Virginia Repertory Theatre
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EPA Call: Waitress Open Call: Waitress Video Submission Call: Waitress Open Call: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
February 24 and 25, 2025
(MUSICAL) Book by Jessie Nelson Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles Directed by Rick Hammerly Music Directed by Leilani Fenick Choreographed by Paul Dandridge
Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, finds herself stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a nearby baking contest offers her the chance of escape, and with support from her fellow waitresses, loyal customers, and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take her long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress, featuring the music of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose, and the quality of a well-baked pie.
Please direct all questions to casting@virginiarep.org.
EPA Contract Type: LOA to LORT Contract Salary: minimum $724.00 USD/wk
Casting Personnel: Artistic Director - Rick Hammerly Director - Rick Hammerly Music Director - Leilani Fenick Choreographer - Paul Dandridge
Audition Location: November Theatre Complex 114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 Callback Location: November Theatre Complex 114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
Equity Principal Auditions: February 24, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM & February 25, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM (by appointment) In Person Callbacks (in Richmond, Virginia): March 10, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM & March 11, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM
Rehearsal & Performance Dates Rehearsals begin: May 12, 2025 Performance run: June 20 - August 3, 2025
Please fill out an audition form through THIS LINK.
In Person Auditions & Callbacks will be held in Richmond, VA. You will be notified via email after your initial audition if you need to attend a callback audition.
For consideration, please submit cover letter, resume and three references to Virginia Rep Production Manager, Ginnie Willard at gwillard@virginiarep.org.
The AUDITION will consist of:
Singing: Please prepare two songs (approximately 32 bars each) - a musical theatre selection and a pop/country selection. Please bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided.
Acting: Please prepare a comedic monologue of not more than 2 minutes.
Please bring one hard copy of your headshot and resume stapled together.
In casting Waitress, Virginia Repertory Theatre endeavors to be as inclusive as possible. We invite all performers, including gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors, to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.
JENNA: (Female Identifying, 25-40’s) A woman stuck in her life as an unhappily married waitress in a small town. Finds some happiness and expression through her meticulous baking of pies and her friendships with her coworkers, Dawn and Becky. Lives her life paycheck-to-paycheck, day by day, and wants nothing more than to get away and start fresh, unbeknownst to her destructive husband, Earl. Must have a fantastic pop/rock voice with great range. Vocal Range: F#3-F5.
DAWN: (Female Identifying, 24-30’s) She is the youngest of the waitresses. Thick glasses, hair parted 14 centimeters to the left - eccentric is the nice way to say she’s slightly unusual, and not so slightly OCD. She sets the tables, painstakingly ensuring each salt and pepper-shaker is equidistant from the napkin holder. Must have an excellent pop/rock/folk voice. Vocal range: G3-E5.
BECKY: (Female Identifying, 35-40’s) The oldest of the three waitresses. Irreverent, irascible, been there, made it back, and somehow kept her forward and sometimes wicked sense of humor with excellent comedic timing. Must have a soulful pop voice with an excellent pop belt. Vocal range: Eb3-E5.
DR. POMATTER: (Male Identifying, 30-45) Handsome, endearing, and neurotic. Has a warm, if clumsy, matter. Jenna’s gynecologist with whom an unexpected extramarital affair is born. Has a quirky sense of humor and a big heart, despite the fact that he’s contributing to the affair. Must have impeccable comedic timing and must move well. Should have a very strong pop/rock tenor that can navigate the musical style of Sara Bareilles with ease. Vocal Range: Bb2-Bb4.
EARL: (Male Identifying, 25- late 30’s) Jenna’s husband. Peaked in high school, handsome in a gruff way, but that face is clouded with broken dreams, drowned with cheap beer. Just enough narcissism mixed with stupidity, to be a potent Molotov cocktail that can explode into unexpected anger one second and then turn into a sobbing mess the next. Guitar playing a plus. Vocal range: Eb3-G4.
OGIE: (Male Identifying, 30’s) Strange, yet oddly lovable. Becomes slightly obsessed with Dawn (in a hilarious yet endearing way) after she goes on a 5-minute date with him. Quirky, incredibly persistent, and odd, yet kind. Should have excellent comedic timing. Must have an excellent pop/rock tenor/baritenor sound. Vocal range: C3-Bb4.
JOE: (Male Identifying, 60-70) The owner of the diner where Jenna, Dawn, Becky, and Cal work. A seemingly old, curmudgeonly man who has a soft spot for Jenna (and her pie), warm at heart. A sarcastically funny and no-nonsense guy with a keen ability to read people. Very funny. Vocal range: B2-G#4.
