Auditions: In The Heights & Disney The Little Mermaid

In The Heights - Directed by Kris Doss
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. 

Characters:
***Please Note***
In the Heights celebrates, uplifts, and amplifies a Latinx community in New York City. To honor the authors’ vision and to clearly and appropriately tell that story, the roles should be cast accordingly. Company members must match the character definitions as written in the script.

Usnavi - Male, Lead, Baritone (A2-A4) with strong, clear narrative rap skills.
Age: 20-25
Owns De La Vega’s Bodega. Emigrated from the Dominican Republic with his parents who have since passed away. He lives with Abuela Claudia and are as close as family despite not actually being related. Usnavi is in love with Vanessa but is a little shy. Usnavi is the eyes and ears of the neighborhood.

Vanessa - Female, Lead, Mezzo-Soprano (F#3-F5). Great dancer.
Age: 19-24.
Vanessa grew up in the heights. Is friendly with Usnavi, but Usnavi wants to be more. Vanessa has dreams of getting out of the heights and creating a new life.

Abuela Claudia - Female, Lead. Alto (Eb3-E5)
Age: 60s.
Helped raise Usnavi and Sonny. She emigrated from Cuba when she was very young and has been living in the heights the longest of anyone. She has struggled with finding her way in the country, but is the matriarch of the block.

Benny - Male, Lead, Bari-Tenor (B2-A4). 
Age: 20-25.
Works at Rosarios after having a troubled childhood that tended to include trouble. Kevin Rosario helped shape Benny into what he becomes and is seen as a father figure to Benny. Benny falls in love with Nina and sees a potential future with her with dreams of himself becoming a businessman. He is Usnavi’s best friend.

Nina - Female, Lead, Soprano (F3-F5).
Age 19-21.
Nina is a Freshman at Stanford. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camila Rosario. She is the only one in her family to “make it” out of the heights. She is best friends with Vanessa and remains the beacon of hope for the neighborhood along with the pressure of being so.

Camila Rosario - Female, Supporting, Mezzo-Soprano (G3-E5). Age 40s.
The co-owner of Rosario Car and Limousine with Kevin. She emigrated from Puerto Rico after falling in love with Kevin at age 19. She is cool and calm, but she does have a strong leash on Kevin.

Carla - Female, Supporting, Mezzo-Soprano (F3-E5). Strong Dancer. 
Age 24-30
Born and raised in Queens. She is a hairdresser at Daniela’s Salon. She is a loving and caring young woman who is often taken advantage of due to her naivety. She is best friends with Daniela.

Daniela - Female, Supporting, Mezzo-Soprano (F3-E5). Good Belt. Good Dancer.
Age: 30s
Savvy to say the least, she is quick witted, brassy and outspoken. While she retains a motherly relationship with Vanessa, she remains the gossip queen of the neighborhood. No-nonsense, she has built a successful business but is being forced out the neighborhood because of the rent hikes.

Kevin Rosario - Male, Supporting, Baritone (A2-F4).
Age: 40s
Kevin also emigrated at a young age with his wife Camila from Puerto Rico. He is the father of Nina and co-owns Rosario Car and Limousine. Kevin immediately started working to provide a better life for his newly-arrived family. Is stubborn, hot tempered at times and can be quick to act without thoughts of repercussions.

Sonny - Male, Supporting, Tenor (D3-B4). Strong mover. Good rap skills.
Age: 14-17
Sonny is spending the summer working for his cousin Usnavi at the bodega. He usually hangs out on the street with his friend Graffiti Pete but avoids trouble. He is an extremely intelligent young man who strives to emulate Usnavi. Passionate to solve the social and economic problems of the city, he is someone that needs guidance or risks ending up a street punk.

Piragua Guy - Male, Featured, Tenor (D3-A4). Strong Singer. 
Age: 30-36
He walks the hot and humid streets of Washington Heights selling piraguas (flavored ice shavings) to earn a living. He represents a rhythm of the islands in the big city.

