Auditions

Studio East Mainstage Auditions General Information

Studio East offers youth the opportunity to perform in fully staged, high quality mainstage plays and musicals. Sign up for our upcoming auditions!

General Audition Resources

Auditioning for a show can be nerve-wracking! Check out our audition resources here.

Learn everything you need to know auditions, including:
  • what to wear
  • how to set up your resume
  • theater terminology
  • theater etiquette
  • how to prepare a monologue
  • and more!
See some sample audition songs for you to practice!

Show-Specific Audition Information

Sweeney Todd is part of our new Pre-Professional program, created for students ages 16 to 20. The program offers a deeper look into how professional theater productions are run, giving students valuable experience and preparing them for success in the performing arts beyond an educational setting. Participants in this program are expected to meet higher standards of discipline, preparation, and performance.

Audition sign ups will open on December 20!

Production Timeline:

Auditions: January 12-13, 2026
Callbacks: January 19-20, 2026
Rehearsals: February 2 – March 12, 2026
Performances: March 13-22, 2026 

Content Warning – Sweeney Todd

This show contains mature themes including violence, gore, murder, implied cannibalism, revenge, abuse, and sexual harassment. Please consider your comfort level before auditioning and reach out to the production team with any questions.

What to Prepare:

  • (1) 32-bar cut or 1-minute selection from a Sondheim song or something in the style of the show (think A Little Night Music, Ragtime, Into The Woods, Les Misérables, Sunday in the Park with George, Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc).
  • (1) contrasting 32-bar cut or 1-minute selection that highlights your personality and vocal range.

Please bring sheet music in the correct key with your cuts clearly marked. An accompanist will be provided.

*If unavailable for auditions, you may submit a video audition no later than 6 PM on January 13th, 2026 to be considered for callbacks.

If you need ideas or help with material please see our Audition101 Workshop Materials.

ROLES:

Please note, for a character’s gender/age, this is the gender/age they are portrayed as on stage. Casting is open to any gender identity that is comfortable presenting as the character.

Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker: Dark, imposing and hardened by years wrongly imprisoned, Sweeney is obsessed with bringing justice to the one responsible for all his pain. Constantly brooding, he does on occasion let his frustrations and temper overcome him and lashes out in rage. Little else matters to him other than revenge and reclaiming his daughter Johanna. Vocal Range: F2 – Gb4 (Bass-Baritone or Baritone)

 

Mrs. Lovett: Quirky, selfish, amoral, yet practical and maternal, Lovett is the one who keeps Sweeney from acting rashly on his bloody desires for vengeance. Having fallen in love with him she dreams of a life shared, just the two of them. Vocal range: G3 – E5 (Mezzo-soprano or Contralto)

 

Anthony Hope: Naïve, earnest and foolish, Anthony is ruled by his heart which easily leads him into trouble and being taken advantage of. He is not a violent man and doesn’t like confrontation but will persist with dogged determination when seeking to win Johanna’s freedom. Vocal Range: Bb2 – F4 (Baritone/Tenor)

 

Johanna Barker: A spirited, innocent and naïve girl, who has lived a sheltered life, couped up in Judge Turpin’s home. She has little understanding of the outside world and yearns for freedom. Vocal Range: Bb3 – A5 (Soprano)

 

Judge Turpin: A lecherous, powerful public figure who wields his authority with no remorse or compassion. Besides power his only other lust is for his ward Johanna as she blossoms into womanhood. Vocal Range: E2 – Gb4 (Bass or Bass-Baritone)

Tobias Ragg: A simple young man, who’s not too bright. He is under the power of his employer Pirelli and knows little about life except that not doing what he’s told earns him a beating and that it’s better to serve a rotten master than starve on the streets. Vocal Range: Bb2 – Ab4 (Tenor)

 

Beadle Bamford: Judge Turpin’s right-hand man, who wields Turpin’s power by extension and enjoys all the benefits that come with his station. He is pompous and condescending. Vocal Range: D3 – D5 (Tenor/Countertenor)

 

Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker: Sweeney’s wife whose mind has cracked from a failed overdose attempt and seeing her husband dragged away from her. She lives roughly on the streets begging for coin, searching trash cans for food or prostituting herself. Deranged and schizophrenic, she is wild and unpredictable. Vocal Range: Ab3 – F5 (Mezzo-soprano)

 

Adolfo Pirelli: A conman posing as a flamboyant Italian street barber. Cruel and cunning he recognizes Sweeney and tries to blackmail him but becomes the first victim of Sweeney’s razor. Vocal Range: B2 – C5 (Dramatic Tenor)

 

Ensemble

Need a headshot?

