Hairspray Audition--UPDATED

Audition notice for HAIRSPRAY

Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show.^[1] When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, April 13 @ 10:00 a.m. and Monday, April 15 @ 6:30 p.m.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: All those auditioning will be asked to sing 16-32 bars of a song of their choice along with a selected scene reading, which will be provided at the audition.  Short dance piece may be required.

LOCATION: Duncan Lake Middle School in the Performing Arts Center

Cast size: Large (over 20)

Cast Type:Ensemble Cast - Many featured roles, Ethnic Roles, Older Role(s), Star Vehicle - Female, Star Vehicle - Male, Strong/Large Chorus, Teenage Roles

Dance requirement: There are a number of dances throughout the show--1960s "American Bandstand"

Character Breakdown

AMBER VON TUSSLE
Link’s girlfriend and Tracy’s nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can’t dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention.
Range: A3 - F5

CORNY COLLINS
The charismatic host of the Corny Collins’ Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera.
Range: D4 - A5

EDNA TURNBLAD
Tracy’s big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Usually played by a male in drag.
Range: F3 - G5

ENSEMBLE
CORNY COLLINS' KIDS (TAMMY, BRAD, BRENDA, SKETCH, SHELLEY, etc.); STUDENTS; HOOKERS; PROTESTORS

LINK LARKIN
The star heartthrob on Corny Collins’ show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy.
Range: G3 - A5

MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE
Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin’s Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident.
Range: F3 - E5

PENNY PINGLETON
Tracy’s best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother’s dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity.
Range: A3 - G5

PRUDY PINGLETON
Penny’s strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded.
Range: D4 - B4

SEAWEED J. STUBBS
Tracy’s classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny.
Range: F3 - D5

TRACY TURNBLAD
Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends.
Range: G3 - G5

VELMA VON TUSSLE
Amber’s mother and the director of Corny Collin’s show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing.
Range: G3 - E5

WILBUR TURNBLAD
Tracy’s simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much.
Range: A3 - A5

If you have any questions, please contact director Adrienne Brown at adriennebrown08@yahoo.com.