Description:

Uptown Music Theater is excited to announce general auditions for Hairspray. Hairspray will be directed and choreographed by Tor Campbell. Music Director/Conductor is Aaron Kaplan. Assistant Director is Angelena Brown. Assistant Choreographer is Zak Jacobs.

Audition Dates:
Sundays, January 19 and 26, 2025 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
*Portions of auditions will be recorded on video

Callback Dates:
Sunday, February 2, 2025 - - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm; 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Monday, February 3, 2025 - 6:00 - 10:00pm
*Portions of callbacks will be recorded on video

Audition and Callback Location: The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL

Rehearsal Locations: The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL; and Piven Theater, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL

Performance Location: The Grand Theater @ Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Avenue, Highland Park, IL

Pay: Principals will receive a $300 rehearsal stipend plus $30 per performance, for a total of $570; Supporting/Featured/Ensemble will receive a $200 rehearsal stipend plus $30 per performance for a total of $470; Understudies and Swings will receive a $150 rehearsal stipend (plus $30 per performance, if called).

Hairspray Description
Hairspray is set in 1962 Baltimore and tells the story of Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big dreams of dancing on "The Corny Collins Show", while addressing themes of inclusivity, body positivity, and racial integration. The show provides a platform to celebrate individuality, promote social change, and engage in meaningful conversations about race, privilege, and community.

Hairspray Character Descriptions
Principals
Tracy Turnblad 15-20. Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. Tracy will be played by a white performer. G3-G5.

Edna Turnblad 30-50. Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. Edna will be played by a white performer. F3-G5.

Penny Pingleton 15-20. Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. Penny will be played by a white performer. A3-G5.

Seaweed J. Stubbs 15-20. Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed will be played by a black performer. F3-D5.

Amber Von Tussle 15-20. Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. Amber will be played by a white performer. A3-F5.

Link Larkin 15-20. The star heartthrob on Corny Collins' show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. Link will be played by a white performer. G3-A5.

Supporting
Wilbur Turnblad 40-60. Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. Wilbur will be played by a white actor. A3-A5.

Motormouth Mable 40-50. Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin's Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. Motormouth will be played by a black performer. F3-E5.

Corny Collins 25-35. The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Corny will be played by a white performer. D3-A4.

Velma Von Tussle 45-55. Amber's mother and the director of Corny Collin's show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. Velma will be played by a white performer. G3-E5.

Prudy Pingleton 40-50. Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. Prudy will be played by a white performer. D4-B4.

Little Inez 11-14. Seaweed's little sister. A great singer and dancer with a quiet exterior, who can and will be bold when the opportunity comes. Little Inez will be played by a black performer.

Featured/Ensemble We are looking to cast a large ensemble, with featured roles, including the Council Members (teen dancers/singers on the Corny Collins show, played by white performers), and The Dynamites (60's female trio, played by black performers), and Mr. Pinky (owner of the ladies clothing store).

Understudies/Swings: We will be casting understudies and swings. Understudies will attend principal rehearsals and they will be incorporated into the rehearsal process so they are prepared to go on before opening night.

Please let us know if we can assist with any accessibility accommodation or questions to facilitate the casting process.