🎭 Gender & Casting Notes

This production welcomes actors of all gender identities and expressions. All roles are open to actors of any gender, but some must be portrayed with specific gender presentations, in keeping with the story’s period setting and character dynamics.

We understand and respect the distinction between drag performance (a theatrical, often exaggerated exploration of gender) and trans identity (a lived experience of gender). Both have a place in this production, but are treated differently based on the tone and intent of each role.

Here’s how that plays out:

🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️ Roles with fixed gender presentation
          (Freddy, Mabel, Pirate King, Sergeant, Kate, Edith, Pepper, Piper, Lefty, Righty)

Some characters must be perceived in-universe as male or female, regardless of the actor’s identity. For these roles, we’re looking for actors who can convincingly portray the character’s gender through physicality, voice, and costuming.

⚖️ A character exploring gender norms
(Sam)

One key character is a biologically female individual who dresses and behaves in traditionally masculine ways, while still identifying as female. In the time of the play, she might have been called a tomboy; today, she may read as gender-nonconforming or fluid. We welcome interpretations that honor both the era and the complexity—whether as a spirited tomboy or a proto-fluid figure navigating gender before modern language existed.

👩‍✈️ A powerful woman—funny, fierce, and flexible
(Matron-General Stanley)

This role is a commanding, no-nonsense woman in a position of authority. She is 100% woman (and would insist on it), though some may see her as “masculine” due to her strength and severity. She’s also comedic—not because she tries to be funny, but because her intensity and decisions are sometimes outlandish. This character can be played earnestly by a cis woman, trans woman, or non-binary actor—or may be performed as a heightened drag role in a panto or camp tradition. All approaches are valid if grounded in respect for the character. (Maggie Smith would eat this role up -- and so would RuPaul)

🤡 Comic male roles—fun potential for drag king energy?
(Uncle Albert, Officers Richard, D'oyly, and Carte)

Several supporting male characters—old men, buffoonish cops, etc.—are broad comic types. These can be played by male actors or drag kings and performers using intentional gender parody. These roles benefit from bold physicality and exaggerated masculinity, and we’re open to interpretations that play with gender stereotypes for comic effect.

TL;DR

All genders are welcome to audition. Some roles require presenting a fixed gender for story purposes; others invite creative or theatrical interpretations. Whether you play a character who shares your gender or not, and whether you then play their gender authentically or through parody, we seek performances that are bold, clear, and respectful of both the story and the world of the play.

Questions? Reach out to Dr. John-Michael Sefel at jsefel@hfcc.edu