Gateway Playhouse 2026 Season Equity Principal Actors - Gateway Playhouse Auditions

Gateway Playhouse | Somers Point, NJ

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA — REVISED

LOCATION

. 2/25: Updated personnel; 2/26: removed appointment email. Appointments will be through the Equity Member Portal. Ripley-Grier Studios (520), 520 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018-6507. Holding room - Studio 17I.

AUDITION DATE

Saturday, March 7, 2026 — 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Lunch 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM.

(E)

PERSONNEL

Expected to attend:

Rachel Armitstead: Casting Director

Kaitlyn LaGrega: Casting Assistant

Musical Director: Justin Ramos

CONTRACT

LOA — See breakdown for production-specific personnel. $640 weekly minimum (Ref. to COST) - 2025 rate.

OTHER DATES

Housing included. See breakdown for production-specific dates.

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Gateway Playhouse's 2026 Season (see breakdown). For more information, visit
www.thegateway.org.

PREPARATION

EPA procedures are in effect for this audition. Please prepare a short selection in the style of or from the show. You may also prepare two very short contrasting pieces. An Equity Monitor will be provided.

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 attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

WEST SIDE STORY

Director/Choreographer: Vincent Ortega

Music Director: Andrew Haile Austin

Rehearsals: April 21–May 8, 2026

Performances: May 8–31, 2026

Seeking

Riff: Male, 25–30, G4–Bb2. A spritely, quick-tempered leader. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang's dominance. Tony's best friend; eventually murdered by Bernardo.

Tony: Male, 25–30, Bb4–Bb2. A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets who has found a new lifestyle. Torn between friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an untimely death. Genuinely sweet and sincere.

Bernardo: Male, 25–35, Eb4–Bb2. A proud, strong, handsome Puerto Rican man. Seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for himself and his friends. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks.

Maria: Female, 18–25, C6–Bb3. A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. Falls in love with Tony and becomes central to the violent conflict between the gangs. Puerto Rican.

Anita: Female, 25–30, D5–F3. Feisty and assertive; gives older-sister advice to Maria and tries to shield her. Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's friend. Puerto Rican.

Chino: Male, 20–25. An angry and sometimes naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo's.

Anybodys: Any gender, 18–25. A spunky tomboy desperate to become a member of the Jets. Mocked by the other Jets but appreciated for energy and heart.

Doc: Male, 50–60. Owner of the candy store where the Jets hang out. Guides the Jets’ youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old-fashioned and wise.

Schrank: Male, 40–50. A local police detective frustrated by gang violence. Blunt, brash, and unapologetic.

Krupke: Male, 40–50. The local beat cop with no patience for gang conflict. Regularly mocked by the gangs.

Gladhand: Nerdy, overly cheerful, ill-equipped social director at the school dance (“Mambo”). Speaking role. No dance background required.

Ensemble: Triple-threat dancers, singers, and actors of all ethnicities.

AIN'T TOO PROUD

Rehearsal: June 2–June 19, 2026

Performances: June 19–July 19, 2026

Seeking

[OTIS WILLIAMS] Character is male (cis, transgender, or non-binary). 30s–40s. Black. Founder and last surviving original member of The Temptations. Never the flashiest performer, but always the rock of the group. A stand-up guy, tough, with a big heart and deep conscience. BARITONE; Strong Dancer.

[DAVID RUFFIN] Character is male (cis, transgender, or non-binary). 20s–30s. Black. Lead singer of The Temptations after Al; helped take the group to the top of the charts. Charismatic front man. Doubles as Guard. LEAD TENOR; Strong Dancer.

[MELVIN FRANKLIN] Character is male (cis, transgender, or non-binary). 20s–30s. Black. The bass of the group and one of the first members Otis recruited. Nicknamed “Blue.” BASS; Strong Dancer.

[EDDIE KENDRICKS] Character is male (cis, transgender, or non-binary). 20s–30s. Black. Created many of the group's vocal arrangements. Outspoken. STRONG FALSETTO; Strong Dancer.

[PAUL WILLIAMS] Character is male (cis, transgender, or non-binary). 20s–30s. Black. Founding member and resident choreographer. Well-liked but struggles with personal demons. BARITONE; Strong Dancer.

[ENSEMBLE/BERRY GORDY] Male-presenting, 30s–40s, Black. The founder of Motown. Strong Mover.

[ENSEMBLE/DENNIS EDWARDS & OTHERS] Male-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Lead singer after David Ruffin. Tenor/Baritone. Gospel sound a plus. Strong Dancer. Doubles as STRAIGHT TALK FELLA and DELIVERY MAN.

[ENSEMBLE/ELBRIDGE “AL” BRYANT & OTHERS] Male-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Original member who didn't last due to temper. Tenor. Strong Dancer. Doubles as NORMAN WHITFIELD and others.

