Auditions 

WHEN:  
Youth Auditions: Monday, December 4 at 6:30pm
Monday, December 11 at 6:30pm

Adult Auditions:  Monday, December 4 at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30pm
Monday, December 11 at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30pm
Sunday, December 10 6:00 and 7:00pm

Callbacks: (by invitation): Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00pm 

WHERE: NCT, 6376 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19151 (located within Overbrook Presbyterian Church). 

Performance Dates: May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, & 18 at 8:00pm
May 12 & 19 at 3:00pm 

Directed and Music Directed by: Andrew McDermott and Allie Beik

Choreographed by: Kimmy Faughey

Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart and sophistication.

The production team is committed to casting the very best performers for each role regardless of race, sex, ability, gender identity, size, and sexual orientation. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are seeking a diverse and energetic cast ages 9 & up. Everyone is welcome and warmly encouraged to audition. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Sign-Up: All auditions must be scheduled through SignUp Genius please click on the link to sign up. After signing up, an electronic audition form will be emailed for completion prior to the audition.
• Adult Principal Singing Roles: those interested in auditioning for Rose, Louise, June, Herbie and Tulsa
  
  • Vocal: Please prepare two 16-32 bar cuts of contrasting songs in the style of the show or from the show.
    Dance: Please come prepared for a dance audition with proper shoes and clothing. A video of the choreography will be emailed directly to auditionees prior to the audition.
    Sides: Please choose 1 side from this folder and come prepared to read with someone from the production team. Sides do not need to be memorized, copies will be provided.
• Adult Singing Roles: those interested in auditioning for Tessie Tura, Mazeppa, Electra, Hollywood Blondes, L.A, Yonkers, Angie
  • Vocal: Please prepare one 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show or from the show.
  • Dance: Please come prepared for a dance audition with proper shoes and clothing. 
  • Note: No sides required.
• Adult Speaking Roles (non-singing): see character breakdown below
  • Sides: Please choose 2 sides from this folder and come prepared to read with someone from the production team. Sides do not need to be memorized, copies will be provided.  Note: No singing or dancing audition required for non-singing roles
• Youth Roles: those interested in auditioning for Young Louise, Baby June, Newsboys, or Children’s Ensemble
  • Vocal: Please prepare one 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show or from the show.
  • Dance: Please come prepared for a dance audition with proper shoes and clothing.
  •  No sides required.

Note for vocal auditions: No acappella or recorded music will be permitted. If you choose a song that is not from the show, please bring sheet music with written-out accompaniment for the accompanist. A chord chart will not be accepted. Music on phones will not be accepted.

CALL BACKS: Callbacks will be held by invitation only on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 7:00 pm for both youth and adults.

REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will begin for the full cast in early March 2024. Rehearsals are on Sunday (afternoons and/or evenings), Monday and Tuesday evenings. Rehearsals for principal roles will begin 1-2 days a week in February and will be scheduled on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday based on cast availability.

MANDATORY REHEARSALS: Attendance is mandatory at the following;
Sitzprobe: Sunday, April 21 (time TBD)
Tech Week: Sunday, April 28, 1:30~10:30 and April 29, 30, & May 1 starting at 6PM
Set Strike on Monday, May 20. 

QUESTIONS: please email auditions@mynct.org 

NCT CULTURE AND COMMUNITY:

• NCT MEMBERSHIP: All performers cast in NCT shows, are required to become members of NCT. An annual membership can be purchased for $35 and entitles members to 2 tickets to each show in the season at a 20% discount, and voting rights in the organization.
• ADDITIONAL COSTS: There may other additional small costs to cast members, including providing your own shoes for the show. We do not anticipate additional costs being over $50 per performer. 
• CLEARANCES: For the safety of minors who participate in all aspects of theater, it is the policy of NCT to require all volunteers to obtain the PA Criminal Background, Child Abuse Clearances and FBI Clearances. There is a fee of $23.25 if you need to be fingerprinted. If you are cast, the Clearance Coordinator will go over the requirements in depth. If you have any questions please seek out a NCT Board Member.
• COVID-19: Everyone is required to be vaccinated. Youth who are not able to be vaccinated will be required to provide a signed written statement from their guardian with the reason for exemption. 
• ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: It is the policy of NCT to ensure equal opportunities without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (except in the instance of special rules for minors’ participation), disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state of local law.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: 

Below is a breakdown of the cast and recommended ages of the characters. Some characters will double as an ensemble member. There are plenty of ensemble roles with lines and singing solos. Vocal ranges are approximate.

