RAGTIME | Auditions
Book by TERRENCE MCNALLY | Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY | Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS
SEEKING EQUITY & NON-EQUITY SUBMISSIONS FOR RAGTIME, THE MUSICAL AT RUBICON THEATRE COMPANY IN VENTURA, CA
COMPENSATION
AEA members SPT-8 Contract ($784/week) + health & pension;
Non-AEA Members $684/week
Children Roles: Volunteer
SEEKING
Equity & Non-Equity actors of all ethnicities, body types and gender identities for roles in Ragtime, the Musical. (see breakdown)
PERSONNEL
Directed by J. SCOTT LAPP
Musical Direction by ABDUL HAMID-ROYAL
Choreography by NATALIE ISCOVICH
Rubicon Co-Founder KARYL LYNN BURNS
Artistic Associate J. SCOTT LAPP
Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director: STEPHANIE COLTRIN
AUDITION PREPARATION/ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS
If you’d like to submit electronically, pleases submit a video of a song in the style of the show (approximately 2 minutes) at this link https://forms.gle/W1NuSyY99BQnA16Y9
EPA/ECC AUDITIONS
Auditions will be held at:
5636 Tujunga Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Thursday, July 30th
9am-5pm EPA (Equity Principal Auditions)
Friday, July 31st
9am-5pm- ECC (Equity Chorus Call)
- 9am Singers
- 11am Dancers
- 1pm-2pm Lunch
- 2pm Singers
- 3:30pm Dancers
Non Equity actors can audition for Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) calls, but as guests. Non- Equity members should show up on the day of the audition and wait to be seen. RTC cannot schedule an appointment for an AEA call.
Monday, August 10th
Ventura auditions
- 1pm-4pm Non- union/local auditinos
- 5pm Callback by invitation only
PRODUCTION DATES
September 29-October 4: Week 1 of Rehearsals
October 6-11: Week 2 of Rehearsals
October 13-18: Week 3 of Rehearsals (including tech/dress on 10/15-10/18)
October 20: Final Dress
October 21-23: Afternoon rehearsals followed by evening previews
October 24: Opening
November 15: Closing performance
Performances Wednesdays at 2pm & 7pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 2pm & 7pm; Sundays at 2pm. If ticket sales warrant, performances may be added on Tuesday or Sunday nights. There will be two 10am student matinees on Oct 23 and November 5.
OTHER
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 submit.
ABOUT THE SHOW
It was the music of something beginning… RAGTIME is a sweeping musical adaption of E.L. Doctorow’s novel that follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th Century: Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and his beloved Sarah, Jewish immigrant Tateh and his little girl, and a wealthy white family led by matriarch Mother. All grasping for the same dream, if only they can hold on to it. Featuring a lush score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, a stirring book by Terrence McNally. RAGTIME weaves fictional narratives with real historical figures and events, creating a rich tapestry that blurs the line between personal struggle and national identity, making history feel both intimate and epic.
NOTES FROM CREATIVE
When Rubicon Theatre Company hired us to present this sweeping American epic, we made the deliberate choice to strip away the grand scale and focus on the beating heart of the story: the people. Set at the dawn of the 20th century, Ragtime explores the intersecting lives of three distinct groups all grasping for the same elusive American dream. By utilizing a smaller, versatile ensemble who play multiple roles, our goal is to bring E.L. Doctorow’s historical tapestry into sharper focus. This reduction allows us to trade spectacle for intimacy. It asks our actors to transform before your eyes, moving seamlessly between historical figures and the everyday citizens who built this country. This production will serve as both a mirror of where we have been and a guide for where we still need to go.
