https://www.backstage.com/casting/mccarter-theatre-2026-27-season-3114862/?role_id=5482188
Sarah Rasmussen, BOLD artistic dir.; Julie Felise Dubiner, dir. of artistic initiatives; Donya K. Washington, BOLD assoc. artistic dir.; Meredith Bartmon, BOLD artistic-casting coord.
Casting Equity actors for roles in McCarter Theatre Center's 2026-27 Season. Season includes: "A Beat of Our Own" Synopsis: After leading their college team to victory at the Michigan State Championships, teammates Mary and Preeti find themselves bound for Nationals. But when they clash over Mary's plan to fuse multiple Indian styles into their routine, Mary breaks off and forms her own squad. There's only one problem: aside from her chaotic roommate Sunita, none of the new recruits have ever danced before. Armed with a new sense of purpose - and a little help from a former Bollywood star - Mary sets out to mold a ragtag group of lovable misfits into title-worthy contenders. But do they stand a chance against Preeti and her team of bhangra all-stars? All roles will be understudied. (ARC/Duncan Stewart (CSA), Patrick Maravilla (CSA) casting dirs.; ARC/Jason Cole, casting assist.; Rehana Lew Mirza, Mike Lew, book; San Willmott, music-lyrics; Matthew Malone, orchestrations; Kuljit Bhamra, additional arrangements-orchestrations; Stafford Arima, dir.; Rujuta Vaidya, choreo.; Bryan Perri, music supervision; Patrick Sulken, music dir. Rehearsals begin Aug. 25; tech begins Sept. 29; runs Oct. 7-25); "A Christmas Carol" Synopsis: here is magic, music and merriment for all in this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, as Ebenezer Scrooge is taken on a fantastical journey through Christmases past, present and future in order to discover delight, wonder, and generosity. All roles will be understudied. (Charles Dickens, writer; Lauren Keating, adaptor-dir. Rehearsals begin Nov. 4; tech begins Dec. 3; runs Dec. 8-27); "Purpose" Synopsis: For decades, the influential Jasper family has been a pillar of Black American Politics: civil rights leaders, pastors and congressmen. But like all families, there are cracks and secrets just under the surface. When the youngest son Nazareth returns home to Illinois with an uninvited friend in tow, the family is forced into a reckoning with itself, its faith and the legacies of Black radicalism. Spirited, hilarious and filled with intrigue, Purpose is an epic family drama from one of the country’s most celebrated voices. All roles will be understudied. (Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, writer; Keith Arthur Bolden, dir.; Alliance Theatre, co-prod.; Rehearsals begin (Alliance) July 28; first day on stage (Alliance) Aug. 20; runs Aug. 28-Sept. 20; rehearsals begin Jan. 8, 2027; tech begins Jan. 16, 2027; runs Jan. 21-Feb. 7, 2027 with a possible extension to Feb. 13, 2027 and "Play 5."
Rehearses and performs in Princeton, NJ.
- Mar 19, 2026: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST
Berlind
Rehearsal Room, use the Berlind Theatre Entrance. An Equity Monitor
will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this
audition.
To schedule an appointment please fill out this form, https://mccartertheatre.wufoo.com/forms/mxpr95r1szd5pv/
Each
actor will have three minutes. Prepare a brief monologue or two
contrasting one-minute monologues. If you wish to sing, prepare a
monologue and a 16-bar cut of a contemporary musical theatre song. An
accompanist will be provided. Bring a picture and resume, stapled
together.
Production states: "At McCarter, we unite the ideals of
joy and justice, beauty and belonging. We seek actors that represent a
vast diversity of our human experience. Actors of all ages, backgrounds,
abilities, body types and identities are strongly encouraged to attend.
Descriptions speak to the characters as written and should not
discourage actors who are comfortable playing the gender and age
described from attending."
For more information, visit www.mccarter.org.
