News

Raleigh Little Theatre will be holding auditions for Sister Act on Monday June 18 and Tuesday June 19. The production will be directed by Nancy Rich.

Important dates

Auditions (singing and dancing): Monday June 18 and Tuesday June 19 at 7:00pm. Registration from 6:30pm-7:00pm in the lobby of the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre.

Callbacks: Wednesday June 20 at 7:00pm in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre.

Rehearsals: First rehearsal is Monday June 25. Rehearsals take place on weeknight evenings and Saturday mornings. The rehearsal schedule will be based on cast conflicts and will be finalized after casting.

Tech rehearsals: August 11 and 12. Attendance required. No conflicts are allowed after August 11.

Performances: Opens August 17 and plays for three weekends – eleven performances. August 17, 18, 19/ 23, 24, 25, 26 / 30, 31. September 1 and 2.

About the show

Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

About the roles

All roles in Sister Act are open. The play is chock full of amazing roles for women and men of all ages. We need strong singers and dancers who enjoy gospel music, harmonizing, outrageous 1970’s disco dancing, and just like to REJOICE!

WOMEN

Deloris Van Cartier: An aspiring performer, trying to find both fame and a place in the world. When forced to hide in the convent, she initially refuses to embrace her new lifestyle but learns to embrace it when she works with the choir. Loud-mouthed, and sassy, but ultimately caring. Age: 25 to 35. Vocal range top: F#5, Vocal range bottom: E3.

Mother Superior: The head of the convent, sarcastic and a bit stiff. Extremely protective about keeping her sisters away from the outside world, which puts her in direct opposition to Deloris and her musical teachings. Age: 40 to 70. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: D3.

Sister Mary Robert: A postulant, abandoned as a baby and raised at the convent. Shy and soft-spoken, but singing with Deloris lets her find her voice. Her wallflower lifestyle has made her live a shell of a life. Age: 16 to 25. Vocal range top: A5, Vocal range bottom: F#3.

Sister Mary Patrick: A nun of the convent. Consistently perky, enthusiastic, and easily excitable. Age: 30 to 50

Sister Mary Lazarus: A nun of the convent and the head of the choir. Rather deadpan and the least welcoming of any of the nuns, but she gets caught up in Deloris’s soul music. Age: 40 to 65. Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: F3

Sister Mary Theresa: A nun of the convent, the oldest of the group. Mary Theresa seems decrepit at first glance, but secretly packs a punch. Participates in most of the dancing. Age: 60 to 70 (or younger actor with make-up).

Sister Mary Martin-of-tours: A nun of the convent. Clearly in her own world, but has her moments of surprising clarity. Comedic role. Age: 30 to 60

Michelle (doubles as nun and other characters): One of Deloris’s back-up singers. Lippy and always quick with a retort. Age: 20 to 30. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: Bb3

Tina (doubles as nun and other characters): One of Deloris’s back-up singers. A little thick and naive. Age: 20 to 30. Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: Ab3.

MEN

Monsignor O’Hara: One of the heads of the convent. Constantly concerned with financial matters, though soul music surprisingly puts him in a different mood. Age: 45 to 60. Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: E3.

Curtis: A club owner, notorious gangster, and Deloris’s boyfriend. Cocky and controlling, always on the verge of violence. Age: 30 to 50. Vocal range top: Ab4, Vocal range bottom: A2.

Eddie Souther: The desk chief at the Philadelphia police station and a high school classmate of Deloris who helps get her into hiding. Faces a lot of nerves when under pressure, causing him to sweat profusely. He still yearns for Deloris after all these years, and dreams of being her hero. Age: 25 to 35. Vocal range top: B4, Vocal range bottom: Ab2.

T.J.: Curtis’s nephew and one of his thugs. Deft and cognizant of the fact, constantly in a state of ignorant bliss. Age: 18 to 25. Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: Db3

Joey: One of Curtis’s thugs. Believes himself to be quite the ladies’ man. Age: 25 to 40. Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: Bb2.

Pablo: One of Curtis’s thugs. A natural follower, constantly speaks in Spanish. Age: 25 to 40. Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: C4.

Ernie: One of Curtis’s thugs. Initially thought to be a mindless yes-man, he turns out to be an undercover police informant. Does not have to be a singing role. Age: 25 to 55

ENSEMBLE

Nuns; Bar Denizens (Bartender, Bar Patrons, Waitress, Drag Queen); Homeless People; Fantasy Dancers. Also, one of the nuns will be assigned as Dance Captain, to help teach and to drill the ensemble numbers.

About the production team

• Director/choreographer: Nancy Rich
• Music Director: Michael Santangelo
• Stage Manager: TBD
• Costume Designer: Vicki Olson
• Set Design: Thomas Mauney

About the auditions

Those auditioning are asked to wear comfortable clothing which allows for freedom of movement and shoes suitable for dancing.

Auditions: Please prepare 16 bars of an audition song that showcases your voice, and bring the sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. The dance audition will be in the form of a simple and fun 1970’s disco warm-up before singing auditions begin. Sign-ups begin at 6:30 with warm-up and orientation at 7:00. Singing auditions will take place in the order of sign-up. Actors will be released after we’ve heard you sing.

Callbacks are for speaking roles only. The ensemble will be cast based on singing and dancing audition, and will not be required at callbacks. Callbacks will consist of readings from the script. You may also be asked to vocalize or sing a portion of the music from the show.

Perusal copies of the working script will be available for a 48 hour checkout from the RLT business office. The office is located in the rear of our facility and is open from 10:00am-5:00pm, Monday thru Friday. Please call the RLT office at 919-821-4579 to check on availability.

Audition forms

Interested in auditioning? Here’s some forms to fill out and bring with you to auditions plus some helpful documents:

• RLT audition form — please fill out
• Conflict calendar — please list every weeknight or weekend day that you have a conflict.

Questions about auditions? Contact Nancy Rich at nancy@nullactorscomedylab.com.