KELSEY THEATRE OPEN AUDITIONS

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical

• Produced by Playful Theatre Productions
• Directed by Frank Ferrara
• Musical Direction by Shannon Ferrara and François Suhr
• Choreography by Joan Schubin

Playful Theatre Productions and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equality, inclusion, and anti-racism.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Playful Theatre Productions is excited to announce open auditions for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, based on everyone’s entire childhood and opening September 19, 2025, as the opening production of the Kelsey Theatre season! We could give you a plot synopsis, but we feel like you know the story here: optimistic sea sponge, underwater squirrel, cranky cephalopod clarinet enthusiast, MY LEG, French narrator, goodbye everyone, I’ll remember you in therapy.   

This is that, but with a Tony-nominated score of new songs by an entire Billboard Top 20 of artists, among them Panic! at the Disco, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, T.I., Sara Bareilles, Lady A, John Legend, They Might be Giants, Jonathan Coulton, and David Bowie somehow.

All roles are open. Importantly, most roles are also fish. Accordingly, every role is open to any actor, entirely regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or presentation, or body type. If you can sing it and act it, we want to see your audition.

AUDITION DATES & TIMES:

• Monday, June 16, 2025 (7pm-10pm)
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025 (7pm-10pm)
• Callbacks by invitation: Wednesday, June 18 (7pm-10pm) or Saturday, June 21 (11am-3pm)

Auditions will be held on the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) West Windsor Campus. Check the Kelsey Theatre sign board for a room location on the day of your audition.

MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor NJ 08550.

APPOINTMENTS:

In order to minimize wait times, audition appointments are very strongly recommended. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944A4A928AAF58-56429326-auditions.

If you are interested in auditioning but are not available for any of the audition dates, we are happy to accept virtual auditions; please register in the respective slot and we will contact you with details.

QUESTIONS:

Please contact director Frank Ferrara (frankcferrara@gmail.com) with questions or for additional information.

PREPARE:

• Actors are asked to prepare one complete song from musical theatre, and to bring sheet music in the desired key. An audition accompanist will be provided. Given the musical demands of the show, a capella auditions or auditions using pre-recorded accompaniment cannot be considered.
• All actors should be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance combination at the initial audition. If you wish to be considered for role(s) involving tap dancing, please bring tap shoes if possible.
• Actors are also asked to bring a full list of recurring or one-time rehearsal conflicts. We are happy to construct the rehearsal schedule around reasonable conflicts.       

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will be planned around the schedules of the actors who accept roles in the show. In general, there will be two weekday evening and one weekend afternoon rehearsal each week, beginning in late June or early July and continuing until tech week in mid-September.

SEEKING:

The cast will consist of 20 - 30 actors. Again, these characters are generally fish, so all roles are open to anyone. The only exception is age: we will consider only actors of age 16 and up for the principal vocal roles as described below. All roles are Non-equity and unpaid.

CHARACTER INFORMATION:

• SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Our hero, an eternally optimistic, hard-working sea sponge who loves his town, his job, his friends, and his pet snail. Joyful and child-like, sometimes naïve, but never stupid. Need an excellent singer with high tenor range, a ton of energy, and the ability to sell comedy with physical movement and facial expressions.
• Patrick Star
  • SpongeBob’s best friend, a loyal, simple starfish unburdened by a complex central nervous system. He is an eternal sidekick and wingman, and never really spends much time thinking about his place in the ocean, or at all. Need a strong singer with a wide range.
• Sandy Cheeks
  • Sandy is a genius inventor, karate enthusiast, native Texan, and squirrel in a diving suit. She’s more practical, focused, and realistic than SpongeBob or Patrick, but she’s also a thrill-seeker and adventurer who never met a risk she wouldn’t take. Need a very strong singer with a solid medium belt.
• Squidward Tentacles
  • Imagine if Dwight Schrute and Niles Crane had a baby who grew up to be a fast foot cashier and also an octopus. And also Ethel Merman sometimes a little. Hey, Squidward is a complicated guy; he contains multitudes. Character voice with baritone range. Ability (or at least willingness to attempt) to tap dance is a plus but not required. Clarinet proficiency is definitely not necessary but we will be duly impressed if you play the clarinet at your audition.
• Eugene H. Krabs
  • Mr. Krabs is the owner and operator of Bikini Bottom’s most popular dining establishment, the Krusty Krab. He loves money, his daughter Pearl, money, his work, money, the wailing and lamentations of his enemies, and money. Needs a big, boisterous, vaguely pirate-y character voice and the ability to make amoral greediness seem kind of cuddly.
• Pearl Krabs
  • Mr. Krabs’ daughter is a teenage whale who is possibly the most intelligent character in Bikini Bottom (she has the largest brain!) but is prone to fits of intense emotion. One day she dreams of being the lead singer in a rock and roll band, but for now is unhappily the heir to her father’s Krusty Krab franchise. Need an outstanding singer; Pearl can wail.
• Sheldon J. Plankton
  • A single-celled organism and rival to Mr. Krabs, Plankton is egotistical, aggressive, evil, and power-hungry. He also has some negative traits.
• Karen Plankton
  • Plankton’s wife Karen is a waterproof computer. She is just as devious, manipulative, and scheming as her husband, but perhaps a touch more practical and less outwardly aggressive. In this production, needs to do a bit of light beatboxing.
• The Fish Ensemble
  • This team of 8-10 performers will variously play the remaining adult roles. These include: the musical’s aggressively French narrator, Patchy the Pirate, the Mayor of Bikini Bottom, newscaster Perch Perkins, Mrs. Puff, Old Man Jenkins, an Aerosmith-style rock band, a cult of sardines, and a sea anemone chorus line. Need versatile performers who can sing, dance, or both.
• Children’s Ensemble
  • We are seeking 4-6 younger actors to round out the ensemble and play smaller roles throughout. 

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC

• THE MTM PLAYERS
• DIRECTOR: Rob Michael Lasky
• MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Joe Nappi
• CHOREOGRAPHER: Emily O’Sullivan

The MTM Players and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.  We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities, and abilities.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

In an island paradise during the Second World War, two Americans - a wide-eyed nurse and a promising young lieutenant - discover love and confront their own prejudices. 

AUDITION DATES & TIMES:

• Saturday, June 21, 2025 (1pm-6pm) - Lead & Singing roles/Children auditions - No dance auditions - Invites for Sunday dance auditions will be provided NOTE: IF YOU ARE SEEKING ENSEMBLE-ONLY, PLEASE SIGN-UP SUNDAY OR MONDAY. WE WILL NOT BE HOLDING SATURDAY DANCE AUDITIONS AT THIS TIME. IF YOU WISH TO AUDITION FOR A LEAD ROLE OR ENSEMBLE, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO RETURN SUNDAY OR MONDAY.
• Sunday, June 22, 2025 (6pm-10pm) - Dance/Ensemble auditions by invite or sign-up.
• Monday, June 23, 2025 (7pm-9:30pm) - All characters - song/dance/children
• Callbacks by invitation-only - Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (7pm)

Auditions will be held on the Mercer County Community College West Windsor Campus. Check the Kelsey Theatre sign board for a room location on the day of your audition and emails may be sent out the week preceding the audition dates.

MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor NJ 08550

APPOINTMENTS AND QUESTIONS:

YOU MUST SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION SLOT AT:

http://www.tinyurl.com/MTMSouthPacificAuditions

Walk-ins welcome, but we will see those with appointments first. Prepare to wait.

You can contact the director at: director@mtmplayers.org with any questions.

PREPARE:

Please be familiar with the show.

