Camp notes

Welcome to the 60s

..and many thanks for your interest in auditioning for HAIRSPRAY the musical that we are staging at The Courtyard 4th - 7th June 2025

Please contact us if you would like to audition but are unable to attend the initial in person audition (see below).

Auditions are open to anyone from the age of 13 years (younger can audition for the role of Little Inez) and will be held at The Courtyard Theatre on Thursday 28th November 5-9pm.

At its core, Hairspray is a story about acceptance and inclusion (and rejection and exclusion) during the early days of the civil rights movement. The authors' artistic vision requires that, in order to clearly and appropriately tell that story, the cast members in the show accurately reflect the characters as written. Our chosen cast will accurately reflect the character descriptions contained in the descriptions below with regards to ethnicity.

We rehearse on Monday and Thursday evenings (a detailed breakdown of rehearsals slots are given after casting), with some weekend commitments closer to the show and the production week is 2nd - 7th June 2025. Rehearsals will begin January 2025 and will not clash with other LGD productions/rehearsals.

Adults signing up you fill out as if you and your child. Information on what you will need to prepare for the auditions will be sent out from Saturday 28th September and the DEADLINE to sign up on here for auditions is Sunday 17th November.

Please make sure you tell us which role(s) you would like to audition for in the notes at sign up. If it is an ensemble role please state which areas out of singing, dancing and acting you are auditioning as (you can put 1,2 or all 3 areas of course!) e.g
Dancer ensemble, Singer/Actor ensemble, Dancer/Singer/Actor ensemble.

HAIRSPRAY CHARACTERS AND ROLES:
Read the character breakdowns carefully

TRACY TURNBLAD
Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Corny Collins
The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Corny should be played by a white actor.
Gender: Male
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3

EDNA TURNBLAD
Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. This role should be played by a white performer.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3

PENNY PINGLETON
Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3

VELMA VON TUSSLE
Amber's mother and the director of Corny Collin's show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 45 to 55
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3

AMBER VON TUSSLE
Link's girlfriend and Tracy's nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

LINK LARKIN
The star heartthrob on Corny Collins' show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3

SEAWEED J. STUBBS
Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed should be played by a Black actor.
Gender: Male
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3

LITTLE INEZ
Seaweed's little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: Female

MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE
Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin's Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3

WILBUR TURNBLAD
Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. This role should be played by a white actor.
Gender: Male
Age: 55 to 65
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3

PRUDY PINGLETON
Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. This role should be played by a white actress.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D4

ENSEMBLE ROLES
Corny Collins' Kids (Tammy, Brad, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, Etc.);
Students; Protestors etc