Auditions
OPEN CALL FOR RENT
Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is holding open auditions for RENT
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Artistic Director/Stage Director, Megan O’Toole; Musical Director, Curtis Heard
This is a fully staged production, with professional live orchestra. This is a volunteer theatre performance. Reimbursement/Per Diem will be offered for all roles.
Dates
Rehearsals
Begin September 6 and run Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-10:30pm and Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm.
Performances
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm on October 21-23, 28-30, and November 4-6. *Likely extension November 11-13.
*At this time all staff, volunteers, and performers must show proof of vaccination with booster (for those eligible) to participate in auditions, rehearsals, and performances.
Auditions
Saturday, August 13 from 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, August 14 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm.
No appointments necessary.
Callbacks Tuesday, August 16 at 7pm
Audition Requirements
Be prepared to sing 32 bars (or one minute) of music in the style of the show, and/or that demonstrates your vocal range and power. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music. Resume and headshot are not required, if submitted they will be viewed post-audition.
Auditions, rehearsals and performances are in the historic sanctuary at First Congregational Church of Long Beach at 241 Cedar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802. Direct questions to [email protected]
About the Show
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about choosing love over fear, and loving with abandon and without regret. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon and a fixture in the world of musical theatre for over a quarter of a century.
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.
As we continue to contend with Covid-19 our shared experience allows us to understand Rent on a deeper more reflective level and the message of emerging through the fog of fear by choosing love is essential for us as we move forward. This show is about a diverse group of artists and friends that are struggling to follow their dreams without “selling out”. Landmark, being in the heart of a rapidly changing downtown ecosystem can present this story like no other. We are thrilled to offer this unifying and healing story of love overcoming adversity and art and friendship conquering all.
La Vie Bohème!!
Long Beach Landmark Casting Commitment
As a company we are committed to consistently evaluating our practices to better reflect and serve our vibrant and diverse community. We welcome non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We are seeking and encouraging all actors to audition, regardless of race/ethnicity, physical ability, body type, age, orientation or gender/gender identity.
The Cast
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Mark Cohen
A filmmaker and video artist who narrates the show as he films the lives of his friends. A slightly nerdy and quirky young artist, Mark is deep in his own soul-searching.
Stage Age: Early to Late Twenties
Vocal Range: F2-G4
Roger Davis
A struggling musician and former drug addict. HIV-positive and struggling with creative blocks he dreams of writing one great song before he dies. *Guitar skills desired.
Stage Age: Mid-Twenties to Mid-Thirties
Vocal Range: F2-A4
Tom Collins
A computer genius and liberal professor. He is a nurturer with a smooth and relaxed disposition. Used to be a roommate in the loft and is HIV-positive.
Stage Age: Late Twenties to Late Thirties
Vocal Range: F#2-A4
Benjamin Coffin III
The landlord of Mark and Roger’s apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny traded in his personal morals for power and wealth.
Stage Age: Twenties to Thirties
Vocal Range: Bb2-F#4
Joanne Jefferson
A public interest lawyer and headstrong lesbian. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a tumultuous relationship with Maureen.
Stage Age: Mid-Twenties to Late Thirties
Vocal Range: G3-E5
Angel Dumott Schunard
The eccentric HIV-positive street drummer. A drag queen with an incredible gift of dance and a magnetic personality. He becomes Tom’s lover.
Stage Age: Early to Late Twenties
Vocal Range: C3-A4
Mimi Marquez
A stripper struggling with a heroin addiction from which she contracted HIV/AIDS, Mimi meets and falls in love with Roger. She is complex character; has lived a hard life but is still youthful and optimistic. She is kind and likeable while concealing deep secrets.
Stage Age: Late Teens to Mid-Twenties
Vocal Range: Eb3-E5
Maureen Johnson
An unpredictable and exuberant performance artist. Maureen is sexy, funny, irreverent, dramatic, bold and outspoken. She used to live in the loft and has recently dumped Mark for Joanne.
Stage Age: Twenties to Thirties
Vocal Range: C4-F5
Ensemble (Ensemble doubles the following roles)
Stage ages: Early twenties to sixties
Vocal Ranges: all vocal ranges sought
Carolers, Mrs. Cohen, Alexi Darling, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Marquez, Mr. Grey, The Man (local drug dealer), Life Support Group, Squeegee Man, Unhoused People, Waiter (and more).