NOW ACCEPTING VIDEO AUDITIONS FOR “THE WILD PARTY”
ACCEPTING VIDEO SUBMISSIONS THROUGH APRIL 1st
CALLBACKS WILL BE APRIL 6th at 6:00PM
Music, Lyrics and Book by Andrew Lippa
Based off the 1928 Poem by Joseph Moncure March
Director - Braelin Andrzejewski
Choreographer - Jailyn Sherell Harris
Music Director - JT Buck
Assistant Music Director - Robert Kowalewski
Intimacy Coordinator - Gina Marafiote
Stage Manager - Louis Schwartz
ABOUT THE WILD PARTY:
Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party is a jazz-infused musical adaptation of Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 narrative poem. Set in the roaring 1920s, the story follows a vaudeville performance troupe, led by performers Queenie and Burrs, who throw an extravagant, booze-fueled cast party from hell. As the night spirals out of control, Burrs’ abuse of Queenie comes to light, and a cast of colorful guests—including the mysterious Mr. Black and the reckless Kate—bring secrets, seduction, and violence to the forefront, leading to devastating consequences.
With a thrilling score blending jazz, vaudeville, and contemporary musical theatre, The Wild Party explores intimate partner violence, women’s empowerment, the toxicity of the arts, and the meaning of freedom. Dark, exhilarating, and unapologetically bold, the show captures the highs and lows of excess, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.
Due to the explicit content of the show, including depictions of sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, substance use, nudity, gun violence,language and other mature themes, discretion is strongly advised.
AUDITION DETAILS:
Video submissions will be accepted until April 1st, 2025.
Prepare one song in the style of the show (jazz/swing) that shows off your vocal prowess. Songs from The Wild Party are acceptable.
No equity contracts available at this time. All positions are volunteer.
We are seeking a diverse, multi-cultural cast of 14 or more performers aged 21+ (no exceptions).
We are asking for all known conflicts at this time. Additional conflicts may not be accepted unless it's an emergency.
All roles are open to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, body types, ages, and abilities. The genders/ages outlined below are as indicated by the script; however, they do not have to match the performer's actual identity or age, provided you feel confident in portraying the character.
None of these roles are precast.
CALLBACK DETAILS:
Callbacks are by invitation and will be held April 6th at 6:00PM
Callbacks will take place at Western Reserve Playhouse.
They will include a dance call as well as vocal selections from the script.
REHEARSAL/PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
Performances: 8 Shows - July 11-26, 2025 (Friday and Saturday at 8:00PM and second Sunday at 2PM)
Rehearsals:
This is a 4.5 week rehearsal process.
Rehearsals will begin early June, 2025 with some possible vocal/character/intimacy rehearsals in the preceding months.
Rehearsals will be selected based on cast availability
Rehearsals will run weekday evenings and weekends, 5 times per week, per cast availability.
Rehearsals will take place at Western Reserve Playhouse.
SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION:
Submit your audition here.
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive production and encourage performers of all backgrounds to audition. We are seeking a multi-cultural cast of 14 or more performers aged 21+ (there will be no exceptions to this age limit due to the content of the show). Our production team welcomes and actively encourages casting without regard to age, race, sexuality, gender, sex, or ability. We are dedicated to creating a respectful and supportive environment where all performers feel valued and empowered in the storytelling process.
Queenie
Sexy and confident vaudevillian burlesque dancer. An empowered survivor of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Strong vocalist/dancer.
Nudity: Scenes involve partial OR implied waist-up nudity.
Emotional Abuse: Queenie is subjected to victim blaming and derogatory language, including being called a "whore."
Sexual Abuse: Victim of non-consensual physical contact by Burrs, such as being slapped on the buttocks, implications of sexual assault, and pervasive objectification.
Violence: The character engages in intense physical confrontations, including a life-threatening struggle involving a firearm with Burrs and Mr. Black.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing staged intimate scenes featuring oral and penetrative sex with Mr. Black.
