1776
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Book by Peter Stone
Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards
- Director: Libby Beiting-Lipps
- Vocal Director: Elizabeth Venia
- Choreographer: Abigail Dirr
- Producer: Mary Stone
- Assistant Producer: Chris Wolff
Audition Dates:
- Sunday, May 10, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Invited Callbacks, if needed: Wednesday, May 13
Performance Dates: September 10 – 27, 2026
Location: Footlighters’ Stained Glass Theatre – 802 York Street, Newport, KY 41071
We are asking and encouraging females and female identifying/presenting persons to audition.
What to prepare and bring:
- Please sign up for an audition time through the SignUpGenius link below. Walk-ins are welcomed but will be assigned to the first available audition slot. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AEAE2BABFC1-63429236-1776#/
- Please prepare 16 to 32 bars of a song in the style of the show (classic musical theater or contemporary excerpt in traditional style) that demonstrates your best vocal ability. Make sure your sheet music is printed out, is in the proper key, and has cuts clearly marked for the accompanist. Vocalizing will also take place to determine vocal range.
- Monologues are not necessary—acting ability will be judged by the performance of your song. Those auditioning or in consideration for Rodney, McNair, Hopkins, McKean, and Thomson may be asked to read a short scene from the show. Sides will be provided.
- Bring shoes and clothing that you are comfortable moving in for the dance audition, as you will be asked to participate in a stylized movement combination. The combination will be taught during the audition, and a video of the combination will be posted prior to auditions. Style of shoe does not matter, as long as you are comfortable in them. Please arrive as warmed up as possible.
- Please provide a copy of your theatrical resume and headshot, if you have them.
- Please bring a list of conflicts between June and September 2026.
- Invited callbacks will include singing music from the show and performing cold readings from the script.
Show Synopsis:
It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence… if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence.
1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty, and ultimately noble figures determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. Join us in celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding and reflecting on its evolution since then!
This production staff is committed to bringing together a diverse group of people who are dedicated to bringing this story to life. We encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, and body types to audition. No roles have been precast. Performers must be 18+ to audition for this show.
Roles:
- John Adams (early 40s) – Delegate from Massachusetts. John is a dutiful husband. Opinionated, passionate, and a bit boisterous. Strong oratory skills, brilliant mind, bold and brash personality, slight Boston dialect. The running joke throughout the show is that he is “obnoxious and disliked,” but he must have a magnetic quality that commands respect from his fellow members of congress
Vocal range: C4-F#5
- Benjamin Franklin (60s-70s) – Delegate from Pennsylvania. He is an energetic, older man, but often acts much younger. Franklin is pleasant, philosophical, boyish, often funny, but he does show his anger and seriousness in a couple scenes. Must have excellent acting skills—this man is a highly experienced statesman, diplomat, inventor, writer, humorist, and philosopher.
Vocal range: Ab3-Eb5
- Thomas Jefferson (early to mid30s) – Delegate from Virginia. Jefferson is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he commands attention. Pensive, quiet, strong silent type, with a sense of humor and very much in love with his wife. Architect, writer, farmer, scientist, statesman, lawyer, violin player. This role will have an onstage kiss with Martha Jefferson.
Vocal range: C4-G5
- Edward Rutledge (mid 20s) – Delegate from South Carolina. Must be a commanding actor with excellent oratory skills. He is the secondary antagonist role, next to Mr. Dickinson. Youngest member of congress. Speaks with an elegant, educated South Carolina accent. Sings the dramatic, sarcastic, and riveting “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” which showcases the hypocrisy of the North regarding slavery and the triangle trade. Statesman, lawyer. Large amounts of dialogue.
Vocal range: C4-A5
- John Dickinson (mid 40s) – Delegate from Pennsylvania. Dickinson is the primary adversary of the show, portrayed as opposing Independence. He has lots of dialogue. He represents the conservative side of Congress, the wealthy landowners who do not want to break from Great Britain.
Vocal range: A3-E5
- Abigail Adams (mid 30s) – Loving wife to John Adams. Intelligent, quick-witted, and talented with a pen, Abigail is a radiant and shapely beauty. Abigail’s tone is one of maturity, intellectual support, and strong encouragement to her husband John Adams.
Vocal range: Db4-F5
- Martha Jefferson (late 20s) – Thomas Jefferson’s very-much-in-love wife. Her looks are striking, her dancing delightful, and her humor appealing. She doesn’t shy away from a good time. Joy radiates from her. This role will have an onstage kiss with Thomas Jefferson.
Vocal range: Bb3-D5
- Richard Henry Lee (mid 40s) – Delegate from Virginia, Lee is a very proud and willowy aristocrat. His flamboyancy is intoxicating and borderline infuriating. Speaks and sings with a noticeable country/southern twang.
Vocal range: C4-G5
- Stephen Hopkins (early 70s) – Delegate from Rhode Island. Hopkins’ drinking has led to an appearance befitting of the 2nd oldest in the Continental Congress. He is a crusty old man who loves his rum and has a playfulness about him.
Vocal range: C4-Eb5
- Roger Sherman (mid 50s) – Delegate from Connecticut. A coffee drinker with a penchant for hyperactivity, Sherman is a simple and balding cobbler.
Vocal range: C4-Bb5
- Robert Livingston (early 30s) – Delegate from New York. Recently a father, Livingston’s disposition has become one of humility and graciousness.
Vocal range: Bb3-F5
- Colonel Thomas McKean (mid 40s) – Delegate from Delaware. McKean is florid and likable with a charming, yet commanding, Scottish Brogue accent.
Vocal range: C4-Eb5
- Charles Thomson (30s to 60s) – Congressional Secretary. Should sound efficient in reading letters and in rattling off long lists of congressional information.
Vocal range: Eb4-E5
- Andrew McNair (30s to 60s) – Congressional Steward / Custodian. Quirky, exasperated middle-aged man who tends to the congressional meeting room and its delegates. He is supervisor to the young boy known as the Leather Apron apprentice, who is learning McNair’s job.
Vocal Range: Eb4-Bb4
- Courier (early 20s) – The message runner between General Washington’s army and the Continental Congress. He has witnessed the hardships of war firsthand, although his innocent disposition and appearance may imply otherwise.
Vocal range: C4-Db5
- Leather Apron (early 20s) – Young apprentice in training to learn MacNair’s custodial trade. Doubles as Artist.
Vocal Range: Bb3-G4
- John Hancock (late 30s – early 40s) – Congressional President, from Massachusetts.
- Caesar Rodney (late 40s) – Delegate from Delaware.
- Jospeh Hewes (mid 40s)– Delegate from North Carolina.
- Dr. Josiah Bartlett (mid 40s) – Delegate from New Hampshire.
- Lewis Morris (early 50s) – Delegate from New York.
- Judge James Wilson (early 30s) – Delegate from Pennsylvania.
- George Reed (early 40s) – Delegate from Delaware.
- Samuel Chase (mid 30s) – Delegate from Maryland.
- Dr. Lyman Hall (early 50s) – Delegate from Georgia.
- Reverend John Witherspoon (early 50s) – Delegate from New Jersey.
1776
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 