The Capital District Arts Initiative (CDAI) is thrilled to announce auditions for: Jonathan Larson’s,
RENT
Produced and Choreographed by: Corey John Snide
Director: Francesco C. Archina
Co-Producer: Jenna Snide
Musical Director: Cameron Clarke Stevens
Stage Manager: Sara Fredericks
About The Show:
RENT is a rock opera with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson. Loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème, it tells the story of a group of impoverished, young artists struggling to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village. Set in the thriving days of the bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
This CDAI production of RENT will be staged in a completely immersive environment, where the actors will move in and around the audience. The show taking place in a live bar and concert space, rather than a traditional theatrical stage, highlights the shows innovative, bohemian energy and invites the audience to be a part of the us in the shows famous line, “There’s only us.”
WHEN: Wednesday, March 29th and Thursday, March 30th from 7:00-10:00pm (Sign in starts @ 6:30 pm)
WHERE: CDAI Studios – 767 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 4, Latham, NY 12110
CALLBACKS: Saturday, April 1st from 2:00-6:00pm (by invite only)
What to prepare: Please prepare 16-32 bars of music from a pop-rock contemporary song of your choice. PLEASE have sheet music for the song you’d like to sing, an accompanist will be provided. Acapella singing and singing with a track will not be allowed.
REHEARSALS: CDAI Studios
- – Monday and Wednesday 7:00-10:00pm
- – Friday 6:00-10:00pm
- – Saturday 2:30-6:30pm *** ALL CONFLICTS MUST BE PRE-APPROVED
PERFORMANCES: Lark Hall (381 Hudson Street, Albany, NY 12202) – June 8th-11th
(Thursday @8PM, Friday @8PM, Saturday @2PM & 8PM, and Sunday @2PM)
WE ARE STRONGLY SEEKING BIPOC ACTORS OF ALL RACES & ETHNICITIES FOR ALL ROLES.
***PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST BE 18+ TO AUDITION FOR THIS PRODUCTION***
***Character Breakdown***
PLEASE NOTE THE ROLE OF TOM COLLINS HAS BEEN CAST. ALL OTHER ROLES ARE AVAILABLE!
–Roger Davis: A musician/singer-songwriter who is a recovering drug addict, living with HIV. Roger longs for connection and meaning through his music. He is roommates with Mark in an abandoned loft space. He is reminiscent of a young Kurt Cobain and/or Lenny Kravitz in his musical styling.
Age: 25-40
Vocal range: F2-A4.
–Mark Cohen: A filmmaker and video artist who constantly seeks validation. The narrator of this opera, he lives in this world where he often finds himself on the outside looking in.
Age: 20-30
Vocal range: A2-G4
–Angel Dumott Schunard: A vibrant street musician who radiates light! Angel is a proud Latinx member of the queer community. They move through the world as a gender nonconforming human who is also living with HIV. Angel has an incredible spirit with a gift for inspiring human connection all while being a street fashion icon. The actor playing Angel should be comfortable being in drag a large portion of the show.
Age: 25-35
Vocal range: C3-A4
–Benjamin Coffin III: The ex best friend and former roommate of Mark, Roger, and Collins. Now the new landlord of the building Mark and Roger reside in. Benny struggles to find connection with his former chosen family, and find where he fits in, in the world. He is constantly battling between being a friend to the group, while trying to please his new wife and in-laws. Benny is also Mimi’s ex-lover.
Age: 25-40
Vocal range: Bb2-F#4
–Mimi Marquez: A dancer, Mimi is a proud Latinx woman determined to live in the moment. She is a drug addict who is living with HIV. A young woman on a journey to find who she is and what she is fighting for. Living in the same building as Roger and Mark, Mimi meets the friend group through her unexpected romantic connection to Roger. Her artistry is connected to her body and movement.
Age: 20-25
Vocal range: C4-F5
–Maureen Johnson: Bursting with confidence and a vivacious spirit she is a performance artist who is constantly raging and ready to fight. Maureen is full of well-intended passion and anarchist energies of which she pours into her art no matter the medium. She’s a former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins and Benny. She is bisexual presenting, and openly dating Joanne after recently breaking up with Mark.
Age: 25-40
Vocal range: C4-F5
–Joanne Jefferson: A public interest lawyer who always fights for the underdog, Joanne comes from a conservative upper-class family. As an out and proud lesbian, she demands her own liberation. She is smart, purposeful, and grounded. She is dating Maureen.
Age: 25-40
Vocal range: G3-E5
**NOTE: The Ensemble of this world is incredibly valuable & heavily featured. ALL roles will have multiple opportunities for solos and moments to shine individually and as a group. Some of these roles may be doubled by the same actor. Ensemble members may be asked to understudy Lead Roles.
Male Presenting Ensemble roles:
-Mr. Jefferson
-Pastor
-Seasons of Love soloist -Gordon (Life Support soloist) -Drug Dealer
-Mr. Grey
-Steve (Will I soloist) -Squeegee Man
-Waiter
-Paul (Life Support soloist) -Police Officer
Female Presenting Ensemble roles:
-Mark’s Mom
-Mrs. Jefferson
-Seasons of Love soloist
-Woman with bags
-Roger’s Mom
-Alexi Darling
***************************************************
If you have any questions or concerns regarding auditions, or are unavailable for audition dates, and would like to submit a video, please feel free to reach out to Ac91writer@gmail.com, or by phone 518-320-6220.
Break legs! We look forward to seeing you all in MARCH! – CDAI & The RENT Production Team.