Staff note: We will announce other staff positions as they are approved! We anticipate having a full staff by auditions.
Director - Anthony Greer
Assistant Director - Deb Shippy
Music Director - Tyler Belanger
Assistant Music Director - Cynthia Sanger
Choreographer - Harper Clark
Producer - Troy Stark
SpongeBob SquarePants is the musical adaptation of Nickelodeon’s long-running animated children’s sitcom of the same name. We find ourselves in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, inhabited by happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his equally quirky circle of friends and neighbors. SpongeBob’s pleasant existence is abruptly interrupted when it is discovered that Mt. Humongous, a nearby volcano, will erupt within the next 48 hours and completely obliterate Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope.
Though SpongeBob SquarePants is incredibly fun and family-friendly, its timeless story of identity, crisis, and community is also a witty allegory that examines and critiques the politics of the modern era, and it does so in such a way where children will appreciate and understand the plot line, while adults can read between the lines and extract even more from the musical’s message. SpongeBob SquarePants features an eclectic score of music, each song having been written by a different musical artist with the purposes of recreating the type of musical hodgepodge exhibited by the original television series.
We ask that all individuals be at least 14 years of age or older at the time of auditions. We will not consider anyone under 14 during the casting process.
Casting note #1: The original Broadway production had a cast of 21 with extensive doubling. We plan to have a cast of 25-30, so featured and ensemble characters will play multiple roles. There will never be a dull moment!
Casting note #2: The writers of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL encourage diversity in casting. The ages and descriptions found below are general guidelines. Audition for the character for which you believe you are best suited!
Principal
EUGENE H. KRABS Baritone (B2-Bb4) Age: 40s-50s. Male presenting. The greedy owner of the Krusty Krab, and employer of SpongeBob and Squidward. While everyone is off panicking about Bikini Bottom's imminent doom, Eugene decides to strike the iron while it's hot and puts on a huge "apocalypse sale" at the restaurant, exploiting the fear of fellow fish to make its owner even richer.
PATRICK STAR Baritone (Bb2-Bb4) Age: 20s-30s. Male presenting. Patrick is kind and well-intentioned, but lacking common sense or skills. An innocent who is a big softie and also be prone to sudden child-like fits of rage or frustration.
SANDY CHEEKS MezzoSoprano, Alto (A3-E5) Age: 20s-30s. Female presenting. A brainy and athletic Texan squirrel who came to Bikini Bottom for a research project. Sandy acts as SpongeBob's most trusted ally on their quest to stop the volcano from erupting, using the vast amount of scientific knowledge and brilliant inventions to aid the mission. Southern dialect required.
SHELDON J. PLANKTON Tenor (B2-G#4) Age: 20s-40s. Male presenting. Sheldon’s personality outweighs their slick, scheming, nefarious determination. Sheldon has the ability to charm and will do anything to get ahead in life. Sheldon can be very greedy, but his heart is still open enough to rekindle a romance with his wife. This character will need to dance and rap skills are a plus.
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Tenor (C3-B4) Age: 20s-30s. Male presenting. SpongeBob is optimistic, innocent, and boyish; energetic and sometimes hyperactive. This actor should have the ability to move well and be an extremely physical actor. This is a highly physical role (tumbling, yoga, dance an asset). Additionally, must be naturally funny and have great comedic skills and precision. Strong pop tenor.
SQUIDWARD Q. TENTACLES Tenor (A2-F#4) Age: 20s-40s. Male presenting. A grumpy, cynical, dry, short-tempered, generally negative but lovable character. This Actor must move well; tap and or step dancing skills is a plus.
Supporting
KAREN THE COMPUTER Soprano, MezzoSoprano (G#3-F#5) Age: 20s-40s. Female presenting. Karen is glamorous, a robotic housewife of Plankton. She's been there for Plankton's every scheme and plot and has become jaded (i.e.. she's been there and done that). Strong comic actress, as well as singer and mover.
