News

Raleigh Little Theatre is seeking youth and adult performers for its upcoming production of Hairspray, based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters, book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. This show will be presented in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre.

About the show

It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.

Directed by Lisa Jolley
Music Directed by Micaela Bundy
Choreographed by Liz Sanford

Important dates

General Audition Information Session: June 1, 2026 (Monday) 7-8pm [Watch the recording here!]

• This information session will include an overview of the audition process, forms, and guidance on how to prepare. This is a great session to attend if you have never auditioned for a show before, never volunteered at RLT, or if you would like to hear more from the creative team about the process and show.

Teen ONLY Audition Info Session: May 22, 2026 (Friday) 7-8pm

Teen ONLY Auditions: 

• Performers aged 15-19 are encouraged to audition at one of the following high schools during our HS audition tour. You do NOT have to be a student of the high school listed to audition, but you DO need to be aged 15-19. Adults aged 20+ will NOT be permitted to audition at the high schools and must sign up for a slot at RLT on June 8 or 9. No exceptions will be made.
  • Wednesday, May 27, 2:45pm – 6pm at Rolesville High School
  • Friday, May 29, 3pm – 6pm at Enloe High School
• The HS tour audition form can be found here.

General Auditions: June 8, 2026 (Monday) 7-10pm and June 9, 2026 (Tuesday) 7-10pm

Callback List: posted on RLT’s website by June 10, 2026 (Wednesday) at 12pm

Callbacks: June 10, 2026 (Wednesday) 7-10pm

Cast List: June 22, 2026 (Monday) by 5pm

Rehearsals: July 6 – August 20, 2026; Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays 7-10pm, with some possible rehearsals on weekends.

Tech rehearsals: August 22, 2026 (Saturday) and August 23, 2026 (Sunday), typically 10:00am-6:00pm, exact times TBD

Tech dress rehearsals: August 24-26, 2026 (Monday through Wednesday)

Preview: August 27, 2026 (Thursday) 7:30pm

Performances: 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, 3:00pm Sundays; August 28 – September 20, 2026; and 7:30pm Thursday, September 3, 2026

Strike: Immediately following the last performance on September 20. All cast members are expected to stay for strike.

A conflict calendar is available at this link for reference.

About the roles

Raleigh Little Theatre encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description. The characteristics describe the characters in the play.

*We received feedback showing messaging around the age range of the teen roles was not in alignment with our ultimate goals. RLT staff and the creative team met to work on making changes. Thank you to those who reached out with questions.

In addition to the actors already in that age group, we have made the teen roles available to actors who can convincingly play between 15-19 years old. We ask that actors over 19 carefully consider the age they can authentically present onstage and understand, if cast, they may be sharing many of the show’s scenes with teenagers. The needs of the production for age-appropriate intimacy in the story will also be a consideration.

Our hope is to have a majority of the teen roles played by teen actors, creating an ensemble that truthfully reflects the energy and appearance of teenagers as the show centers around high school including social dynamics and first romances, which are particular to teen identity.

We work to create a safe and enjoyable place to explore creativity. Being in conversation with our community collective is key to building and keeping trust.*

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. Understanding of comic timing is important to the role. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 15-19
• Vocal range top: G5
• Vocal range bottom: G3
• 1960’s bright pop belt
• This role requires significant stamina 

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 in drag (a theatrical art form involving stylized performance, costuming, and makeup with heightened performance of gender). Understanding of comic timing is important to the role. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: male
• Age: 40+
• Vocal range top: G5
• 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. Comic timing is a plus. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: male
• Age: 50+
• Vocal range top: A5
• Vocal range bottom: A3 

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. Understanding of comic timing is important to the role. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 15-19
• Vocal range top: G5
• Vocal range bottom: A3
• Bright 1960’s pop belt 

VELMA VON TUSSLE – Amber’s mother and the director of Corny Collins’ show. She is a devious taskmaster, snobby, and close-minded. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. Comic timing is a plus. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 40+
• Vocal range top: E5
• Vocal range bottom: G3
• Character belt 

AMBER VON TUSSLE – Link’s girlfriend and Tracy’s nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and close-minded. Can’t dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. Comic timing is a plus. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 15-19
• Vocal range top: F5
• Vocal range bottom: A3
• 1960’s pop belt 

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. Confident singer with good comic timing. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: male
• Age: 15-19
• Vocal range top: A5
• Vocal range bottom: G3
• 1960’s pop – baritenor w/falsetto 

SEAWEED J. STUBBS – Tracy’s classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. He falls for Penny. Strong singer/dancer. Comic timing is a plus. This role should be played by a Black actor. 

• Gender: male
• Age: 15-19
• Vocal range top: D5
• Vocal range bottom: F3
• Soulful pop/R&B with a strong belt

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. Comic timing is a plus. Corny should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: male
• Age: 25-40
• Vocal range top: A4
• Vocal range bottom: D3
• 1960’s pop style; polished with a little edge  

LITTLE INEZ – Seaweed’s little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actor. Comic timing is a plus.

