Audition and Casting Information
Audition Schedule For Rent
Upload headshot and resume for Rent here
Initial auditions will be by self tape. Upload the form and tape here.
Deadline to Submit Self-Tapes: January 31st, 11:59PM
Callbacks Saturday Feb. 15: 3:00PM- 10:30PM. People in Once Upon a Mattress will be scheduled after 6pm.
Rent may begin rehearsal Feb. 23-25 (we will schedule around Once Upon a Mattress) and Mar. 9-11. Additional rehearsals may be scheduled during those weeks as well, schedules permitting. Rehearsals will resume Mar. 22, and will be Monday through Friday, and Saturdays. Tech is Apr. 14-16, Dress is Apr. 17 and 21-23. Brush up is Apr 30. The production runs Apr. 24-26 and May 1-4.
Weekday hours will be 6:30-10:30pm and Saturdays 12-6pm. Sunday will be the day off except for Dress and performance.
Please note any conflicts with these dates on your audition signup sheet.
Rent
Self-tape Instructions
We are excited for you all to audition for the WCT production of “Rent”! Please be patient and understanding as we work through this unique process. We will be having in-person callbacks. Your cooperation in this first round will be so helpful!
- Auditions should be filmed in a quiet place in front of a simple and plain background.
- You should still dress as if you were attending an in-person audition.
- All auditions should begin with a Slate including your name, year, and what you will be singing.
- All audition cuts should be 16 bars – or roughly 30 seconds.
- All audition cuts should be in a rock style, they may be pop songs or from a similar show, ie., Spring Awakening, Jagged Little Pill, American Idiot, etc.
- Please record a new self-tape for this project. Don’t use an old audition.
- Please upload your audition with your audition form, and ensure that you have set your file settings so we can view it.
- Please Name your file: Last Name, First Name WCT Rent Audition 2025.
Deadline to Submit Self-Tapes: January 31st, 11:59PM
Upload headshot and resume for Rent here
Initial auditions will be by self tape. Upload the form and tape here.
Contact Stage Manager Micah Hale with any questions or concerns
(651) 403-2848
micah.hale@wagner.edu
Auditions
RENT
Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Original Concept and Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson
Director: Lou Jacob
Musical Director: Joshua Sottile
Stage Manager: Micah Hale
Casting Notice
Director’s Note
30 years ago, in 1995, Jonathan Larson was realizing his dream of a major production of his new musical, ‘Rent.’ By this time in its journey, the show had been given a thrilling fully-staged workshop at New York Theatre Workshop at their newly-acquired home on East 4th Street. Those of us working at NYTW at the time were bursting with excitement for Jon and what was about to be unleashed. The show would go into rehearsal in December of ‘95, and open, in the most tragic twist of fate, without him, in January of ‘96. These events are now theatre legend. ‘Rent’ would go on to achieve its creator’s unapologetic goal; to change the course of the American Musical. For these reasons, and given the show’s incredible relevance now, there’s no better time than now…no day but today…to gather the Wagner community around our own production of ‘Rent,’ right here in New York City.
We are looking for a vibrant and diverse ensemble of actors of all ethnicities, races, gender expressions, and sexual orientations that was always at the heart of the show. Our aim is to provide the widest possible scope of opportunity to create a representative company of dynamic, huge-hearted, badass individuals.
For our audition process, please bring your most open hearts, your biggest voices and your essential “You-ness” to this ecstatic material that places rock music into a musical theatre idiom. The original cast of the show set a particular template for these characters and what they look and sound like. But the spirit of ‘Rent’ and of Jonathan, lives in openness and acceptance. We need, most of all, a fearless group of individuals to ignite this story for 2025.
Musical Director Note:
This score has had a tremendous impact on the trajectory of musical theatre. Long before ‘Rent’, Tin Pan Alley and early rock musicals were intertwined with contemporary popular music, but as the 60s came along, bands like The Beatles and singer-songwriters, who only performed their own material, took the pop stage. These worlds drifted apart and became discrete. In the 80s, we had the arrival of rock operas and sung-through shows. In response to this, Jonathan Larson created a piece that aimed to bring back the idea of great songs with the sophisticated wordplay of Stephen Sondheim, who was a major influence. The music in ‘Rent’ is special because it marked a new age of contemporary music, in which theatre and pop lift each other up!