PEARL KRABS MezzoSoprano (Bb3-F#5) Age: Teens-20s. Female presenting. Mr. Krabs' bratty teenage daughter. She is obsessed with the rock band “The Electric Skates” and just wants her father’s understanding. She has a big voice and an even bigger personality. This is a character role with Gospel vocal overtones.
Featured
MAYOR OF BIKINI BOTTOM Soprano, MezzoSoprano (F#4-B5). Female presenting. The Mayor tries to solve the volcano crisis with big words and speeches, but not much action. They are more worried about getting re-elected than actually helping the town.
PATCHY THE PIRATE/NARRATOR Baritone (D3-F4 [F5 falsetto]). Male presenting. The French pirate who narrates the play. This actor should have a lot of charisma and charm to keep the audience entertained, as well as excellent diction to accompany their French accent.
PERCH PERKINS Bass (E2-E4). Male Presenting. Bikini Bottom’s News Reporter.
Ensemble
This is just a small example of characters in this ensemble heavy show. Actors will fill out the world of Bikini Bottom as sea creatures, town fish, sardines, a chorus of sponges, and an angry mob. A few Ensemble roles are listed below:
ELECTRIC SKATES (various ranges). Male presenting. The three members of the rock band the Electric Skates are larger than life rockstars. These actors should have a tough, punk-rock attitude. Actors who can skate/move and/or do tumbling a plus.
LARRY THE LOBSTER Tenor, Baritone, Bass. Male presenting. A body builder, obsessed with looks and building muscle. ALWAYS working out. Also voices GARY THE SNAIL.
MRS. PUFF Soprano, MezzoSoprano, Alto. The town driving instructor. She is sassy, sarcastic, and bitter. The glass is always half-empty.
OLD MAN JENKINS Tenor, Baritone, Bass. Male presenting. The oldest Boomer in all of Bikini Bottom.
SARDINES/SARDINE DEVOTEES (various ranges). Male and female presenting. Leaders of the School of Sardines. They lead the group of sardines to follow Patrick as their guru. Big singing voices, and quirky personalities a plus.
OTHERS: SECURITY GUARDS, TEEN FANS, KRABBY PATTY FISH, BUSTER BLUETANG, COWBOY FISH, GIRL FISH TRIO, JOHNNY THE BARTENDER, ASSORTED SEA CREATURES.
Dancing/Movement Specific
Movement note: Most characters will be dancing throughout the show. The following roles have specific responsibilities and will be cast from the ensemble.
B.F.F. LETTERS Literally the letters B, F, F who sing and dance along with SpongeBob during the number “B.F.F.”
PLANKTON'S BACKUP DANCERS Hip hop/rock dancers for "When the Going Gets Tough" and "I'm Who I Am".
SEA ANEMONES These tap dancers become the big chorus line ensemble for Squidward in his imagination. Tap experience a plus.
All who audition should prepare 16-32 bars, roughly 45-60 sec, of a COMEDIC song that best suits their voice and desired role(s). Songs from the show are welcome, but we welcome songs from any musical. Please bring sheet music for the accompanist, no recorded music or acapella singing will be allowed. Sheet music should be marked so the accompanist can easily understand desired cuts and tempsos. If no music is prepared for auditions and/or no sheet music is provided for the accompanist, auditionees will be asked to perform a provided excerpt from "The Star Spangled Banner".
Your vocal audition should be performed “in character”! We not only need to see your vocal abilities, but also your ability to portray a character. Show us energy, personality, emotion and story-telling ability!
After the singing and dance portions of the audition, we may ask certain individuals to stay behind and read sides from the show.
Dance note: Everyone is expected to participate in the general dance audition regardless of character preferences.
The general dance and tap combinations will be uploaded to the Quad City Music Guild website two weeks before auditions. The general dance combination will be choreographed to music from the show in a variety of styles. Seeing as how this musical showcases
Click through the months to see our tentative schedule. We will provide a more detailed calendar at auditions.
Are you interested in participating in the pit orchestra, stage crew, or set building? Complete the Google Form below and we will get back to you!
