TCR announces auditions for the February/March 2023 production of Cabaret, book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. Theatre Cedar Rapids will present the 1998 version.
Cabaret will be performed live at Theatre Cedar Rapids, February 10 – March 5, 2023. Performances take place Thu – Sat at 7:30 p.m. and Sun 2:30 p.m. SEE ALL DATES HERE
Rehearsals will start the week of December 5th, 2022 with a full holiday break December 22nd through January 1st (resuming January 2nd). Rehearsals will typically be held four weeknights 6:30-9:30 and one weekend daytime rehearsal each week. Not all cast will be called to all rehearsals.
Directed by Angie Toomsen, music director Janelle Lauer, choreographed by Megan Helmers, associate choreographer Megan Robinson, scenic and lighting design by S. Benjamin Farrar, costumes by Joni Dee Sackett, with additional specialists in intimacy direction, dialects, fight direction, and dramaturgy.
ABOUT AUDITIONS
Contact Courtny Rocarek (courtny.rocarek@theatrecr.org) with questions about auditions. If you cannot attend auditions on these dates we will accept a video audition. Email for more information.
- Audition Dates/Time: Sunday, October 23rd and Monday, October 24th. Callbacks and dance call will be held the evening of Tuesday, October 25th.
- Fill out an AUDITION FORM HERE (REQUIRED)
- Sign up for an AUDITION SLOT HERE (REQUIRED)
- On audition day:
- Arrive at the TCR lobby at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time and you will be directed to the audition space.
- Prepare a side or sides from the show (need not be memorized): SIDES HERE
- Prepare part of a song: Prepare 16-32 bars of any musical theater song in the style of the show. You may sing a song from the show. If you will only accept a specific role, it is recommended you choose a relevant song from the show.
- Bring sheet music or accompaniment: Bring marked sheet music for our accompanist to play, or bring a track on your phone to connect to our bluetooth speaker. No acapella auditions please.
- After you have finished your slot you will be done for the evening.
- Casting timeline We will let you know if you should attend callbacks by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday the 25th. All auditioners will be notified about casting by October 28th.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Arguably one of the greatest musicals ever written, Kander & Ebb’s masterpiece won eight Tony Awards in 1967 and remains shockingly relevant today as ever. The score contains some of the most memorable and electrifying tunes in all the musical theater. Songs like “Maybe This Time,” “Willkommen,” “Mein Herr,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” and, of course “Cabaret.”
Daring, provocative and exuberantly entertaining, Cabaret explores the dark and heady life of Bohemian Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Combine the story with a red hot score and it’s easy to understand why Cabaret has remained prolific for over 50 years.
ROLES AVAILABLE
The creative team seeks a diverse company of 18+ actors. Actors of all ethnicities will be equally considered for all roles and actors of color are encouraged to audition. All roles are open. Ages listed are “stage ages” so older/younger performers will be considered.
Note: the role of “Boy Soprano” will be cast separately and may be pre-recorded. If your child or student would like to be considered please contact courtny.rocarek@theatrecr.org for more information. Please do not sign your child up for these auditions.
Emcee Male-identified, any race/ethnicity; 20s-40; the host and Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub. Comedic, transformational, commanding, loveable. Requires agile stage movement and dance. Speaks with a German accent. Alto or tenor.
Sally Bowles Female-identified, any race/ethnicity; 20s-40; a British cabaret singer at the Kit Kat Klub. Brash, messy and a hustler. She’s a charismatic opportunist with a raw vulnerability under the surface. Comfortable with stage movement and light dance; speaks with a British accent. Vocal range: E3 to C5, mezzo, strong belt.
Cliff Bradshaw Male-identified, any race/ethnicity, 20s-40. A broke, aspiring writer traveling to Berlin, teaching English for rent. He’s a good boy from a God-fearing family in Pennsylvania, who has big dreams and under-explored impulses. Actor who sings – Baritone, low A to high E.
Ernst Ludwig Male-identified, 30-50, any race/ethnicity. A charming German aristocrat who usually knows how to get what he wants. Takes English lessons from Cliff and smuggles funds for the Nazi Party. Thick German accent. Actor with light singing.
Fraulein Schneider Female-identified, 35+, any race/ethnicity. A former socialite with delusions of grandeur. Lonely and struggling to rent rooms in her large flat. Speaks with a German accent. Alto, low D to Ab above middle C.
Herr Schultz Male-identified, 40+, any race/ethnicity. One of Fraulein Schneider’s roomers and the proprietor of a fruit shop. Good-natured and generous. Speaks with a German/Yiddish accent. Sweet character singer.
Fraulein Kost Female-identified, 25-40, any race/ethnicity. Another of Fraulein Schneider’s roomers; earns money by offering favors to sailors. She has both an intoxicating and commanding nature. Alto/mezzo, low Ab to high F.
The Kit Kat Girls: Seeking skilled dancers who sing. The Kit Kat Girls ensemble will also cover various roles including performers, club patrons, Gorilla, potentially Fraulein Kost. All shapes and sizes.
- Rosie
- Lulu
- Frenchie
- Texas
- Fritzie
- Helga
The Kit Kat Boys: Seeking strong dancers who can sing. The Kit Kat ensemble will also cover various roles including performers, club patrons, Gorilla, Rudy (a sailor), Customs Officials and Max. All shapes and sizes.
- Bobby
- Victor
- Hans
- Herman
Content Disclosure
Content discussed and/or witnessed in this show: WWII, Nazism, antisemitism, white supremacy, homo-pan-bi-sexuality, polyamory, expansive gender expression, homophobia/ transphobia, staged violence, romance kissing and intimate touch, sexually intimate and suggestive choreography/dance, provocative performance art, drug usage, drinking, sex work, smoking, and tight fitting/burlesque-style costumes.
Almost every role in this production engages in some form of intimate or romantic touch, from kissing to sexually suggestive choreography. These actions are not meant to be gratuitous, nor are they present just to make the production feel or look “sexy.” Every choreographed moment will be discussed thoroughly, as to how it reflects our show’s core themes. We welcome and encourage discussion of your individual boundaries ahead of casting. Feel free to reach out to Angie Toomsen (angie.toomsen@theatrecr.org) with specific questions and/or concerns.