• 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show - upbeat or ballad depending on the role. Songs from the show are allowed and encouraged if you are seeking a specific role. Any Rodgers and Hammerstein song is encouraged as well for those not seeking a specific role or for the ensemble.
• Please bring clearly marked sheet music WITH accompaniment - No “a cappella” or pre-recorded music allowed. There will be an audition pianist provided.
• Unless specifically noted, be prepared to move: wear comfortable clothes for the dance call and bring appropriate soft shoes (sneakers, etc.) - NOTE: No dance auditions will be held on Saturday, June 21^st.
• The role of LIAT is a non-singing role and has a few lines and must be able to move and will be expected for a dance audition. No reading or monologue needed, but should prepare a song. Her few lines are spoken in French.
• Photo & Resume (if none available, we may take your photo and an application will be provided.) You can download the application and conflict calendar to bring here: http://www.mtmplayers.org/sp/spauditionpacket.pdf
• There are three non-singing speaking only male roles: CAPT. BRACKETT, CMDR. HARBISON & LT. BUZZ ADAMS. Sides will be provided for these three roles. See character descriptions for more details.
• The roles of NGANA & JEROME(MONIQUE) are middle-school aged children of AAPI-descent and sing one song, “Dites Moi”. We will provide music samples for this song so children interested can prepare. You will sing this song for the audition. We will seek a boy and a girl or two girls. Please email the director at director@mtmplayers.org after signing up to receive the music for your audition. Note: they only speak and sing in French. Any minor should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• For the principal roles of EMILE, NELLIE, CABLE, BILLIS, & BLOODY MARY: you will be required to sing a song from the character. Except for NELLIE & BILLIS, no dance audition needed unless you want to also be considered for ensemble.
• All other roles of NURSES/FRENCH WOMEN and SAILORS/SEABEES/MARINES must prepare a song as previously mentioned and for a dance audition. All supporting speaking roles will be cast from this pool of auditioners and you may be asked to do a cold reading from the script.
• Certain sides and music are available for download at the sign-up site and at this link: http://www.mtmplayers.org/sp/spauditionsides.pdf
• Be prepared to stay for the entire process which may be 30-60 minutes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL PERFORMERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 28^TH FROM 1PM UNTIL LATE (with a dinner-break).  DUE TO A DARK WEEKEND PRIOR TO OUR OPENING, LOAD-IN WILL BE ON THIS DATE.  WE WILL HAVE TWO WEEKS OF TECH ON STAGE DURING THIS TIME FROM SEPT. 28^TH - OCT. 9^TH.  WE WILL NOT BE REHEARSING EVERY DAY FROM SEPT. 28^TH-OCT 4^TH - WE WILL SCHEDULE REHEARSALS DUE TO PRE-DETERMINED CAST CONFLICTS. ALL PERFORMERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FINAL WEEK OF TECH OCT. 5^TH-9^TH. PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONFLICTS FOR THIS PERIOD AND BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE WHEN SIGNING UP.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will begin shortly after auditions and will be light (1 or 2 per week except for certain characters) during end of June and July.  We will focus mostly on learning the music during this time.  We will move to 3 rehearsals per week during mid-August as we lead up to tech weeks at the end of September. Please make sure you list your conflicts on your provided application conflict calendar as accurately as possible. We do not like non-emergency surprise conflicts.

SEEKING:

Roles are open to performers of all races, sexual orientations, body types, ages and abilities except where certain ethnicities are need for specific roles.  Certain roles are marked Tonkinese or Polynesian. In addition to the two children’s roles, we encourage older minors to audition as well - with parental permission.  We are striving to cast a diverse cast for this production. All are welcome!

All roles are Non-Equity, unpaid

CHARACTER INFORMATION

PLEASE PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE CHARACTER’S DESCRIPTIONS AND THE NOTED EXPECTATIONS (i.e. - speaking-only, dance-only, etc.)

