Wheaton Drama invites you to audition for Follies: Concert Version

This is an unpaid, non-Equity production.

Follies is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Goldman. The original Broadway production opened on April 4, 1971, and won seven Tony Awards, including Best Original Score. To conclude Wheaton Drama’s 2024-2025 season, Follies is being performed in a concert version with minimal set, costumes, staging, and choreography.

Auditions

• Saturday, April 26, 2025  10:00am-1:00pm
• Sunday, April 27, 2025     2:00-5:00pm
• Location: Wheaton Drama 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton.

Auditions are by appointment and are for adults aged 16 and up.  To reserve an audition time, please email: [email protected].   Please include your headshot and resume (if you have one), your vocal range, and if you have a day/time preference. If you are unable to attend the in person auditions you can submit a self-tape audition. Please email the unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link to the email address listed above. All self-tapes must be submitted by April 26, 7pm CDT. If you have any questions, please submit them to [email protected]. 

Please prepare a 60-second cut of a song from a pre-1990 musical that best showcases your voice. An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music in your key. A Capella or track singing is not permitted. Please resist the urge to audition with a Sondheim song; singing a song from the show is not encouraged.  Auditions will include cold readings.

Personnel in Attendance:

• Sandra Jozef Co-Director/Music Director
• Toria Hollyn Co-Director/Choreographer
• Julie Kanturek Co-Production Manager
• Joni Kotche Co-Production Manager

Callbacks:

• Wednesday, April 30, 2025 7-9:30pm
• Location:  Wheaton Drama 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton.

Callbacks will consist of singing song selections from the show and a dance combo for female-identifying performers.  A YouTube video of the dance combination will be made available to registered auditioners on or after April 16, 2025.  Please be prepared for movement. If you are not invited to callbacks, this does not mean that you will not be cast in the show.  You will be notified of callbacks asap to help you prepare.

If all of the roles cannot be filled by the audition pool, the directors reserve the right to look beyond the audition pool.  The directors intend to have the show cast no later than Friday, May 2nd.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

All characters are open to any ethnicity and age ranges are loosely suggested. If you think you are right for a role but do not fit the descriptions below, schedule an audition and show the directors what you can do!

• Phyllis (40+, female presenting), sophisticated retired follies showgirl, married to Ben.  Sings “Could I Leave You?” and “The Story of Lucy and Jessie.”  F3-E5
• Sally (40+, female presenting), perky retired follies showgirl, married to Buddy, in love with Ben.  Sings “In Buddy’s Eyes” and “Losing My Mind.”  F3-G5
• Benjamin Stone (40+, male presenting), lawyer, writer, and former politician, married to Phyllis.  Sings “The Road You Didn’t Take” and “Live, Laugh, Love.”  A2-F4
• Buddy Plummer (40+, male presenting), traveling salesman, specializing in oil; married to Sally.  Sings: “The Right Girl” and “Buddy’s Blues.”  C3-F4
• Young Phyllis (20s-30s, female presenting), Broadway showgirl.  Sings “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow.”  B3-E5
• Young Sally (20s-30s, female presenting), Broadway performer.  Sings “Love Will See Us Through.”  C4-G5
• Young Ben (20s-30s, male presenting), law student, young and ambitious.  Sings “You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow.”  C3-F4
• Young Buddy (20s-30s, male presenting), law student, young and carefree.  Sings “Love Will See Us Through.”  C3-G4

THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS WILL ALSO SING COMPANY NUMBERS:

• Emily Whitman (50+, female presenting), retired performer, who danced and sang with her husband Theodore.  Sings “Rain on the Roof.” B3-D5
• Theodore Whitman (50+, male presenting) retired performer, who danced and sang with his wife Emily.  Sings “Rain on the Roof.”  D4-A5
• Solange La Fitte (50+, female presenting) energetic former follies showgirl and dancer.  French accent preferred.  Sings “Ah, Paris!”  C#3-G4
• Hattie Walker (50+, female presenting), retired performer and board treader.  Sings “Broadway Baby.”  G3-B4
• Stella Deems (50+, female presenting), retired performer and dancer.  Sings “Who’s That Woman?”  E3-D5
• Carlotta Campion (40+, female presenting), actress and former movie star.  Sings “I’m Still Here.”  E3-B4
• Heidi Schiller (60+, female presenting), retired performer and former glamour girl.  Sings “One More Kiss.”  D4-G5
• Roscoe (50+, male presenting), retired Broadway singer.  Sings “Beautiful Girls.”  E3-A4
• Dimitri Weismann (60+, male presenting):  the fabled impresario behind the follies.
• Young Heidi (20s-30s, female presenting), ghost or memory of Heidi.  Sings “One More Kiss” with Heidi.  E4-A5 (E4-D6)
• Young Emily, Young Solange, Young Hattie, Young Stella, Young Carlotta, Young Heidi (20s-30s, female presenting) & Young Theodore (20s-30s, male presenting):  ghosts or memories of their older counterparts.  Will shadow their older counterparts and sing in all company numbers.  Seeking all ranges.

Important Mandatory Dates:

• Saturday, May 3, 9:30 am – noon: Possible First Read-Through
• Rehearsals will be determined based on cast availability on Saturdays mornings or afternoons, Sunday evenings, and Monday-Thursdays evenings (TBD) (if not listed on conflict sheet)
• June 14 9am – 3pm: Sitz Probe (time and date subject to change; TBD)
• Tech week:  Monday, June 16 – Thursday, June 19 (Keep in mind these are usually later nights)
• Thursday, June 19: Preview Night
• Friday, June 20: Opening Night
• Shows continue Thursday through Sunday until June 29.
• Thursday/Friday/Saturday performances are 7:30 pm.
• Sundays are 2pm matinees
• Sunday, June 29 Closing and Strike – All cast and crew are expected to participate (followed by dinner/party)