Auditions

Eight performances will run from March 28 - April 6, 2025

Director: Gina Lupi
Music Director: Stephen Strouse
Choreographer: Kathleen Pearlberg
AYE Lead Teaching Artist: Marissa DeVeau

ACCEPTANCE THROUGH AUDITION ONLY

In-person auditions scheduled as follows:

• Sunday, January 19 open-call, starting at 7:00 p.m.
  Actors 14 years of age and older
• Monday, January 20 open-call, starting at 7:00 p.m.
  Actors 14 years of age and older

*** Age ranges are approximate to characters but may not reflect actual age of the actor.

LOCATION
All auditions will be at the Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• Please prepare a 32-measure cut of a 1980's pop or contemporary musical theatre song, in the style of the show that shows your vocal range to be heard and performed at the open call audition. Footloose, also known as a jukebox musical. Actors need to provide sheet music (piano/vocal), in the correct key, of the song they are auditioning with for the piano accompaniment.
• Students under the age of 18 who are cast in this production will participate in the Algonquin Youth Ensemble. ** More information is at the end of this audition posting.

ACTORS MUST FILL OUT THIS AUDITION FORM PRIOR TO ATTENDING AN OPEN-CALL AUDITION:
Footloose Audition Form

Please submit the following via this form:

• Headshot
• Resume

CALLBACKS:
In-person callback will be held the evening of Wednesday, January 22 from 7:30-10:30 pm

Actors will be told as to whether they should attend the callback scheduled. If the callback is a conflicting time, please indicate this on your audition form.

REHEARSAL INFO:
Rehearsals will be at Algonquin Arts Theatre or in a nearby location. Rehearsals to begin in February of 2025. Exact rehearsal schedule will be set once the availability of all actors is learned but will take place during weekday evenings and weekends (depending on role and when called).

BEFORE YOU AUDITION, be advised that all actors must be available for rehearsals that are to be scheduled according to the actor's role. It is mandatory for actors to be available for all scheduled evening tech rehearsals (March 23-27) and performances (March 26-April 6). Conflicts will not be accepted after the cast has been announced.

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:
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SYNOPSIS
Join us for the ultimate dance sensation - Footloose! This explosive musical, based on the beloved '80s film, is set to take your breath away with its infectious energy and a story that will have you cheering for freedom! With a chart-topping soundtrack featuring hits like "Footloose," "Let's Hear It for the Boy," and "Holding Out for a Hero," this high-energy production will have you tapping your feet and singing along.

ROLES AVAILABLE:

REN MCCORMACK: (Tenor D3-C5) A boy from Chicago who moves with his mother to the small town of Bomont. Witty, passionate, and desperately fun-loving. While reckoning with his father's desertion, he becomes the catalyst of change in his new home as he journeys towards adulthood. Male-presenting triple threat, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

ETHEL MCCORMACK: (Alto A3-D5) Ren's mother. Responsible for giving him his wit, intelligence and resilience. We see her navigate a newly blended family and jarring change of lifestyle while discovering how to better support Ren. Their mutual loss has brought them closer and they share a teasing, good-natured relationship. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.

REVEREND SHAW MOORE: (Baritone A2-F#4) The minister of Bomont. Charismatic, charming, quick minded, a loving heart, and a great sense of humor - all of which endear him to his congregation. He is a true community leader. But while trying to be strong for so many, he continues to mourn and struggle with the death of his son. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.

VI MOORE: (Alto A3-Db5) Shaw's wife. Despite the loss of her son and strained relationships at home, she understands that good humor and unwavering empathy will keep life running smoothly. With plucky irreverence, she gives us a glimpse of what things were like before the tragedy. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.

ARIEL MOORE: (Alto/Mezzo G3-Eb5) Vi & Shaw's teenage daughter. She smartly and effortlessly moves between the worlds she exists in. In her father's presence, she is buttoned-up and demure. While with Chuck she burns off all her raucous, thrill-seeking behavior. Her high spirits are her attempt to keep a lid on her grief about her brother's death and strained relationship with her father. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

LULU WARNICKER: Ren's aunt and Ethel's sister. Longtime resident of Bomont, she and her husband open their home to her family. A caring traditionalist and passionate member of her community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 40+ years old.

WES WARNICKER: Lulu's husband. A patriarch of Bomont and less empathetic traditionalist than his wife. Friend of the other men in Bomont who share the same ideals. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 40+ years old.

