Auditions

Morris Park Players is casting RAGTIME: music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens; Book by Terrence McNally. Based on the novel “Ragtime” by E. L. Doctorow.

Based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctrow, Ahren’s and Flaherty’s RAGTIME is a compelling epic capturing the American experience at the turn of the 20th century. Tracking three diverse families in pursuit of the American dream in the volatile “melting pot” of turn-of-the-century New York, RAGTIME confronts the dialectic contradictions inherent in American reality: experiences of wealth and poverty, freedom, and prejudice, hope and despair. Throughout the show, the worlds of a wealthy white couple, a Jewish immigrant father and his motherless daughter, and an African American ragtime musician intertwine. Together, they discover the surprising interconnections of the human heart, the limitations of justice, and the unsettling consequences when dreams are permanently deferred.

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Morris Park Players is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Talent from diverse backgrounds (including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, body types, abilities/disabilities, and any people who have been traditionally excluded from castings/auditions due to perceptions of their ability) are strongly encouraged to apply.

*** Please note – We will not produce this show if we cannot cast it appropriately. If this is the case, we will pause the process, and work with the director and music director to select an alternative show. Auditionees will be notified.

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Production Team
Director – Adán Varela
Music Director – Walter Tambor
Choreographer – Marley Ritchie
Producers – Laura Dierke & MacKenzie Brennan
Production Manager – Abbey Dibble

Dates
Auditions:
Thursday, November 3 >  6P to 9:30P
Saturday November 5 > 12P to 5P

Callbacks (by invitation):
Wednesday, November 9 > 6P to 9:30P
Thursday, November 10 > 6P  to 9:30P

* It is important that those auditioning can attend callbacks in person if they are invited by the production team. Our goal is to have the show cast by Sunday, November 13.

* Auditions and callbacks will both take place at Edison High School in NE Minneapolis. 

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will begin January 30, 2023, Monday through Friday 6:00-9:30P. Your exact rehearsal schedule depends on your role. Please note all conflicts on your audition form.

* Rehearsals will take place at Edison High School in NE Minneapolis.

Performances:
Thursday, March 30 – Preview
Friday, March 31 – 7:00P
Saturday, April 1 – 7:00P
Sunday, April 2 – 2:00P
Friday, April 7 – 7:00P
Saturday, April 8 – 7:00P
Sunday, April 9 – 2:00P (*** Please note – This show is on Easter Sunday)
Friday, April 14 – 7:00P
Saturday, April 15 – 7:00P
Sunday, April 16 – 2:00P

*Morris Park Players performs at Edison High School in NE Minneapolis. 

Other
– Small stipends may be made available based on ticket sales.
– We will have a set build day or two – attendance at one is required.
– Miscellaneous promotional opportunities; as needed, attendance will be encouraged.

Auditions
If you are interested in auditioning, please click the link below to fill out the Audition Form.

On the Audition Form, you will be asked to choose preferred audition time slots. We will be reviewing all submitted audition forms and reaching out to select candidates directly via email to confirm audition slots. Audition slots are limited and BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We will begin securing audition times as soon as possible, but no later than November 1.

Video submissions will be accepted for the first round of auditions. Please follow the instructions outlined on the Audition Form to submit your audition video. Video submissions are due by Friday November 4.

Audition Form:
https://forms.gle/haHBBzLUGsHvycxv5

Audition Prep:
– Please prepare a one-minute cutting of a song of your choice. Please adhere to the time limit as auditions will be timed. An accompanist will be provided; please bring physical copies of sheet music in the correct key. The initial audition will be singing only.
– Please bring your calendar as you will be asked to note any conflicts. 

Character / Casting Breakdown

ADULT CASTING:

COALHOUSE WALKER, JR.: A proud and talented pianist, confident and stubborn. Sophisticated with a romantic demeanor and a gentle heart. Piano playing is helpful, but not essential.
Male, 25-40
Ethnicity: African Descent, African American
Vocal Range: Ab to G, with a sustained high F#

SARAH: A washwoman, filled with a strong will to live fueled by an innocent spirit, falls deeply in love with Coalhouse after much resistance
Female, 20s-30s
Ethnicity: African Descent, African American
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano with a strong mix, low G# to high F#

MOTHER: The consummate wife and mother, a kind woman who is gentle, compassionate, optimistic, and accepting of others.
Female, 30-50
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Lyric Soprano / Mezzo with a strong mix, low G to high Eb

FATHER: Mother’s professionally successful husband, cautious, and resistant to change, fancies himself an amateur explorer.
Male, 30-50
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Baritone, B to E

YOUNGER BROTHER: A passionate anarchist, he is intense, obsessive, and high-strung, influenced by Emma Goldman’s teachings.
Male, 20-35
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Tenor / Baritone with strong top range, B to high F#

TATEH: An immigrant, intelligent, passionate, and creative artist. Full of drive and heart. Wears the trials and tribulations of his past on his sleeve. Eastern European / Latvian dialect.
Male, 30-40
Ethnicity: Eastern European / Jewish / Latvian-American
Vocal Range: Baritone / Tenor, Db to high F#

SARAH’S FRIEND/ENSEMBLE: Passionate, and soulful, sings the gospel number for Sarah’s funeral
Female, any age
Ethnicity: African Descent, African American
Vocal Range: Gospel Soprano or Alto, low G to stratospheric scat top note

EMMA GOLDMAN/ENSEMBLE: Eastern European/Jewish immigrant, anarchist
Female 30-60s
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Alto, low G# to Db

HARRY HOUDINI/ENSEMBLE: Hungarian immigrant, internationally famous magician
Male, 20-40s
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Tenor, middle C to high G

EVELYN NESBIT/ENSEMBLE: Vaudevillian performer, the star of her time
Female, 20-30s
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano/Belter, middle C to Db

WILLIE CONKLIN/ENSEMBLE: Irish-American fire chief who takes out his anger on Coalhouse.
Male, 30-60s
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritenor

ADULT ENSEMBLE: Booker T Washington, Henry Ford, JP Morgan, Admiral Peary, Matthew Henson, Judge, Grandfather, Kathleen, Brigit, Attorneys, Bureaucrats, Reporters, Baseball Fans, people of New Rochelle / Harlem / Union Square, Factory Workers, Firemen, Demonstrators, Immigrants, Vacationers

YOUTH CASTING:

LITTLE BOY (EDGAR): An earnest boy who has grown up in privilege. Open-hearted to people that are different from him and has the precocious innocence of youth.
Male, 10-12 years old
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Vocal Range: voice has not yet changed

LITTLE GIRL: Tateh’s daughter. Her arrival in America is marked by sickness and hunger. She is scared of her new surroundings and loyal to her father, her only living relative.
Female, 10-12 years old
Ethnicity: Eastern European/Jewish/Latvian-American
Vocal Range: Mezzo range

YOUNG COALHOUSE JR.: Innocent and pure. Son of Coalhouse and Sarah. This role appears briefly at the end of the play and has no lines or songs
Male
Ethnicity: African descent, African-American