Sign up for an audition slot through our SignUpGenius

Auditions: March 28-29; Callbacks March 30

Performances: July 17-20 at Parkland College’s Harold & Jean Miner Theatre

Prior to your timeslot, please fill out the audition form.

About the show:

Inspired by the memoirs of burlesque artist Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy tells the story of “Mama” Rose, an overbearing stage mother attempting to thrust her two daughters into stardom on a dying vaudeville circuit. We meet daughters June and Louise as children and follow the development of their act as they become adults, where June is the star, while the shy Louise plays a background role. When June runs off with one of the chorus boys, Rose decides to make Louise a star in her own right. Through unlikely means, Louise finds her identity as a performer. She adopts the stage name Gypsy Rose Lee and breaks free of her mother’s expectations, leaving Rose to deal with the fallout alone. 

Gypsy is regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time. It tells two stories: the backstage life of struggling theater artists in the 20s and 30s, and the story of a mother who believes she knows what’s best for her children and attempts to live her dream of success through them. Gypsy is a real story. It’s set in the world of vaudeville and burlesque, but the real heart of it is the tense relationship between a mother and her two daughters. And that can happen anywhere at any time. 

NOTE: Gypsy contains mature themes, topics of emotional abuse, and depictions of stripping. This production may contain flashing lighting effects and the use of theatrical haze.

Please note, some roles must be played by performers ages 18+, please refer to the character breakdown. The roles of Rose & Herbie have been cast.

Adult Singing/Acting Auditions (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2101 S Prospect Ave): All auditionees ages 15+ must sign up for a slot. Please prepare 32 bars of music in the style of Gypsy. You may prepare sheet music for our accompanist (preferred) or an instrumental track. Additionally, you must prepare an audition side–linked here. You may be asked to read for additional characters, so please familiarize yourself with all sides of your preferred gender. Your side does not need to be memorized, but you should be confident and comfortable. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your time slot to check in.

If you would like to audition but are unable to make the dates, please email cudramamakers@gmail.com to set up a virtual audition.

Children’s Auditions (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2101 S Prospect Ave): We are seeking 5-10 children ages 7-12 to play Baby June, Baby Louise, Newsboys, and various additional roles. Note: All children must be under 5’0”.

Children will audition in small groups.. (Please do not sign up for an individual Adult Singing/Acting Audition slot or Adult Dance Auditions) All children must prepare the attached cut from “Baby June and Her Newsboys” (m. 17-45). Accompaniment will be provided. In addition, all children must prepare the Children’s Dance Call (videos attached here.) This is a short and simple dance to see comfort with movement! We don’t expect perfection–we care most about seeing personality! Please learn the dance prior through the step-by-step tutorial and run through videos.

Adult Dance Auditions (CUTC Rehearsal Space, 117 E University Ave): All auditionees ages 15+, except for those auditioning to be one of the character men, must sign up for the dance audition. The dance audition will be Saturday, March 29 from 3:00 PM-4:30 PM. Please learn the combination prior to auditions through the step-by-step tutorial and run through videos (attached here.) On the day of auditions, the dance will be briefly reviewed before we break into small groups. Please wear movable/comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes. 

Optional Adult Tap Auditions (CUTC Rehearsal Space, 117 E University Ave): We will be holding a completely optional tap call following dance auditions on Saturday, March 29. There will be multiple ensemble tap opportunities in our production. Please learn the combination prior to auditions through the step-by-step tutorial and run through videos (attached here.) On the audition day, the dance will be briefly reviewed before we break into small groups. Please wear movable/comfortable clothing and tap shoes. (a soft shoe is okay if you do not own taps.) No experience required–even if you've never tapped, try it out! This can only boost your name in the casting; effort is more important than perfection! 

Callbacks (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2101 S Prospect Ave): We will  send out emails on the evening of Saturday, March 29, following Dance Auditions. Callbacks will take place on the evening of Sunday, March 30. Callback materials will be sent along with the character(s) we would like to see you for. Specific times will be contained in the email. If you are not asked for a callback, that does not mean you are cut from the show, it just means we have seen all we needed to see. Unlike our last production, we may not hold callbacks for the ensemble. 

Time Commitment:

Rehearsal Schedule: Unless otherwise indicated, all rehearsals will take place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (2101 S Prospect Ave, Champaign, IL 61820.) Our first rehearsal is TBD–but will take place the weekend of April 11-13. Rehearsals will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from roughly 6-9 PM (mid April-early July.) Additional rehearsals may be added, as needed. Note: Most performers will not be called every rehearsal until closer to showtime. Our schedule is designed to allow participants the ability to be in multiple productions, participate in other activities, etc. Scheduling is flexible. 

Tech Week: This week is mandatory. Load-in to Parkland will be July 11 from 5-10 PM. Tech/Dress Rehearsals will be July 12-16 from 5-10 PM. Performances are July 17-19 at 7 PM and July 20 at 2 PM at Parkland College’s Harold & Jean Miner Theatre.

Conflicts: All conflicts must be written on your conflict sheet. Absences written on your form are excused. You are allowed three unexcused absences before consideration of recasting your role. Three uncommunicated tardies lead to one unexcused absence. We understand that emergencies come up so we ask that if something does come up, let us know immediately. If you are unsure that something will be a conflict or not, (ex. other production, vacation, etc.) indicate so on your form.

Important Links Character Breakdown | Dance Audition Videos | Audition Sides | Children’s Audition Sheet Music | Audition Form

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate reaching out to cudramamakers@gmail.com. Want to see more from us? Visit our Instagram–@cudramamakers or Facebook–Champaign Urbana Drama Makers

We can't wait to see everyone at auditions. Break a leg!