Ragtime Auditions

Date: Sunday, May 7th & Monday, May 8th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Performance dates: July 7 – 23

Ragtime is the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold – set in turn-of-the-century New York – all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.

Prepare a one minute song. You may sing from the show or a song in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music in your key. Accompanist provided. Please see Character Breakdown for eachrole.
Seeking a Multi-Ethnic/Multi-Racial cast including all ages, about 30 adults/older teens,
and 3 featured children. 3-6 additional children may be cast for ensemble, ages 8-14. The entire ensemble sings. Generally minimal dance requirements,although preferable for Evelyn Nesbit and some African-American Ensemble members to be dancers.
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Character Descriptions:
Coalhouse Walker, Jr: (lead) African-American male. 25-35 (baritone with
strong top range; range: Ab to G, with a sustained high F#). Intense dance;
pianist; proud, confident, and stubborn.
Sarah: (lead) African-American female. Late teens-early 20’s (lyric soprano;
range: low G# to high F# on staff)
Mother: (lead) Anglo-American female. 30+ (lyric soprano; range: low G to high
Eb on staff) gentle, compassionate, optimistic
Father: (lead) Anglo-American male. 40+ (baritone; range: B to E on staff)
cautious; resistant to change
Mother’s Younger Brother: (supporting) Anglo-American male. 20-25+
(tenor/baritone with strong top range: B to high F#) passionate anarchist; intense and high-strung
Young Boy: (supporting) Anglo-American male. 8-12 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on staff) precocious and curious
Tateh: (lead) Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant male. 30+, slight accent (tenor; range: Db to high F#) intelligent, passionate, creative
Emma Goldman (cameo – historical): Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female/Anarchist. 40+, slight accent. (alto, range: low G# to Db on staff)
Harry Houdini (cameo – historical): Hungarian Immigrant male/Magician/bodybuilder.
30+ (tenor; range: mid. C to high G)
Evelyn Nesbit (cameo – historical): Anglo-American female. Vaudevillian
performer. 18-25 (belter/soprano, range: middle C to Db on staff) dancer preferred.
Young Girl (supporting) Tateh’s daughter: Eastern European/Jewish Immigrant female. 8-12 (juvenile voice; range: E to Db on the staff) quiet and shy.
Sarah’s Friend: (supporting) African-American female. Late teens – 30. (Gospel lyric-soprano or alto range: low G to stratosphere scat top note)
Grandfather (cameo) (Mother’s father): Anglo-American male. 55+ (some “speak
sung” lyrics, baritone) gruff & outspoken.
Booker T. Washington (cameo – historical): African-American male, distinguished. 45+ (some “speak sung” lyrics, baritone)
Henry Ford (cameo – historical): Anglo-American male. 30-45 (some “speak sung” lyrics, baritone)
JP Morgan (cameo – historical): Anglo-American male; banking mogul. 45+ (some “speak sung” lyrics, baritone)
Little Coalhouse: (cameo) Walk-on at end of show. African-American male (will
consider females as well). Age 3-4 (no spoken lines or singing)

SUPPORTING/ENSEMBLE ROLES:
RAGTIME offers members of the three ensembles multiple opportunities to play a number of smaller parts with lines and some solos. Supporting roles with final casting decisions possibly made during rehearsals) include: Admiral Peary,Stanford White, Harry K. Thaw, Willie Conklin, Judge, train conductor, people of New Rochelle/Harlem/Union Square, Jewish immigrants, factory workers,demonstrators, newsboys, reporters, bureaucrats, Coalhouse’s Men, and numerous other ensemble roles.
The RAGTIME Chorus must be one of the major stars of the show. The chorus is extremely involved and active throughout the show. The three distinct ensemble groups must each produce a full and balanced choral sound.