The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is holding auditions in August for the final two MainStage productions in their 2023-2024 season at the Taft Theatre.
All roles are paid positions.
TCT, the nation’s oldest theatre for children, is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and is committed to a dynamic casting process. All roles are open to everyone regardless of ethnicity, background, ability, or gender identity.
Upon audition registration, you may indicate which shows for which you would like to be considered. Auditions are by appointment only.
You only need ONE audition appointment, even if you are interested in both productions.
Adult performers and young performers ages 9-18 who would like to be considered for TCT’s Young Artist Company, may make an audition appointment by visiting the link below.
Appointment dates:
- Monday, August 21st, 2023- 5:30-8:30 PM
- Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023- 5:30-8:30 PM
- Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023- 5:30-8:30 PM
- Thursday, August 24th, 2023- 5:30-8:30 PM
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition callbacks will take place on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, 12:00 PM- 4:30 PM
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. callbacks will take place on Sunday, August 27th, 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM.
Auditions and Callbacks are held at TCT’s headquarters located at: 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati OH 45227.
If you are unable to attend auditions in person and would like to inquire about a virtual submission, or for information concerning auditions email Maddie Jones at Maddie.Jones@tctcincinnati.com
PREPARATION CHECKLIST
- Please prepare the piano sheet music to a memorized song that shows your acting and vocal range. (1-minute max). The song must be age appropriate. Remember to have your PIANO SHEET MUSIC, as we will not be auditioning for a cappella skills. An accompanist will be provided. Your sheet music MUST have the piano part, not just the vocal line, and music should be in a 3-ring binder with any cuts CLEARLY marked for the accompanist.
You only need a song. You do NOT need to prepare a monologue.
- Bring a RECENT 8×10 headshot and up to date performance resume. Even if you upload to the audition website, a hardcopy of your headshot and resume is needed.
- Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes ahead of your appointment to check/correct previously submitted paperwork. If we are ahead of schedule, we may bring you in to audition early.
- Come with your scheduling conflicts. Due to concentrated rehearsal periods, we ask that conflicts during rehearsals are at a minimum. In an effort to best facilitate all rehearsal times, you will be asked to list all conflicts at the time of the audition. Conflicts may result in a stipend adjustment. Please take note of when rehearsals begin, the day and evening tech and performance schedule, and bring your calendar with you to the audition.
ABOUT THE SHOWS
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA: Youth Edition
Based on Cinderella by Charles Perrault
Directed by: Christopher Stewart
Choreography by: Tina DeAlterede
This magical musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein will feature a BIPOC creative team, and diversity will be celebrated as your favorite characters show us “Impossible” is possible! If you loved the 1997 film version of this classic musical, you won’t want to miss this enchanting production!
Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this enthralling fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike.
Rehearsals: January 13- February 10, 2024; Mon – Thurs: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM
Tech in the Taft Theatre: February 14- 16, 2024 Daytime/Evening
Performances: February 17- 26, 2024
The first Monday of the week is dark after opening. Throughout the week, TCT hosts morning and afternoon performances for school field trips. Afternoon and evening performances for the public take place Friday-Sunday.
SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:
CINDERELLA: (portrays female) A charming young lady with the kindest heart in the kingdom. Sees the good in everyone despite her hardships and suffering from her Stepmother and stepsisters. Dreams of and is determined to find a better life for herself. Must sing very well.
PRINCE (portrays male)Beloved Prince of the Kingdom. Though handsome and young, this prince is also lonely and unfulfilled. He is charming of course, but also moral, genuine, and in search for something more. Must sing very well.
STEPMOTHER: (portrays female) Ella’s selfish stepmother. A vain and tyrannical climber. Deeply concerned with status and image and entirely dismissive of her stepdaughter. Comic timing essential. Traditional musical theatre character voice.
JOY: (portrays female) One of Cinderella’s stepsisters. A brash, bratty young woman, who never passes up the opportunity to be the center of attention. Not particularly bright. Character singing.
PORTIA: (portrays female) One of Cinderella’s stepsisters. An obnoxious, self-centered, goofy young woman with a fatuous laugh and, unfortunately, little signs of intelligence. Character singing.
KING: (portrays male)The Prince’s father. A bit of a fuddy-duddy who loves his son and wife, and always has the best of intentions.
QUEEN: (portrays female)The Prince’s lovely mother. Always wants the best for her son and does her best to keep her husband in line. At times serious, but always affectionate.
GODMOTHER: (portrays female) An extremely pragmatic, no-nonsense, original, and mysterious character, who helps fulfill Cinderella’s wish to go to the ball and change her destiny. Character singing.
HERALD: (portrays male) The keeper of the court. Announces all events and must sing well.
