Details on upcoming auditions below.
Casting is complete for Jersey Boys.
Casting is complete for Jersey Boys.
Monday, August 21, 2023
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Thursday, August 24, 2023
For the initial audition, please prepare a 32-bar (60-90 seconds) cutting of a song from the show, or in the style of the show. Please bring marked sheet music in the key you intend to sing. An accompanist will be provided. If invited to a callback, there will be a dance call, and song/scene sides will be provided.
Please bring a headshot and resume to your audition. Auditions will be held at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (501 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317). Please enter through the main doors and there will be signs directing you where to go.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is seeking actors for their upcoming production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. This Tony and Grammy Award-winning show follows Carole King’s inspiring journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. All roles are open – none have been pre-cast. Local actor/singer/dancers are encouraged to submit. We are looking to hire actors that will be at least 18 years old by the date of the first rehearsal.
BIPOC performers are strongly encouraged to audition. CDT is committed to becoming a more anti-racist organization on stage and throughout the company, and shall conduct all auditions in a manner that promotes fair consideration to persons of all races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, ages, ability statuses, and body types. To learn more about the work that we are doing, please visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page on our website.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) contracts prohibit discrimination. AEA 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, AEA encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
Production Dates:
1st Rehearsal: February 6, 2024
1st Preview: March 1, 2024
Production Personnel:
Michael Brindisi & Cat Brindisi, Co-Directors
Tamara Kangas Erickson, Choreographer
Andy Kust, Music Director
Nick Haug, Casting Associate
Solveig Huseth, General Manager
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Carole King – Female/Female Presenting, Age: 25-35, Voice Part: Mezzo Soprano (F3-F5), White. An ordinary girl from Brooklyn. An American songwriter/performer, Carole has been active from the 1960’s and regarded as the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century. Throughout the show we see her transform from a shy teenager into the confident woman who takes the plunge into becoming one of the most successful female singer/songwriters of all time. Strong piano skills are very helpful but not necessary. Non-dancing role. This role will be required to perform scenes of physical intimacy including kissing.
Gerry Goffin – Male Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Tenor (C3-G4), White. Carole King’s first husband and song writing partner (writing lyrics to many of her early hits, such as Some Kind of Wonderful,Take Good Care of My Baby and many others). Gerry proposes after Carole reveals she is pregnant with his baby. He soon after begins having extramarital affairs with many other women due to unhappiness in his early marriage; however, he does care deeply for Carole. He’s a good guy, maybe a little brooding, who wants to do the right thing but gets lost along the way. Strong singer. Non-dancing role. This role will be required to perform scenes of physical intimacy including kissing.
Cynthia Weil – Female Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Mezzo Soprano (F3-E5), White. A lyricist working at the Brill Building, she and her song writing partner Barry Mann form a friendly rivalry with Carole and Gerry. She becomes one of Carole’s best friends and closest confidants and forms a flirtatious relationship with Barry though she is hesitant to start it knowing how he was with other women in the past. She’s quick of tongue, high in spirit and goes after what she wants. Strong singing/acting role. Some movement skills required. This role will be required to perform scenes of physical intimacy including kissing.
Barry Mann – Male Presenting Character, Age: 25-40, Voice Part: Tenor (C3-A4), White. A song writer working at the Brill building. Barry is full of energy, a bit of a flirt, and confident. He falls quickly in love with his lyricist Cynthia Weil and spends some time convincing her to marry him, while trying not to die from his anxiety and hypochondria. Strong singer and good comedic timing. Some piano/guitar skills are preferred, but not essential. Some movement skills required. This role will be required to perform scenes of physical intimacy including kissing.
Donnie Kirshner – Male Presenting Character, Age: 40-60, Voice Part: Bass/Baritone (A2-C4), White. A successful record producer and music publisher working at the Brill Building. He originally hires Carole, Gerry and Cynthia and helps foster the friendly rivalry between the teams of Goffin/King and Mann/Weil. He’s stone-faced, to-the-point, maybe a little gruff, but a softy at heart who cares about his writers.
Genie Klein – Female Presenting Character, Age: 40-60, White. Carole’s mother. A stereotypical mid-century mother who is brash and un-hip at points, but always steps up to the plate for her daughter. We mostly see the tough love parts of her, but eventually see the softer side when Carole is in need of her tender side.
Female-Presenting Ensemble – All Ethnicities; Age: 18-60; Voice Parts: Soprano, Mezzo, Alto, great pop singers; tracks will include vocal soloists for musical numbers: Lucille, Janelle Woods, the Shirelles, Little Eva, Betty, Donnie’s secretary, Marilyn Wald; We are specifically seeking Black actors for the tracks that cover the group The Shirelles, Janelle Woods, and Little Eva. Strong movement and vocal ability with ability to blend and harmonize tightly. Principal understudies will be cast from this group.
Male-Presenting Ensemble – All Ethnicities; Age: 18-60; Voice Parts: Tenor, Baritone, Bass, great pop singers; tracks will include vocal soloists for musical numbers: Neil Sedaka, Lou Adler, The Righteous Brothers, the Drifters, and others. We are specifically seeking Black actors for the tracks that cover the group The Drifters. Strong movement and vocal ability with ability to blend and harmonize tightly. Principal understudies will be cast from this group.
Auditions for our production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical are happening in late August 2023. Typically, auditions are held 6-8 months ahead of a show opening.
Generally, you must be 18+ to audition. CDT does 8 shows a week, Tuesday – Sunday, with matinees on Wednesdays & Saturdays which typically interferes with most school schedules.
Kids are auditioned separately from adults and on a show-by-show basis. (Not every show calls for kid actors.) Auditions are announced on this page and on MinnesotaPlaylist.com. Child roles are generally double-cast to minimize disruption to school schedules.
Yes. Email your headshot, resume and vocal/dance reels (optional) to Nick Haug (nhaug@chanhassendt.com). Your materials will be put on file for any upcoming replacement work.
CDT does not budget for actor housing.
Email Nick Haug – nhaug@chanhassendt.com
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is a professional status theatre company presenting members of Actors’ Equity Association. As a member of these unions, CDT primarily employs union members. A union contract permits us to hire a very small percentage of non-union actors. Auditions are held for both union and non-union actors a few months prior to each CDT production.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is a professional status theatre company presenting members of the American Federation of Musicians. We do not hold auditions for musicians. AFM membership required. If you would like to be considered, please email your resume of experience to Nick Haug. You will then be contacted by the music director if a position opens up.