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Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.
Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.
Auditions are Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9:30am - 2:00pm and Sunday, June 4th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at the Nepean Creative Arts Centre, 35 Stafford Rd in Bells Corners
You must be over the age of 18 in order to audition for Rent.
If you are unable to attend these sessions, please reach out to auditions@suzart.ca
Auditions are an open call format. There are no assigned times. Participants will be assigned a audition group on a first come basis when they check in on the day of auditions.
Pit Chorus: We will be auditioning people for a pit chorus. Pit chorus members will sing off stage. The pit chorus will have a lighter rehearsal schedule. If you would like to audition for the pit chorus, you will need to do a vocal audition but will not be required to do a dance audition.
On Saturday, June 3rd, auditions will run from 9:30 - 2:00pm. Check in for auditions begins at 9:30. You must be checked in by 1:00pm in order to be assured of a place in a group. On Sunday, June 4th, auditions will run from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Check in for auditions begins at 12:30pm. You must be checked in by 3:00pm in order to be assured of a place in a group. Suzart reserves the right to make changes to the cut off times.
Call backs for will be held on Saturday, June 10th from 10:00am - 4:00pm. You will be notified after auditions if the directing team wishes to have you return.
Auditions are open for those age 18 and up.
The show dates for Rent are December 6-10, 2023
Character Breakdown
Roger Davis
A struggling musician and former drug addict. He is reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Roommates with Mark in the loft and battles with being HIV-positive. His main goal in life is to write one great song. He is often depressed, but also has expressive moments. Intimacy Note: Roger and Mimi embrace and kiss during the performance
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 25
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: F2
Mark Cohen
MARK COHEN: Filmmaker and video artist. Knee deep in his own soul-searching, Mark is the typical young artist. Narrator of the show. He and Roger are roommates in the loft. A bit of a nerd. Intimacy Note: There is a brief moment of kissing between Mark and Maureen.
Gender: Male
Age: 20s to 30s
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Tom Collins
A computer genius and liberal professor. He is a nurturer with a smooth and relaxed disposition. Used to be a roommate in the loft and is HIV-positive. Tom and Angel's relationship is the heart of the show. Intimacy Note: There are moments of embrace and kissing between Tom and Angel.
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: F#2
Benjamin Coffin III
Went to college with Mark. Lived with Roger, Collins, Maureen and Mark. Married into a wealthy family. Benny used to be Mark and Roger's roommate, but he married Alison Grey, a rich family involved with real estate, and he is now their landlord. He had been letting Roger and Mark live in the apartment for free, but he is now forcing them to pay rent or be evicted. Benny traded in his personal morals for power and wealth
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: F#4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Joanne Jefferson
A public interest lawyer and headstrong lesbian. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a tumultuous and insecure relationship with Maureen.
Intimacy Note: There are moments of embrace and kissing between Joanne and Maureen.
Gender: Female
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Angel Dumott Schunard
ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD: Angel is a drag queen, street percussionist and great dancer. He meets and falls in love with Collins. Angel is the most generous and selfless character in the show. Though Angel has HIV/AIDS, Angel embraces life and lives it to its fullest.
Intimacy Note: There are moments of embrace and kissing between Angel and Tom.
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Mimi Marquez
MIMI MARQUEZ: Mimi Marquez, a Latinx or Afro-Latinx woman who is HIV-positive and works in a strip club. She struggles with her drug addiction. She lives in the same building as the loft. Intimacy Note: There are moments of embrace and kissing between Mimi and Roger.
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 21
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Maureen Johnson
MAUREEN JOHNSON: A performance artist who is not as good as she thinks and slightly self-centered. Maureen is a bisexual performing artist who recently dumped Mark for Joanne. She is bold, sexy and speaks her mind, and she is not afraid to take on the establishment and fight for what she believes in.
Intimacy Note: There are moments of embrace and kissing between Maureen and Joanne, and Maureen and Mark. Partial nudity may be discussed with the actor cast.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 25
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Ensemble: We are looking to fill out a diverse ensemble of both male and females of varying ages, shapes and sizes.
Ensemble who move well to play various characters including: Joanne's Dad/Mom, Mark's & Roger's Mom, Life Support Group, Police, Vendors, Street People.
General Intimacy Notes: There is a dance number simulating an orgy through choreography. Lewd gestures, embracing, kissing are part of the script for this show.
Suzart strives to foster a climate of purposeful inclusion, where all can feel safe and valued. We value our world's diverse peoples in all differences in sex, age, race, ethnicity, and national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity.
