Thursday, June 6
5-9PM
Newington Town Hall Auditorium
151 Cedar Street, Newington
Saturday, June 8
10-2
Newington Town Hall Auditorium
151 Cedar Street, Newington
Callbacks will be held Sunday June 9, 9-2.
*To schedule an audition, email getupstageco@hotmail.com
Below you will find:
-General Information about Casting
-Audition Requirements
-Synopsis and Character Breakdown
-Directions to Newington Town Hall
-Information about Schedule and Fees
General:
For this summer's production of HEIGHTS we are looking for a ethnically diverse group of actors age 16-22. We are specifically in need of Hispanic actors, both male and female. This show, however, is open to all ethnic groups. This is very large almost sung-through production with intensive dance numbers and exciting vocals. We are looking for the most talented and committed young people in CT to fill these roles.
Audition Requirements:
Auditions are by appointment only. Please email getupstageco@hotmail.com or use our contact form on this website for an audition time. In your email, please specify whether you'd prefer a Thursday night or Saturday morning audition time.
Please prepare 32 bars of a song from HEIGHTS (preferred) or a pop or musical theater song of the same genre that shows your vocal range and energy. You must provide sheet music if you are not singing from the show. We will not accept karaoke tracks or unaccompanied singing.
Please provide us with a recent photo or headshot and a resume. You will be asked to complete an audition form with contact and recent show information. If you do not have a resume, the audition form will suffice. If you do not have a recent printed photo, our stage manager will take one of you before you audition.
At your audition, you will be asked to sing your selection and you may be asked to sing a vocal scale. If you are considered for a lead role, you will be asked (via phone call from one of our stage managers) to come to callbacks which will be held on Sunday the 9th 9-12. In order to be considered, you must attend callbacks.
Synopsis and Character Breakdown:
IN THE HEIGHTS is an award-winning musical about life in Washington Heights, a tight-knit community where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
During its acclaimed Off-Broadway run, IN THE HEIGHTS quickly became an audience phenomenon and a critical success. It’s easy to see why: with an amazing cast, a gripping story and incredible dancing, IN THE HEIGHTS is an authentic and exhilarating journey into one of Manhattan’s most vibrant communities. And with its universal themes of family, community and self-discovery, IN THE HEIGHTS can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.
Find out what it takes to make a living, what it costs to have a dream and what it means to be home…IN THE HEIGHTS.
USNAVI DE LA VEGA: Owner of De La Vega’s Bodega, his parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic and have since passed away. He lives with Abuela Claudia (Grandmother Claudia), who isn’t actually his grandmother but they are as close as family. Usnavi is in love with Vanessa and remains the eyes and ears of his Washington Heights neighborhood.
NINA ROSARIO: Nina has just finished her freshman year at Stanford University. She is the daughter of Kevin and Camilia Rosario. Nina is the only member of her family and friends who made it to college. She is best friends with Vanessa and a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who know her; she represents the opportunity outside of “The Heights.”.
KEVIN ROSARIO: Owner of Rosario Car and Limousine, Kevin is a husband to Camilia and father to Nina. While Kevin was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he immigrated to New York City with Camilia. Kevin immediately started working to provide a better life for his newly- arrived family. He is stubborn, hot tempered at times and can be quick to act without thoughts of repercussions.
CAMILIA ROSARIO: Co-owner of Rosario Car and Limousine with her husband Kevin. Also from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, she fell in love with Kevin at 19 and immigrated with him to New York City. She is cool-headed yet keeps a subtle but strong leash on Kevin. Her daughter Nina has just returned for the summer from her first year at Stanford.
BENNY: Now a cab driver for Rosario Car and Limousine, he once was a street punk and hoodlum, often finding himself in trouble. Kevin saw promise in Benny and helped shape him into a responsible, hard-working young man. Benny has enormous respect for Kevin and sees him as a father figure. Eventually falling in love with Nina, Benny sees a future for them by becoming a businessman. He and Usnavi are best friends.
VANESSA: A shampoo girl and Daniela’s Salon, Vanessa is strong, intelligent and grew up with Benny and Usnavi. Though Usnavi would like to be something more than Vanessa’s “friend”, he has never made any attempt. Vanessa dreams of leaving to create her own life away from her alcoholic mother.
SONNY: Usnavi’s cousin who is spending the summer working for Usnavi at the bodega. He usually hangs out on the street with his friend Graffiti Pete but avoids trouble. He is an extremely intelligent young man who strives to emulate Usnavi. Passionate to solve the social and economic problems of the city, he is someone who needs guidance or risks ending up a street punk.
