Masterworx Community Theater is holding open auditions for actors 16 and up for their production of “West Side Story!”

Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on a Concept of Jerome Robbins
Based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
Originally Produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince
By Arrangement with Roger L. Stephens

From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Arthur Laurents’ book remains as powerful, poignant, and timely as ever. The score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim are widely regarded as among the best ever written. The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments.

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is transported to 1950’s New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the “Puerto Rican” Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Audition Info

Director/Scenic Designer: Michelle Velastegui
Music Director: Dr. Kathryn Wert
Choreographer: Shania Thorpe / Alisha Dixon
Fight Choreographer: TBD
Stage Manager: Dani Conklin
Assistant Stage Manager: Jonathan Brennan
Production Manager: Deborah Ware
Producers: Masterworx Community Theater

NOTE: This is an unpaid, non-Equity production. Housing is not provided. 

1. For in-person, use the SUBJECT line “WSS – IN-PERSON – YOUR NAME” (e.g. WSS – IN-PERSON – John Smith)
2. To request instructions for a video audition submission, use the SUBJECT line “WSS – VIDEO – YOUR NAME” (e.g. WSS – VIDEO – Jane Smith)
3. Video submissions due July 19 by 11:59 PM EST

Form to fill out: Audition Form (Please print, fill out, and bring to the audition, or arrive early to your audition to fill out a blank copy we will have available on-site.)

Where: All auditions and callbacks will be held at the Academy Center of the Arts Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.

When: Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Callbacks: By invitation only, Thursday, July 25 (callback notices will be sent out Tuesday night to those who are called back. Please watch your email.) If you do not receive a callback, it does NOT mean you are not in the show!

Audition Structure

PLEASE NOTE: we are a non-equity, Lynchburg-area community theatre. We do not pay or offer housing to actors. Please consider this before signing up for auditions. Thanks!

Auditions will consist of vocals and dance.

Need to bring:

• Headshot and resume
• Sheet music for a one-minute section of a classical musical theatre song (not from the show)
  • An accompanist will be provided
  • No acapella or recorded music
• 30 second to 1 minute dramatic monologue
• Schedule conflicts between August 12 – October 6, 2024
  • Conflicts submitted after the first read-through will not be accepted
• Dress comfortably/bring a change of clothes for the dance audition
  • Women should have character shoes or heels (no flats)

Time Commitment

Offers will be made by phone between July 29 – July 30, 2024. If you are not cast, you will receive an email no later than July 30.

First Rehearsal: Monday, August 12 at 7 PM

Typical Rehearsal Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 6-10 PM (some weekends depending on conflicts)

• Rehearsal schedule is built based on previously submitted cast conflicts and will not be available until after the show is cast.
• No Rehearsal on Monday, September 2 

Sitzprobe: TBD

Tech week begins Sunday, September 29

Rehearsals will take place at the Academy Center of the Arts 519 Commerce Street, Lynchburg VA, or at Ecclesia School of the Arts MV 621 Court Street, Lynchburg VA, 24504.

Performances:

Thursday, October 3 – Sunday, October 6, 2024
Academy Center of the Arts, Historic Theatre
600 Main Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504

Performance Times: 5 performances – Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM

Mandatory strike after Sunday, October 6th performance.

Casting Breakdown

All ages listed are stage ages. All genders are as presented in the script.

NOTE: The role of Doc has already been cast.

Tony (Vocal Range Bb2-Bb4, Male, Age 25-30): A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere. Strong vocals.

Maria (Vocal range Bb3-C6, Female, Age 18-21): A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo’s sister. Puerto Rican. Strong vocals.

Riff (Vocal Range Bb2-G4, Male, Age 18-26): A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang’s dominance. Tony’s best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo. Must be a strong dancer. Acrobatics is a plus.

Bernardo (Vocal range Bb2-Eb4, Male, Age 25-35): A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for himself and his friends. Maria’s brother and Anita’s boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks. Must be a strong dancer.

Anita (Vocal range F3-D5, Female, Age 25-30): Feisty and assertive. She dispenses “older sister” advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo’s girlfriend and Maria’s friend. Puerto Rican. Must be a strong dancer.

Chino (Male, Age 20-25): An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo’s.

Action (Baritone, Male, Age 20-30): One of the Jets, Featured Solo “Gee, Officer Krupke”, is one of the “Ace men” of the Jets. Like some of the others, his nickname is indicative of his personality; he is very bad-tempered and always ready to fight at the drop of a hat, and as such often needs to be held back.

Anybodys (Female, Age 15-25): A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart.

The Jets: Diesel, A-Rab, Baby John, Snowboy, Big Deal, Gee-Tar, Mouthpiece. Gee-Tar doubles as Tony’s understudy and Mouthpiece doubles as Riff’s understudy.

The Sharks: Pepe, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles. Nibbles doubles as Bernardo’s understudy.

The Jets Girls: Graziella, Velma, Minnie, Clarice, Pauline

The Sharks Girls: Rosalia, Consuelo, Francisca, Teresita, Estella, Margarita. Estella doubles as Maria’s understudy and Margarita doubles as Anita’s understudy.

Schrank (Male, Age 40-60): A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic. Also plays the role of Glad Hand, a well-meaning social worker in charge of the gym dance.

Krupke (Male, Age 30-60): The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gang’s conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. Regularly mocked by the local gangs.

For many characters in this production – particularly Maria, Anita, Rosalia, Consuela and members of the Sharks – Masterworx is committed to honoring the authors’ celebration of the Latino community. For all other roles, Masterworx encourages actors of all ethnicities, cultural heritage / background, and body types to audition. 

SONG LIST

In case you would like to familiarize yourself with the songs from the show and which songs each character sings, we have provided a list below.

Act 1

“Prologue”: Jets and Sharks
“Jet Song”: Riff and Jets
“Something’s Coming”: Tony
“The Dance at the Gym”: Jets and Sharks
“Maria”: Tony with Gee-Tar, Mouthpiece, Luis and Anxious
“Balcony Scene”: Maria and Tony
“America”: Anita, Rosalia and Shark Girls
“Cool”: Riff and Jets
“One Hand, One Heart”: Tony and Maria
“Tonight”: Full Company
“The Rumble”: Riff, Bernardo, Tony, Jets and Sharks

Act 2

“I Feel Pretty”: Maria and Shark Girls
“Somewhere”: Teresita and Minnie
“Procession and Nightmare”: Full Company
“Gee, Officer Krupke”: Jets
“A Boy Like That / I Have a Love”: Maria and Anita
“Finale”: Maria and Tony