Gypsy
Hello and welcome from Marriott Theatre!
Please read all audition information before submitting!
Click the character name(s) to view all scenes and music. These will be due by Tuesday, February 7thˇ by 11:59pm CST. If you need an extension, please reach out to Sana Selemon at the email address listed below. Please submit via our google forms. EPA: https://forms.gle/pS4BMrXTQWnoqSebA, ECC: https://forms.gle/UtCQcKQNb1wXgLF37. Videos must be received as an unlisted Youtube link or Vimeo link. We are looking for understudies for every role.
In-person callbacks will be in Lincolnshire, IL during the days of March 20th - 22nd, 2023. Please indicate on the form if you are not available during those days. All cast members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to appear at an in-person callback and be cast in the show. “Fully vaccinated,” as defined by the CDC, is more than 14 calendar days following receipt of a final dose of an FDA or World Health Organization authorized or approved vaccine.
If you have questions, please email Sana Selemon at Sana.Selemon@MarriottTheatre.com.
Local Chicago actors strongly encouraged to audition!
First day of rehearsal: August 3rd, 2023 (rehearsals are typically Mondays-Saturdays, 10am to 6pm, six days a week)
First Preview: August 23rd, 2023
Opening: August 30th, 2023 (Show schedule: Wednesday-Sunday with two shows on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday)
Closing: October 15th, 2023
Director: Amanda Dehnert
Choreographer: Stephanie Klemons
Musical Director: Ryan T. Nelson
Artistic Director: Peter Marston Sullivan
Executive Producer: Peter Blair
Associate Artistic Director: Katie Johannigman
Artistic Assistant: Sana Selemon
DIRECTOR NOTE:
This production of GYPSY at the Marriott will delve into the high and lows of chasing celebrity and the need to be seen. We're looking for a dynamic cast who can bring the shine of the characters to the stage, but also drop into the darker realities of the story.
INTIMACY NOTE:
Gypsy deals with content relating to the objectification of women, stylized burlesque choreography and exotic dancing, provocative costuming the removal of costume pieces on stage in a suggestive manner.
- The female ensemble may be wearing provocative costumes.
- The roles of Tessie, Mazeppa and Electra may require suggestive dancing, minimal costumes, and the removal of clothing pieces.
- The role of Louise may require burlesque style stripping in a tasteful and mysterious way, partial nudity may be required.
A note about casting (adopted from language with consent originally created by Kevin Kantor and Emily Trarquin of Actors Theatre of Louisville):
Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following character descriptions. However limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
We are currently not able to transpose audition music at the moment but are open to performers singing the role that they’re most vocally comfortable with. If the song doesn’t showcase you at your best, you can submit another song in the world of the show.
We also welcome performers with disabilities to submit. Please reach out to Sana Selemon at Sana.Selemon@MarriottTheatre.com or 847-465-1326 ex. 1 if you have any questions or access needs.
ROLES (seeking understudies for each role)
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o9begu1xq5s61i3/AAAziqG1KQFLiOw4I-L3tSyWa?dl=0
Mama Rose
Strong Mezzo/Alto with good low notes and belt. 40 - 55. The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she's put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single- minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Comic timing a must.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Rose & Herbie Side
- Rose Monologue
- “Small World” Cut
- “Some People” Cut
- “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Baby June
Mezzo, age 9-10, Young Performer. A Shirley Temple-like up-and-coming vaudeville star, and Madam Rose's youngest daughter. Her onstage demeanor is sugary-sweet, cute, precocious and adorable to the nth degree.An adorable character - Mama Rose's shining star. Strong singer, strong dancer.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Baby June & Louise Side
- “Rose’s Entrance” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Young Louise
Mezzo, about 12, Young Performer. She is Madam Rose's brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, a little sad and subdued; she doesn't have the confidence of her sister. Good dancer.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Baby June & Louise Side
- “Rose’s Entrance” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Herbie
Baritone, about 45. Agent for Rose's children,Rose's boyfriend and a possible husband
number 4. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with
strength.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Rose & Herbie Side
- “Together Wherever We Go (Encore)”
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Tulsa
High Baritone. Casting 18+ to play 17 - 25. Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Tulsa Side
- “All I Need Is The Girl” cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Dainty June
Alto, Casting 18+ to play 16 - 24. Baby June as a young teenager. The older she gets, the less she enjoys being her mother's trained monkey. Strong dancer with special skills (baton twirling, splits, tap, etc) and strong singer.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- June & Louise Side
- “Broadway” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee
Mezzo, 18-25. Baby Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Madam Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother's new pet project. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. Must be comfortable with the character's profession-burlesque dancing. The character is elegantly clad and hints at removing clothes, but doesn’t. Strong movement skills needed.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- June & Louise Side
- “Little Lamb” Cut
- “Let Me Entertain You” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Tessie Tura
Mezzo Belt, 30-55. A burlesque dancer just past her prime. Shares her dressing room with Louise. She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course broad who's been around the block. Very funny. Strong movement training, ballet experience is helpful.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Tessie Side
- “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Mazeppa
Alto Belt, 30-55. A burlesque dancer just past her prime. A burlesque dancer who's tough and physically intimidating. Trumpet playing skills would be great but not required. Strong movement or dance skills.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Mazeppa Side
- “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Electra
Mezzo Belt, 30-55. A burlesque dancer just past her prime. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to "shine" without working up a sweat. Strong movement or dance skills.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Either Mazeppa Side or Tessie Side
- “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” Cut
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Uncle Jocko
Over 30. Vaudeville master of ceremonies as a weely kiddie talent show. Hates Stage Mothers. Singing is not mandatory for this role.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Uncle Jocko Side
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
Pop
Over 60. Rose's father. Does not believe that she or the girls will amount to anything. Singing is not mandatory for this role.
Please prepare all material listed below (click the character name above to view audition folder which has all sides and music)
- Pop Side
We have an accompaniment recording and a rehearsal recording that plays the vocal part for each song.
ENSEMBLE
Will play background burlesque dancers, managers, secretaries, theatre personnel, and other various characters. Comic timing skills are a plus.
Singers:
Please sing something in the style of the show, roughly 32 bars or one minute. Please choose material that showcases your upper range.
Dancers:
Attached is a link to the initial dance combinations for Gypsy. This production will be choreographed by Stephanie Klemmons and her choreography will be used in the callback. This combination is to give her an idea of style, technique and personality. Also, if you tumble- let us know what tricks you do in your self tape. No need to demonstrate those on film but I will want to see them in person at the callbacks.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3g26gkfdnm3vr52/AABF4ZzF4y4BQKmWjKPsBB__a?dl=0
There are two separate combinations. One for Male Identifying people and one for Female Identifying people:
Attached you will find:
- An Intro Video
- A Teaching Video
- Combo from back with Counts
- Combo from Back with Music
- Combo from front with Music
Female Identifying: Please start combo at 3:44 into the song attached called "Overture"
Male Identifying: Please start the combo at :31 (you can start it a little earlier to give yourself some time but the first step is at :31). There are two tempos of the track. Please feel free to use either tempo that feels good to your body!
YOUNG PERFORMER ENSEMBLE
Note: Gypsy contains adult content including provocative dance, the removal of costume pieces on stage, and suggestive costuming.
Ages 10-12. Baby June's back up dancers and singers. Ability of one child to play accordion or clarinet is a plus. Must sing and dance.
Please submit your best 32 bars or one minute of a song in the style of the show (older Broadway type). If you have any dance experience, please note that and send any dance reels or dance videos.
