian; physically awkward, with weak eyes and a high-pitched voice – both smug
and pompous, but gullible. - PATTY SIMCOX: She/Her, Teen (Range: Alto, D4-A4) A typical cheerleader; attractive, athletic, sure-ofherself, prone to bursts of disconcerting enthusiasm.
- MISS LYNCH: She/Her, Adult A no-nonsense, serious, loud English teacher.
- VINCE FONTAINE: He/Him, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, G4-E5) A typical ‘teen audience’ disc jockey; slick, egotistical and fast-talking.
- TEEN ANGEL: He/Him, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, E4–F5) Frenchy’s suave and slick guardian angel, who encourages her to stay in school
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 