[ENSEMBLE/RICHARD STREET & OTHERS] Male-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Aspiring singer who later becomes a full member. Tenor. Strong Dancer. Doubles as OFFSTAGE GANG.

[ENSEMBLE/SMOKEY ROBINSON & OTHERS] Male-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Legendary songwriter for The Temptations. Strong Tenor. Strong Dancer.

[ENSEMBLE/LAMONT & OTHERS] Male-presenting, 20s, Black. Otis Williams’ son. Strong Tenor. Strong Dancer.

[ENSEMBLE/SHELLY BERGER] Male-presenting, 20s–40s, White. Not a typical Motown manager; a character man whose quick wit helps the group. Doubles as JUDGE and TV ANNOUNCER. Strong Tenor.

[ENSEMBLE/JOSEPHINE] Female-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Otis’ teenage wife who grows up fast and cares for their son. Alto/Very High Belt. Strong Dancer.

[ENSEMBLE/DIANA ROSS & OTHERS] Female-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Strong singer and dancer.

[ENSEMBLE/MARY WILSON & OTHERS] Female-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Member of The Supremes who dated Melvin. Soprano belter. Strong Dancer. Doubles as JOHNNIE MAE and others.

[ENSEMBLE/TAMMI TERRELL & OTHERS] Female-presenting, 20s–30s, Black. Singer in Motown with a tumultuous relationship with David Ruffin. Soprano. Strong Dancer. Doubles as MAMA ROSE and others.

COME FROM AWAY

Rehearsal: July 21–August 7, 2026

Performances: August 7–September 6, 2026

Seeking

Claude & others: Male, 40–60, G4. The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland. Loves his work and traditions but has never handled a crisis of this magnitude. Doubles as Derm and Brenda’s Brother, Eddie.

Bonnie & others: Female, 30–40, B4. A no-nonsense mother of three and head of the Gander SPCA. Stops at nothing to ensure trapped animals' safety. Doubles as Martha.

Beulah & others: Female, 40–60. Head of the Gander Legion with a firefighter son; walks Hannah to church and prays with her. Doubles as Delores.

Oz & others: Male, 30–50, G4. The quirky constable in Gander's two-person police force. Helps out in many ways when the town's population doubles. Doubles as Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, and Head Cardiologist.

Janice & others: Female, 20–30, E5. An eager new local TV reporter thrown into the deep end. Initially naïve, she must face pain and confusion. Doubles as Britney and Flight Attendant.

Beverley & others: Female, 50–60, C#5. The first female captain for American Airlines. Pilot Beverly Bass loves flying but faces dramatic change. Doubles as Annette and Reporter.

Diane & others: Female, 50–60, C#5–A3. A traditional divorcee from Texas terrified her son might have been flying during the attacks. When safe, she discovers a wilder side. Doubles as Crystal and Brenda.

Nick & others: Male, 50–60, E4. An English oil engineer whose life is upended when he falls for Diane. Doubles as Doug, Officer Stephenson, and Male Townsperson.

Kevin T & others: Male, 30–50, G4. Head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles who was on vacation with his boyfriend Kevin when stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town's generosity, he creates the Pay It Forward Foundation. Doubles as Garth and President Bush.

Kevin J & others: Male, 30–50. Kevin's sarcastic boyfriend and secretary who wants to leave as soon as possible. Doubles as Dwight and Ali.

Bob & others: Male, 20–40. A hardened New Yorker suspicious and fearful at first but who sheds his jadedness. Doubles as Muhumuza and Captain Bristol.

Hannah & others: Female, 40–60, E5. Mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, waiting for news and comforted by Beulah. Doubles as Margie and Mickey.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS

Director: Keith Andrews

Rehearsal: November 10–27, 2026

Performances: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027

Seeking

JERRY LEE LEWIS — 20. Rock ’n’ roll’s legendary piano prodigy and celebrated Last Man Standing. Must play piano at an expert level.

CARL PERKINS — 24. Lead guitar player and singer; originator of the early rock ’n’ roll hit “Blue Suede Shoes.” Must play guitar at an expert level.

JOHNNY CASH — 24. Singer and guitar player; a giant of American music at the dawn of his career. Must play guitar at an expert level.

DYANNE — Mid-20s. An aspiring singer and Elvis’ girlfriend.

ELVIS PRESLEY — 21. The first and still undisputed king of rock ’n’ roll. Must play guitar at an expert level.

BROTHER JAY — Mid-20s. Bass player and brother of Carl Perkins. Must play bass at an expert level.

FLUKE — Mid-20s. Must play drums at an expert level.

SAM PHILLIPS — 33. The Father of Rock ’n’ Roll and founder of Sun Records; discovered Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Cash, Perkins, and many others. A towering and charismatic figure in American music.