Graffiti Pete - Male, Featured, Baritone. Strong Dancer/Mover.
Age 18-26.
The nemesis of Usnavi, he is always hanging out on the streets, dancing to his boombox music, spraying any surface he can. Usnavi is unhappy that Sonny and Graffiti Pete are friends because Graffiti Pete epitomizes everything that Usnavi hopes that Sonny will not grow up to be.

Ensemble- All genders and ages welcome, including children.
Need some strong dancers/movers.

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Disney The Little Mermaid - Directed by Tristan Tapscott
Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

Characters:
***Please Note***
The production team is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to go “Under the Sea” this summer!

Ariel
Ariel, the heroine of our story, is a little mermaid who longs to be human. Looking for a strong singer and dynamic performer in this role. Ariel has some beautiful solos but must be able to convey meaning through gesture once she loses her voice.

Prince Eric
Prince Eric is the adventurous prince who captures Ariel's heart. Looking for a charming performer with a sensitive nature. Prince Eric has a few small solos, but it is more important to cast a strong actor in this role.

Sebastian
Sebastian is the meticulous and anxious crab who tries to keep Ariel safe while getting to lead some of the most memorable songs in the show! Looking for a strong singer who can also handle Sebastian's emotional range. 

Flounder
Flounder is Ariel's sincere and sensitive best friend who is loyal to the end. This spunky fish also has a show-stopping solo in "She's in Love." This may be a wonderful role for a younger performer who is ready to take the next step into the spotlight.

King Triton
King Triton rules the sea and is a force to be reckoned with. This non-singer needs to command the stage as a strong leader but also show the tenderness of a parent. 

Mersisters
The Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana) are Ariel's siblings and full of personality and sass. These are great roles to showcase talented singers and dancers who can create and play six distinctive characters. They will double as the princesses. 

Ursula
Ursula is the manipulative sea witch who tries to overthrow King Triton. She is cunning and devious and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Looking for a confident performer who can bring out this villain's humor while finding texture in Ursula's complexity. 

Flotsam and Jetsam
Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula's slippery spies. These electric eels are sinister and sneaky, so we will look for performers who can be underhanded and devious while still being heard on stage. 

Scuttle
Scuttle is the know-it-all seagull who serves as Ariel's expert on humans. He is funny and off-beat. While a good singer will rock "Human Stuff," this song can easily be spoken in rhythm. Looking for a performer with good comedic timing who is willing to have fun with Scuttle's eccentricities.

Gulls
The Gulls are Scuttle's flock of zany "back-up singers" who help explain human stuff to Ariel. The Gulls' solos can be spoken if necessary.

Grimsby
Grimsby is Prince Eric's prim and proper valet. He is rigid in personality and constantly trying to guide Prince Eric towards the throne. While Grimsby does have some singing to do, strong acting trumps singing ability for this role.

Chef Louis
Chef Louis is the over-the-top head chef in the palace. He is always wild and frenetic. This is an excellent featured role for a comedic performer.

Chefs
The Chefs are Chef Louis's assistants. The music in "Les Poissons" can be challenging, so good choral singers are a plus for this group. The Chefs will also double as members of the Sea Chorus.

Carlotta
Carlotta is the headmistress in Prince Eric's palace and Ariel's greatest human ally. This non-singing role needs to be warm and maternal to make Ariel feel welcome.

Princesses
The six Princesses try everything they can to win the heart of Prince Eric. Since none of them possesses the voice Prince Eric is searching for, cast actresses who can create an exaggerated and comedic personality through song. The six Princesses will double as the six Mersisters.

Pilot
The Pilot is the head sailor on Prince Eric's ship. This nautical expert who entertains the sailors with wild tales of the sea presents an opportunity to highlight a developing performer. The Pilot has a few speaking lines, but his singing voice is most important.

Sailors
The Sailors are the crew of Prince Eric's ship. They are eager for adventure and ready to tackle a storm. The Sailors can be played by boys or girls and will double as Sea Chorus.

Seahorse
The Seahorse is the court herald for King Triton. This non-singing part is a good role for a young performer with a clear speaking voice.

Sea Creatures
The Sea Creatures are the ensemble under water animals in King Triton's court. 

Merfolk
The Merfolk of King Triton's Court and will double as Sea Creatures.