AUDITION NOTICE
In The Heights
Audition Dates: April 2nd-16th
Auditions now open for the Morgan-Wixson Theatre’s production of the Tony Award Winning musical, In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.
Performances are July 7th - July 30th, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. 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.
Self Tape Auditions
Accepting submissions April 2nd - 16th
Submit a recording including a slate with name, height, and where you live, plus two contrasting contemporary Musical Theater songs. To submit your audition, go to this website Self-Tape Audition Form and complete the form.
Open Auditions
For those unable to submit a self-taped audition, open auditions will be held
Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Bring a headshot, resume and come prepared with two 16 - 32 bar cuts of contemporary Musical Theater songs.
An accompanist will be provided.
Callbacks
By invitation only and are scheduled for Saturday, April 29th
You will be notified by email if you are asked to callbacks, which will take place at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre
Non-equity only.
The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is a volunteer-run community theatre,
and thanks the actors for their participation with a gratuity stipend.
Auditions, rehearsals and performances will take place at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre
located at 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Parking
Street parking available.
Parking is also available to the Venice Family Clinic’s parking lot on weekends and on weekdays after 6 p.m.
Do not park at our neighbors AAMCO/Viking Motors or SGI, you will be towed.
Rehearsals will primarily be Monday - Thursday from 7pm -10:30pm and Sundays from 6pm -10pm,
with some Saturday rehearsals in June, as needed.
Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal.
Tech week will include the full weekend before July 4th (but not the holiday itself).
Performances are July 7th - July 30th,
Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
All performers must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination.
We recently lifted our mask mandate for our theatre. Masks are now optional, and we ask you to
respect each other, whether those around you choose to wear a mask or not.
Our policy will change and adapt as necessary.
Ariella Salinas Fiore Director
Jenny Chaney Music Director
Leonel Ayala Choreographer
Emily Ellis Production Stage Manager
Melodie S. Rivers and Philip McBride Producers
In reference to the character descriptions that follow—most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, gender-fluid, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
We expect if you are submitting for a part with a specified ethnicity, that you identify as that identity, regardless of your race. We recognize that Latine/x/a/o people come in all colors.
In addition, we will list disability when specific to a character, but are otherwise seeking actors with disabilities as well as non-disabled actors for all roles.
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.
CHARACTERS
USNAVI DE LA VEGA: (Baritenor, Latino, Reads 20s-30s) Owner of De La Vega's Bodega, his parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic and have since passed away. He lives with Abuela Claudia, who isn't actually his grandmother but they are as close as family. Usnavi is in love with Vanessa and remains the eyes and ears of his Washington Heights neighborhood. Strong actor, must be an excellent rapper and a good mover. Singing a plus. (A2-A4)
NINA ROSARIO: (Mezzo-Soprano, Strong Belt/Mix, Latina, Reads as college age) Nina has just finished her freshmen year at Stanford University. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camilia Rosario. Nina is the only member of her family and friends who made it to college. She is best friends with Vanessa and a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who know her; she represents the opportunity outside of "the heights." Strong belt/mix to an E. Must be a good mover. (F3-F5)
KEVIN ROSARIO: (Baritenor, Latino, Reads 40s-50s) Owner of Rosario Car and Limousine, Kevin is a husband to Camilia and father to Nina. While Kevin was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he immigrated to New York City with Camilia. Kevin immediately started working to provide a better life for his newly-arrived family. He is stubborn, hot tempered at times and can be quick to act without thoughts of repercussions. Singing actor who moves well. (A2-F4)
CAMILIA ROSARIO: (Alto, Latina, Reads 40s-50s) She is the co-owner of Rosario Car and Limousine with her husband Kevin. Also from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, she fell in love with Kevin at 19 and immigrated with him to New York City. She is cool-headed yet keeps a subtle but strong leash on Kevin. Her daughter Nina has just returned for the summer from her first year at Stanford. Singing actor who moves well. (G3-E5)
BENNY: (Tenor, Non-Latino, Reads 20s-30s) A cab driver for Rosario Car and Limousine, he once was a street punk and hoodlum, often finding himself in trouble. Kevin saw promise in Benny and helped shape him into a responsible, hard-working young man. Benny has enormous respect for Kevin and sees him as a father figure. Eventually falling in love with Nina, Benny sees a future for them by becoming a businessman. He and Usnavi are best friends. Preferably African American. Strong singer and excellent mover. (B2-A4)
VANESSA: (Mezzo-Soprano, Strong Belt, Latina, Reads Late Teens to 20s) A shampoo girl at Daniela's Salon, Vanessa is strong, intelligent and grew up with Benny and Usnavi. Though Usnavi would like to be something more than Vanessa's "friend", he has never made any attempt. Vanessa dreams of leaving to create her own life away from her alcoholic mother. Very sexy. Strong belt/ mix to an E. Must be strong dancer. (F#3-F5)
SONNY: (Tenor, Latino, Reads in teens) Usnavi's cousin Sonny is spending the summer working for Usnavi at the bodega. He/They usually hang out on the street with their friend Graffiti Pete but avoids trouble. They are an extremely intelligent young person who strives to emulate Usnavi. Passionate to solve the social and economic problems of the city, he/they are someone that needs guidance or risks ending up a street punk. Comic actor, must be a good rapper and a strong mover. (D3-B4)
ABUELA CLAUDIA: (Alto with Belt, Latina, Plays late 60s+) She raised Usnavi after his parents passed away and continues to live with him. She emigrated from Cuba when she was very young. Of all the characters, Abuela Claudia has been in "the Heights" the longest. She struggled to learn English, struggled to find work and in turn has helped others who have followed in her path. She is clearly the matriarch of the neighborhood. Strong belt to a C. (Eb3-E5)
DANIELA: (Alto, Latina, Reads 30s-40s) Owner of Daniela's Salon. 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. Non-nonsense, she has built a successful business but is being forced out of the neighborhood because of rent hikes. Comic actress with a strong belt. Should be an excellent mover. (F3-E5)
CARLA: (Latina, Reads 20s-30s) A hairdresser at Daniela's Salon. Born and raised in Queens, she is a pure, sweet, innocent, and loving woman who is devoted to her family and friends though she is easily taken advantage of because of her naivety. She and Daniela are best friends. Strong belt mix. Should be an excellent mover. (F3-E5)
GRAFFITI PETE: (Reads late teens to 20s, any race, must be dancer) A graffiti artist and the nemesis of Usnavi, he/they are always hanging out on the streets, dancing to their boombox music, spraying any surface they 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. Must be an extremely strong dancer. Acro a plus.
PIRAGUA GUY: (Tenor, Latino, Reads 30s-40s) He walks the hot and humid streets of Washington Heights selling piraguas (flavored ice shavings) to earn a living. He represents the rhythm of the islands in the big city. Bright, soaring tenor. (D3-A4)
ENSEMBLE: Various Dancers and Singers. All ethnicities encouraged to audition.