Equity’s
contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and
encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment
opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such,
Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and
ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
"A Beat of Our Own"
Matthews Theatre (LORT B+) - $1320 weekly minimum
Note:
All Tracks: If you have experience singing Bhangra Boli, Punjabi folk
music and/or Ghazal...we want to hear it! Note: All roles are "as cast"
and will double a variety of ensemble roles which may include: Elu
Students, a Chinese Dragon, a Mime, Rekha's Delivery Boys, Restaurant
Goers, Bollywood Film Dancers, Preeti's Family in Chandigarh, etc.
Seeking:
Mary:
Female. Mixed Race (South Asian-American/White). 20s. Our heroine.
Positive attitude, figuring out where she fits in the world, occasional
fits of imposter syndrome. Strong dancer, experience in Indian styles of
Bhangra, Bollywood, and Kathak a plus. Pop mezzo with a strong mix and
mix-belt.
Preeti/As Cast: Already Cast
Sunita/As Cast: Female.
South Asian-American. 20s. Ride or die BFFs with Mary,
anti-authoritarian visual artist/pharmacology major. A strong dancer.
Mezzo-alto with a strong mix-belt.
Billy/As Cast: Male.
Latinx-American. 20s. The team DJ, Mary’s love interest, a music nerd
who shares Mary’s journey navigating multiple cultures. Strong dancer.
Baritenor with pop sensibilities.
Amit/As Cast]: Male. South
Asian-American. 20s. Charismatic, sensitive but conflict-avoiding team
captain of the Tigres Bhangra team. Strong dancer, specifically in
Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Tenor with pop
sensibilities and style.
Rekha/As Cast: Female. Indian. 40s-60s.
Indian immigrant who has lived in the US for 20 years. A Bollywood
performer turned restaurateur. Mary’s diva mentor. Strong dancer,
specifically in Bollywood and Kathak. Bright alto.
Pit Singer: Female. A vocalist who sings in semi-classical ghazal Punjabi folk styles. Sings the voice of Mary’s Mother.
"A Christmas Carol"
Matthews Theatre (LORT B+) - $1320 weekly minimum
Note:
Principal actors will also perform various ensemble roles. All actors
must have a British dialect or any other dialect that may have existed
in London in the Victorian era. All actors are encouraged to have
musicianship, singing skills and/or movement skills.
Seeking:
Ebenezer Scrooge: Already Cast
Bob
Cratchit/As Cast: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 30s - early 40s. Scrooge’s
clerk. A family man of kindness and compassion, good humor and enduring
good spirits. A hard worker who cares about his community and is devoted
to his family. Despite life's hardships, he remains optimistic and
compassionate.
Margaret Cratchit/As Cast: Female. Any race/ethnicity.
30s - early 40s. The realist to Bob’s optimist. An author, as well as
protective wife and mother who is fierce, loving and warm. She shares
her husband’s compassionate disposition but is quicker to anger. She
sees moreclearly the injustice in the world and does not suffer fools.
Christmas
Past/As Cast: Any gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. A spritely ghost
and the most angelic of the four spirits we meet. Welcoming and warm,
as well as tough and investigative. Good movement and vocal skills.
Christmas
Present/ Mrs. Fezziwig/as Cast: Any Gender. Any race/ethnicity. 40s+. A
spirit of immense jolliness and good spirits, such that it overflows
from them. The incarnate of Christmas fun, with a talent for taking
Scrooge to task when need be. Not afraid of confronting the darker side
of things. Plays Mandolin.
Christmas Yet To Come/Mr. Fezziwig/As
Cast: Male. Any race/ethnicity. Mid 40s+. A phantom; an unspeaking and
ominous presence with physical acuity. Good movement and vocal skills.
Doubles as Mr. Fezziwig – the warm and generous employer of young
Ebenezer Scrooge.
Jacob Marley/As Cast: Male. Any race/ethnicity.
30s. Scrooge’s deceased business partner. Shrewd and intelligent. He
shuts himself off to anything outside of work and business. Strident,
harsh and cold in his youth, repentant in his ghostly return. A
hard-nosed businessman who also cares about his friend Scrooge. We see
Marley at the age of his apprenticeship and as his ghostly, older self.
