January 10 – 13, 2024
Interested in being part of crew? CLICK HERE
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for a GREAT show!
If you’ve auditioned for us before, welcome back! If this is your first time auditioning at GREAT, we’re thrilled to have you! We are in our 26th season and are excited to add new people, new talent, and new voices to our company as well as welcome returning volunteers to our stages! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or you’ve never been on stage before, we encourage you to audition!
The type of crowd-pleaser that gets audiences out of their seats, Footloose is a familiar musical with a well-known story and famous songs. Energetic choreography propels this musical forward, but there are roles for all levels of mobility! Pick your favorite character role, or cut a rug in the ensemble! Performers ages 16+, it’s time to cut loose!
KEY DATES
Information Session: Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00p on Zoom
Auditions are nerve-wracking whether it’s your first or seventy-sixth, so join us for an optional Zoom meeting on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00p to ask questions and learn about this specific production and audition process from the creative team. Meet the director, choreographer, and music director and hear about the vision of this show and how to best prepare. Our hope is the info session with ease some of the unknowns so you walk into auditions feeling comfortable and confident!
Auditions:
Located at our Helgeson Learning Lab– 710 Sundial Drive, Waite Park
Wednesday, January 10 from 6:00p-9:00p
Saturday, January 13 from 10:00a-3:00p
Link to sign up for your 30 minute slot will be posted two weeks before auditions
Call-backs:
Wednesday, January 17 from 6:00p-9:00p
Cast & Crew Meeting:
Located at our Helgeson Learning Lab
710 Sundial Drive, Waite Park
Wednesday, Feb 7 at 6pm
Rehearsals:
Begin Feb 12: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm and a few Saturday rehearsals. Not everyone is called for every rehearsal.
Tech/Dress rehearsals:
Monday, April 1 from 5:00p-10:00p
Tuesday, April 2 from 5:00p-10:00p
Wednesday, April 3 from 5:00p-10:00p
Thursday, April 4 from 5:00p-10:00p
Performances:
Friday, April 5 at 7:30p
Saturday, April 6 at 7:30p
Sunday, April 7 at 2:00p
Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30p
Friday, April 12 at 7:30p
Saturday, April 13 at 2:00p & 7:30p
Sunday, April 14 at 2:00p
Thursday, April 18 from 6:00p-10:00p (HOLD)
Friday, April 19 at 7:30p
Saturday, April 20 at 2:00p (HOLD) & 7:30p
Sunday, April 21 at 2:00p
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Ethan Nienaber
Choreographer: Megan Kelly Hubbell
Music Director: Brandon Nordhues
Scenic Designer: Jeff Brown
Costume Designer: Risa Alecci
Lighting Designer: Jeff Brown
Sound Designer: Steve Sanders
Prop Designer: Bonnie Bologna
Stage Manager: Grace Wright
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS
The initial audition will consist of singing and dancing. Links to the music and choreography are below. Callbacks will include scenes; monologues will be included with callback invitations.
1) Music
(Click on the song title to download sheet music)
Chuck, Lyle, or Travis – Girl Gets Around
Ren – I Can’t Stand Still
Rusty, Urleen, or Wendy Jo – Somebody’s Eyes
Ariel – Holding Out for a Hero
Shaw – Heaven Help Me
Cowboy Bob – Still Rockin
Rusty – Let’s Hear It for the Boys
Vi – Can’t Find it in Your Heart
Willard – Mama Says
Ensemble-any part – Footloose Finale
2) Dance
Footloose will come to life with lively, energetic choreography and musical staging. We are providing a choreography video for you to learn the piece in advance. All performers will review and then perform the short routine at the audition. Please dress for movement.
Footloose Character Descriptions
Please note that all ethnicities, all gender expressions, and all bodies are encouraged to audition for this production as we are committed to casting a group of actors ranging in age from 16+ that will reflect the people of our community.
A Note On Theatrical Intimacy:
Theatrical intimacy is any action on stage where the given circumstances of the scene or the overall production calls for touch, both physical and imaginative, or moments between actors of simulated sexuality or sexual violence.
GREAT has been learning from Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC) to improve processes and incorporate safer practices for theatrical intimacy in our rehearsals.
All scenes with intimacy follow a specific set of staging and rehearsal protocols rooted in consent and safety for the actors.
- REN MCCORMACK: (Tenor D3-C5) A teenage boy from Chicago who moves with his mother to the small town of Bomont. Witty, passionate, and desperately fun-loving. While reckoning with his father’s desertion, he becomes the catalyst of change in his new home as he journeys towards adulthood. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old and be comfortable on roller skates for a scene. This role requires onstage physical intimacy (kiss) and simulated violence (slap).
- ETHEL MCCORMACK: (Alto A3-D5) Ren’s mother. Responsible for giving him his wit, intelligence and resilience. We see her navigate a newly blended family and jarring change of life-style while discovering how to better support Ren. Their mutual loss has brought them closer and they share a teasing, good-natured relationship. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.
