Capital Repertory Theatre (Albany, NY) 2025-2026 Season
TYA EPA Auditions for They Built America: Workers of the Erie Canal
Producing Artistic Director: Miriam Weisfeld
Associate Artistic Director: Margaret E. Hall
Chief Administrative Officer: Philip Morris
Contract Deal Points:
- One Roundtrip Amtrak from NYC to Albany, NY
- Very nice housing in theREP’s newly built company apartments
- Weekly Salary of $670.00 + P&H
- AEA TYA Contract
- TYA In-School Tour (no overnights)
Monday, November 24, 2025
10am-6pm Location:
Lunch from 1-2pm Capital Repertory Theatre
251 North Pearl Street,
Albany, NY 12207
Please prepare:
- A short monologue of your choice.
- Bring your instrument and prepare either, Oh! That Low Bridge or Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal. Song should be memorized.
- Lead sheets provided at: http://attherep.org/auditions/ OR at the theatre.
- We will have a keyboard set up for piano players.
- Additionally, please bring a stapled copy of your headshot and resume.
All actors, Equity and Non-Equity, are welcome to submit.
All actors cast will receive an Equity Contract.
No appointment necessary for AEA actors.
Non-union actors interested in auditioning should submit their picture and resume, to casting@capitalrep.org and will be seen as time permits.
They Built America: Workers of the Erie Canal
by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill
Directed by Margaret E. Hall
Kelly McPhearson, a fearless Irish lass, takes an incredible journey from her home in Ireland to the United States, and then on the Erie Canal to find her brother (the only family she has in the states) who’s working on the canal. Sourced from over 35 historical records, this original work celebrates the real men, women and children, politicians, farmers, merchants and laborers who built the Erie Canal – the miraculous waterway that transformed America from a bourgeoning country into a great nation! Told with live music and text, history comes to life, with figures like physician Dr. Finch, Italian mason Antonio, Swedish packet boat Captain Gus, Governor DeWitt Clinton, Congressmen – and many more!
First Rehearsal: February 9, 2026
First Performance: March 2, 2026
Closing Performance: March 28, 2026
TYA Workweek is Monday – Saturday
Seeking (2) Male presenting actor/musicians and (2) Female presenting actor/musicians, all should be versatile, physically agile, quick study actors.
This is not a musical, but all actors involved in the production need to move well.
Male-Presenting, Open Ethnicity, 20s-40s:
(2) actor/musicians who will portray a variety of characters ie: Politicians, Immigrant Workers, Canal Engineers, etc. Good with accents (Irish, German, Italian and Norwegian), and can play the guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, or fiddle (violin). Harmonica and melodica players a plus.
Female-Presenting, Open Ethnicity, 20s 40s:
(2) Physically adept actor/musicians to portray a variety of characters, both male and female, ie: Politicians, Immigrant Workers, Canal Engineers, etc. Good with accents (Irish, English, German, Italian and Norwegian), and can play the guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, or fiddle (violin). Hand-drum a plus.
For close to twenty-years, Capital Repertory Theatre’s TYA On-The Go! in-School touring productions have been presented in a variety of schools and environments throughout the Capital Region to very diverse audiences. Actors should enjoy performing for and interacting with young audiences (middle and high school students). There are post-show discussions after every performance (time permitting). Actors must also be collegial and adaptive. There are no overnight stays on the tour. The TYA work week is Monday – Saturday.
Capital Rep is committed to equitable and inclusive casting. We actively seek actors of all races, cultural backgrounds, abilities, gender identities and gender expressions to audition. Our goal is to create a diversified, versatile Ensemble in a positive work atmosphere that is built on mutual respect and collaboration.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.