• Gender: female
• Age: 13-15
• Vocal Range: C4–E5 or F#5
• Soulful, energetic, and contemporary, similar to R&B styles of the 1960s

MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE – Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collins Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 40+
• Vocal range top: E5
• Vocal range bottom: F3
• Powerful, soulful belt, Gospel chops a plus

PRUDY PINGLETON/FEMALE AUTHORITY FIGURE – Penny’s strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. Also plays the sadistic gym teacher and prison matron. Excellent comic timing essential; improv experience a plus. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Gender: female
• Age: 40+
• Vocal range top: B4
• Vocal range bottom: D4 

MALE AUTHORITY FIGURE – plays Harriman F. Spritzer (President of Ultra-Clutch Cosmetics, Corny Collins’ sponsor), the stressed-out high school principal, and Mr. Pinky (owner of Mr. Pinky’s Hefty Hideaway). Understanding of comic timing is important to the role. This role should be played by a white actor. 

• Age: 40+
• Vocal range top: E4
• Vocal range bottom: B2 

THE DYNAMITES – A dynamic musical trio, iconic of the Motown era and the 1960s. Think the Supremes. Three singers and dancers who complement each other. They don’t need to look alike, but can be synchronous in their music and dance. The ability to sing tight harmonies is important. These three roles should be played by Black actors.

• Gender: female
• Age: 20-25
• Vocal range top: A5
• Vocal range bottom: E4

MALE ENSEMBLE Male, Ages 15 – 19, white and black. To play dancers on The Corny Collins Show (Brad, Fender, Sketch, IQ) as well as The Motormouth Kids. May play other featured roles in the show. Proficient dancers who sing and act. Vocal Ranges: ALL 

FEMALE ENSEMBLE Female, Ages 15 – 19, white and black. To play dancers on The Corny Collins Show (Tammy, Brenda, Shelley, Lou-Ann) as well as The Motormouth Kids. May play other featured roles as well. Proficient dancers who sing and act. Vocal Ranges: ALL

High School Audition Tour!

Performers aged 15-19 are encouraged to audition at one of the following high schools during our HS audition tour. You do NOT have to be a student of the high school listed to audition, but you DO need to be aged 15-19. Adults aged 20+ will NOT be permitted to audition at the high schools and must sign up for a slot at RLT on June 8 or 9. No exceptions will be made.

• Wednesday, May 27, 2:45pm – 6pm at Rolesville High School
• Friday, May 29, 3pm – 6pm at Enloe High School

An audition information session about the high school auditions specifically will be held virtually on Friday, May 22, from 7-8pm. Register to join here!

Teenage actors will be considered for the following roles:

• TRACY TURNBLAD
• PENNY PINGLETON
• AMBER VON TUSSLE
• LINK LARKIN
• SEAWEED J. STUBBS
• LITTLE INEZ (open to ages 13-15)
• ENSEMBLE (Corny Collins Show dancers, Motormouth Kids)

Please prepare 32 bars of a song from the time period of the show (1960s) and in the style of the character you are auditioning for (Pop, Motown, Gospel, etc. Songs do not have to be from a show), and bring the appropriate sheet music to the audition. An accompanist will be provided for you.

Don’t know your vocal range? That’s ok. Prepare the song that best shows off your voice and the Music Director may ask you to sing some scales too.

Following the singing portion of the audition, everyone will learn a short dance combination. Please dress in clothes and shoes that are comfortable to move in.

All auditionees should try to arrive ten minutes before the time they are signed up to help with check in. There are THREE general audition days. You need only attend ONE.

TEENAGERS ONLY – please sign up for an audition slot using the form linked here.

About the General Auditions

Please prepare 32 bars of a song from the time period of the show (1960s) and in the style of the character you are auditioning for (Pop, Motown, Gospel, etc. – songs do not have to be from a show), and bring the appropriate sheet music to the audition. An accompanist will be provided for you.

Don’t know your vocal range? That’s ok. Prepare the song that best shows off your voice and the Music Director may ask you to sing some scales too.

FOR TEENAGE ROLES ONLY – Following the singing portion of the audition, everyone will learn a short dance combination. Please dress in clothes and shoes that are comfortable to move in.

All auditionees should arrive ten minutes before the time they are signed up to help with check in. There are TWO general audition days. You need only attend ONE.

A callback list will be posted by 12pm on June 10. 

Please sign up for an audition slot using the form linked here.

**Forms must be submitted by noon on Monday, June 8. If audition slots fill before then, the form will be deactivated.

Questions about auditions? Contact Info@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org

If you need any specific accommodations to audition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Info@nullRaleighLittleTheatre.org to make your request. Examples of accommodations made in the past are: wheelchair accessible audition space, large print materials, prompters in the audition room, and volunteers to help fill out forms.

Volunteer Access Fund

If you face financial barriers related to transportation to the theatre, please check out our Volunteer Access Fund program!