Footlite Musicals is proud to announce open auditions for Kiss Me, Kate, directed by Paula Phelan.
Please bring 16-32 bars of a song that shows off your vocal talent, with sheet music in the correct key for the provided accompanist. A change of clothes for the dance portion of the audition is encouraged.
We are committed to inclusive casting, welcoming performers of all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. All performers must be over 18 years of age. Most male-presenting roles will wear tights or form-fitting pants.
If you have any questions regarding the audition process, please contact us.
The recipient of the first Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949, Kiss Me, Kate makes a fourth return to the Footlite stage. Passions run high as leading lady Lilli Vanessi and her ex-husband, actor/director Fred Graham, battle onstage and off in a production of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” With romance, comedy, sophistication, and behind-the-scenes high jinks, “Kiss Me, Kate” combines the irreverent humor of four brilliant writers: Sam and Bella Spewack, Cole Porter and William Shakespeare. Hoosier born Porter is at the top of his game with such great musical numbers as “So in Love,” “Wunderbar,” “Tom, Dick or Harry,” “Too Darn Hot,” “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “I Hate Men,” “Always True to You (In My Fashion)” and “Another Op’nin, Another Show.”
Book by Sam and Bella Spewack
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Principals
(3 women; 8 men)
Hattie — Lili Vanessi’s dresser
Paul — Fred Graham’s dresser, specialty dancer & leader of solo trio for “Too Darn Hot”
Lois Lane (Bianca) — a nightclub singer in her first featured role on the stage
Bill Calhoun (Lucentio) — a Broadway hoofer, Lois’ partner and a chronic gambler
Lilli Vanessi (Katharine) — a star stage and screen actress, former wife of Fred Graham
Fred Graham (Petruchio) — writer, producer, director, actor and superman; former husband of Lili
First Man — gunman-enforcer & half the donkey for Finale Act Two
Second Man — gunman-enforcer & half the donkey for Finale Act Two
Gremio — first suitor; ensemble dancer & motorcyclist; doubles as Flynt, aide to Gen. Howell
Hortensio — second suitor; ensemble dancer & motorcyclist; doubles as Riley, aide to Gen. Howell
General Harrison Howell — career military officer, politician and Lili’s “new” man
Supporting
Pops (Stage Doorman) — ensemble; doubles as Padua Priest
Ralph (Stage Manager) — ensemble singer
Dance Captain — doubles as Gregory, servant to Petruchio; ensemble dancer & recorder player
Harry Trevor — a veteran character actor; doubles as Baptista Minola
Stagehand #1 (Electrician & Cab Driver — doubles as Nathaniel, servant to Petruchio
Stagehand #2 (Assistant Electrician) — doubles as Philip, servant to Petruchio
Stagehand #3 (Carpenter & Driver for Gen. Howell — doubles as Haberdasher
Wardrobe Lady — ensemble singer
Ensemble Singer — part of female quartet for “Bianca”; doubles as Padua Inn Waitress
Two Women — part of female quartet for “Bianca”
Four Women — ensemble dancers
Ensemble
Company SATB singers and dancers
Citizens of Padua