KELSEY THEATRE OPEN AUDITIONS

Kelsey Forward Initiative is committed to actively assisting Kelsey Theatre in advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all productions and programs offered by the resident theatre companies. We acknowledge the need for growth and are committed to learning from our past mistakes. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities and abilities. 

 

The Kelsey Theatre has 10 different Theatre Companies that use our stage and their needs vary. Please read ALL audition notices through to see what is required and how to sign up for the audition.

SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE FOR CURRENT KELSEY THEATRE AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENTS.

If you would like to be added to our list to receive future audition notifications or usher information via email please fill out the blue form AT THIS LINK.

All auditions for Kelsey Theatre productions will be held on the Mercer County Community College unless stated otherwise in the announcement. Auditions are usually held in the College's Communications Building but please check the Kelsey Theatre sign boards for specific room locations.

USHERS FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE VOLUNTEER PAGE.

NOTE: sometimes your email host dings us as spam so you should periodically check your spam folder for emails from the Kelsey Theatre. 


BEAUTIFUL

The Carole King Musical

Songs by CAROLE KING & GERRY GOFFIN, BARRY MANN & CYNTHIA WEIL
Book by DOUGLAS MCGRATH
BEAUTIFUL is presented by arrangement with MTI.

 

Produced by PLAYFUL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Producers RUTH KRESGE, HILARY LEBOFF, NANCY RUSSELL, and SUZANNE SMITH
Directed by FRANK FERRARA
Musical Direction by SHANNON FERRARA

 

Playful Theatre Productions is proud to be a part of the Kelsey Forward Initiative, which is committed to actively assisting Kelsey Theatre in advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all productions and programs offered by the resident theatre companies. We acknowledge the need for growth and are committed to learning from our past mistakes. 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:

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a musical with a book by Douglas McGrath that tells the story of the early life and career of Carole King, using songs that she wrote, often together with Gerry Goffin, and other contemporary songs by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector and others. It spans the years between 1958 and 1971, and features some of the great acts – The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Righteous Brothers, and songs of the era, among them “So Far Away,” “Will You Still Love Me?,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Up on the Roof,” “The Locomotion,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”

PERFORMANCE DATES
Fridays, September 22 & 29, 2023 @ 8:00PM
Saturdays, September 23 & 30 @ 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays, September 24 & October 1 @ 2:00PM

All performances will be held at the Kelsey Theatre at the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ, 08550).

Most rehearsals will be held in the Communications (CM) Building adjacent to Kelsey Theatre. A small number of initial learning rehearsals will be scheduled in July, with the rehearsal schedule beginning in earnest (approximately 2 weeknights and 1 weekend day per week) in August.

 

SEEKING:

The cast of Beautiful will consists of approximately 17-21 adult performers (age 18 and up). A list of specific roles is provided below. Playful is actively seeking a cast that represents the diversity, energy, and creativity of the Brill Building in its prime.

 

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES:

In-person preliminary auditions will be held on the following dates:

 

If you would like to audition but are unable to make either date, pre-recorded auditions are welcome! Please contact us (see “Audition Appointments” below) to arrange for this. Callback auditions will be held by invitation for all roles as necessary.

 

AUDITION APPOINTMENTS:

Audition appointments are very strongly recommended for in-person auditions.

To schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944A4A928AAF58-beautiful.

If you have any questions, you may contact us by e-mail at frankcferrara@gmail.com.

 

If you wish to submit a pre-recorded audition, select the “Virtual Audition” option at the SignUpGenius link above; we will contact you by e-mail with information on your audition.

 

AUDITION PREPARATION:

Performers are asked to prepare approximately 2-3 minutes of music from any source; music in the style of the show (1960s-era pop/rock) is encouraged but not required. Songs from the show are fine! An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music in the key that you wish to perform (a capella auditions or recorded accompaniment cannot be accommodated). There will be no readings or dancing at the initial audition.

 

In addition to these audition materials, please bring a list of expected conflicts that is as comprehensive as possible. Headshot and resume, while welcome, are not required.

 

CHARACTER INFORMATION:

We are seeking 17-21 actors, including the 17 named roles defined below and up to 4 additional featured ensemble members.

 

A note on ages: Beautiful spans a period of 13 years (from 1958 through 1971), which means that all characters play themselves at several different ages. Accordingly, there is no particular age target listed for any roles; the roles of Don Kirshner and Genie Klein will be cast older than the principal roles, but otherwise we’re very flexible.

 

Ability to play an instrument is not required for any role (including Carole King).

 

Also, please note that the gender presentations of the characters below are those of the characters, not necessarily of the actors who play them.

 

Female Company

 

 

Male Company

 


 

MATILDA

(The Musical)

Book by Dennis Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Based on the book, Matilda by Roald Dahl
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

 www.MTIShows.com

  

Produced by Maurer Productions OnStage, Inc.
Director: Laurie Gougher
Music Director: Sue DenOuter
Choreographer:  Haley Schmalbach
Stage Manager: Beverly Kuo-Hamilton
 
Maurer Productions OnStage and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all productions and programs offered by the resident theater companies. We acknowledge the need for growth and are committed to learning from our past mistakes. 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
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
 
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her school teacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
 
 
PERFORMANCE DATES
Fridays, October 6 & 13 at 8pm
Saturdays, October 7 & 14 at 8pm
Sundays, October 8 & 15 at 2pm

  
AUDITION DATES AND TIMES
Saturday, June 24  - 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, June 25  - 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Callbacks by invitation only on Monday, June 26th
 
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. MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550
 
APPOINTMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Appointments are strongly suggested. Walk-ins will be taken as time allows.
 
Use this link to sign up for an audition slot: MPO Matilda Audition Sign Up
QUESTIONS?  Contact MPO at MPOMatilda@gmail.com


AUDITION PREPARATION

 
SEEKING
We are actively seeking performers of all races, gender identities, sexual orientations, body types, and abilities. All performers must be 7 years old by the date of auditions. Our priority is to create a diverse cast that captures the vibrant and wonderful imagination of Roald Dahl. All roles are non-equity, unpaid.
 
NOTE: There will be separate audition slots for children and adults/teens. Teenage auditioners should select the category that best represents their stage age.
 
Roles for Children (Stage Age 7-11)
Teen/Adult Roles (Ages 12+)
 

 
Rehearsals begin the first week in July. We are starting early to accommodate the conflicts created by summer vacations.

 


PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE AUDITIONS