Heartbreak Hotel Auditions

Hello and Welcome from Marriott Theatre!

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Please read all audition information before submitting! Video submissions will be due September 23rd at 11:59pm CT. Please submit your audition material via our AIRTABLE FORM. Videos must be received as an UNLISTED Youtube link or Vimeo link.

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Callbacks: In person callbacks will be held in Lincolnshire, IL during the days of October 13th - October 15th. Please indicate on the audition form if you are not available during those days. 

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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. 

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Production Schedule

First Rehearsal: March 19th, 2026

First Preview: April 8th, 2026

Press Opening: April 15th, 2026

Closing: May 31st, 2026

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Heartbreak Hotel Creative Team / Who Will View Submissions 

Deidre Goodwin (She/Her) - Director/Choreographer

Shanna VanDerwerker (Sher/Her) - Associate Choreographer

Ryan T. Nelson (He/Him) - Music Director 

Peter Blair (He/Him) - Executive Producer

Peter Sullivan (He/Him) - Artistic Director

Katie Johannigman (She/Her) - Associate Artistic Director

Kavin Moore, CSA (He/They) - Artistic Coordinator

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Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming casting process. The team strives to lead with respect, kindness, and generosity. In regard to the character descriptions – they outline the characters as described in the script and in consultation with the creative team. They do not aim to be all-encompassing representations of who might fill these roles. We aim for an expansive and deliberate casting process. We acknowledge that the characters in the script are traditionally presented as either male or female (using he/him or she/her pronouns). We warmly welcome submissions from individuals who identify as gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, or non-binary for the roles that resonate most with their identity.

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Video submissions are viewed through the platform AIRTABLE. Please note that viewing submissions through Airtable does not always register as a "view" on services like YouTube and Vimeo. However, all submissions are viewed by the artistic team.  

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Please reach out to Kavin Moore at Kavin.Moore@MarriottTheatre.com or 847-465-1326 ex. 1  if you have any questions or access needs.

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Audition Material & Character Descriptions

Preparation: Prepare the material for the role you are most interested in. If you are interested in more than one role, please make those selections on the audition form. You will only need to prepare material for one role. Submissions must be received through the AIRTABLE FORM. ‍

ALL AUDITION MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND HERE

ELVIS PRESLEY: Male Presenting. The King of Rock and Roll. Ideally looks and sounds like Elvis in the early part of his career. Should have the ability to embody both the charming-yet-shy young man prior to stardom, as well as a charismatic superstar he became. 

Vocal Range: G2 - Ab4

Elvis Audition Material 

A Little Less Conversation (m. 142 - 190)

That’s All Right (m. 3 - 39)

Elvis Side #1

• “Hey Mama…”

Elvis Side #2

“So, what about that one?”

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KID ELVIS: Male presenting child/young teen actor to portray a young Elvis Presley 

Vocal Range: G3 - B5

Kid Elvis Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Kid Elvis Side #1

• “Can I help you?”

Kid Elvis Side #2

• “Heard you sing a million songs…”

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GLADYS PRESLEY: Female Presenting Elvis’ mother and closest person in his life. Strong, Southern Woman. Overly-doting on Elvis but doesn’t put up with any BS. Strong Actress 

Vocal Range: C4 - C5

Gladys Presley Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Gladys Side #1

• “And the Lord God said…”

Gladys Side #2

• “Heard you sing a million songs…”

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COLONEL TOM PARKER : Male Presenting, 50s - early 60’s. Elvis’ unscrupulous, infamous manager. Driven purely by profit. Cigar-smoking, a big man and a big presence, former carnival barker and con-artist. 

Colonel Tom Parker Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Colonel Tom Parker Side #1

• “I don’t like you or…”

Colonel Tom Parker Side #2

• “Greetings…”

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SAM PHILIPS: Elvis’ first producer. Outspoken, tough but sensitive southern man. Had a true ear and passion for authentic music.

Sam Philips Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Sam Philips Side #1

• “Please tell me…”

Sam Philips Side #2

• “I don’t like you or…”

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BETTY | ENSEMBLE: Female-Presenting, 20s, Black/African American. Doubles as various characters.

‍Betty Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Betty Side #1

• “Can I help you?”

Betty Side 2

• “Afternoon Miss Betty”

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DIXIE LOCKE / ANN MARGRET | ENSEMBLE : Female Presenting. Portrays Elvis’s teen girlfriend, Ann Margret and various characters throughout. Strong dancer, actress, singer. If you have a dance reel please include in you submission. 

Vocal Range: C4 - Bb4

Dixie Locke/Ann Magret Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Dixie Side #1

“Would you two lovebirds…”

Dixie Side #2

“Surpise…”

Dixie Side #3

“Hello?...”

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PRISCILLA | ENSEMBLE : Female Presenting. Portrays Elvis’s future wife and various characters. Strong Actress.

Vocal Range: E4 - D5 

Priscilla Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Priscilla Side #1

• “So what about that one…”

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VERNON PRESLEY | ENSEMBLE : Male Presenting. Portrays Elvis’s father and various characters. 

Vernon Presley Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Vernon Side #1

• “There’s my doodle”

Vernon Side #2

• “It’s real nice, ain’t it” 

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SCOTTY MOORE/GLEN | ENSEMBLE : Male Presenting. Portrays Elvis’ first lead guitarist and various characters. Good comedic actor and straight shooter. Ability to play the guitar is a plus but not required.

Scotty Moore/Glen Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Scotty Side #1

• “Dear god, please tell me…”

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REVEREND BREWSTER | ROY BROWN | CHUCK | ENSEMBLE : Male Presenting. Portraying the influential African American Memphis minister and gospel composer whose church had a formative influence on a young Elvis Presley and various other characters. 

Vocal Range: A2 - G4

Rev. Brewster & Others Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Rev Brewster Side #1

• “Good to see you…”

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FRANK SINATRA | ENSEMBLE : Male Presenting. Portrays Frank Sinatra and various other characters

Vocal Range: C3 - D4

Frank Sinatra Audition Material 

Music - Sing a song from your book preferably in the style of Frank Sinatra. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Frank Side #1

• “Order - order…”

Frank Side #2

• “All right folks…”

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MARION KEISKER | ENSEMBLE : Female Presenting. Record Producer and various other characters 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

Marion Keisker Audition Material 

Marion Side #1

• “Please tell me…”

Marion Side #2

• “Nope, nope, nope”

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ENSEMBLE: Seeking Male and Female Presenting singers, actors and dancers to play a variety of roles and voice ranges. Some of the roles are historical figures such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dewey Phillips, Jackie Brenston. 

Ensemble Audition Material 

Music - Sing a Blues, Rock, Gospel or Musical Theatre song in the style of the show from your book. 30 secs - 1 minute max. 

If you are also a dancer, please submit your dance reel.

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*All roles will be understudied

Please reach out to Kavin Moore at Kavin.Moore@MarriottTheatre.com or 847-465-1326 ex. 1  if you have any questions or access needs.

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