- REVEREND SHAW MOORE: (Baritone A2-F#4) The minister of Bomont. Charismatic, charming, quick minded, a loving heart, and a great sense of humor – all of which endear him to his congregation. He is a true community leader. But while trying to be strong for so many, he continues to mourn and struggle with the death of his son. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.
- VI MOORE: (Alto A3-Db5) Shaw’s wife. Despite the loss of her son and strained relationships at home, she understands that good humor and unwavering empathy will keep life running smoothly. With plucky irreverence, she gives us a glimpse of what things were like before the tragedy. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 35-55 years old.
- ARIEL MOORE: (Alto/Mezzo G3-Eb5) Vi & Shaw’s teenage daughter. She smartly and effortlessly moves between the worlds she exists in. In her father’s presence, she is buttoned-up and demure. While with Chuck she burns off all her raucous, thrill-seeking behavior. Her high spirits are her attempt to keep a lid on her grief about her brother’s death and strained relationship with her father. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old. This role requires onstage physical intimacy (kiss).
- LULU WARNICKER: Ren’s aunt and Ethel’s sister. Longtime resident of Bomont, she and her husband open their home to her family. A caring traditionalist and passionate member of her community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 40+ years old.
- WES WARNICKER: Lulu’s husband. A patriarch of Bomont and less empathetic traditionalist than his wife. Friend of the other men in Bomont who share the same ideals. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 40+ years old. This role requires onstage simulated violence (slap).
- COACH ROGER DUNBAR: The high school gym teacher. Another patriarchal member of Bomont, he is one of the few sets of eyes and ears for the congregation inside the high school. An avid supporter of the law established in the town and friend of Rev. Moore and Wes. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.
- ELEANOR DUNBAR: Coach Dunbar’s wife. Another traditional minded Bomont citizen. She has an affinity for baking and bridge. A peace-keeper. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.
- RUSTY: (Alto/Mezzo A3-F#5)) Ariel’s best friend. Sassy and self-assured yet deeply romantic. She believes that she and Willard are destined to be together, despite their shared ineptitude at expressing themselves. She finds a quick love of dancing and is not afraid to speak her mind. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- URLEEN: (Alto A3-D5) Ariel’s friend. Humorously curious about all of the thrills Ariel pursues. Along with Rusty & Wendy Jo, she personifies the watchful eyes that surround the community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- WENDY JO: (Alto/Mezzo A3-E5) Ariel’s friend. Humorously curious about all of the thrills Ariel pursues. Along with Rusty & Wendy Jo, she personifies the watchful eyes that surround the community. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- CHUCK CRANSTON: (Tenor F#3-B4) Ariel’s boyfriend. A dead-beat, drop-out, drug dealer. He is the opposite of everything Shaw would hope Ariel would find in a partner. Hence why Ariel is excited to date him. Not the brightest bulb on the tree but not completely unaware, he tries to thwart Ren’s attempt to foil his relationship with Ariel. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-25 years old. This role requires onstage physical intimacy (kiss).
- LYLE: (Tenor) Chuck’s buddy. A buffoonish follower, he is enticed by anything Chuck pursues. Highly comedic in his simplistic view of the world. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-25 years old.
- TRAVIS: (Tenor) Chuck’s buddy. A buffoonish follower, he is enticed by anything Chuck pursues. Highly comedic in his simplistic view of the world. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 16-25 years old.
- BETTY BLAST: Owner of The Burger Blast. She is perhaps the one adult who is most in tune with the youth of Bomont. Actor must be comfortable on roller skates for a scene. Female-presenting, all ethnicities, 50+ years old.
- WILLARD HEWITT: (Tenor Bb2-Ab4) Ren’s friend, a country boy. Rusty’s destined love. A gentle soul with quick fists, which are his defense against a world that he often has trouble comprehending. His humor derives from his gradual, innocent and giddy discovery of new worlds that Ren opens him up to. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- PRINCIPAL HARRY CLARK: The high school principal. Another set of eyes and ears for the congregation inside the high school. An avid supporter of the law established in the town. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.
- JETER: (Tenor) Ren’s friend (sings ‘Mama Says’ with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren’s mission of reverting the no dancing law. Any gender, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- BICKLE: (Tenor) Ren’s friend (sings ‘Mama Says’ with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren’s mission of reverting the no dancing law. Any gender, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- GARVIN: (Baritone) Ren’s friend (sings ‘Mama Says’ with Willard). An enthusiastic high school student who supports Ren’s mission of reverting the no dancing law. Any gender, all ethnicities, actor must portray a 16-18 year old.
- COWBOY BOB: (Tenor E3-C5) Lead vocalist at the Bar-B-Que. The personification of everything Bomont and Rev. Shaw stands against – dancing and partying. Briefly takes a shine to Rusty once he notices her affinity for dancing. His interest in her is also the catalyst for Willard to venture out of his comfort zone. Male-presenting, all ethnicities, 30+ years old.
- TOWNSPEOPLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: Any gender, all ethnicities, ages 16 & up.