Much of this show’s quality is drawn from Jonathan Larson’s many music influences, including Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, Liz Phair, The Police, Prince, The Beatles and Sondheim; a variety to say the least.
For this audition, w e are looking for a vocal style close to the grunge and alternative rock scenes of the 80s-90s. Think Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, and Pearl Jam. Your chosen music does NOT have to be grunge/alternative rock. You may choose anything from Ed Sheeran to Alicia Keys, from The Police to The Weeknd, from Alanis Morissette to Sara Bareilles. We are looking for singers with wide vocal ranges and a high technical skill, so please choose material that displays your abilities here. Choose a 16-bar cut that shows your range and dynamics.
As ‘Rent’ was a conceptual phenomenon for musical theatre and pop, its effective performance is best realized with a vocal approach that honors its contemporary roots. Think on these characters and, judging by their songs in the show, think about what music they probably jammed out to (hint, hint!)!
Character Breakdown
Roger Davis
A singer-songwriter and recovering drug addict living with HIV. Best friends with his roommate Mark, and former roommates with Maureen, Tom Collins and Benjamin Coffin III in the abandoned loft. Roger has mourned members of his community and is grieving the loss of his deceased former girlfriend. Roger longs for connection and meaning through his music. He is reminiscent of a young Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder and/or Lenny Kravitz in his musical styling.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: F2
Mark Cohen
A filmmaker who constantly seeks validation. He is the narrator of the show, recently dumped by Maureen. He connects deeply with his roommate Roger and longs for the days when his group of friends were closer. In his struggles to find his place in the world, he often finds himself on the outside looking in. Mark comes from privilege but desires to understand his responsibility to himself and his community.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Any
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Tom Collins
A professor of “Computer-Age Philosophy” at NYU. Smart, caring, and the backbone of his friend group. His chosen family is lifted by his positive and nurturing spirit. His warmth and empathic presence allow him to invite his friends to examine personal accountability. Tom used to be a roommate in the loft with Mark and Roger. He is also living with HIV.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Open to BIPOC actors
Age: 28 to 35
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: F#2
Benjamin Coffin III
Mark and Roger’s landlord and former roommate. Benny struggles to find connection with his former chosen family. He is battling being a friend while enjoying his new-found privilege and pleasing his new white in-laws. Despite being seen as a sellout, Benny longs to know who he is and where he fits in his community.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Open to BIPOC actors.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Joanne Jefferson
A public advocacy lawyer who fights for the underdog, yet comes from a conservative upper-class family. She is smart, purposeful, and grounded. She is dating Maureen Johnson. Joanne’s connection to Maureen brings her into this group where she discovers the power of being celebrated in one’s own community.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Open to BIPOC actors
Age: 28 to 40
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Angel Dumott Schunard
A magnetic street musician who radiates light. Moves through the world as a gender non-conforming human who is also living with HIV. Has a gift for inspiring human connection all while being a street fashion icon. Becomes Tom Collins’ partner. Angel’s musicality is rooted in their connection and love for rhythm, movement, and storytelling. Angel’s artistry is akin to Prince, a young RuPaul, or today, Billy Porter.
Ethnicity: Any
Gender: Gender non-conforming
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Mimi Marquez
A dancer, determined to live in the moment. She is a drug addict living with HIV. Her addiction and intentions are often at odds. Desperate to make the most of the life she has. Mimi meets the friend group through her unexpected romantic connection to Roger. Her artistry is connected to her body and movement.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Open to BIPOC actors.
Age: 18 to 21
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Maureen Johnson
A performance artist of Intoxicating energy and sexualized vigor. Full of well-intended passion and anarchist energies, which she pours into her art. Former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins and Benny. Maureen is dating Joanne. Recently broke up with Mark yet still wants/expects his help with her work. Maureen seeks to be a less self-centered human that is accountable for their actions.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Any
Age: 20 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
*Exact number of ensemble members and role assignments TBD.
Ensemble Male 1:
Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others
Ensemble Female 1:
Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others
Ensemble Male 2:
Paul, a cop, and others
Ensemble Female 2:
Mark’s mom, and others
Ensemble Male 3:
Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others
Ensemble Female 3
Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others
Ensemble Male 4:
Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others
Deadline to Submit Self-Tapes: January 31st, 11:59PM
Upload headshot and resume for Rent here
Initial auditions will be by self tape. Upload the form and tape here.