Bonnie Leung photographs most of Studio East’s productions. See her work and contact her for more information here.

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The Second Stage series offers experienced teen artists the opportunity to take on leadership roles by directing and supporting a cast of younger performers in a 30-minute KIDS musical.

Cast auditions are open to students ages 6 to 13.

Auditions: February 6, 2026
Callbacks: February 8, 2026
Rehearsals: February 10 – April 3, 2026 (Tuesdays and Fridays, 6-7:30pm)
Performances: April 4-5, 2026

Apply to be part of the creative team and lead the cast here! Applications are open until September 30.

This show is part of our Ensemble program, focused on students 9 to 19 years old. 

Auditions: March 26-27, 2026
Callbacks: March 30-31, 2026
Rehearsals: April 7 – May 14, 2026
Performances: May 15-24, 2026

The Second Stage series offers experienced teen artists the opportunity to take on leadership roles by directing and supporting a cast of younger performers in a 30-minute KIDS musical.

Team Applications – Willy Wonka KIDS

We will begin accepting creative team applications for our Second Stage production of Willy Wonka KIDS in April 2026!

This program empowers students ages 16–20 to take the reins of a production, gaining hands-on experience both onstage and off. You’ll work alongside professional mentors to develop real-world skills while bringing the heartwarming story of Willy Wonka to life.

Why Apply?

  • Gain practical experience in production roles, from stage management to technical theater.
  • Learn from seasoned theater professionals in a supportive, collaborative environment.
  • No tuition required — this is a completely free opportunity!

Production Timeline

  • Creative Team Applications: April 1 – 30, 2025 (ages 16 – 20)
  • Auditions: June 8, 2026 (ages 6 – 13)
  • Callbacks: June 9, 2026
  • Rehearsals: June 30 – August 21, 2026 (Tuesdays and Fridays, 6-7:30pm)
  • Performances: August 22-23, 2026 

How to Apply

Check back on April 1, 2026 to apply for this opportunity!

If you have any questions about the application process, the requirements for these roles, or need accommodations to participate, please reach out to Alex Robinson. We are committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone!

About The Show: Willy Wonka KIDS

Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley; Book adaptation by Timothy Allen McDonaldbased on Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

A deliciously imaginative musical based on Roald Dahl’s beloved story, Willy Wonka KIDS follows young Charlie Bucket and his kind-hearted grandfather on a magical journey through a world of sweets, surprises, and singing Oompa Loompas. Charlie is one of five lucky children to win a golden ticket and a tour of the mysterious Wonka Chocolate Factory. But as the tour unfolds, the children quickly learn that following Mr. Wonka’s rules is the only way to avoid some very unexpected consequences. 

Don’t miss this chance to be part of an incredible production while building skills that will last a lifetime.

This production is part of our Summer Teen program, focused on students 13 to 19 years old. 

Auditions: May 28-29, 2026
Callbacks: June 2-3, 2026
Rehearsals: June 15 – July 23, 2026 (Monday-Thursday 6-9pm, Saturday 1-6pm)
Performances: July 24 – August 2, 2026 

 This season, students will have the opportunity to participate in two 90-minute Shakespeare productions, no auditions required.

Studio Intensive is a year-long training program for young actors aged 10 to 19, offering high-level training in theater arts. Our core classes meet Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Studio Intensive is a supportive program for passionate theater students who want to build their skills and confidence on stage. Because we expect our Intensive students to already have a solid understanding of theater skills, this is an audition-only program.
Students can join for a single quarter or continue year-round to deepen their skills through personalized instruction. Based at Studio East, the program features expert-led training in acting, voice, and movement, with a curriculum designed to evolve continuously, ensuring that returning students face new challenges and opportunities throughout their journey to graduation.
Explore full details on the audition process, tuition, scheduling, and additional program information here.
Or, if you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, submit your video audition today!

General Audition Resources

Need a headshot? Bonnie Leung photographs most of Studio East’s productions. See her work and contact her for more information here.

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If you are interested in working on any of our productions this coming season, please fill out the form and we will be in contact as positions come up. Please fill out the following information to the best of your ability. If you have any questions, or anything about the requirements for this audition or filling out this form are a barrier to you participating, please email AlexRobinson@Studio-East.org for assistance and accommodations.

Show information, including dates, can be found at this link.
Please note, these are unpaid roles for students 10-20yrs old, however, they do not have tuition attached.
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