Theatre Under The Stars Holds Auditions for MEMPHIS in Houston

HOUSTON – Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is holding national auditions for its upcoming production of MEMPHIS, directed by TUTS Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges, beginning in Houston November 2nd and 3rd.  Come be a part of the musical that tells the story of a time when rock’n’roll changed the world.

National auditions will be held in New York and Los Angeles, and will be overseen by Stewart/Whitley.  Those interested in auditioning in New York or Los Angeles should submit a headshot and resume to danny@stewartwhitley.com.

The Houston auditions will take place at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in the Administration Building located at 800 Bagby, Houston, Texas 77002.

The schedule for the Houston auditions is as follows:

November 2, 2017 – Open Call – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 3, 2017 – Chorus – Singers 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dancers – Female – 1 p.m. and Male – 2 p.m.

For more information about the auditions, visit TUTS.com/auditions.

Currently Seeking:

PRINCIPALS (7):

Huey: (Caucasian, Plays 20-35) Our frenzied, bombastic, motor-mouthed hero who talks his way into becoming a DJ at a local “white” radio station, ignores race barriers and eventually falls in love with Felicia, a talented black singer, which causes a whole new set of problems for him in segregated Memphis. (Vocal range: tenor with a great feel for pop/rock/r&b styles, C3-B4)

Felicia: (African-American, Plays 20-35) Beautiful, wide-eyed, and a fiercely gifted singer, follows her heart and falls in love with Huey, despite knowing deep down that a relationship between a white man and a black woman in prejudiced Memphis is doomed. (Vocal range: high R&B belt voice, G3-A5)

Delray: (African-American, Plays 35-45), Felicia’s older brother who owns the club on Beale Street where she sings, realistic, cautious, protective, and aware of the realities of the segregation that exists in Memphis and the world beyond. (Vocal range: baritenor with a great pop/rock/R&B voice, Bb2-Bb4)

Gladys: (Caucasian, Plays 45-65) Excellent actor with comic skills, Huey’s stern, traditional blue-collar, southern mother who has worked her entire life to be able to support herself and her son, who she loves, but about whom she constantly worries. (Vocal range: strong singer with alto-belt mix, B3-A5)

Gator: (African-American, Plays 35-45), works as a bartender at Delray’s, hasn’t spoken since age 5, when he saw his father killed, as the story progresses, he finds his voice again, must be an excellent actor and singer and move well, comic timing a plus. (Vocal Range: great R&B baritenor, F#3-A4)

Bobby: (African-American, Plays 20-35) The janitor at Mr. Simmons’s radio station, full of personality and heart, role requires an actor who must dance well, as the character has a dance break in his show-stopping number “Big Love,” comic skills a plus. (Vocal range: great gospel voice, G3-C5)

Mr. Simmons: (Caucasian, Plays 40-60) The conservative owner of the radio station where Huey gets his start, a strong, southern, commanding businessman who becomes willing to take a chance on Huey when he realizes the audience Huey reaches and the money he can command. (Great actor who is comfortable singing.)

ENSEMBLE :

Wailin Joe/Beale Street Singer-Dancer: (African-American, Plays 20-40), Wailin’ Joe sings “Scratch My Itch” and is featured in both Act 1 and Act 2, must also dance very well; covers the principal roles of Delray and Bobby. (Vocal Range: excellent tenor voice, Eb3-Gb5)

Main Street Actor-Singer: (Caucasian, Plays 40-60) to play Mr. Collins, a department store owner, and Gordon Grant, a record company executive, and perform in the ensemble; dance ability a plus, but not necessary. (Vocal Range: Baritenor)

Beale Street Male Dancer-Singers: (Chorus / Ensemble: African American, to play teenagers) excellent dancers with great R&B/rock voices; comic abilities, partnering, and tumbling a plus. (Vocal Range: (Baritenors/tenors B2-B4)

Beale Street Female Dancer-Singers: (Chorus / Ensemble: African-American, to play teenagers) excellent dancers, great soulful R&B/rock voices, athletic and fierce, comic ability and partnering a plus, “Double Dutch” experience a plus. (Vocal Range: (altos/sopranos A3-A5)

Main Street Male Dancer-Singers/Huey Cover : (Caucasian, Plays 20-30) Excellent dancers with great pop/rock/crooner voices; comic ability and tumbling a plus; one of these actors will cover the lead role of Huey. (Vocal Range: Tenor and Baritenor)

Main Street Female Dancer-Singers: (Chorus / Ensemble: Caucasian, to play teenagers – 30 for different roles) excellent dancers, great singers, “Double Dutch” experience a plus. (Vocal Range: pop/rock/R&B belters)

Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves – filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, MEMPHIS features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE and ALL SHOOK UP) and a Tony®-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.

MEMPHIS is scheduled to begin rehearsals on January 30, 2018, and will run February 20-March 4th with preview performances on February 20th and 21st, and Opening Night onFebruary 22nd.

This production of MEMPHIS is made possible thanks to the generous support of production sponsors, Apache Corporation and ConocoPhillips.

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is the official healthcare partner of Theatre Under The Stars. United Airlines is the official airline partner of Theatre Under The Stars. KTRK ABC-13 is the official media partner of Theatre Under The Stars. TUTS is supported in part by the City of Houston through the Theater District and the Texas Commission on the Arts.