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Directed by Julia Kemp
Assistant Direction by Daniel Megaffin
Vocal Direction by Lacey Keck
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
AUDITION DATES:
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15th, 2026 - 6:30PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16th, 2026 - 6:30PM
*Those auditioning only need to attend ONE audition session.
*Everyone is asked to arrive at 6:30pm and will audition in the order they appear on the sign-in sheet.
Auditions will be held at the Academy Theatre:
275 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Friday, February 5, 2027 at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 6, 2027 at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 7, 2027 at 2:00pm
Friday, February 12, 2027 at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 13, 2027 at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 14, 2027 at 2:00pm
Friday, February 19, 2027 at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 20, 2027 at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 21, 2027 at 2:00pm
VIDEO AUDITIONS:
Attending auditions in person is preferred, but if you are unable to attend the scheduled date, you may submit a video for consideration.
Please submit the following by TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15th, 2026 at 6:30PM to jkemp@theacademytheatre.org:
*VIDEO
Your video should include:
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your name
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role(s) you are interested in
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audition song title
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your song
*A current photograph
*Fill out the audition registration HERE.
SYNOPSIS:
Do you remember that moment when you first got a recording and played it over and over until you had all the songs memorized? Well, that’s the scenario here – an obsessed musical theatre fan needs a little pick-me-up so he puts on a record to hear his all-time favorite cast recording: the fictional 1928’s smash hit, the Drowsy Chaperone. As he begins to share the story (inserting some wry narration along the way), the musical comes to life in his living room – transforming the dingy apartment into a grand estate, perfect for the upcoming nuptials of debonair Robert Martin and Broadway starlet Janet van de Graaff. Unfortunately, not all the guests are in favor of the impending wedding, so as in all good musicals, confusion, mistaken identity, hijinks, and a few big dance numbers abound on the way to the altar.
While the the Drowsy Chaperone may not be the most familiar title, the show has garnered incredible buzz from its first performance at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 1999. The Toronto Star declared “The Drowsy Chaperone is so much fun, it’s barely legal!” while The New York Magazine hailed it as “The perfect Broadway musical.” This sleeper hit of a show made its way to Broadway in 2006, winning Tony Awards for Best Book and Score along with Drama Desk awards for Outstanding Musical and Book of a Musical. A loving parody of 1920s American screwball musical comedy, the Drowsy Chaperone is a madcap delight filled with show-stopping dance, witty dialogue, and over-the-top hilarity that guarantees an evening of laughter and enjoyment.
AUDITION PREPARATION:
*Please come prepared with 32-bar/1-minute cut of any Broadway-style song.
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Must have instrumental accompaniment on a Bluetooth-capable device.
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Speaker provided
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A piano accompanist will not be provided.
*If you are auditioning for MAN IN CHAIR, please prepare the MAN IN CHAIR AUDITION SELECTION (in addition to your song).
*Auditions will include cold readings from THE DROWSY CHAPERONE script.
*There will be no dance call. Movement will be assessed in individual auditions as needed.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
*All ages listed are “stage ages,” meaning the actor needs to convincingly look and act the age of their character, regardless of their actual chronological age.
MAN IN CHAIR (late 20s-60s) spoken, but should be able to carry a tune.
Narrator/Host of the show, provides commentary throughout, breaking the fourth wall, as the musical album plays. They are a musical theatre fanatic who seeks to escape their "non-specific sadness" by listening to recordings of their favorite classic Broadway show.
ROBERT MARTIN (late 20s-40s M) Tenor C3-Ab4
The groom-to-be who is deeply in love with Janet. He is the token 1920s leading man – debonair, dashing, and a little cheesy. He is cheerful, and optimistic. Must be able to tap dance and roller skate.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (40s-60s F) Alto with a strong belt, F3-G5
Janet’s alcoholic confidante. An experienced “woman of the world” who couldn’t care less what the world thinks. An over the top diva to be reckoned with.
JANET VAN DE GRAAFF (20s-30s F) Mezzo-Soprano/ Alto (strong belt) G5-E3
Star of Feldzieg’s Follies who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to get married. She loves being the center of attention and is the consummate 1920s starlet. Strong dance/movement and special skills (acrobatics, juggling, hooping, etc.) a plus.
MRS. TOTTENDALE (30s-60s F) Alto G3-Db5
A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. She is eccentric, oftentimes forgetful, and has great comedic timing. She is silly, charming, and has very little clue as to what's going on around her.
ADOLPHO (30s-40s M) Bass/Baritone A#2-G4
He is confident, vigorous, and a buffoon. Vaudeville-style acting and Spanish or Italian accent required.
UNDERLING (40s-60s) Tenor Ab2-G4
Mrs. Tottendale’s unflappable butler. Stoic, dry-humored, sarcastic, and doesn't miss a beat.
GEORGE (20s-40s M) Tenor F3-Eb4
Robert’s best man, and has a nervous demeanor. His top priority is making sure the wedding will go off without a hitch. Must be able to tap.
KITTY (20s-40s F) Mezzo-Soprano (comedic belt) Bb3-F5
1920s dumb blonde. She is Mr. Feldzieg’s companion and will do anything to be a leading lady.
GANGSTERS 1 & 2 (20s-40s) Tenor Db3-Gb4
Gangster who is posing as a pastry chef. Typical 1920s Broadway gangster full of word play and stylized movement. Good comic timing and dancing skills required.
MR. FELDZIEG (40s-70s M) Baritone Db3-Db4
Producer who will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in the Follies. He is nervous, sarcastic, impatient, overbearing, and insensitive.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE:
SUPERINDENDENT (20s-60s) Spoken
Brief, comedic character who enters the stage near the end of the show. Also a musical theatre aficionado, happy to listen to the collection of soundtracks from classic Broadway shows.
TRIX THE AVIATRIX (20s-40s F) Alto Ab3-Eb5
Female aviator. She is sassy, sleek, and a take charge kind of gal.
ENSEMBLE (TEENS +) Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Tenor
House staff, wedding guests, paparazzi, etc.
CREW & VOLUNTEERS
Not a fan of the spotlight, but still want to be involved? We need volunteers for everything from hair and make-up to crew and lights. Send an email to jkemp@theacademytheatre.org.
MAN IN CHAIR Audition Selection:
MAN:
Oh, how things have changed. Hello. How are we today? I’m feeling a little blue myself. You know, a little anxious for no particular reason, a little sad that I should feel anxious at this age, you know, a little self-conscious anxiety resulting in nonspecific sadness: a state that I call “blue”. Anyway, whenever I’m feeling this way, blue, I like to listen to my music. So, I was going through my records this morning – yes, records – and I was about to put on the sound track recording of Meredith Wilson’s THE MUSIC MAN. I had a craving for a young Ronny Howard. But then I said “No! Let’s have a treat! Let’s disappear for a while into the decadent world of the 1920s. When the champagne flowed while the caviar chilled and all the world was a party” – for the wealthy anyway. So, I dug about and what did I find – but one of my favorite shows Gable and Stein’s “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
The Drowsy Chaperone is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com