Announcing Auditions for the National Tour of...

VELVETEEN, A NEW MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Molly Andrews-Hinders

Director: Joanna May Cullinan
Assistant Director:  Ananias J. Dixon

Choreographer: Jailyn Harris

Tour dates: October 2-December 12, 2026

This is a paid position for Non-Equity Actors.

AUDITION DATE:

Monday, May 4^th – 7:00pm – 10:00pm

CALLBACKS (by invitation):

Thursday, May 7^th – 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday, May 8^th – 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Callbacks will include singing, dancing, scene work, and ensemble-building activities.

FOR INITIAL AUDITIONS: All actors must prepare a 32-bar song cut from the modern musical theater cannon. Please bring sheet music in the proper key. An accompanist will be provided. To receive an audition slot, please send an email to eduauditions@playhousesquare.org to state your interest. This email should include your headshot and resume. After you submit your interest, you will then receive a specific audition time and validation for parking downtown with instructions on where to park and how to enter the Playhouse Square complex.

REHEARSAL/PRE-TOUR DATES: Actors must be available for ALL rehearsal and performance times.

All rehearsals are scheduled 10a – 5p unless otherwise noted:

Tue, 9/8 - Sat, 9/12
Mon, 9/14 - Sat, 9/19
Mon, 9/21- Thu, 9/24
Fri, 9/25 – 10a student matinee public performance at Lorain Cuyahoga Community College
Sat, 9/26 – 2p & 7:30p public performances at Lorain Cuyahoga Community College
Sun, 9/27 – Load-out for tour

TOUR PERFORMANCES

This is a ten-week tour, with a break in Cleveland during the week of Thanksgiving. Tour dates are still being finalized. For the first leg of the tour, we will depart on Fri,10/2. The second leg of the tour will commence on Fri,11/27 and return Sat,12/12.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Company will travel as a group by van and box truck to tour locations. Select company members may be asked to assist with driving the van and/or truck. All individuals will be required to undergo a background check, including a review of driving records.

Company members will participate in load-in and load-out at tour venues, assisting with the transport of scenic elements, costumes, and other production-related materials. Some company members will be asked to understudy additional roles, details of which will be provided during callbacks.

Pay includes a stipend and per-diem for the tour. Tour lodging is included. Applicants must be available to participate in the full rehearsal period and tour for consideration. College students in a local theatre or musical theatre program, must secure faculty permission to audition for this project prior to submitting audition materials.

A non-traveling swing is also being considered, to be flown out as needed and will receive a rehearsal stipend and additional retainer for the length of the tour.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS - All roles are open: inclusive of all gender, race and ability.

All characters are part of the greater Ensemble and act as part of the whole. All actors support Ensemble Singing, Blocking and Shifting of our world. All actors must be strong movers, improvisers and singers.

We are looking for 6 actors to fulfill the following roles:

LULU  - Soprano - Strong Belt Needed

• Lulu - Energetic, loving 9-year-old struggling to get through school and dealing with grief. Recently moved in with Gran. Funny, inquisitive and trying to find their way.

GRAN / CLOVER  - Mezzo - Strong Belt Needed

• Gran - Lulu’s Grandmother. The narrator of our story. Warm, compassionate, and doing their best to support Lulu.
• Clover -  A wise rocking horse that has always lived in the nursery. Centered and warm with a sparkle in their eye.

SOPHIA / WHISK - Alto 

• Sophia – A flashy AI toy with lots of capability – and insecurity. A bully in the nursery
• Whisk - Youngest sibling of the Bunny Family. Absentminded, curious and goofy.

VELVETEEN - Tenor - Strong Belt Needed

• The hero of our story. A new toy to the nursery and a new friend to Lulu. Velveteen knows there is more to life but is unsure how to get there. Warm, joyous and longing to be “real”.

TY / POPPY – Tenor/Alto

• TY – A showy crocodile with a lot to prove. An old toy of Lulu’s. Over-the-top, skeptical, and a bully in the nursery.
• Poppy – Second oldest sibling of the Bunny Family. Curious, playful, and kind. A keeper of the family’s history.

LIONEL / GREG - Baritone

• Lionel - A strict, by the book, military Lion. An old toy of Lulu’s. Loud, abrasive and full of hot air. 
• Greg – Oldest sibling of the Bunny Family. Mischievous, fun, but looks out for the younger siblings.

SWING

• Specific tracks will be determined at casting