About The Show:
With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner, and musical theatre giant Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell”), Pippin debuted on Broadway in 1972. The legendary Bob Fosse brought the original “pure happy pastel fantasy” into new territory – with darker and more sophisticated “très hip” choreography. Pippin was an enormous hit and one of the most innovatively staged performances that Broadway audiences had ever seen. The 2013 Revival Version won four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart worldwide.
The story is presented by a traveling troupe of players who present a festive and quirkily staged exploration of the story of Pippin, son of King Charlemagne the Great. The young prince is searching for the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power. Ultimately, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors but rather in the extraordinary moments that happen every day.
Director/Choreographer – Nancy Rich
Music Director – Darylene Hecht
Stage Manager – Yamila Monge
Audition Slots:
Monday evening, September 23: 6:30-7:30, 7:30-8:30, or 8:30-9:30
Tuesday evening, September 24: 6:30-7:30, 7:30-8:30, or 8:30-9:30
Note: The production team will happily accept video auditions if you cannot attend one of the timeslots above. If you choose this option, please email a video of yourself singing at least 16-30 bars from a song and your audition paperwork (headshot, resume, audition information form, and conflict calendar) by September 20 to Yamila@theatreinthepark.com.
Please make sure to download the AUDITION FORM & CONFLICT CALENDAR here
Callbacks: Saturday, September 28, from 12:30pm – 5:00 pm, scheduled in half-hour units by role. Sides, music, and instructions (including individual callback times) will be emailed to the artists who are called back.
Audition Location: Pullen Park Arts Center, 105 Pullen Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607. (NEXT DOOR TO THEATRE IN THE PARK)
Please note you must enter the Pullen Art Center via the lower back entrance. Use the walking path between Theatre in the Park and Pullen Art Center to the lower parking lot facing Hillsborough St. Please use the Theatre in the Park parking lot.
Callback/Rehearsal/Performance Location: Theatre in the Park, 107 Pullen Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Performance Dates: Feb 20 -22 and Feb 27 – March 1 at 7:30 pm, Feb 23 & March 2 at 3:00 pm
Note: Added matinees may be scheduled on March 8 and 9
CAST MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL PERFORMANCES AND TECH/DRESS REHEARSALS
Venue: Theatre In the Park, 107 Pullen Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Rehearsals: Rehearsals begin Monday, January 6, 2025. The rehearsal schedule will be finalized after casting and based on cast members’ conflicts. The goal is to have a 5-day/per week rehearsal schedule.
Audition Requirements:
WHAT TO BRING: A headshot, one-page theatrical resume, AUDITION INFORMATION form, CONFLICT CALENDAR, and 16-32 bars of sheet music in the correct key.
VOCAL AUDITIONS: Choose a song that showcases your vocal range and performance ability. Please make sure you have properly prepared your sheet music for our audition pianist: in the correct key, printed properly with ALL notes and words visible, hole-punched, and in a binder.
DANCE AUDITIONS: We will teach a short, simple dance routine that’s fun to do and gets you warmed up and ready to sing. Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable and easy to move in. Dance auditions for some characters is required, otherwise optional. There may be additional dance auditions for some characters during callbacks.
If you have special skills, such as juggling, stage combat experience, acrobatics, hoops, 8-ring, or gymnastics, be sure to let us know and remember to list them on your resume.
Character Descriptions:
In reference to the character descriptions below – The characters in this show are on the binary and written with he/him or she/her pronouns as you will see in the following descriptions. However, we seek to be as inclusive as possible and ask gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to list the roles they most identify with on the audition.
THE LEADING PLAYER
Masterfully charming and manipulative, the Leading Player is a chameleon of sorts. The Leading Player serves as a kind of guide to Pippin throughout his journey. An excellent mover, The Leading Players is obsessed with putting on a great show for the audience at all costs. Age range: 20-45. Vocal Range: Db3 – Ab4. This role requires a strong sense of physicality and movement. This actor must have good availability for rehearsals, since the LP appears in almost every scene. (Dance audition required.)
PIPPIN
Our story’s young and confused protagonist. Pippin is the ‘educated’ first-born son of Charlemagne, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Longing to find his purpose in life, he is naive, innocent, and discontent. Pippin eventually finds love and meaning in life with Catherine and Theo. Age range: 18-30 // Vocal Range: G2 – Ab4. The actor must have good availability for rehearsals, since Pippin appears in almost every scene. (Dance audition required.)
CHARLES
Charlemagne is a very successful emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, however he rules it unfairly. His relationship with Pippin is uneasy. He tries to be fatherly and takes time to see his children and explain things like war. He is infatuated with his wife, Fastrada, and would do anything for her. He wears his years with great pride. Age Range: 50-65 // Vocal Range: G2 – E4.
LEWIS
Pippin’s half-brother – Charlemagne and Fastrada’s son. Strong and not bright, the handsome Lewis loves weightlifting and wrestling, but most of all, Lewis loves Lewis. Lewis loves his mother very much and looks to her for reassurance. Requires good physicality and a well-developed physique is a plus. Age range: 18-30 (Sings with ensemble)
FASTRADA
Pippin’s conniving stepmother, Lewis’ mother, and Charles’ fourth wife. Fastrada is sexy, beautiful, smart, devious, crafty, cunning, and untrustworthy. She is dedicated to gaining the throne for her darling son, Lewis. Sings and dances the solo “Spread A Little Sunshine” Age range: 35-55 // Vocal Range: A3 – F5 (Dance audition required.)
CATHERINE
Catherine is a widow with a small son and a large estate. She describes herself as an ‘average ordinary kind of woman.’ Catherine is girl-next-door attractive and a hopeless romantic. Catherine encounters Pippin at his lowest point and eventually falls in love with him. Age range: 20-35 // Vocal Range: F#3 – Db5
BERTHE
Pippin’s saucy grandmother. A brassy woman full of wisdom, grace, and sass. She tries to help Pippin and encourages him to live his life to the fullest. Age Range: 55- 75 // Vocal Range: E3 – C5
THEO
Catherine’s adorable young son has a duck for a pet. Age range: 8-10. Theo has a small solo at the end of the play called “Theo’s Corner.” This role will be auditioned by invitation only.
THE PLAYERS
In Pippin, the ensemble plays a vital role in bringing the story to life. They serve as a collective presence that supports and enhances the narrative, representing various characters, settings, and elements within the show. They create the world of Pippin, contribute to the overall storytelling, and provide a vibrant backdrop that highlights the journey and themes of the show. Special skills like stage combat, acrobatics, modern dance, ballet, and juggling/hoop/8-rings are a plus. From The Players, we will assign understudies, a fight captain, and a dance captain for the show.
All roles are open to consideration regardless of background, ethnicity, or sexual/gender orientation.
For additional info on these characters, show synopsis, etc., please visit https://www.mtishows.com/pippin
All roles are Non-Paying/Non-Equity
