Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama,Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

PERTINENT DATES:

• All auditioners must submit a video audition/form no later than 5pm April 13, 2025
• Callbacks are by Invitation Only. Callbacks will take place on April 30 and May 3 (virtual callbacks may be an option)
• Performances:   July 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm AND July 20, 26, 27 at 2pm Note: two performances on July 26
• Tech Rehearsals: July 13-17 in the evenings.  
• Rehearsals:  Beginning May 12 (M-Th 6pm - 9pm and Sat 1pm - 4pm); Rehearsal schedule will vary based on role and is subject to change.  
• Location:  Performances and Tech Rehearsals at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center in Wilmette.  Rehearsals at West Ridge Center in Highland Park.  

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Complete the TheaterForms form no later than April 13, 2025 5pm CT.
• Prepare a video showcasing 32 bars (60-90 seconds) of a a pop-rock song or musical theatre song in the style of the show that demonstrates your range and vocal ability. Singing from the show is permitted. Upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo and provide the link in the TheaterForms form.  Please DO NOT share a Google Drive link. Ensure you set permissions properly so we can view your video

AVAILABLE ROLES:

NOTE: The gender identities listed below are those of the characters presented on stage. Actors of all ages, ethnicities, body types, gender expressions, and those with disabilities are encouraged to audition.

PRINCIPAL ROLES ($250 stipend per role)

• Mark Cohen: A Jewish-American struggling documentary filmmaker and the narrator of the show. Soul-searching like a typical New York bohemian to find his place in the world and is a bit of a nerd. He is Roger's roommate, and he has recently been dumped by Maureen.
• Roger Davis: A once-successful-but-now-struggling musician who is HIV-positive and a recovering addict. He has difficulty coping with his own mortality as well as that of his friends, struggling to write one great song before he dies. Roommates with Mark. Guitar skills desired.
• Mimi Márquez: A Latina stripper at the local strip bar. Mimi lives downstairs from Mark and Roger and is Roger's love interest. Mimi is also a drug addict and is HIV-positive. Additionally, she is Benny’s ex-lover. Dance experience desired.
• Tom Collins: An anarchist professor who is HIV-positive, Collins dreams of opening a restaurant in Santa Fe, where the problems in New York will not affect him and his friends. Previously lived in the loft with Roger, Mark, Benny, and Maureen. Angel’s love interest.
• Angel Dumott Schunard: A young and joyous drag queen, Angel is a street percussionist with a generous disposition to give to others. Bold and magnetic. HIV-positive. Collins' love interest. Drag experience desired.
• Maureen Johnson: A performance artist and free spirit who is Mark's ex-girlfriend and Joanne's current girlfriend. She is very flirtatious, confident, sassy, and a true bohemian flourishing in New York City. She previously lived in the loft with Mark, Roger, Collins, and Benny.
• Joanne Jefferson: An Ivy League-educated public interest lawyer and a lesbian. Joanne is the woman for whom Maureen left Mark. Joanne has very politically powerful parents and herself is committed to helping the less fortunate.
• Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III: The landlord of Mark, Roger, and Mimi's apartment building and ex-roommate of Mark, Collins, Roger, and Maureen. Now married to Alison Grey, he is considered yuppie scum and a sell-out by his ex-roommates. He at one time had a relationship with Mimi.

Featured Ensemble will include minor characters with many fun moments and opportunities for solos and dance features. Understudies and swings will be cast from the ensemble. If interested in understudying, please denote on your audition form:

• Carolers, Homeless Men & Women; Addicts, Parents (Mrs. Cohen, Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson, etc), Life Support Group (Steve, Pam, Gordon, etc), Police Officers, Bohemians, Vendors, etc
  

The Highland Park Players is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender, identities, sexualities, and abilities to audition.

Questions?  Email us at RentHPP2025@gmail.com

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