COACH ROGER DUNBAR: The high school gym teacher. Another patriarchal member of Bomont, he is one of the few sets of eyes and ears for the congregation inside the high school. An avid supporter of the law established in the town and friend of Rev. Moore and Wes. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.

ELEANOR DUNBAR: Coach Dunbar's wife. Another traditional minded Bomont citizen. She has an affinity for baking and bridge. A peace-keeper. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.

RUSTY: (Alto/Mezzo A3-F#5)) Ariel's best friend. Sassy and self-assured yet deeply romantic. She believes that she and Willard are destined to be together, despite their shared ineptitude at expressing themselves. She finds a quick love of dancing and is not afraid to speak her mind. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

URLEEN: (Alto A3-D5) Ariel's friend. Humorously curious about all of the thrills Ariel pursues. Along with Rusty & Wendy Jo, she personifies the watchful eyes that surround the community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

WENDY JO: (Alto/Mezzo A3-E5) Ariel's friend. Humorously curious about all of the thrills Ariel pursues. Along with Rusty & Wendy Jo, she personifies the watchful eyes that surround the community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

CHUCK CRANSTON: (Tenor F#3-B4) Ariel's boyfriend. A dead-beat, drop-out, drug dealer. He is the opposite of everything Shaw would hope Ariel would find in a partner. Hence why Ariel is excited to date him. Not the brightest bulb on the tree but not completely unaware, he tries to thwart Ren's attempt to foil his relationship with Ariel. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 20 onstage.

LYLE: (Tenor) Chuck's buddy. A buffoonish follower, he is enticed by anything Chuck pursues. Highly comedic in his simplistic view of the world. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

TRAVIS: (Tenor) Chuck's buddy. A buffoonish follower, he is enticed by anything Chuck pursues. Highly comedic in his simplistic view of the world. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

BETTY BLAST: Owner of The Burger Blast. She is perhaps the one adult who is most in tune with the youth of Bomont. Actor must be comfortable on roller skates for a scene. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 50+ years old.

WILLARD HEWITT: (Tenor Bb2-Ab4) Ren's friend, a country boy. Rusty's destined love. A gentle soul with quick fists, which are his defense against a world that he often has trouble comprehending. His humor derives from his gradual, innocent and giddy discovery of new worlds that Ren opens him up to. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

PRINCIPAL HARRY CLARK: The high school principal. Another set of eyes and ears for the congregation inside the high school. An avid supporter of the law established in the town. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.

JETER: (Tenor) Ren's friend (sings "Mama Says" with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren's mission of reverting the no dancing law. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

BICKLE: (Tenor) Ren's friend (sings "Mama Says" with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren's mission of reverting the no dancing law. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

GARVIN: (Baritone) Ren's friend (sings "Mama Says" with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren's mission of reverting the no dancing law. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-30 years old. Must believably play 18 onstage.

COWBOY BOB: (Tenor E3-C5) Lead vocalist at the Bar-B-Que. The personification of everything Bomont and Rev. Shaw stands against - dancing and partying. Briefly takes a shine to Rusty once he notices her affinity for dancing. His interest in her is also the catalyst for Willard to venture out of his comfort zone. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.

DANCE ENSEMBLE Dancers who sing, ages 15 & up. 4-6 male presenting and 4-6 female presenting, all ethnicities, who will function as the featured dance ensemble. May double as any one of Ariel or Ren's friends above or will portray high school students or townspeople.

Age ranges are approximate to characters but may not reflect actual age of the actor.

** ALGONQUIN YOUTH ENSEMBLE (AYE)
Here at Algonquin Arts Theatre our produced Broadway Series performances work closely with the Education Department. This gives us an opportunity to educate students in all areas of the performing arts. Through our Performing Arts Academy (PAA) each semester (Fall-Winter, Winter-Spring & Summer) we offer a program called the Algonquin Youth Ensemble (AYE). AYE is an audition-only, comprehensive instructional, full immersion theatre education program. The Algonquin Youth Ensemble is a class first. There is not a tuition fee to participate in this particular program. Students will be selected based on their audition alone. Not all who audition will be cast/selected for the program. Transcending the typical theatre program, AYE members not only have the opportunity to study theatrical disciplines with experienced professionals, but also must apply what they have learned in a fully mounted main stage production. This particular production is open to students ages 14 to 17 years of age, participants commit not only to all production rehearsals (as needed), tech rehearsals and performances.

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