• ENSIGN NELLIE FORBUSH - A nurse from Arkansas - light Southern accent. Must be comfortable with on stage intimacy with EMILE [Soprano, Ingénue Lead, A♭4-C6, Adult 20s-Mid30s] - AUDITION: DIALOGUE, SINGING, DANCE
• EMILE DE BECQUE - An expatriate French plantation owner - French accent - some lines in French. Must be comfortable with on stage intimacy with NELLIE. [Operatic Baritone/Bass, Belt, Lead, A2-E4, Adult Late 30s - Mid 50s..older than Nellie] - AUDITION: MONOLOGUE, SINGING
• BLOODY MARY - A Tonkinese native (AAPI), expert at trading with the military [Mezzo, Belt, G4-C6, Adult Mid-30s+] AUDITION: MONOLOGUE, SINGING
• LT. JOSEPH CABLE, USMC - A marine assigned for an important mission. Serious, young & mission-oriented. Must be comfortable with a short intimacy scene with LIAT. [Tenor, Ingénue Lead, D3-G4, Adult Early-Mid 20s] - AUDITION: DIALOGUE, SINGING
• LUTHER BILLIS - A sailor. High comedic chops. Animated, Brooklyn-accent a plus! Swindler-type. Rambunctious individual who doesn’t respect authority and is always in trouble with his superiors. Has a not-so-secret crush on NELLIE. Should be comfortable to be shirtless on stage. [Baritone, G2-D4, Adult, Age non-specific] - AUDITION: DIALOGUE, SINGING, DANCE
• NGANA & JEROME(MONIQUE) - Emile’s half-Polynesian children. Either a brother and sister or two sisters. Seeking AAPI children. Speaks and sings in French. [Children Soprano/Tenor range, D5-C6 (D4-C5) Children, adolescent or middle-school-aged] - AUDITION: SINGING “Dites Moi” provided in the audition packet
• LIAT - BLOODY MARY’S daughter. Limited French-dialogue. Tonkinese - Seeking AAPI actress. Must be comfortable with a short intimacy scene with LT. CABLE. May double as an ISLANDER [Non-singing role for LIAT, however will be singing with ensemble, Young Ingénue, Late teens] - AUDITION: DANCE/SINGING
• HENRY - Emile’s native servant. Role to be doubled as a sailor. Seeking AAPI actor. Speaks French. [Age non-specific. Can double as a sailor.] - AUDITION: SINGING, DANCE for both HENRY & A SAILOR.
• CAPT. GEORGE BRACKETT, USN - The highest-ranking officer. Brash, authoritative, confident. [Non-singing, Adult 50s+] - AUDITION: DIALOGUE/MONOLOGUE PROVIDED
• CMDR. WILLIAM HARBISON, USN - The second highest-ranking officer. Authoritative, confident. [Non-singing, Adult Mid 30s+] - AUDITION: DIALOGUE/MONOLOGUE PROVIDED
• LT. BUZZ ADAMS, USN - Navy flier.  [Non-singing, Adult Mid 20s+] - AUDITION: MONOLOGUE PROVIDED
• ENSEMBLE - large singing, dancing ensemble consisting of NURSES, ISLANDERS, OFFICERS, SAILORS, MARINES, SEABEES and SOLDIERS. Seeking diverse individuals - all welcome. Various speaking roles listed below to be chosen from the ENSEMBLE. [Age-ranges vary & non-specific-late teens and up. Soprano-range: C4-G6, Alto-range: C4-D6, Tenor-range: D3-A4, Baritone/Bass-range: D3-D4, One bass sailor to hit F#2-D4] - AUDITION: SINGING, DANCE (some may be asked to cold-read from the script for specific speaking roles)
•  
• ENSEMBLE SPEAKING ROLES AVAILBLE: STEWPOT, THE PROFESSOR, QUALE, RADIO OPERATOR, SHORE PATROLMAN, NURSE DINAH, NURSE JANET, LEAD NURSE.

PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE AUDITIONS...