Musical - Directed by Jared Sparks-Lee

​

Audition Dates - December 8 & 9

Callback Date - December 11

Performance Dates - February 21, 22, 23, 28 and March 1, 2, 7, 8, & 9
​

Performances Sponsored by Elizabeth & Mike Lauber

2024-2025 Season Sponsored by TuscoMFG

​

The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County proudly announces auditions for EMMA: A POP MUSICAL

 

Please Read The Information Below and CLICK HERE to complete your digital audition form!

 

SYNOPSIS: Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives, and is determined to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good!

 

Director: Jared Sparks-Lee

Assistant Director: Garret Davis

Musical Director: Zac Rusk

Choreographer: Sarah Jane Toy

Stage Manager: Seth Rhodes

Producer: Shavonne McMillan

 

WHEN: Auditions will be held December 8th and 9th from 6-9pm at The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County (located at 466 Carrie AVe NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663). Please arrive early to fill out any necessary forms and plan to stay for the entire duration of the evening.

 

CALLBACKS (if needed): Callbacks will be held on Wednesday evening, December 11th if needed to make casting decisions.

 

WHAT TO PREPARE: 

• All auditioners ages 13 and up will be considered for the roles available. 

• Those auditioning are asked to come prepared with a 1-2 minute cut of a pop song that matches the style of the show (bonus points if it is a female artist - but not required). 

• We will not be having a piano accompanist at this audition due to the style of songs we are asking you to prepare. Please be prepared to provide a backing track or link to a backing track for your audition - no tracks with vocals will be accepted. 

• Auditioners may also be asked to cold read from the script

• Following everyone’s vocal audition, we will be conducting a group dance audition that involves everybody. Please plan to stick around after your vocal audition for this portion of the evening.

 

PLAN AHEAD: Please consider filling out the digital audition form prior to showing up for auditions to help the evening run smoothly and quickly. The digital audition form may be found HERE

 

REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will begin the week December 29th and will typically run Sunday through Thursday from 6:30-9:30pm. Actors will only be called to rehearsals if they are needed.

• PLEASE NOTE: There may be a couple of choreography rehearsals earlier in December based on actor availability.

 

PERFORMANCES: February 21st-March 9th, 2025

 

IMPORTANT CASTING NOTES:

• All actors portraying the students in the production should be able to visibly pass for high school age during the show. This does not require you to be high school age, but should be able to fit the student presentation. 

• The actors portraying the teachers should also be prepared to double as pit singers. 

• The actors playing Mr. Weston and Miss Taylor will also be asked to provide stage crew assistance during the performance. 

• 6-8 additional pit singers will also be cast. Please indicate at auditions if you are willing to accept a pit singer role. 

 

ROLES AVAILABLE: 

Emma Woodhouse (female, student) -  A beautiful and smart high school senior who exudes confidence, especially when it concerns what other people should do with their lives. When it comes to her own life, she is not so sure, but she covers that up with witty banter, energy, and humor. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Harriet Smith (female, student) -  A sophomore who is sometimes shy, easily swayed, and incurably romantic. Although her emotions can vary wildly, her sweetness never goes away. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Jeff Knightly (male, student) -  A super-smart, clean-cut senior who finds himself enlisted as a substitute teacher for the freshman and sophomore science classes. He is witty and has a good sense of humor, but he’s sometimes a know-it-all. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Frankie Churchill (male, student) -  A world famous pop star who attended Highbury during his freshman year before he got a record contract and left school. He’s sometimes uncomfortable having such a glamorous persona and wishes his life could be a little more normal. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Jane Fairfax (female, student) -  A junior from Ohio who is considering transferring to Highbury. She is rebellious and occasionally gives off a feeling of entitlement. But when she lets her guard down, she’s caring and genuine. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Philip Elton (male, student) -  A junior running for President of next year’s Student Council. He is snobby, arrogant, and a true politician, in the worst sense of the word.

 

Martin (male, student) -  A sweet, shy, semi-dorky sophomore at the local public school. In his spare time, he works in the kitchen at Highbury as a dishwasher/busboy. His two favorite things are his bowling team and Harriet. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

 

Ashley (female, student) -  An exuberant and narcissistic junior who begins dating Philip. She’s an ambitious social climber who also wants to be an actress and a singer and is ready to perform for anyone at any time.

 

Miss Bates (female, teacher/adult) -  Highbury Prep’s Head of School. She is sometimes overly imposing, sometimes overly emotional, and sometimes overly enthusiastic.

 

Mr. Weston (male, teacher/adult) -  A teacher at Highbury who gets married in the first scene and leaves for their honeymoon. They return in the final scene and kiss. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss. 

***THIS ROLE WILL BE ASKED TO PIT SING AND ASSIST STAGE CREW.***

 

Miss Taylor (female, teacher/adult) -  A teacher at Highbury who gets married in the first scene and leaves for their honeymoon. They return in the final scene and kiss. This role will be required to engage in an onstage kiss.

***THIS ROLE WILL BE ASKED TO PIT SING AND ASSIST STAGE CREW.***

 

The Welcoming Committee Singers (females, students) -  A trio of captivating female singers, like a 1960s girl group.

 

Ensemble (male/female, students) - casting 10-15 additional ensemble members to play students at Highbury

 

Pit Singers (male/female, ANY AGE) - casting 6-8 additional actors to act as pit singers back stage and assist with vocals throughout the show. 

​

Please direct any and all questions to the director at jared.sparks1010@gmail.com