ENSEMBLE: A variety of character types to play several featured ensemble roles; Actors with comedic timing, extremely strong golden age musical theatre voices and be able to move/dance very well; Seeking STRONG Dancer, Singer, Actors with versatile singing and acting ability who will cover principal roles.
DISNEY’S FINDING NEMO JR.
Book Adapted by: Lindsay Anderson
Music and Lyrics: Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez
Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by: Myrna Conn
Directed by: Nate Bertone
Choreography by: Roderick Justice
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
Rehearsals: March 16- April 13, 2024; Mon – Thurs: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM
Tech in the Taft Theatre: April 17-19, 2024 Daytime/Evening
Performances: February 20- 29, 2024
The first Monday of the week is dark after opening. Throughout the week, TCT hosts morning and afternoon performances for school field trips. Afternoon and evening performances for the public take place Friday-Sunday.
SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:
NEMO: A curious young clownfish who brims with excitement to explore the wonders that lie beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Born with a “lucky fin” – or what humans would call a limb difference. Nemo quickly learns that the world possesses incredible dangers in addition to the promise of big adventures. By making new friends, finding strength within, and practicing teamwork, Nemo transforms into a capable and brave leader, able to self-advocate and take on challenges big and small.
MARLIN: (portrays male) An anxious clownfish and Nemo’s overprotective father, who, after the tragic death of his wife Coral, prefers the safety of his anemone to the frightening unknowns of the open ocean. Forced to travel across the sea in search of Nemo, Marlin develops the courage to face the unpredictable ocean and the wisdom to trust others – including his own kid.
DORY: (portrays female) An optimistic and bubbly blue tang, experiences frequent short-term memory loss and finds herself wandering through the ocean with no place to call home. Sparking friendships with whomever she meets, Dory immediately offers to help Marlin find his lost child, and the two set out on an adventurous journey through the ocean. Along the way, Dory’s kindness and bright spirit ease Marlin’s fears, and the unlikely duo finds comfort and family in each other.
CRUSH: (portrays male) Crush, a 150-year-old sea turtle who knows how to hang loose, teaches Marlin a thing or two about being a good parent.
SQUIRT: Squirt, offspring of Crush, fearlessly twirls through turbulent waters of the ocean and enjoys trying out cool new moves in the high-speed EAC.
BRUCE/ PROFESSOR RAY/ BLOAT: (portrays male) Bruce is an intimidating great white shark, is the sharks’ ringleader. Despite Bruce’s best efforts to adopt a vegetarian diet, Bruce loses control and is sent into a frenzy, threatening to devour every fish in sight. Part of the Sharks.
Professor Ray is a stingray and Nemo’s enthusiastic teacher, takes pride in sharing the curiosities and marvels of the world with the class and encourages every student to be a brave explorer.
Bloat is part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. An open-minded and supportive blowfish, is proud to be part of the Tank Gang family and helps keep everyone’s spirits up, even when things seem bleak.
CHUM, ANCHOR: Two of Bruce’s shark friends, try to live vegetarian lifestyles but are eventually forced to restrain an out-of- control Bruce from eating innocent fish. Part of The Sharks.
NIGEL: A sharp-eyed pelican, Nigel is the Tank Gang’s feathered friend and only connection to the outside world. This bird is someone you can count on to know all the latest news on the happenings of Sydney Harbour.
GILL: (portrays male) Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A relentless and inspiring leader who will stop at nothing to return to the freedom of the ocean. This Moorish idol fish believes in the Tank Gang and concocts countless plans to bust them out of the aquarium. Gill is the first fish Nemo has ever met with a similar “fin difference,” quickly becoming a mentor and inspiration for the young clownfish.
PEACH: (portrays female) Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A mature and down-to-earth starfish, offers guidance and reassurance to all those who need it.
CORAL: (any gender) A loving mother-to-be clownfish, married to Marlin, who will stop at nothing to protect her eggs.
BUBBLES: (any gender) Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. A yellow tang who is captivated by bubbles, is the first to welcome Nemo to the tank. This friendly fish exclusively uses the word “bubbles” to communicate.
GURGLE: (portrays older male) Part of the “Tank Gang” that helps Nemo escape the Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. Frightened of strangers and the germs they carry with them, is a royal gramma who enjoys the safety and regulated cleanliness of the tank.
PEARL, SHELDON, TAD: (any gender)
Pearl, a friendly flapjack octopus who is, quick to befriend Nemo.
Sheldon, an H2O-intolerant seahorse with an appetite for trouble who taunts Nemo to swim beyond the reef.
Tad, a self-admittedly obnoxious butterflyfish who joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo to swim past the Drop-Off.
ENSEMBLE: A variety of character types to play several featured ensemble roles; Actors with puppeteering experience is preferred, extremely strong character musical theatre voices and be able to move/dance very well; Seeking STRONG Dancer, Singer, Actors with versatile singing and acting ability who will cover principal roles.
