Auditions

Porthouse Theatre will present a season in the summer of 2023 and will hold in-person auditions on the campus of Kent State University on January 28 and 29, 2023

Equity and non-Equity actors are invited to audition for our 2023 season which features "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "The Marvelous Wonderettes," and "The Prom."


 

Preliminary Auditions

Saturday, January 28 & Sunday, January 29, 2023

Preliminary Audition Requirements:

For your preliminary audition you will need 2 contrasting music selections, in the style of the shows for which you are auditioning, not to exceed 2.5 minutes combined.  Please bring sheet music in your key. A Cappella singing will not be permitted. You may elect to sing selections from this season’s shows.

Location:
Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance
1325 Theatre Drive
Kent, OH 44242

Callbacks

Saturday, February 4, 2023 & Sunday, February 5, 2023

More Information About 2023 Callbacks:

Learn More About Callbacks

Callback Sides:

Index of Callback Materials

Songs for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Sides for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Songs for The Prom

Sides for The Prom

Songs for the Marvelous Wonderettes

Sides for the Marvelous Wonderettes

Location:
Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance
1325 Theatre Drive
Kent, OH 44242

How To Audition

How To Audition

Porthouse Theatre uses Acceptd to facilitate audition registration. 

Those wishing to audition are expected to provide digital versions of the following at the time of registration:

  • Headshot
  • Resume

Register for Your Porthouse Audition

Preliminary Audition Requirements:

For your preliminary audition you will need 2 contrasting music selections, in the style of the shows for which you are auditioning, not to exceed 2.5 minutes combined. Please bring sheet music in your key. A Cappella singing will not be permitted. You may elect to sing selections from this season’s shows.

Character Breakdowns

Character Breakdowns

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

 

"A Funny Thing that Happened on the Way to the Forum" Character Breakdown:

PROLOGUS: Introduces the audience to the comedy they are about to see. (Same actor who portrays Pseudolus in Act 1 and Senex in Act 2). Gender: Male, Age: 30 to 50, Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: A2

SENEX: An old man and father to Hero and husband to Domina. Gender: Male, Age: 45 to 70, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: B2

DOMINA: Senex's wife. A shrewish woman who dominates to the point of answering herself the questions she asks of others. Loves her husband deep down, but is outwardly controlling, demanding, and manipulative. Gender: Female, Age: 40 to 50, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: B3

HERO: The young son of Senex and Domina. He falls in love with Philia and agrees to give Pseudolus his freedom if he can help Hero woo her. Practical, privileged, romantic. Gender: Male, Age: 20 to 30, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: B2

HYSTERIUM: The chief slave in the House of Senex. Believes he is in control, but is actually Pseudolus' puppet to carry out his schemes. Anxious, conservative, loyal. He desperately wants everything to be in order. Gender: Male, Age: 40 to 55, Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range, bottom: D4

PSEUDOLUS:  A Roman slave, owned by Hero, who seeks to win his freedom by helping his young master win the heart of Philia. Quick-witted, scheming, childlike spirit. Gender: Male, Age: 30 to 50, Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: A2. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 

ERRONIUS: An old man, searching for his lost children. Gender: Male, Age: 45 to 70, Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: B2

MILES GLORIOSUS: The archetype of the braggart soldier. A captain in the Roman army to whom Marcus Lycus has promised Philia. Commanding, boastful, manly and strong. Gender: Male, Age: 25 to 35, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: B3

LYCUS: The owner of the house of Courtesans. Always out to make a profit, but also wants to provide good on what his business offers. Gender: Male, Age: 40 to 50, Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: A3

PHILIA: A virgin in the House of Lycus whom we also find out is Erronius' daughter. She is promised to Miles and vows to give him bodily what he has paid for, but loves Hero and promises he will always have her heart. Young, pretty, devoted. An archetypal ingénue. Gender: Female Age: 18 to 21, Vocal range top: G5, Vocal range bottom: B3

ENSEMBLE: Courtesans, Proteans, Soldiers


"The Prom" Character Breakdown:

BARRY GLICKMAN: Male, 30-59. A very gay Broadway star. Completely politically incorrect and doesn’t know it. Impulsive and loves to make a scene everywhere he goes. Strong singer. Big, Broadway belter; high baritone/low tenor; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 

DEE DEE ALLEN: Female, 30-59. A current Broadway diva. A huge ego to match her huge talent. No filter. Hilariously self-involved, but yearns to do something good for someone other than herself. Strong Singer. Big, Broadway belter; alto; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 

TRENT OLIVER: Male, 30-49. A pretentious Broadway star who is probably better known for TV infomercials. Loves the sound of his own voice. Strong singer, pop and legit; baritone; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

EMMA: Female, 18+. To play a high school senior. Mix/belt up to a C#. Forced into the spotlight because she asked her girlfriend to the prom. A reluctant poster child for gay / lesbian youth. Very smart, but doesn't need to be classically beautiful. A bit of a tomboy quality. Sweet pop voice. Strong singer; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities 

ALYSSA: Female, 18+. To play a high school senior, Mix/belt up to a D. Tries desperately to fit in. A cheerleader. Secretly Emma's girlfriend, but afraid to come out. Can be classically pretty. Afraid to stand up to her mother. Pop voice. Strong singer; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