Gender: female
Age: 25+
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Mr. Black
Strong, sexy, and poised gentleman. An outsider to the group. Seeking something bigger. Instantly attracted to Queenie’s beauty and intellect. Protective, kind, and curious. Strong vocalist. Orchestrated for a BIPOC voice.
Nudity: Scenes involve shirtlessness and partial OR implied below the waist nudity.
Sexual Language: Engages in dialogue with explicit or suggestive content.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing staged intimate scenes with Queenie featuring oral and penetrative sex.
Violence: Strikes Burrs over the head with a chair. Engages in intense physical confrontations, including a life-threatening struggle involving a firearm with Burrs and Queenie.
Gender: male
Age: 25+
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Burrs
A professional clown and blatant narcissistic abuser. Dangerous but somehow likeable. Sexually ravenous and drawn to Queenie like a moth to the flame. Slowly descends into jealous insanity.
Nudity: Scenes may involve partial OR implied nudity.
Emotional Abuse: Burrs is the perpetrator of victim blaming and derogatory language towards women.
Sexual Abuse: Instigator of non-consensual physical contact, such slapping Queenie/Nadine on the buttocks, groping of breasts, implication of sexual assault, and pervasive objectification.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing staged intimate scenes featuring oral sex and masturbation with Queenie and/or Kate.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, and cocaine use.
Violence: Engages in a fistfight with Eddie and is struck over the head with a chair by Black. Instigates a life-threatening struggle involving a firearm with Queenie/Mr. Black.
Gender: male
Age: 30+
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Kate
Strong, confident, comedic sidekick/frenemy to Queenie. Sexy, sensual, and jealous. The self proclaimed life of the party. Strong belter.
Nudity: Scene involves stripping down to undergarments with Burrs.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing staged intimate scenes featuring oral sex with Burrs.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, and cocaine use.
Violence: Involved in a physical altercation with Nadine.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Mae
Eddie's wife. Sweet and beautiful, but not particularly bright. Adores her husband and dotes on him. Very “Adelaide’s Lament”.
Physical Abuse: The character is briefly attacked by Burrs.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing comedically staged intimate motions featuring oral sex with Eddie.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Eddie
Mae's husband who is perhaps even more dim-witted than she is. A big oaf. Can be a lovable teddy bear but also a quick tempered brute. Adores his wife. A strong comedic actor with stage combat proficiency.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires performing comedically staged intimate motions featuring oral sex with Mae.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Violence: Instigates and participates in an extensive fistfight with Burrs.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Madelaine True
A tired woman with even more tired eyes and a cruel mouth. An announced lesbian. Sexually hungry. Blunt and very dry.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Intimate Scenes: Madelaine engages in age-play with Nadine throughout the show
Language Warning: Uses the slur 'dyke' in dialogue and song, framed within a comedic context.
Gender: female
Age: 30+
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Jackie
A mime. Strong featured dancer.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Dolores
A confident sex worker hoping to score with Sam.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires implied off-stage sex with Sam.
Substance Use: May depict intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Oscar D'armano
Phil's brother and lover who dresses as his twin. A composer and an entertainer in every sense of the word. Very flamboyant.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Phil D'armano
Oscar's brother and lover who dresses as his twin. A composer and an entertainer in every sense of the word. Very flamboyant.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Nadine
Age playing as “a minor”. Girlfriend of Madeleine.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Intimate Scenes: Nadine engages in age-play with Madelaine throughout the show
Gender: female
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Max
One of the party goers and a member of the usual "gang." He is full of life and energy.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, or cocaine use.
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Sam
Busy producer and "attention whore." Trying to avoid the outrageous pitches made by Dolores, until it becomes sexual.
Intimate Scenes: The role requires implied off-stage sex with Dolores.
Substance Use: Depicts intravenous drug use, alcohol consumption, and cocaine use.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Greek Chorus
A group of unnamed party goers who are part of Queenie and Burrs’ performance troupe. Strong vocal/dance ensemble.