Open Audition dates/times:
- Saturday, February 7, 2026 1:00pm to 4:00pm
- Sunday, February 8, 2026 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Callbacks: Saturday, February 14, 2026 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Audition Location:
The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater – 801 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204
LEARN MORE AT: www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/Incline/Auditions.aspx
1776
May 27 – June 21, 2026
Book by Peter Stone
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards
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! With stirring songs like “Is Anybody There?”, “The Egg”, “He Plays the Violin”, “The Lees of Old Virginia” and more, 1776 reveals the failings and the ultimate nobility of our nation’s founders. Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with this classic show.
Production Team: Tim Perrino, Director; Michael Kennedy, Music Director; Jennifer Perrino, Choreographer; Shannon Eaton, Production Stage Manager
If you’d like the audition forms sent to you in advance, email Jennifer Perrino @ jenniferperrino@clpshows.org.
Important Audition Information!
- You may be asked to read from the script.
- Please prepare 16–32 bars of a song in the style of the show (classic musical theater or a contemporary excerpt in a traditional style).
- Must be a minimum of 16 years of age to audition.
- MUST HAVE A RESUME listing theatrical experience in order to audition
- A headshot/picture is appreciated. Please bring a headshot and resume
- We will accept video auditions as well. Please contact Jennifer Perrino at jenniferperrino@clpshows.org for submission info.
- No more than 2 conflicts will be accepted during the rehearsal process.
- All roles are paid positions. No Roles have been precast.Cast members do not have to be the actual ages of the characters in any of the productions – But must be able to look age appropriate and act accordingly.
Roles include:
John Adams (Massachusetts) – Age 41. High baritone or medium tenor, strong oratory skills, brilliant mind, bold and brash personality, slight Boston dialect. Not tall. The running joke throughout the show is that he is “obnoxious and disliked,” but actually he must have a magnetic quality that commands respect from his fellow members of congress. Harvard graduate, experienced lawyer.
Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania) – He is an energetic, older man, 70 years old, but often acts much younger. Baritone or low tenor. Franklin is pleasant, philosophical, boyish, often funny, but he does show his anger and seriousness in a couple scenes. Can be played by a rich bass voice or a slightly raspy baritone-tenor. Must have excellent acting skills – this man is a highly experienced statesman, diplomat, inventor, writer, humorist, and philosopher.
Thomas Jefferson (Virginia) – 33 years old. Medium tenor or high baritone. Jefferson is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he commands attention. Should be taller than average. Pensive, quiet, strong silent type. Sense of humor. Architect, writer, farmer, scientist, statesman, lawyer, violin player.
John Dickinson (Pennsylvania) – Age 44. Baritone, or strong mezzo. Dickinson is the primary adversary of the show, portrayed as opposing Independence. He has lots of dialogue, but only one major solo (Cool, Cool, Considerate Men). He represents the conservative side of Congress, the wealthy landowners who do not want to break from Great Britain.
Edward Rutledge (South Carolina) – 26 years old. Strong Baritone (or if played by a woman, rich mezzo voice). 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. Has the most dramatic song in the show, the 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.
Abigail Adams – 32 years old. Soprano or Mezzo. Abigail’s tone is one of maturity, intellectual support, and strong encouragement to her husband John Adams. She is quieter and calmer than Martha Jefferson, and less flirtatious, but with a subtle sense of humor. She appears in three songs, all duets with John Adams. She cannot touch him, since they are communicating via letters, but she sits onstage with him, and converses with him naturally. In real life, Abigail’s letters are filled with highly intellectual discussions on government, politics, and the economics of running their farm, and they provide a valuable eyewitness account of the American Revolution.
Martha Jefferson – 27 years old. Mezzo or soprano. Martha is flirtatious, young, and attractive. She is well aware that she causes a stir among the men who are present (Adams and Franklin), but she is fiercely devoted to her husband Thomas Jefferson. She appears in only one extended scene, and sings “He Plays the Violin.” Her one scene often steals the show and can be very memorable. In real life, Martha died at the young age of 33, and at her request, Jefferson never re-married.
Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) – Age 45. Baritone (could possibly be played by a woman with a strong singing voice and excellent comic character but is usually played by a strong baritone). Although he appears in several scenes with the rest of Congress, his one solo song often steals the show, and is the song that won the original Broadway actor a Tony Award (he reprised the role in the movie). Speaks and sings with a noticeable country/southern twang. His song is a bragging song about all the famous Lees in his family tree.
Robert Livingston (New York) – Age 30, Tenor
Roger Sherman (Connecticut) – Age 55. Tenor
Samuel Chase (Maryland) – Age 35. Often portrayed by a slightly larger actor, Chase is shown in one scene eating a large meal during a break in Congress.
Charles Thomson (congressional clerk and secretary) – Age 47. He reads all the letters from General George Washington, introduces each item up for vote, gives minutes from previous sessions of congress, and has one short solo when he reads a final letter from General George Washington. Sound efficient in reading letters and in rattling off long lists of congressional duties and committees.
Andrew McNair (congressional custodian and bellringer) – Age unknown. Baritone, or low mezzo). In the show, he is portrayed as a quirky, exasperated middle-aged man who lights the fires and candles, opens and closes the windows, fills the ink wells, and keeps the continental congress meeting room clean, in addition to ringing the Liberty Bell. He is supervisor to the young boy known as the Leather Apron apprentice, who is learning McNair’s job. McNair’s additional job is to fetch mugs of rum, mostly for Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island.
The Leather Apron (apprentice) – Age 16 or so. Tenor or high baritone. Young apprentice in training to learn MacNair’s custodial trade.
John Hancock (president of Congress, Massachusetts) – Age 40. Baritone
The Courier – Age 18 or so – High Baritone or low tenor. Mostly known for his clomping entrances several times during the show to deliver letters from General George Washington.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett (New Hampshire) – Age 47. I s present throughout show .
Stephen Hopkins (Rhode Island) – Age 70. Crusty old geezer who loves his rum. Supporter of Independence. Is a memorable character.
Lewis Morris (New York) – Age 50. Lead delegate of New York, who abstains from every vote.
Reverend John Witherspoon (New Jersey) – age 56. Lead delegate from New Jersey. Has moderate amount of dialogue. No major solos but sings in opening number.
James Wilson (Pennsylvania) – Age 34. Wilson is portrayed as a mere “sidekick” to his fellow delegate John Dickinson, and usually parrots whatever John Dickinson says. He holds a key role in the passage of Independence at the very end of the show.
Caesar Rodney (Delaware) – Age 48. Caesar Rodney wears a type of chin strap or head scarf that apparently covers some sort of injury or malady. He is a supporter of Independence, but he has a dramatic collapse in the middle of the show and doesn’t reappear until the end after his long ride from Delaware.
Colonel Thomas McKean (Delaware) – Age 42. Thick Scottish accent. Argumentative and very loud. Usually portrayed as very tall. Some dialogue.
George Read (Delaware) – Age 43. – argues with members of his own delegation. Usually portrayed as a rather prissy “weasel” who always seconds the motions of the opposition (those against Independence).
Joseph Hewes (North Carolina) – Age 46. His main characteristic is that he is always deferring to Edward Rutledge of South Carolina and does not seem to have much independent thought for himself. He is against Independence.
Dr. Lymon Hall (Georgia) – Age 52. Physician and pastor.
The Painter – Age undetermined. Is seen in one part of the show painting a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. May be used in other parts of the show to help backstage and with scene changes.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 