Season 16 Auditions:
We are holding an additional audition date for those who could not make our auditions for West Side Story March 17 and 18. They will be held Tuesday, March 22nd at 7 pm at Bethal Baptist Church, 810 Edgemont Blvd 48917.
West Side Story Auditions will be 7-9pm on Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18.
We will be holding auditions for all roles and ethnicities for the musical West Side Story March 17 & 18, 2022, 7 pm, at Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing, 2395 Washington Road, Lansing 48911. There are roles for men ages 16-80 (4 male non-singing roles) and women ages 16-35.
This landmark musical will take to the streets of downtown Lansing in partnership with Downtown Lansing, Inc. on June 24, 25 & 26, 2022. Character descriptions, vocal ranges, and audition requirements below. Perusal scripts available by email at [email protected].
WHAT TO PREPARE:
- The Audition will consist of a singing element, dance element and readings from the script.
- Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars from a Broadway Musical, preferably in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music that includes a piano part. An accompanist will be provided.
- We will teach the dance combination at the audition.
- Perusal scripts can be obtained by emailing [email protected]
- Please bring a mask as it may be required for a portion of the audition. It will not be required to be worn when singing.
CAST
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Heavy
Character Breakdown
Riff
Riff is the leader of the Jets. He is full of life – he thrives as the center of attention and drives much of the action in the story. Though Riff is impulsive and brash, he is also intelligent, cares about the other Jets, and tries hard to be a good leader. Riff also has a wise-guy sense of humor and brings levity to the dire conflicts between the two gangs. Cast an excellent actor with great comic timing who can sing, dance, and command the stage in this crucial role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Diesel
Diesel is Riff’s lieutenant. He is big, slow, steady, and nice. Cast an actor in this role who is a solid singer and dancer with good stage presence.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Baby John
Baby John is the youngest Jet. He is in awe of everything and desperately wants to impress the other Jets. It’s best if Baby John reads as younger than the other gang members onstage.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
A-Rab
A-Rab is smaller in stature and takes nothing seriously – until something offends him, and then his anger is explosive. He’s right in the thick of the Jets’ hijinks.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Db3
Action
Action is the most violent of the Jets. A catlike ball of fury, he is always ready for a fight.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Big Deal
Big Deal is a bespectacled, self-styled expert on everything.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Snowboy and Geetar
Snowboy and Geetar are members of the jets.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Anybodys
Anybodys is a spunky tomboy who wants to be accepted into the Jets as a member.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20’s (age not a factor, she just needs a young appearance)
Tony
Tony is a former Jet and a romantic at heart. Though he still loves the Jets and his best friend Riff, he quit the gang and got a job, determined to have a future. Tony falls in love with Maria and dreams of their future together despite their places on opposite sides of the Jets/Sharks conflict. Tragically, instead of running away with Maria, Tony is killed. Cast a wonderful tenor and expressive actor in this heartbreaking role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Jet Girls
The Jet Girls are ladies who support the Jets. Cast as many performers in this ensemble as is appropriate for your production.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Velma
Velma is Riff’s girlfriend. She is slinky, slithery, and completely caught up in the glamor of being a Jet Girl. She should be a great dancer.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Graziella
Graziella is Diesel’s girlfriend. She is very confident, a bit headstrong, and should be a great dancer.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Bernardo
Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks. He is handsome, proud, confident, and has a chip on his shoulder. Bernardo takes his position very seriously and feels responsible for helping the Sharks carve out their place in New York City. He also cares deeply for his fellow Sharks, especially his fiery girlfriend Anita and his sweet sister Maria. Cast a fantastic actor who sings well and experienced dancer in this role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Chino
Chino is shy, gentle, and sweet-faced – and the person Bernardo wants to marry his sister. Though Chino begins the story with a measure of naiveté, he is quickly caught up in the anger and hatred of the conflict between the rival gangs. Cast a good singer and actor in this role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Pepe
Pepe is Bernardo’s lieutenant. He is proud, strong, and ready to fight. Cast an actor in this role who is a good dancer with a good stage presence.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Indio
Indio is a member of the Sharks.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Shark Girls
The Shark Girls are ladies who support the Sharks. Cast as many performers in this ensemble as is appropriate for your production.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Anita
ANITA is Maria’s friend and Bernardo’s girlfriend. She is strong and world-wise, with a sharp tongue and a flashy style. She deeply loves Bernardo and Maria and tries to shield Maria from the harsh truths of the world. Cast a confident actress and fantastic singer and dancer in this iconic role.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Maria
Maria is young, innocent, and optimistic about her life in America, but has an inner strength that shines painfully through by the end of the show. Maria falls instantly, completely in love with Tony – but as Bernardo’s younger sister, Tony is one of the worst people for whom she could have developed feelings. Maria’s journey is one of the most significant in the show. Cast a brilliant actress and dancer with a beautiful soprano singing voice who can embody Maria’s vulnerability and strength.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Consuela
Consuela is tough, young, bleached blonde, and brash. She is Pepe's girlfriend.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Rosalia
Rosalia is younger and more demure than Consuela. She is Indio’s girlfriend.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Fransisca
Fransisca is one of the Shark Girls. She is young and quirky.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: D4
ADULT NON-SINGING ROLES – If a singer is cast, they will be asked if they would like to sing the male group numbers off stage.
