DATES OF AUDITIONS: 
MONDAY APRIL 29, 7:00PM
TUESDAY APRIL 30, 7:00PM
IF YOU’RE IN COLLEGE AND WANT TO AUDITION:
PLEASE VIDEO YOURSELF SINGING THE REQUIRED SONGS AND FREESTYLE DANCE.
POST TO YOUTUBE AND EMAIL THE LINK TO Jodie@lakeworthplayhouse.org.

SHOW DATES: July 11 - 28, 2013
DIRECTORS: Ricky Nahas and Jodie Dixon-Mears
CHOREGRAPHER: Ricky Nahas
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Kiki Sanchez

REHEARSALS WILL START RIGHT AFTER AUDITIONS AND CARRY ON UNTIL OPENING, IF YOU HAVE MAJOR CONFLICTS PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME OR YOUR ’S.  THIS IS AN INTENSE VOCAL AND DANCE SHOW, PLEASE BE PREPARED.

Director: Jodie Dixon-Mears joined the Lake Worth Playhouse staff in 2004 as Artistic Director.  She earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from West Virginia University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from The University of Florida.  Jodie has worked in all areas of the theatre learning from each experience, she has worked in regional theatres, corporate and not for profit.  She has taught acting and directing on the High School and College levels, and has a vast acting and directing resume.  Jodie is proud of her accomplishments throughout her career and takes every experience and lesson and applies it to her next adventure.  Her most valued success is her son Gregory who continues to amaze and challenge her daily, and her husband Daryl who would have to be the most patient and easy going man in her life. 

Director/Choreographer: Ricky Nahas is a musical theatre performer, choreographer and dance teacher. He has spent the past 11 years performing in national tours, regional theatre and in theatres throughout Europe. He recently joined the Lake Worth Playhouse as the lead instructor for the education program. He has also choreographed recent productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Chicago. Ricky has choreographed school show choirs and he has taught musical theatre dance master classes for all ages. His recent credits include Radames in Aida, Mungo Jerry in Cats, Iowa Company of Altar Boyz and Swing in the National Tour of Saturday Night Fever.

Music Director: Kiki Sanchez Native from Lima, Peru KiKi was born into a musical atmosphere. He journeyed to the US where he studied with Jazz legends such as Jim Gasior, Israel Lopez (Cachao), and Eddie Barzola. In addition, Kiki polished his pianos techniques with Leonid Treer at FL Atlantic University. A highlight of his career was participating as a musician, arranger and pre-production associate on the album, “Blown Away,” which was nominated in 2005 for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Album. He has released an instructional DVD “The Real Latin Piano and Intro to Afro-Peruvian Rhythms, Vol.1” and will be published in the musical education genre.

Audition Requrirements:
Please read carefully, we encourage you to find the tracks for the songs so you can practice and use for your audition.  If you’re auditioning for a specific role please research and be familiar with their music and what is required of them.  Please wear shoes and clothing that you can dance in, this is a dance show and if you’re auditioning for certain parts or ensemble you will be required to participate in the dance auditions. Please have your music on either a CD or sheet music, you will not be allowed to sing acappella.

Please pick at least 32 measures that show off your range.  If there is a high note, go for it!

REQUIRED SONG CHOICES FOR EACH CHARACTER:
Usnavi: opening rap in “the Heights” and “it won’t be long” rap.
Benny: Benny’s dispatch/when your home/96,000
Sonny: “carnival” rap into powerless section.
Kevin: Inutil
Piragua guy: piragua
Nina: breath, when your home
Vanessa: it won’t be long now/96,000
Abuela: Pacienca y fe
Carla: 96,000 the Carla and Daniella section, learn both parts.
Daniella: Carnaval and her section in “the heights”.
Camilla: Enough

-If extenuating circumstances leave you unable to attend an audition, you may submit a private YouTube link or DVD video of your audition.  The audition must be received by the date of auditions. Links can be sent to Jodie@lakeworthplayhouse.org.  DVD's can be mailed to Jodie Dixon-Mears at 713 Lake Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460.

Cast:

Usnavi De La Vega
24-28 year old owner of De La Vega’s Bodega, his parent 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
19 year old Nina has just finished her freshman year at Stanford University.  She is the daughter of Kevin and Camilla 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
In his forties and owner of Rosario Car and Limousine, Kevin is a husband to Camilla and father to Nina.  While Kevin was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he immigrated to New York City with Camilla.  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 to repercussions.

Camilla Rosario
Also in her forties, she is the 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 24 year old 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 19 year old shampoo girl at 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
15 years old and Usnavi’s cousin.  Sonny 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 extremely intelligent young man who strives to emulate Usnavi.  Passionate to solve the social and economic problems of the city, he is someone that needs guidance or risks ending up a street punk. 

Abuela Claudia
In her late 60’s, she 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
In her thirties, she is the owner of Daniel’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 out of the neighborhood because of rent hikes.

Carla
In her mid-twenties, she is a hairdresser at Daniel’s salon.  Born and raised in Queens, she is a pure, sweet, innocent and loving young woman who is devoted to her family and friends though she is easily taken advantage of because of her naivety.  She and Daniela are best friends.

Graffiti Pete
An 18-year old 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
In his mid-thirties, he walks the hot and humid streets of Washington Heights sell piraguas (flavored ice shavings) to earn a living.  He represents a rhythm of the islands in the big city.