Auditions for Chicago: Teen Edition - Extended deadline!

Ballyhoo Theatre

About the project and the company

Chicago: Teen Edition

Based on the 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, and set in roaring twenties Chicago, the musical follows Roxie Hart, whose crime of passion lands her on Merry Murderesses Row, sharing the spotlight with vaudeville icon and fellow felon Velma Kelly. To keep their names in the headlines and themselves off death row, Roxie and Velma ultimately join forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal. Chicago: Teen Edition has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Music by John Kander and Lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Ballyhoo’s Summer Intensive is designed for advanced students ready to tackle the higher demands and expectations of more challenging material in a pre-professional setting. The Performance Intensive gives students an opportunity to explore the experience of high caliber performance with professional artists. Please be advised that this production contains strong language and explores mature themes. Chicago Teen Edition is rated PG-13.

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This is tuition based, educational theatre. Tuition is $375.00. No one will be kept from being cast because of their inability to pay tuition. Partial and full scholarships are available.

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Ages 13-21 (younger/older with permission). Acceptance is by audition only.

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Rehearsals will be (primarily) at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Tech/performance venue is The Black Box at Edmonds College.

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Ballyhoo strives to create a casting process that is welcoming and serves those auditioning as well as the creative team in the full exploration of the material. All body types, races, ethnicities, and abilities are desired for any available role. Ballyhoo recognizes that most characters are written as binary (using he/him or she/her pronouns) and we invited GNC, genderqueer, transgender, and nonbinary actors to submit for the roles with which they identify.

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All rehearsals and performance will be in person. We will be following all Covid-19 State safety guidelines, and will update them as needed during the process. The safety of our students, creative staff, crew and audiences are paramount.

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At Ballyhoo Theatre our focus is education and inclusion. We celebrate people of every gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and ability. We strive, always, to address and maintain a space that works towards anti-racism and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and acknowledges when we fall short. We work to create a safe and inclusive space for young performers to be seen and joyously accepted, and to explore, learn and thrive.

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Please email with any questions or to request audition forms: ballyhoo.theatre@gmail.com

Location of Audition

In-person callback location TBD.

Audition requirements

Initial video auditions: Due no later than midnight May 17, 2023. Prepare a verse/chorus (no longer than 2 minutes) of a musical theatre song and a short monologue. Callbacks will be in person May 20-21. For those out of town, a video submission for callbacks is acceptable. Please email your video submissions to ballyhoo.theatre@gmail.com. For more information email ballyhoo.theatre@gmail.com or call 425-345-0991.

Character breakdown / Project needs

VELMA KELLY

Vaudeville performer who is accused of murdering her sister and husband in a fit of jealous rage. Velma is always looking out for Number One—herself. She’s smart, confident, and assertive, and she likes being the center of attention—that is, until Roxie Hart shows up.

ROXIE HART:

Becomes a celebrity overnight when the news of Fred Casely’s death gets picked up by the papers. Formerly dissatisfied with her life, Roxie revels in her newfound fame. Roxie is resourceful, cunning, and willing to do anything to stay out of jail.

BILLY FLYNN

Best criminal lawyer in Chicago. He revels in the fast-paced world of criminal defense, thrives by thinking on his feet, and trusts his ability to spin every situation to his client’s (and his) advantage. He is a master manipulator with a ton of charisma and charm.

AMOS HART:

Roxie’s hard-working husband. While Amos isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, he truly loves Roxie and wants what’s best for her. Though at first he is angry at her betrayal, he's willing to forgive her for the sake of their family.

MATRON "MAMA" MORTON

Leader of the prisoners of Cook County Jail. The total essence of corruption. Accepts bribes and favors to make calls to lawyers. She is shrewd and business savvy. For Matron Mama Morton, it all comes down to money, and who can make it for her

LIZ/ENSEMBLE

Prisoner at Cook County Jail. She is imprisoned after shooting two warning shots into her husband’s head. One of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. Soloist in Cellblock Tango (“Pop”).

ANNIE/ENSEMBLE

Prisoner at the Cook County Jail. Murder’s her lover after finding out he already has six wives. One of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. Soloist in Cellblock Tango (“Six”).

JUNE/ENSEMBLE

Prisoner at Cook County Jail. After her husband accuses her of infidelity with the milk man, he mysteriously runs into her knife ten times. One of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. Soloist in Cellblock Tango (“Squish”).

HUNYAK/ENSEMBLE

Hungarian Prisoner at Cook County Jail. The only English she speaks is the phase, “Not Guilty.” Which follows her to her grave. One of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. Must be able to memorize and perform lines in Hungarian (“Uh uh”).

MONA/ENSEMBLE

Prisoner at Cook County Jail. Murders her lover after he has a round of affairs with other people. One of the six merry murderesses of Cook County Jail. Soloist in Cellblock Tango (“Lipschitz”).

MARY SUNSHINE/ENSEMBLE

Sob sister reporter from the Evening Star. Believes there is a little bit of good in everyone and will believe anything she is fed that matches her beliefs.

FRED CASELY/ENSEMBLE

Roxie’s short lived lover. Murdered for trying to leave Roxie.

SERGEANT FOGARTY/ENSEMBLE

Assigned to Roxie’s case. After asking the right questions, he manages to get Roxie to confess.

VARIOUS CHARACTERS/ENSEMBLE

A very active singing/dancing ensemble!

Additional information

Preferred method of submission

Audition/Interview dates

Initial audition videos due April 21.

Pay type

None

Audition location

Edmonds WA

Pay type

None - Educational Theatre None - Educational Theatre

Callbacks or second audition/interview?

May 20-21 in person.

Union Requirements

Non-Union

Website specific to project

https://ballyhootheatre.org/

Equity Contract

None