ABUELA CLAUDIA: Raised Usnavi after his parents passed away and continues to live with him. She emigrated from Cuba when she was very young. Of all the characters, Abuela Claudia has been in “the Heights” the longest. She struggled to learn English, struggled to find work and in turn has helped others who have followed in her path. She is clearly the matriarch of the neighborhood.
DANIELA: The owner of Daniela’s Salon. Savvy to say the least, she is quick witted, brassy and outspoken. While she retains a motherly relationship with Vanessa, she remains the gossip queen of the neighborhood. No-nonsense, she has built a successful business but is being forced of the neighborhood because of rent hikes.
CARLA: A hairdresser at Daniela’s Salon. Born and raised in Queens, she is a pure, sweet, innocent, and loving woman who is devoted to her family and friends though she is easily taken advantage of because of her naivete. She and Daniela are best friends.
GRAFFITI PETE: A graffiti artist and the nemesis of Usnavi, he is always hanging out on the streets, dancing to his boom box music, spraying any surface he can. Usnavi is unhappy that Sonny and Graffiti Pete are friends because Graffiti Pete epitomizes everything that Usnavi hopes that Sonny will not grow up to be.
PIRAGUA GUY: He walks the hot and humid streets of Washington Heights selling piragua (flavored ice shavings) to earn a living. He represents a rhythm of the islands in the big city.
We will also cast a large ensemble of singers and dancers.
Directions to Newington Town Hall
From I-84 Westbound west of Hartford: Take Exit 39A for Rte. 9 to Newington. Take Exit 29 to Ella Grasso Blvd. At the end of the off-ramp turn left. Turn right on Fenn Road. Turn left on Rte. 175 (Cedar St.) Turn right at the 6th traffic signal onto Main Street (Rte. 176). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. The Town Hall will be on the right on Garfield Street.
From I-84 Westbound east of Hartford: Follow signs for Rtes. 5&15 (Berlin Turnpike). Take exit for Rte. 175. At the end of the off-ramp, turn right and go west to Newington. At the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 176 (Main Street). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. Follow Garfield Street to the Town Hall which will be on your right.
From I-84 Eastbound: Take Exit 39-A for Rte. 9 to Middletown. Take 2nd exit to Ella Grasso Blvd. At the end of the off-ramp, turn left. Turn right on Fenn Road. Turn left on Rte. 175 (Cedar St.) Turn right at the 6th traffic signal onto Main Street (Rte. 176). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. The Town Hall will be on the right on Garfield Street.
From Rte. 72 Eastbound: Take Exit for Rte. 9 North. Take Exit 29 for Rte. 175, Newington. Take right onto Cedar Street, Rte. 175. Turn right at the 6th traffic signal onto Main Street (Rte. 176). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. The Town Hall will be on the right on Garfield Street. From Rte. 9 Northbound (near the shore): Take Exit 29 for Rte. 175 Newington. Take right onto Cedar Street, Rte. 175. Turn right at the 6th traffic signal onto Main Street (Rte. 176). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. The Town Hall will be on the right on Garfield Street.
From I-91 Southbound: Take Exit 28 for Rtes. 5&15 (Berlin Turnpike). Take exit for Rte. 175. At the end of the off-ramp, turn right and go west to Newington. At the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 176 (Main Street). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. Follow Garfield Street to the Town Hall which will be on your right. From I-91 Northbound: Take Exit 27 for Rtes. 5&15 (Berlin Turnpike). Take exit for Rte. 175, go west to Newington. At the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 176 (Main Street). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. Follow Garfield Street to the Town Hall which will be on your right.
From the Berlin Turnpike (Rtes. 5&15) either direction: Take exit for Rte. 175, go west to Newington. At the 3rd traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 176 (Main Street). At the first traffic light, turn right onto Garfield Street. Follow Garfield Street to the Town Hall which will be on your right.
Rehearsals and Fees
IN THE HEIGHTS will hold evening music and choreography rehearsals beginning in June. These rehearsals will likely be at Bristol Central High School (480 Wolcott Street, Bristol, CT). Regular ("full-time") rehearsals will be held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9A-5P starting July 9th at Newington Town Hall. We ask each participant to pay a $150 fee to help us cover the costs associated with producing this a show of this scale. As part of that fee, most costumes will be paid for (although we may ask you to bring in some of your own things since this is a modern show) and you will also receive a Heights T-shirt and an HD-Quality DVD of our production.
Videos
