Hairspray 2022 Audition Information and Materials

IMPORTANT DATES for HAIRSPRAY, THE MUSICAL:

SHOW DATES ARE APRIL 21, 22, AND 23!  BE SURE YOU'RE AVAILABLE!

Check the calendar for rehearsals you are 'called to' once the cast and crew roles have been announced.

CREW: Mondays until February 28; Mondays and Thursdays in March; every day after Spring Break

CAST: Daily, depending on role 4:05-5:30 through March; all cast every day after Spring Break until 6:30 and dance mornings: Mondays and Fridays 8:00-9:00AM


AUDITION CHARACTER PREPARATION:

From MTI's Website: Hairspray, JR. Information*:

*gender descriptions for those interested in auditioning have been changed to show we accept any gender for any role*

Character Breakdown

Tracy Turnblad

Tracy Turnblad is a young lady with big hair and an even bigger personality! She is the hero of our story and she is sweet but also strong in her convictions. She is bigger in size than the other girls, but she isn't shy about it - she can still dance with the best of them! Make sure to cast an excellent singer, dancer and actor, but most importantly, cast a young performer who has wonderful stage presence and can easily capture the audience's hearts. 

Corny Collins

Corny Collins, the host of "The Corny Collins Show," is a Baltimore celebrity. Foremost, Corny is a charmer, so be sure to cast a young performer with great energy and who is unafraid of being in the center spotlight. Corny should be both an experienced singer and have strong acting skills. 

Edna Turnblad

Edna Turnblad is Tracy's loving mother who doesn't spend much time outside the house. She works days and nights as a laundress in her home, and her lack of social interaction has made her a bundle of nerves. This is a fantastic role for someone with great acting chops who can transform into an older character. Edna should be a proficient singer and be willing to sell it with strong character choices.  

Wilbur Turnblad

Wilbur Turnblad is Edna's loving husband and Tracy's supportive father who just wants the best for his girls. This is a good role for a new performer. Make sure the person playing Wilbur complements Edna. It can be fun to cast a Wilbur who is significantly smaller in stature than Edna for some great physical comedy! 

Penny Pingleton

Penny Pingleton is Tracy's fun and sheltered sidekick. She is a young lady caught between her mother's very strict rules and her own wants and desires to be just another teenage girl. This is a good role for someone with a sweet voice and great comedic instincts.

Prudy Pingleton

Prudy Pingleton is a fun role for a performer who can really jump headfirst into a character role. She is Penny's eccentric but loving mother, who wants the best for her daughter but is extreme in her means. Prudy should be a good performer, capable of capturing the conflict of being a caring mother who can't help but be overprotective. 

Amber Von Tussle

Amber Vontussle is a prom queen nightmare! She is definitely "The Corny Collins Show" favorite, but she is competitive and has a bad attitude. Amber is a great performer, so cast a young person who can do it all.

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: C4

Velma Von Tussle

Velma Von Tussle is a carbon copy of Amber - just twenty years older and meaner! She is most concerned with making sure her daughter wins Miss Teenage Baltimore. Cast someone who is unafraid of being a little bit evil and who can make bold acting choices.

Link Larkin

Link Larkin is Baltimore's biggest heartthrob, and Tracy's dream guy. Link is considered the best performer in town, so cast someone who is a triple threat - great acting, singing and dancing skills. They should have a lot of charisma and a sparkle in their eye. Think of any teenage idol who is able to reduce teenagers to tears - there's your person! 

Seaweed J. Stubbs

Seaweed J. Stubbs is the object of Penny's affections, and together, they are determined to defy the segregation laws of the 1960s. Seaweed can do it all! This is a great role for an experienced performer who can sing, dance and act well.

Little Inez Stubbs

Little Inez Stubbs is Seaweed's little sister and a great breakout role. Little Inez gets her moment in the spotlight, so be sure to cast someone who is a great singer and dancer. Cast someone with a quiet exterior who can and will be bold when the opportunity comes.

Motormouth Maybelle

Motormouth Maybelle is a soulful part for a performer who can play an older age. In this story, she is the face of the Civil Rights Movement and sings the beautiful anthem, "I Know Where I've Been." Cast a performer with a great voice and more importantly, someone who has strong stage presence.

The Dynamites

The Dynamites (Judine, Kamilah and Shayna) are a dynamic musical trio, iconic of the Motown era and the 1960s. Think the Supremes. Cast three young performers who are advanced singers and dancers who complement each other. They don't need to look alike, but cast a group that can be synchronous in their music and dance.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: E4

Mr. Pinky

Mr. Pinky owns a ladies' clothing shop and is a salesperson inside and out - he is always the first to give a compliment. This is a perfect character role for a young performer who may be new to the stage but has wonderful energy and acting potential.

Council Members

Brad, Tammy, Fender, Sketch, Shelley, IQ, Brenda and Lou Ann are the famed teenage performers on "The Corny Collins Show." This is a great opportunity to feature your best singers and dancers, as they'll have to emulate some of the most famous dance moves from the 1960s. Find kids with a lot of personality, and encourage them to be bold in their characterizations of each teenage performer.

Ensemble

Other standout ensemble roles include: Gym Teacher, Cindy Watkins, Matron, Principal, Lorraine, Gilbert, Thad, Duane, Stooie, Beatnik Chick, Male Guard, Guard, Newscaster and Council Members. These roles give more texture to the lively world of 1960s Baltimore. This is truly a story about communities intersecting, so be sure to remind all of your actors that each role matters.

See more at: 

https://www.mtishows.com/hairspray-jr




AUDITION PREPARATION:

Audition Expectations:

**To be involved in the show, you should be available most days of the week starting the 1st week of January until 5:30 and then until 7:00 after Spring Break.; we will also have dance mornings before school from 8:00-9:00 AM on Mondays and Fridays.

** The show dates are April 21-23.**

1.  These two forms must be filled out in order to audition for CAST and CREW, along w/ $60 Activities Fee brought to the audition/interview (cash or check made out to SVMS with DRAMA on the memo line):

2. All interested cast members will sing at auditions (you may audition with a group if you are not interested in a lead role); interested crew members will interview with Mr. Pearson.

SING: 

DANCE: TBD if we will need dance auditions (if so, Josh will create a dance video for you to learn and present in groups of 10-12 at auditions).  

ACT (at call backs): Actors will be given scripts to rehearse at call backs to see dynamics between different characters.  Scripts CAN be used in the audition. 

Callbacks:

We will inform everyone via email/post on website who we want to see/hear at callbacks:

1.  Please know a callback does not mean a lead or even a named part, but that we liked what we heard and saw and want to see/hear you again.  

2.  You will each sing again for us at the beginning of callbacks.  Please plan on moving for us while you sing.

3.  Some of you will be asked to sing again (and maybe again).  

4.  Some of you will be given a script to prepare a scene from and perform at callbacks.  

5.  Everyone who auditioned WILL be in the show and should plan on attending our 1st ALL cast and crew meeting.

Be sure you're available April 21, 22 and 23, 2022 for the FINAL PERFORMANCES!