GreenMan Theatre Troupe is pleased to announce auditions for its 2023 Fall Musical, Bye Bye Birdie. We are seeking a MULTI-ETHNIC cast of men, women and teens with fantastic singing, acting and dancing abilities to play principal and supporting roles.
Bye Bye Birdie is a classic musical that captures the energy and excitement of the late 1950s with a perfect blend of warmth, hilarity, and a timeless score. It follows the story of rockstar singer, Conrad Birdie, who has been drafted into the Army. As his farewell, the charismatic teen is chosen to appear on a national television show, giving rise to a frenzy of teenage girls who will do anything to be his last kiss. The show is a perfect blend of rock & roll, nostalgia, and good old-fashioned fun, making Bye Bye Birdie a must-see for any musical theatre fan.
Raegan Kotz is directing, assistant director is Jessica Witt, choreographer is Caitlin Riermaier and production manager is Craig Gustafson.
To best utilize everyone’s time, auditions are in person and by appointment only Sunday, July 9 and Monday, July 10 at the GreenMan Theatre Troupe - First Methodist Church, 232 S York St, in Elmhurst, IL.
The process is as follows:
To schedule an appointment, please send an email to: BirdieAuditions2023@gmail.com
1. Please state your name, the date/time you would like to audition, & any specific roles you would like to be considered for. Attaching a headshot and resume is acceptable, but not required.
a. Actors will be scheduled into audition time blocks for Sun. July 9 (3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.) or Mon. July 10 (7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., & 9:00 p.m.).
2. Actors will be assigned to groups and will spend 20 minutes in singing auditions, 20 minutes in dance auditions, and 20 minutes in reading auditions. Everyone who attends will get to read.
a. For Reading: Details will be provided when your appointment is scheduled. Everyone will get to read.
b. For Singing: Everyone will be asked to sing 32 bars of a song from a musical. No pop songs please! Select a song that shows your vocal ability, range, projection, expressiveness, and personality. Do not be concerned with the directors’ personal tastes regarding song choice or favorite shows. Instead, pick something that shows you at your very best. That is what we want to hear! It is NOT recommended that you sing a song from “Bye Bye Birdie.” Please provide sheet music in the appropriate key for your pianist, which will be provided. Please do not sing a cappella. Recorded accompaniments will not be allowed.
3. For Dance: Please wear clothing and shoes that you can move in. You may not dance barefoot or in socks! All performers will be asked to do a simple dance combination, and performers who would like to be considered as featured dancers or leads who dance might be asked to do a more difficult combination. All performers auditioning must attend the dance audition.
4. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, July 12 at GreenMan Theatre Troupe - First Methodist Church, 232 S York Road, in Elmhurst, IL. Those called back will be notified Tuesday, July 11. All those being considered for lead and supporting roles will be required to attend the callback auditions. If you are not called back, it doesn’t mean you have not been cast.
5. Actors who are cast will be called on Thursday, July 13.
6. Please note that some roles MAY be double cast at the directors’ discretion.
For a synopsis of the show, go here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bye_Bye_Birdie
Performances of Bye Bye Birdie! are September 15 through October 8, 2023. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.. Rehearsals will typically take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons/evenings. Not everyone will be called to every rehearsal and conflicts will be taken into consideration when making the schedule.
Bye Bye Birdie! is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. For tickets & more information, please visit
www.greenmantheatre.org
ALL ROLES ARE AVAILABLE:
Character Breakdown and Vocal Ranges
There are 11 principal acting roles, 5 male, 6 female identifying performers. The production will also feature an ensemble of 16 consisting of 8 male and 8 female identifying performers who will play additional supporting roles. See descriptions below for more information about principal and ensemble roles. Actors of any race/ethnicity or gender identity are encouraged to audition. Ages listed in description reflect character ages, not required actor ages. Please note that some roles MAY be double cast.
If you have any questions, please email the production team at BirdieProductionTeam@gmail.com
Albert Petersen: Lead, Male, 30-40 Energetic young man, the President of the Almalou Music Corp, nervous type, C flat to F flat. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Rosie Alvarez: Lead, Female, 25-35 His secretary, must be solid dancer and singer, vivacious and fiery, A flat to C. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Conrad Birdie: Lead, Male, 18-29 Flamboyant and good dancer/singer, an Elvis type, over the top Rock Star, D flat to E flat. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Kim MacAfee: Lead, Female, 15-18 To play 15-16, pretty, self absorbed teenager, must be solid dancer, singer, excitable, A to A flat. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mr. Harry MacAfee: Lead, Male, 40-59 Kim’s Dad, very nervous type, controlling but loving, sings and dances, C to E. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mrs. MacAfee: Lead, Female, 40-49 Kim’s Mother, typical “50’s Mom”, trim, pretty, gets excited for her daughter, C flat to F. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Randolph MacAfee: Lead, Male, 10-12 Kim’s younger brother, typical All American kid, sings and must move well, E to D. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Hugo Peabody: Lead, Male, 15-18 Kim’s “steady,” fun loving but can be jealous at times, sing/move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mae Petersen: Lead, Female, 50-69 Albert’s adoring mother, good comedic timing a must, martyr to the max, sings/moves well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Harvey Johnson: Supporting, Male, 15-24 Teenager, stereotypical “nerd” type, E to F sharp, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Alice: Supporting, Female, 15-24 Teenager, the Mayor’s daughter, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Nancy: Supporting, Female, 15-24 Teenager, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Penelope: Supporting, Female, 15-24 Teenager, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Suzi: Supporting, Female, 15-24 Teenager, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Carl: Supporting, Male, 15-24 Teenager, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Freddie: Supporting, Male, 15-24 Teenager, must sing and move well. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Ursula Merkle: Supporting, Female, 15-18 To play 15-16, Kim’s best friend, hyper-enthusiastic, sings/dances, E to F, part of teen girl trio. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Deborah Sue: Supporting, Female, 15-18 To play 15-16, part of teen girl trio, bubbly and fun loving, sings/dances, E to F. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Margie: Supporting, Female, 15-18 To play 15-16, part of teen girl trio, shy but hidden agendas, sings/dances, E to F. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mayor: Supporting, Male, 40-69 Typical Mayor type, outspoken, attention getter, pompous, experience a plus, but not necessary, will sing in ensemble. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mayor’s Wife: Supporting, Female, 40-69 His “put upon” wife, experience a plus, but not necessary, will sing in ensemble, may dance. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Gloria Rasputin: Supporting, Female, 25-39 Big, broad “tap dancing” secretary, Mae’s choice to replace Rosie, will sing in ensemble, may dance. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mrs. Merkle: Supporting, Female, 39-49 Ursula’s mother, will sing in Ensemble, may dance. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Mr. Johnson: Supporting, Male, 36-49 Harvey’s Dad, will sing in ensemble, may dance. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Charles Maude: Supporting, Male, 25-60 Owner of “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”, part of the male quartet, 2nd tenor. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Maude’s Dishwasher: Supporting, Male, 18-64 Part of male quartet, 1st tenor. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Maude’s First Customer: Supporting, Male, 18-64 Part of male quartet, baritone. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Maude’s Second Customer: Supporting, Male, 18-64 Part of male quartet, bass. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Ensemble Players: Chorus / Ensemble, All Genders: All ages and types to play various characters including policemen, reporters, Sweet Apple Parents of teenagers, Sweet Apple Shriners, stage crew for T.V Studio, train Station folks, etc. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Ed Sullivan’s Voice: Male, 18-64 Will be offstage or can be recorded. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
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