PRINCIPAL ROLES
[COALHOUSE WALKER JR.] Male-presenting, to play 25 to 35. A proud and talented pianist, confident and stubborn. Sophisticated with a romantic demeanor and a gentle heart. Should be able to move. Piano playing helpful but not essential. Ethnicity: African descent African-American. Vocal range: Baritone (Ab-G, with a sustained high F#)
[SARAH] Female-presenting, to play 18 to 25. A washwoman, filled with a strong will to live fueled by an innocent spirit, falls deeply in love with Coalhouse after much resistance. Ethnicity: African descent African-American. Vocal range: Lyric Soprano with strong mix (G#3-F#5)
[MOTHER] Female-presenting, to play 30 to 40. A compassionate and progressive woman from New Rochelle. She grows throughout the story, becoming independent and assertive. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Lyric Soprano/Mezzo with strong mix (G3-E5)
[TATEH] Male-presenting, to play 30 to 45. A Jewish immigrant from Latvia, struggling to provide for his daughter. He is resourceful, passionate, and determined to build a better life. Ethnicity: Eastern European/Jewish/ Latvian-American. Vocal range: Baritone/Tenor (Bb2-F#4)
ENSEMBLE & FEATURED ROLES
Immigrants, factory workers, union organizers, Harlem residents, wealthy elites, and other historical figures (Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, etc.)
[FATHER/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, to play 35 to 50. A traditional, somewhat rigid businessman from New Rochelle. He struggles to understand the changing world around him. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Baritone (A2-F4)
[MOTHER’S YOUNGER BROTHER/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, to play 18 to 30. Mother’s idealistic and passionate younger brother. He becomes radicalized and seeks to make a difference in the world. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone with strong top range (B2-F#4)
[BOOKER T. WASHINGTON/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, to play 40 to 60. A respected African American leader advocating for progress through education and hard work. Ethnicity: African descent African-American. Vocal range: Baritone (D3-Eb4)
[EVELYN NESBIT/ENSEMBLE] Female presenting, to play 18 to 30. A vaudeville performer and symbol of early 20th-century celebrity scandal. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Soprano (B3-D5)
[EMMA GOLDMAN/ENSEMBLE] Female-presenting, to play 30 to 50. A fiery and outspoken political activist fighting for workers’ rights. Ethnicity: Caucasian/Eastern European/Jewish. Vocal range: Alto (B3-D5)
[SARAH’S FRIEND/ENSEMBLE] Female, presenting, to play 18 to 30. A young African American woman who helps narrate Sarah’s story. Passionate, soulful. Ethnicity: African descent, African American. Vocal range: Soprano (D4-D5)
[WILLIE CONKLIN/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, to play 30 to 45. Irish-American fire chief who is racist and takes out his anger on Coalhouse. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone.
[MATTHEW HENSON/ENSEMBLE] Male, presenting, to play 25 to 45. An Arctic explorer, who crosses paths with Father when they accompany Admiral Robert Peary on his adventure. Ethnicity: African descent, African-American. Vocal range: Baritone/Tenor.
[KATHLEEN/ENSEMBLE] Female-presenting, to play 45 to 65. The family’s Irish-born maid. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Alto/Soprano.
[HARLEM WOMAN] Female-presenting, to play 25 to 45. Ethnicity: African descent, African American. Vocal range: Alto.
YOUTH ROLES
[THE LITTLE BOY (EDGAR)] Male-presenting, to play 10 to 12. The curious and clairvoyant son of Mother and Father. He serves as a partial narrator, observing and commenting on the changes happening around him. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Child Soprano (E4-D5)
[THE LITTLE GIRL (TATEH’S DAUGHTER)] Female-presenting, to play 10 to 12. Tateh’s young daughter speaks very little but plays a significant emotional role in his journey. Ethnicity: Eastern European/Jewish/Latvian-American. Vocal range: Child Soprano (C4-Bb4)
[COALHOUSE WALKER III] Male-presenting, to play 4 to 6. Innocent and pure, the son of Coalhouse and Sarah. This role appears briefly at the end of the play and has no lines or songs. Ethnicity: African descent, African-American.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Critical to Rubicon Theatre Company’s core values is an institutional culture of dignity, trust, and mutual respect. In every decision we make, we strive to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and to facilitate artistic excellence and risk. The character descriptions above are written as they are identified in the script and in collaboration with the creative team.
1) We list race/ethnicity when specific to the character as written by the playwright, but are otherwise actively seeking all races and ethnicities.
2) We recognize that most characters are written on the gender binary, and so we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles with whom they most identify.
3) We recognize that no community is homogenous and identity is complex. To that end, the above three guidelines were written with our intention of intersectionality, and are meant to be viewed holistically.
Overall, we seek to cast our productions as expansively, inclusively, and mindfully as possible. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and if there are any accommodations we can provide.
Questions? Email Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director Stephanie Coltrin at [email protected]