West Side Story

The Empress Theatre is pleased to announce auditions for
“West Side Story”

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Creative Team

Direction By
Nanny McKenzie

Choreography By
Wendy Brown

Music Direction By
Shayla Fairclough

Stage Manager
Sylas Fordham

Auditions will be held January 7th & 9th 7PM to 9PM

Please come prepared with 16 bars of a song in the style of the show.  No acapella singing will be permitted; please provide your own minus track or pianist for the audition.

Please come prepared with a list of conflicts January 11th through May 16th. No conflicts will be allowed without prior approval from the director after March 9th.

All roles available. The Empress encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition. The Empress is committed to providing a space for community and inclusion free from discrimination.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Callback Date: January 11th, 2019 – 8:00am- Noon

First day of rehearsal: January 18th, 2020

Range of rehearsal hours: Rehearsal times are blocked in the hours of 6pm to 10pm.

Tech begins: April 11th, 2020

First preview: April 23rd, 2020

Opening: April 24th, 2020

Closing: May 16th, 2020.

Days/times of planned performances: April 24th, 2020 through May 16th, 2020. Fridays, Saturdays  6:00pm Call 7:30pm Performance. Matinee call 12:30pm Call 2:00pm Performance. One Thursday and One Monday, 6:00pm Call 7:30pm Performance.

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DISCLOSURES (check all that apply):

☐ There is a possibility that the production will be extended through ___________________.

☐ Costumes will be supplied by the production.

⬣ Actors will be expected to help build and strike the set.

☐ There will be understudies for this production.

☐ There will be pay for this production in the amount of ____________________________.

☐ This production contains sexual content.

☐ This production contains nudity.

⬣ This production contains violence.

⬣ This production contains culturally sensitive content.

☐ This production is accessible to actors who use a mobility device.

☐ This production will have a nontraditional audience seating arrangement.

Other Disclosures:
Casting Authority: The Production Team with Artistic Director Approval.

Who is in the Audition Room: Director, Music Director, Choreographer.

Who is at Callbacks: Artistic Management and The Production Team.
A full copy of the script is available if needed.

Portions of this audition may be recorded or photographed at the Director’s discretion. All recordings will only be used by the production team and will be destroyed after callbacks.

Character Breakdown: Ages listed not necessarily the age of the actor portraying the role.

Riff
A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang’s dominance. Tony’s best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo.

Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Tony
A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love to Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.

Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Bernardo
A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for he and his friends. Maria’s brother and Anita’s boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks.

Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Maria
A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo’s sister. Puerto Rican.

Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 21
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Anita
Feisty and assertive. She dispenses “older sister” advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo’s girlfriend and Maria’s friend. Puerto Rican.

Gender: Female
Age: 25 to 30
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3

Chino
An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo’s.

Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 25

Anybodys
A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.

Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 25

Doc
The owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways.

Gender: Male
Age: 60 to 75

Schrank
A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic.

Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 55

Krupke
The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.

Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 60

Ensemble