MR. HAWKINS: Male, 30-59. A small town principal. Easily flustered. Straight-laced. A Broadway enthusiast. Good singer; high baritone; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

ANGIE: Female, 30-49. An ensemble member in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. Jaded Fosse girl with a heart of gold. Strong Singer; alto with a belt; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 

MRS. GREENE: Female, 30-49. Alyssa's Mother and the school board president. Very strong, controlling and intimidating. Loves her daughter very much but has a very specific view of what is "right" and "wrong" for her daughter and the school. Strong Singer; alto; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

SHELDON SAPERSTEIN: Male, 30-49. A charismatic press agent. Traditional musical theatre sound; baritone; principal. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities


"The Marvelous Wonderettes" Character Breakdown:

CINDY LOU: Female - 18-28. She knows she is the prettiest girl at Springfield High. She knows she will be named Prom Queen and acts out against her best friend Betty Jean when things don’t go her way. She makes the biggest change between Acts I & II, having learned the lessons of true love and loss. Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano Belt: E3–F5. Sings melody line on most songs, so the other girls hang their vocals on this voice. Among the songs she sings lead are: "Allegheny Moon," "Son of a Preacher Man," and "Maybe."

MISSY: Female - 18-28. She is the over-achiever of the group. Very controlled, very concerned that everything at the prom turns out wonderful and perfect. Head of the Prom Decorations Committee, and absolutely smitten with her music teacher. Her best friend is Suzy. Vocal Range: Soprano: G3–A5. Wide range, floating high vocals and belting throughout the show. Among the songs she sings lead are: "Secret Love," "You Don’t Own Me," and "Wedding Bell Blues."

BETTY JEAN: Female - 18-28. She is the class clown and tomboy, always vying for attention with Cindy Lou, her best friend. It’s also highly probable that Betty Jean wants to be with Cindy Lou herself, but just doesn’t even know what those feelings really are. Cindy Lou steals Betty Jean’s boyfriend away, which causes a lot of the friction at the prom. She holds this grudge against Cindy Lou until they make up at the ten-year reunion. Vocal Range: Alto with strong low range: D3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: "Lipstick on Your Collar," "I Only Want To Be With You," and "That’s When The Tears Start."

SUZY: Female - 18-28. She is the gum-chewing, happy-go-lucky, go-along girl. Super-best friends with Missy, Suzy is always a little giddy and a little silly, and finds great pleasure in everything she does. In love with the lighting operator, completely surprised when named Prom Queen. Frustrated, sad, hormonal, and pregnant in Act II. This role requires an excellent part singer and expert comedienne. WARNING: Do not hire a ditzy person to play the "ditzy blonde." Vocal Range: Mezzo-Alto with both sweet and soulful voice: G3–E5. Among the songs she sings lead are: "Stupid Cupid," "Hold Me, Thrill Me," and "Rescue Me."

Rehearsal & Performance Information

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" 

Directed by Terri Kent, Choreographed by Martiń Ceśpedes, Music Directed by Jennifer Korecki

Rehearsals for some NON-AEA Cast Members/Ensemble**: Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21, 2023: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Rehearsals for AEA and all Cast Members**: Tuesday, May 23 to Sunday, June 4, 2023: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tech: Tuesday, June 6 to Saturday, June 10: (Hours Vary) 
Preview: Friday, June 9, 2023: 8 p.m. Curtain
Performances: Saturday, June 10 to Saturday, June 24, 2023; Tues.-Sat.: 8 p.m. Curtain*; Sun: 2 p.m. Matinee


"The Marvelous Wonderettes" 

Directed and Choreographed by Amy Fritsche, Music Directed by Jonathan Swoboda

Rehearsals Start**: Tuesday, June 13 to Sunday, June 25, 2023: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tech: Tuesday, June 27 to Saturday, July 1: (Hours Vary)
Preview: Friday, June 30, 8 p.m. Curtain
Performances: Saturday, July 1 to Saturday, July 15, 2023; Tues.-Sat.: 8 p.m. Curtain*; Sun: 2 p.m. Matinee


"The Prom" 

Directed by Terri Kent, Choreographed by Martiń Ceśpedes, Music Directed by Alexandre Marr

Rehearsals for some NON-AEA Cast Members/Ensemble**: Thursday, June 29 to Sunday, July 2, 2023: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Rehearsals for AEA and all Cast members**: Tuesday, July 4 to Sunday, July 16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Tech: Tuesday, July 18 to Friday, July 21 (Hours Vary)
Preview: Friday, July 21, 8 p.m. Curtain
Performances: Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, August 6, 2023; Tues.-Sat.: 8 p.m. Curtain*; Sun: 2 p.m. Matinee


* Exception of June 17, July 8, and July 29, which will have a 2 p.m. Matinee and an 8 p.m. Evening Performance. 

** Rehearsal times are subject to change. Porthouse Theatre operates on an Equity work week, with Monday being the day off for performers. Porthouse Theatre currently operates on an Equity Guest Artist Agreement or an AEA/URTA Tier II contract.