FOOTLOOSE Equity Actors - Milwaukee Repertory Theater Auditions

FOOTLOOSE - Submit for Milwaukee, WI appointments

Milwaukee Repertory Theater | Milwaukee, WI

CONTRACT

PERSONNEL

• LORT Non-Rep
• Executive Director: Chad Bauman
• $1,213 weekly minimum (LORT B)
• Artistic Director: Mark Clements
• Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
• Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
• Music by Tom Snow
• Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
• Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
• Director and Choreographer: Stephen Mear
• Music Director: Dan Kazemi
• Casting Director: Jonathan Hetler

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in FOOTLOOSE (see breakdown below).

SUBMISSION

INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit your headshot and resume for consideration. Viewing submissions:
casting@milwaukeerep.com

Deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

OTHER DATES

• 1st Rehearsal – 8/25/26
• Tech Begins – 9/15/26
• 1st Preview – 9/22/26
• Opening – 9/26/26
• Closing – 11/1/26

OTHER

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.

SYNOPSIS

Get ready to kick off your heels and feel the beat! The smash-hit film Footloose explodes onto the stage with high-octane choreography and electrifying ’80s anthems, including “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and “Holding Out for a Hero.” When city teen Ren moves to a small town where dancing is banned, he challenges the rules, sparks romance, and inspires a community to rediscover joy, freedom, and the power of music. Helmed by Olivier Award-winning artist Stephen Mear, who wowed Rep audiences with his choreography for Ragtime and Guys and Dolls, this energetic, feel-good Tony-nominated musical will have you laughing, cheering, and jumping to your feet.

Note: Seeking true triple threats. All Teen roles must be strong singers and dancers. Adult roles must be strong singers and strong movers.

REV. SHAW MOORE

Male, White, Age: 40s–50s. The secret to the character of Rev. Moore is that he is charismatic — charming, even. Shaw has a quick mind, a loving heart and a sense of humor, all of which endear him to his congregation. While trying to be strong for so many people, however, he continues to mourn the death of his son — the one person he could not save. Only Ariel and Vi (and eventually Ren) get a glimpse of this private anguish and the flashes of frustration and temper that arise from that. And age-wise, remember that Shaw is the father of a teenage girl; then, do the math. (Range: A2–F#4)

VI MOORE

Female, White, Age: 40s–50s. Despite the loss of her son and the strained relationship with her husband, Vi fully understands what kind of unflagging good humor she must display in order to keep her household — and her husband’s congregation — running smoothly. And with her plucky irreverence, she gives us a glimpse of what life with Shaw was like before the tragedy, when theirs was a marriage both passionate and playful. (Range: A3–Db5)

ARIEL MOORE

Female, White, Age: 18–25. Ariel is smart; she understands the rules of the different worlds she moves between and, in each situation, she plays her part brilliantly. When she’s in her father’s presence, for instance, she is buttoned-up and demure; with Chuck, she burns off all her unexpressed, explosive energy with raucous, thrill-seeking behavior. Ariel loves to laugh — with Chuck, with her girlfriends and, eventually, with Ren — but her high spirits are, quite often, her attempt to keep a lid on the grief she feels about her brother’s death and the loss of her once-loving relationship with her father. (Range: G3–Eb5)

REN McCORMACK

Male, Black, Age: 18–25. Not only able to sing and dance — he must also be witty. After all, Ren is a cut-up, a joker who enjoys a good time (which is why his pals are upset to find out he’s leaving in the opening number). Lately, though, his fun-loving attitude has taken on a tone of desperation, as he tries too hard to convince the world — and himself — that his father’s desertion hasn’t wounded him as deeply as it has. Ariel is the first character to get Ren to talk about that sticky subject; sharing that intimacy early on becomes the basis for their relationship. Ren’s emotional journey starts with his being feisty and flippant in Act I, continues through his thoughtful argument to the Town Council and ends with his emotional final confrontation with Rev. Moore. It’s a journey from boyhood to maturity. (Range: D3–C5)

ETHEL McCORMACK

Female, Black, Age: 40s. Where does Ren get his intelligence, his resilience and his sense of humor? From his mother, of course! It’s hard for Ethel to be living in her sister’s home and Vi abiding by her brother-in-law’s rules, but she never succumbs to the pathos of her situation; after all, she has to be strong for Ren. Their mutual loss has brought them closer together, and they share a teasing, good-natured relationship. (Range: A3–D5)

WILLARD HEWITT

Male, Any Ethnicity, Age: 18–25. Willard is not dumb; he is a gentle soul with quick fists, which are his defense against a world that he often has trouble comprehending. Willard just hasn’t had anyone come along to puncture that macho belligerence — until Ren arrives. After that, the humor in the character of Willard derives from his gradual, innocent and giddy discovery of the new worlds that Ren opens up to him. (Range: Bb2–Ab4)

RUSTY

Female, Any Ethnicity, Age: 18–25. Rusty may come off as sassy and self-assured, but, in many ways, she is the most deeply romantic character in FOOTLOOSE. She truly believes that she and Willard were meant to be together, but they’re both so inept about expressing themselves that it takes Ren — and a little time on the dance floor — to ultimately bring that about. (Range: A3–F#5, optional F#6)

CHUCK CRANSTON / “TEEN” ENSEMBLE

Male, Any Ethnicity, Age: 19–26. Ariel's boyfriend, and other roles. (Range: F#3–B4)

COWBOY BOB / “ADULT” ENSEMBLE

Male, Any Ethnicity, Age: 30–50. The lead vocalist at the Bar-B-Que, and other roles. Plays guitar. (Range: E3–C5)

URLEEN / WENDY JO / “TEEN” ENSEMBLE

Female, Any Ethnicity, Age: 18–25. Ariel's friend, and other roles. (Range: A3–D5)

COACH ROGER DUNBAR / PRINCIPAL HARRY CLARK / “ADULT” ENSEMBLE

Male, Any Ethnicity, Age: 30s–50s. The high school gym teacher, principal, and other roles.

ELEANOR DUNBAR / LULU WARNICKER / BETTY BLAST / “ADULT” ENSEMBLE

Female, Any Ethnicity, Age: 30s–50s. Wife of adult roles, owner of The Burger Blast, and other roles.