Footlite Musicals is proud to announce open auditions for RENT, directed by Isaac Becker-Chamberlin and produced by Susan Bott, with choreography by Conner Becker-Chamberlin and vocal direction by Markell Pipkins.

You are required to fill out our online audition form either in person or ahead of time here: Footlite Musicals Audition Form (click here)

Please bring 16-32 bars of a song that shows off your vocal range, with sheet music in the correct key for the provided accompanist.

For the dance portion of the audition, a change of clothes is encouraged. A video will be provided to learn the audition choreography ahead of time.

Those auditioning may be asked to read excerpts from the show.

We are committed to inclusive casting, welcoming performers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities.

This is not a youth production. Auditioners must be 18 and over.

Please list all conflicts on your audition form. You cannot have conflicts after April 30. The number of conflicts listed may impact casting decisions.

If you have any questions regarding the audition process, please contact us.

PRODUCTION STAFF:

Director – Isaac Becker-Chamberlin
Producer – Susan Bott
Assistant Director – Kennedy Wilson
Assistant Director/Stage Manager – Jeremy Crouch
Vocal Director/Conductor – Markell Pipkins
Choreographer – Conner Becker-Chamberlin
Technical Director– Ted Jacobs
Costume Designer – Etta Biloon
Props Designer – Shari Jacobs
Scenic Designer – Rachael Jacobs
Lighting Designer – Maria Matters
Sound Designer – Jake Talty
Dramaturge – Shannon Rehmel

MARK COHEN
Stage age: early to late twenties
Vocal Range: Tenor (C#3-G4)
Mark is an aspiring filmmaker who narrates the show as he films the lives of his friends. Mark never leaves home without a camera. He is Roger’s best friend and caregiver, and he was once Maureen’s boyfriend (who left him for Joanne). Mark is a little nerdy and quirky. He insists that he can survive the bleakness of his environment through his art. It soon becomes apparent, though, that he is more comfortable viewing the world through his lens than in actively engaging in it. He feels guilty that unlike his friends, he does not have HIV/AIDS. The actor playing this role must be a strong singer and actor. He dances the Tango with Joanne, so good movement skills are also required.

ROGER DAVIS
Stage Age: mid twenties to early thirties
Vocal Range: Rock Tenor (B2-A4)
Roger is a once successful, now struggling musician who discovered he had HIV/AIDS in a note his girlfriend left him before she took her own life. His main goal in life is to write one great song before he dies, but he has not been able to play his guitar in a year, fearing that he has lost his creative energy. He falls in love with Mimi but is too afraid to commit to her, knowing that she also is infected with HIV/AIDS. He is also the roommate and best friend of Mark. He is often depressed and sullen, but he can be expressive and passionate at times. The actor playing this role must be a good actor and an excellent singer with a rock edge. Guitar skills are desired, but are not required.

MIMI MARQUEZ
Stage Age: late teens to early twenties
Vocal Range: Alto (F#3-E5)
Mimi Marquez works in a strip club and struggles with her addiction to heroin, which has resulted in her contraction of HIV/AIDS. She falls in love with Roger, who is unable to commit to a relationship with her. She is also Benny’s ex‐girlfriend. She is extremely sexy, optimistic, and likeable but with dark secrets. Though Mimi has” lived a lot of life,” she still sees the world through the eyes of a young woman. She intends to make the most of every day, as she earnestly expresses in the song “No Day but Today.” The actress playing this role must be a strong singer, dancer, and exceptional actress. She must be able to convincingly portray the struggles of heroin addiction, sexual promiscuity, and HIV/AIDS, while still maintaining the optimism of youth.

BENNY COFFIN III
Stage Age: twenties to thirties
Vocal Range: Tenor (Eb3-F4)
Benny used to be Mark and Roger’s roommate, but he married Alison Grey, a rich family involved with real estate, and he is now their landlord. He had been letting Roger and Mark live in the apartment for free, but he is now forcing them to pay rent or be evicted. Roger and Mark consider him a yuppie sell-out. He also had an affair with Mimi before she started to date Roger. While in the beginning he is caught up in the lifestyle of wealth and affluence, he ultimately realizes his friends are more important than what money can buy. The actor playing this role must be a good singer and actor.

MAUREEN JOHNSON
Stage Age: twenties to thirties
Vocal Range: Soprano Belt (C4-F5)
Maureen is a bisexual performing artist and Mark’s ex‐girlfriend. She left Mark to be with her new girlfriend, Joanne. She is sexy, flirtatious, sassy, and funny. She is bold and speaks her mind, and she is not afraid to take on the establishment and fight for what she believes in. The actress playing this role must be an excellent singer and actress. She must be comfortable with same-sex physical intimacy.

JOANNE JEFFERSON
Stage Age mid-twenties to early thirties
Vocal Range: Soprano Belt (Bb3-E5)
Maureen is a lesbian Ivy League educated lawyer and activist. She struggles to not be jealous ofMaureen’s flirtatious nature with others. Though she was raised in an affluent, political family, she is committed to helping those less fortunate. The actress playing this role must be an excellent singer and a good actress. She must be comfortable with same sex-physical intimacy. Since she dances the tango with Mark, good movement skills are also required.

TOM COLLINS
Stage Age: late twenties to late thirties
Vocal Range: Baritone/Tenor (F#2 – A4) One A4 for a short duration
Tom Collins is a gay computer genius, teacher, and anarchist who was recently expelled from MIT. In the opening scene he is mugged, reflecting the harsh reality of the world in which the characters live. He is brave enough to allow himself to fall in love with Angel, knowing that since both of them are infected with HIV/AIDS, their relationship will not have much of a future. Tom and Angel’s relationship is the heart of the show, as the genuine love and devotion they have for one another brings hope and inspiration to the entire group. They show the world how to truly live life and not be afraid. The actor playing this role must be an excellent singer and actor who is comfortable with same sex-physical intimacy. He must be able to portray great love and affection for Angel. He must especially be able to convey that love when Angel dies in his arms, and during his reprise of “I Will Cover You.”

ANGEL SCHUNARD
Stage Age: early to late twenties
Vocal Range: Tenor with Falsetto (C3-A4)
Angel is a young drag queen and street percussionist. He meets and falls in love with Collins. He has HIV/ AIDS and dies of the disease in Act II. As a person, Angel is the most generous and selfless character in the show. Angel hands out money to the neighborhood while dressed in Santa drag. Though he has HIV/AIDS, he embraces life and lives it to its fullest. People are naturally drawn to him, and his smile lights up the room. His death is mourned by all of the characters and eventually inspires them to live each day to the fullest. As mentioned in Tom’s character description, Tom and Angel’s relationship is the heart of the show, as the genuine love and devotion they have for one another brings hope and inspiration to the entire group. They show the world how to truly live life and not be afraid. The actor playing this role must be an excellent actor, singer, and mover. He must be able to comfortable with same-sex physical intimacy and a drag queen persona, including dancing in heels.

MINOR CHARACTERS (many double in other scenes)
Stage ages: Early twenties to sixties
Vocal Ranges: all vocal ranges sought