What are the local opportunities in this week's issue of U.S. 1. News?
Kelsey Theater on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College has announced auditions for “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical,” conceived and originally directed by Tina Landau, with songs by various artists and a book by Kyle Jarrow.
The show is based on the Nickelodeon animated television series and produced by Playful Theatre Productions
The show will the opening production of Kelsey’s 2025-’26 season, with performances scheduled for Fridays through Sundays, September 19 through 28.
All roles are open. Importantly, most roles are also fish. Accordingly, every role is open to any actor, entirely regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or presentation, or body type.
Auditions will be held at the theater, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, on Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17, from 7 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday, June 17. Callbacks, by invitation, are Wednesday, June 18 , from 7 to 10 p.m. or Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In order to minimize wait times, audition appointments are very strongly recommended. To schedule an appointment, visit www.signupgenius.com/go/4090944A4A928AAF58-56429326-auditions.
If you are interested in auditioning but are not available for any of the audition dates, virtual auditions are available.
Contact director Frank Ferrara (frankcferrara@gmail.com) with questions or for additional information.
Actors are asked to prepare one complete song from musical theatre and to bring sheet music in the desired key. An audition accompanist will be provided. Given the musical demands of the show, a capella auditions or auditions using pre-recorded accompaniment cannot be considered.
All actors should be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance combination at the initial audition. If you wish to be considered for role(s) involving tap dancing, please bring tap shoes if possible.
Actors are also asked to bring a full list of recurring or one-time rehearsal conflicts.
Rehearsals will be planned around the schedules of the actors who accept roles in the show. In general, there will be two weekday evening and one weekend afternoon rehearsal each week, beginning in late June or early July and continuing until tech week in mid-September.
The cast will consist of 20 - 30 actors. All roles are open to anyone, with the exception of the principal vocal roles, for which the theater will consider only actors of age 16 and up. All roles are Non-equity and unpaid.
For more information visit kelsey.mccc.edu.
Villagers Theater in Somerset has announced auditions for TeensVill’s “Anything Goes.” In-person auditions take place Tuesday and Wednesday, May 13 and 14, from 7 to 10 p.m. Sign up for an audition slot via signupgenius. Walk-ins are welcome, but priority will be given to those who sign up. Virtual auditions are also available.
The theater seeks 20 to 28 strong actors, ages 13 to 19, with diverse skills in acting, singing, and dancing. Prepare 16–32 bars of a classic or Golden Age musical theater song (not from Anything Goes). Choose a piece that shows off your vocal strength and traditional style. Bring marked sheet music in a binder for the accompanist. Suggested songwriters include Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, Lerner & Loewe, Jule Styne, and others from the 1940s–1960s era. Bring a headshot and resume.
Callbacks by invitation only take place Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Auditioners will be notified by May 15.
Applications are also open for teen interns in backstage roles. Areas include: assistant musical director; assistant stage manager; assistant director; assistant choreographer; technical assistant; and costume assistant. Email your area(s) of interest and resume to: cprced@gmail.com.
The theater is located at 515 Demott Lane, Somserset. For more information and links to audition forms, visit villagerstheatre.org or check the theater’s Facebook page.
Somerset Valley Players is hosting auditions for “Funny Money” by Ray Cooney, directed by Linda Viel and produced by Roberta Steve.
The director seeks: six males (middle age to early 60s) and two females (late 40s to early 60s).
Auditions will be held at 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, on Thursdays, May 8 and 15, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Callbacks will be held Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 5.
A light British is used, and one character, Henry, will have a more pronounced accent (especially in the very beginning). A passerby (large man) will speak Dutch (in the script). Actors must be available for all performances and entire tech week of rehearsals.
Please be prepared to list all potential conflicts for the rehearsal period (June- August). If additional conflicts are disclosed after offer of a role is made, that offer may be rescinded.
Bring a resume and headshot to audition. You will asked to complete an intake form when you arrive. List any/all roles you are interested in. Sides will be provided.
Email vp_production@svptheatre.org with any questions.
The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. (call time 7 p.m.) and Sundays at 2 p.m. (call time 1 p.m.), September 5 through 21.
For further information call 908-369-7469. Visit svptheatre.org for full character descriptions.
