the Penny Seats 2024 General Auditions
The Penny Seats will hold general auditions LIVE, IN PERSON, on Sunday, February 4, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Sign up for an audition slot here.
Video submissions will also be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on February 4. Please e-mail your submissions to thepennyseats@gmail.com, attaching a link to your submission.
If auditioning for non-musicals only, please prepare your favorite 1-2 minute monologue. If auditioning for the musical, please prepare one 1-2 minute monologue and one song in the style of the show. (Karaoke accompaniment is fine; songs from the show are fine but not required.) Please also bring a resume and recent headshot, or submit them alongside a video audition.
Callbacks will occur seasonally on a rolling basis; see callback dates below. Directors will reach out regarding callbacks after general auditions have concluded.
All roles are paid. Actor honorarium is set at $500. Although the character descriptions below typically contain binary (male/female) descriptors, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible. We encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with. Further, actors of all races, genders, and ethnicities, as well as actors with disabilities, are exuberantly encouraged to audition. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at thepennyseats@gmail.com if you have any questions.
THE FOLLOWING 2024 SEASON DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
BEEHIVE, A MUSICAL BY LARRY GALLAGHER
Callbacks: Sunday, March 10
Rehearsals begin: Monday, July 8
Performances: August 8-24
Synopsis: Beehive matches big voices with big hairdos. From Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin, Beehive is a wailing musical tribute to the ladies who unmistakably left their mark on ‘60s music. Rock out with "Respect," "Natural Woman," "My Boyfriend's Back," "One Fine Day," "Downtown" and more!
Character Descriptions:
WANDA (18+) - A strong actress as well as singer. She carries the bulk of the dialogue and narration throughout the revue. She is a leader - strong, powerful and engaging. She must have the ability to interact comfortably with the audience;
JASMINE (18+) - She portrays Diana Ross of the Supremes as well as the lead singer of the Chiffons, Judy Craig. Sings songs "One Fine Day," "Where Did Our Love Go?" "Come See About Me," and others;
LAURA (18+) - Portrays Janis Joplin; Lulu and others. Sings songs "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "To Sir With Love," "Piece of My Heart," "Try," "Me and Bobby McGee," and others;
ALLISON (18+) - Of the six actresses, Alison has the most lyrical warm voice. She sings songs "Downtown," "Where the Boys Are," "Society's Child," "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and others;
PATTIE (18+) - Sings the songs "It's My Party," "You Don't Own Me," "Wishin' and Hopin'," and others;
GINA (18+) - Portrays Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and the lead singer of the Starlets. Sings songs "I Sold My Heart to a Junkman," "A Fool in Love," "Proud Mary," "Respect," and others.
USHER, BY JOHN SOUSANIS
Callbacks: Sunday, May 5
Rehearsals begin: Monday, September 9
Performances: October 10 – 26
Synopsis: Usher is an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s masterful tale of haunted madness. Written by celebrated Michigan author John Sousanis, Usher explores the decaying home of a once-prosperous family. Roderick and Madeline are the last of the legendary Usher clan, and have invited a long-absent friend to their macabre mansion. Happy reunions quickly take a dark turn as familial horrors both real and imagined rise up to claim the last of the line. Will the visitor be able to save his beloved friends from the encroaching darkness, or are the Ushers and their house destined to fall?
Character Descriptions:
RODERICK USHER (20s-30s) - A tortured soul, Roderick is obsessed with his family legacy, and with protecting his sister from the world.
MADELINE USHER (20s-30s) - Roderick’s twin sister. Haunted and haunting, she longs for freedom but feels bound to her brother.
THE VISITOR (20s-30s) - The Ushers’ childhood friend, who comes to the family mansion for a visit after a long absence.
THE MEN OF SHERWOOD, BY JOSEPH ZETTELMAIER
Callbacks: Sunday, June 16
Rehearsals begin: Monday, October 21
Performances November 22 - December 8
Synopsis: Once, they were Little John, Friar Tuck, Alan-a-Dale, and Will Scarlet. Now they are the last of Robin Hood’s band of rogues, and they think their battles are behind them. Long dead are Robin, Marian, King Richard, and the Sheriff. With Will Scarlet newly freed after years of imprisonment, they all gather at Rufford Abbey to drink wine and remember better days. But for one of them, the battle is far from over. They must face what it means to be a legend, and what happens to warriors who outlive their wars.
Character Descriptions:
ABBOT EDWARD TUCK (50s): a Cistercian monk and abbot of Rufford Abbey, once Friar Tuck
JOHN LITTLE (50s): a forester, once Little John
SIR ALAN CLARE (50s): a minor noble and landowner, once Alan-A-Dale
WILLIAM GAMWELL (40s): a recently-freed prisoner, once Will Scarlet