Schrank
Schrank is a plainclothes police officer. He is strong and very comfortable in command. Schrank has a pleasant, charming manner that is at odds with his hatred and bigotry.
Gender: Male
Officer Krupke
Officer Krupke is a goon-like beat cop. He is not very bright and often the butt of the joke.
Gender: Male
Doc
Doc is the owner of the store where Tony works and the Jets often meet. Doc is old-fashioned, wise, and tired out, but he tries to guide the Jets through their troubles.
Gender: Male
Glad Hand
Glad Hand is a “square:” a smiling, overly cheerful, and utterly out of touch youth director at a gym.
Gender: Male
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Heavy
Character Breakdown
Riff
Riff is the leader of the Jets. He is full of life – he thrives as the center of attention and drives much of the action in the story. Though Riff is impulsive and brash, he is also intelligent, cares about the other Jets, and tries hard to be a good leader. Riff also has a wise-guy sense of humor and brings levity to the dire conflicts between the two gangs. Cast an excellent actor with great comic timing who can sing, dance, and command the stage in this crucial role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Diesel
Diesel is Riff’s lieutenant. He is big, slow, steady, and nice. Cast an actor in this role who is a solid singer and dancer with good stage presence.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Baby John
Baby John is the youngest Jet. He is in awe of everything and desperately wants to impress the other Jets. It’s best if Baby John reads as younger than the other gang members onstage.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
A-Rab
A-Rab is smaller in stature and takes nothing seriously – until something offends him, and then his anger is explosive. He’s right in the thick of the Jets’ hijinks.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Db3
Action
Action is the most violent of the Jets. A catlike ball of fury, he is always ready for a fight.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Big Deal
Big Deal is a bespectacled, self-styled expert on everything.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: E3
Snowboy and Geetar
Snowboy and Geetar are members of the jets.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Anybodys
Anybodys is a spunky tomboy who wants to be accepted into the Jets as a member.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20’s (age not a factor, she just needs a young appearance)
Tony
Tony is a former Jet and a romantic at heart. Though he still loves the Jets and his best friend Riff, he quit the gang and got a job, determined to have a future. Tony falls in love with Maria and dreams of their future together despite their places on opposite sides of the Jets/Sharks conflict. Tragically, instead of running away with Maria, Tony is killed. Cast a wonderful tenor and expressive actor in this heartbreaking role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Jet Girls
The Jet Girls are ladies who support the Jets. Cast as many performers in this ensemble as is appropriate for your production.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Velma
Velma is Riff’s girlfriend. She is slinky, slithery, and completely caught up in the glamor of being a Jet Girl. She should be a great dancer.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Graziella
Graziella is Diesel’s girlfriend. She is very confident, a bit headstrong, and should be a great dancer.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Bernardo
Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks. He is handsome, proud, confident, and has a chip on his shoulder. Bernardo takes his position very seriously and feels responsible for helping the Sharks carve out their place in New York City. He also cares deeply for his fellow Sharks, especially his fiery girlfriend Anita and his sweet sister Maria. Cast a fantastic actor who sings well and experienced dancer in this role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Chino
Chino is shy, gentle, and sweet-faced – and the person Bernardo wants to marry his sister. Though Chino begins the story with a measure of naiveté, he is quickly caught up in the anger and hatred of the conflict between the rival gangs. Cast a good singer and actor in this role.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Pepe
Pepe is Bernardo’s lieutenant. He is proud, strong, and ready to fight. Cast an actor in this role who is a good dancer with a good stage presence.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Indio
Indio is a member of the Sharks.
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 20’s
Shark Girls
The Shark Girls are ladies who support the Sharks. Cast as many performers in this ensemble as is appropriate for your production.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Anita
ANITA is Maria’s friend and Bernardo’s girlfriend. She is strong and world-wise, with a sharp tongue and a flashy style. She deeply loves Bernardo and Maria and tries to shield Maria from the harsh truths of the world. Cast a confident actress and fantastic singer and dancer in this iconic role.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Maria
Maria is young, innocent, and optimistic about her life in America, but has an inner strength that shines painfully through by the end of the show. Maria falls instantly, completely in love with Tony – but as Bernardo’s younger sister, Tony is one of the worst people for whom she could have developed feelings. Maria’s journey is one of the most significant in the show. Cast a brilliant actress and dancer with a beautiful soprano singing voice who can embody Maria’s vulnerability and strength.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Consuela
Consuela is tough, young, bleached blonde, and brash. She is Pepe's girlfriend.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Rosalia
Rosalia is younger and more demure than Consuela. She is Indio’s girlfriend.
Gender: Female
Age: 16 to 20’s
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Fransisca
Fransisca is one of the Shark Girls. She is young and quirky.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: D4
ADULT NON-SINGING ROLES – If a singer is cast, they will be asked if they would like to sing the male group numbers off stage.
Schrank
Schrank is a plainclothes police officer. He is strong and very comfortable in command. Schrank has a pleasant, charming manner that is at odds with his hatred and bigotry.
Gender: Male
Officer Krupke
Officer Krupke is a goon-like beat cop. He is not very bright and often the butt of the joke.
Gender: Male
Doc
Doc is the owner of the store where Tony works and the Jets often meet. Doc is old-fashioned, wise, and tired out, but he tries to guide the Jets through their troubles.
Gender: Male
Glad Hand
Glad Hand is a “square:” a smiling, overly cheerful, and utterly out of touch youth director at a gym.
Gender: Male