CAL: (Male Identifying, 40’s): A chef at the diner. A “Salt of the Earth” guy’s guy surrounded by gals. Brash, impatient, unsentimental, but somehow charming. Should have a strong pop/rock voice with great comedic chops. Vocal range: B2-G4.
LULU: (Female Identifying, 4-5 years old). Caucasian. Jenna’s daughter. A sweet, carefree child who appears in the last scene of the show. Should be confident and be able to engage in a small amount of dialogue and movement on stage.
ENSEMBLE: Must have excellent pop voices in the style of Sara Bareilles, have great comedic timing, and be able to play a range of characters comprising the community in which the story takes place. Must be strong movers/dancers.
Also seeking understudies for the above roles.
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February 26 and March 1, 2025
Open Call
Artistic Director - Rick Hammerly Director - Rick Hammerly Music Director - Leilani Fenick Choreographer - Paul Dandridge
General Auditions: February 26 - 6:00-10:00PM & March 1, 2025 - 1:00-5:00PM (by appointment only) In-Person Callbacks: March 10, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM & March 11, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM
To sign up for an in-person audition, please use the form at THIS LINK. Following the initial audition individuals will be notified, if needed, for a callback.
Due: March 1, 2025
Video Submission
Audition Locations: Video Submission Callback Location: November Theatre Complex 114 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220
Video Submissions Due: March 1, 2025 In-Person Callback (in Richmond, VA): March 10, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM & March 11, 2025 - 6:00-10:00PM
Rehearsals begin: May 12, 2025 Performance run: June 20 - August 3, 2025
Please use the form at THIS LINK. Following the initial audition individuals will be notified, if needed, for a callback.
February 9 and 10, 2025
(TYA) Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Based on the book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems Directed by Paul Takács Music Direction by Jason Marks Choreography by Nicole Morris-Anastasi
This show is even more fun than staying up late! It's not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs and feathers, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone's wings flapping.
Non-Equity Open Call
Casting Personnel: Artistic Director: Rick Hammerly Direction: Paul Takács Music Direction: Jason Marks Choreography: Nicole Morris-Anastasi
Audition Location: November Theatre Complex 114 West Broad St, Richmond VA 23220 Callback Location: November Theatre Complex 114 West Broad St, Richmond VA 23220 Call Type: Non-Union Open Call
Casting Timeline In-Person Auditions: February 9 and 10, 2025 (6:30-9:30PM) Callbacks: February 16, 2025 (6:30-10:30PM) Rehearsals begin: March 10, 2025 Performance run: April 9 - May 4, 2025
In casting Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Virginia Repertory Theatre endeavors to be as inclusive as possible. We invite all performers, including gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors, to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.
All roles will be performed by adults.
ACTOR 1: THE PIGEON (puppeteer) The snappy, sassy, and demanding bird who never gets what he wants, but that doesn't mean he'll ever stop trying. PIGEON PUPPET: an arm puppet, operated Avenue Q style with the actor next to it.
ACTOR 2: THE BUS DRIVER The bus driving professional who loves her work and, eventually, The Pigeon. Prides herself on being driven and ALWAYS on time.
ACTOR 3:
A guy that just loves sharing hot dogs. But not with Pigeons.
A no-nonsense man in a suit off to his new job. Hope he's not late.com!
Personification of the sound effect of an airplane
ACTOR 4:
Twin to The Pigeon, it pokes its head out in the opening scene (operated Avenue Q stye).
An adorable Duckling who gets a hot dog by just asking politely (operated Avenue Q style).
Personification of the sound effects of an engine working. Also can do an engine not working!
A small, puppet vision of the bus that dances in a fantasy sequence.
Bus drivers have moms too, you know.
ACTOR 5:
Grunty guy just doing his job putting up signs around town.
A kid who can't wait to go see the latest superhero movie that's opening RIGHT NOW!
ACTOR 6:
Very excited to go see her newborn grandchild at the hospital.
Additionally, we will also be casting 2 swings for this production.
When an appointment is required for a non-Equity Open Call, anyone can request an appointment until all time slots are taken. When an appointment is required for an EPA Call, members of AEA can request an appointment until all time slots are taken.
Unless another contact is listed in the announcement, please direct all questions to casting@virginiarep.org.
Virginia Repertory Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. Performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, and abilities are strongly encouraged to audition.
Anti-Racism Commitment & Accountability Statement