All roles are open. ● The roles of Young Louise and Baby June may be double cast at the discretion of the production team. 

A note about stage ages: all ages listed are character ages. The production team will consider performers of any age (18 and up for adult roles, 9 and up for children’s roles) and will cast the best performers for the roles.

Adult Roles:
(Children’s roles listed below)

ROSE (age 35-55)
The quintessential stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she’s put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face.  Superb acting skills required along with a powerhouse Broadway belt. Minimal dance, but must move well. Comic timing a must. Vocal range F3 to C5.

LOUISE/GYPSY ROSE LEE (age 18-25)
The older version of Baby Louise.  Must be able to transform from the mousy and awkward Louise, into the sophisticated and seductive Burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Basic dance skills required but should be able to move well, strong acting skills needed. Must be comfortable with the character’s profession: strip tease. The character is very scantily clad but never actually appears in the nude. Vocal range G3 to E5.

JUNE (age 18-25)
The older version of Baby June. The older she gets the more frustrated with her mother’s domination she becomes. A Shirley Temple type child star. Must be able to belt a song and have strong dancing skills. The ability to do splits, high kicks, tap/jazz dance, baton twirling is a big plus, but not required. Vocal range G3 to F5.

HERBIE (40-55)
Manager for Rose’s act and Rose’s loyal boyfriend. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Minimum dance but must move well. A baritone, strong acting role. Vocal range C3 to D4.

TULSA (age 18-20)
Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Sings and dances “All I Need Is the Girl.” Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap.  Good singer, charming young man. Vocal range C3 to G5

TESSIE TURA (any age 18+)
Experienced and wise burlesque performer, just past her prime.  She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A course “broad” who’s been around the block. Very funny. Basic dance skills required, specialty: Ballet Stripper. Vocal range B3 to D5

MAZEPPA (any age 18+)
Bold and brassy trumpet playing burlesque stripper, past her prime. Tough and physically intimidating. Basic dance skills required. Vocal range G3 to D5

ELECTRA (any age 18+)
Ditsy and sweet burlesque stripper, past her prime. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to “shine” without working up a sweat. Basic dance skills required. Vocal range B3 to D5

YONKERS (18-20)
Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

L.A. (18-20)
Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

ANGIE (18-20)
Member of June’s “Farmboys.”  Strong singer and dancer.

HOLLYWOOD BLONDES (AGNES, MARJORIE MAY, DOLORES) (18-25)
Singing and dancing members of the “Hollywood Blondes”. 

Non-Singing Roles:
(Note: performers in non-singing roles will play a variety of roles listed below.)

UNCLE JOCKO (30-55)
Grouchy master of ceremonies at a weekly kids’ talent show. Non-singing role.

POP—(50+)
Rose’s father.  He does not believe that Rose or the girls will ever amount to anything. Non-singing role.

1. GOLDSTONE—(30+)
   Representative of the Orpheum Circuit. Needs to move well. Chaplin-like skills a plus! Non-speaking, non-singing role.

MISS CRATCHITT—(20+)
Secretary at Grantziger’s Palace.  Has no patience for “small-time” acts or pushy mothers. Non-singing role.

CIGAR—(30-50)
Brusk, street-wise Burlesque theater manager in Wichita. Non-singing role.

PASTEY—(21+)
Burlesque stage manager in Wichita. Non-singing role.

Others include PHIL, GEORGIE, WEBER, WAITRESS, KRINGELIN, FRONT/REAR OF COW, etc. Performers in non-singing roles will also be a critical part of keeping the show flowing by helping with transitions.

Children’s Roles:

BABY JUNE (about 10)
A Shirley Temple-like, up-and-coming vaudeville star. Her on-stage demeanor is sugary sweet, cute and precocious. Strong singer and must have good dancing skills. The ability to do splits, high kicks, tap/jazz dance, baton twirling is a big plus, but not required. Vocal range C4 to E5

YOUNG LOUISE (about 12)
Rose’s shy older daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn’t have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step, but the actor playing this part must be able to dance. Vocal range C4 to E5

NEWSBOYS (age 10-14)
Baby June’s back up dancers and singers. Must sing and dance.

BALLOON GIRL—(non-singing/speaking)
Auditioning child.

CLARENCE—(non-singing/speaking)
Auditioning child who plays the clarinet. Clarinet playing skills are a big plus, but not required.

Youth performers may play more than one role listed above.