Fred/Young
Ebenezer/Scrooge’s Father/As Cast: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s.
Scrooge’s nephew. Hearty and caring, exuding joy and goodwill wherever
he goes. Recently married and very much in love. The beloved only son of
Scrooge’s sister Fan, who died in Fred's youth. Excellent movement and
vocal skills. Doubles as the young Ebenezer.
Caroline/as Cast:
Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s. A big heart and a great wit.
Recently married to Fred and very much in love. Feels the joy of the
season and shares it with all around her. Loves a good joke and a good
party. She is not afraid to stand up to Scrooge. Excellent movement and
vocal skills. Plays Mandolin and Violin.
Mrs. Dilber/As Cast: Female.
Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Scrooge’s maid. She believes in ghosts, is
easily spooked and is not great at gruel-making, but she has a kind
heart and is beloved in the town. Comedically skilled. Good vocal
skills.
Belle/As Cast: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s-30s. An
optimist with clear values and a vision for her future. She has a
positive outlook and isn’t afraid of a challenge. She comes from a large
family and has an apprenticeship. Scrooge’s fiancé for a time. Strong
movement and vocal skills. Plays tambourine.
Old Jo/As Cast: Female.
Any race/ethnicity. 50s+. Kind-hearted andscrappy, a kind of
anti-Scrooge. Runs a street vending re-sale business dealing in any and
everything. Always a good time; tries to hide their soft heart with a
fast-talking exterior. Good movement and vocal skills.
Carol The
Caroler/Charlie/As Cast: Any Gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Strong
vocals and movement. Plays violin. Charlie is Old Jo’s friend.
Young
Performers: We will be auditioning young performers at a later date. If
a minor attends any audition, they must be accompanied by an adult.
Tiny Tim & others: The Cratchit's youngest child.
Belinda & others: The Cratchit’s child.
Peter & others: The Cratchit’s child.
Martha & others: The Cratchit’s oldest child.
Young Scrooge & others: Scrooge as a young person.
Fan & others: Scrooge’s sister.
Want & others: A phantom who visits Scrooge.
Ignorance & others: A phantom who visits Scrooge.
Caroler & others: Vocalist and ensemble member.
"Purpose"
Berlind Theatre (LORT B) - $1213 weekly minimum
Seeking:
Solomon
Jasper: African American man. Late 70s-80s. Father of Junior and
Nazareth. Renowned Civil Rights leader and pastor. Proud, brilliant, and
deeply principled. Struggling with aging, relevance, and disappointment
in the world he helped change. Carries immense authority alongside
anger, vulnerability, and fear of being left behind.
Claudine Jasper:
African American woman. Late 70s. Mother and family matriarch. Warm,
sharp, generous, and controlling. Has spent herlife holding the family
together and believes togetherness must be protected at all costs. Her
love is deep and sincere, but often suffocating.
Solomon “Junior”
Jasper Jr.: African American man. 40s. Older son. Former politician,
recently released from prison. Charismatic, persuasive, and emotionally
complex. Sincerely seeking redemption, though often blurs healing with
performance. Requires an actor capable of charm, vulnerability, and
contradiction.
Nazareth Jasper: African American man. Late 20s-30s.
Younger son. Quiet, guarded photographer. Observant and introspective.
Chose distance and solitude over legacy and expectation. Searching for
identity outside of his family’s shadow. Strong inner life; grounded,
restrained presence.
Morgan Jasper: African American woman. 40s.
Junior’s wife. Quiet, observant, emotionally precise. Has paid the price
for her husband’s ambition and mistakes. Speaks less than others but
carries significant weight and clarity. Strong command of silence and
subtext.
Aziza Houston: African American woman. 30s. Queer. Warm,
open, and emotionally intelligent. Comfortable with herself and
respectful of history without
being intimidated by it. Her presence brings ease into a tense family dynamic and unintentionally exposes buried truths.
"Play 5"
TBD
Will be auditioned at a later date.
