Producers: Various Producers
Notice: Audition Call Type: ECC
Monday, February 2, 2026 — Pearl Studios (500), 500 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018-6504
10:00 AM (E)
Lunch: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Holding room: Studio 1214
Production (League) / Touring Agreement
Music & Lyrics: Alicia Keys. Book: Kristoffer Diaz. Director: Michael Greif. Choreographer: Camille A. Brown. Music Supervisor: Adam Blackstone. Music Consultant: Tom Kitt.
$2717 weekly minimum (Production). $1077 weekly minimum (Level 5 - Pre-recoup).
Casting: Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray. Casting Associate: Chalin Tulyathan. Casting Directors: Heidi Griffiths, Kate Murray. Casting Associate: Chalin Tulyathan. Music Director: Garret Healey. Accompanist: Patrick Fanning.
Please prepare 16 bars of an Alicia Keys song, or a pop/R&B song in the style of Alicia Keys. Bring sheet music — NO a cappella singing. Please bring a picture and resume stapled together.
Currently running. No closing date set.
Venue: Shubert Theatre and on tour.
ECC procedures are in effect for this audition. 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.
In the mid-90s, in an apartment high above the energy and grit of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, 17-year-old Ali looks toward the horizon until she can just see the Hudson River. Despite the warnings of her over-protective mother, the symphony of the street calls to her—promising freedom, excitement, and the possibility of love. When an inspiring piano teacher facing her own mortality recognizes Ali’s musical talent, she helps Ali to find her voice and how she can make the city her own.
Character is a BIPOC woman in her late teens/early 20s. 18+. A strong singer/dancer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals and harmonizing. A friend of Ali’s from her Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. A New Yorker through and through — street smart, funny, silly and flirty.
Character is a Black woman in her late teens/early 20s. 18+. A strong singer/dancer comfortable with rap/spoken word, R&B/pop/jazz vocals and harmonizing. A friend of Ali’s from her Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. A New Yorker through and through — street smart with a sense of humor. Cool and more levelheaded than Ali & Jessica.
Character is a Black man in his 20s. Tenor. An extremely strong soul/R&B singer skilled and comfortable with improv and ad lib — think the vocal harmonies of 1980s groups like Boyz II Men, Jodeci, New Edition. A friend of Knuck’s, who grew up in Hell’s Kitchen and can hold his own in the neighborhood. Smooth and street-smart. Enjoys playing the bucket drums with Knuck and Q and flirting with Jessica. Will understudy the role of KNUCK: a young man who has grown up holding his own in Ali’s gritty Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and who Ali falls in love with. NOTE: Experience with drumming and/or percussion is a big plus (please note on submission).
Character is a BIPOC man in his 20s. Baritone. A strong singer/mover who is comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals. A friend of Knuck’s who grew up in Hell’s Kitchen and can hold his own in the neighborhood. Earnest and straightforward, at times a bit goofy. Enjoys playing the bucket drums with Knuck and Riq, and flirting with Tiny. NOTE: Experience with drumming and/or percussion is a big plus (please note on submission).
Character is a Black woman in her 40s. An exceptionally strong, powerfully-voiced singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals and harmonizing. Ali’s neighbor who has known Ali her entire life. Warm, with a witty sense of humor. Will understudy MISS LIZA JANE: a longtime resident of Ali’s building who becomes Ali’s piano teacher. Outwardly stern and taciturn, with incredible gravitas and presence. Puts tremendous value on discipline and focus, but despite her imposing presence, approaches Ali with patience and empathy and teaches her about life and adulthood in addition to music.
Character is a Hispanic woman in her 40s. An extraordinary, powerfully-voiced singer with a brassy sound and lots of vocal flexibility. Possesses a strong high belt and is able to mix. Comfortable with improvisation, R&B/pop/jazz vocals, and harmonies. Ali’s neighbor who has known Ali her entire life. Comfortable speaking in Spanish. Will understudy JERSEY: Ali’s mother, raising her as a single mom. Tough, outspoken and not afraid of a fight. Extremely protective of her daughter to the degree that it strikes fear into the hearts of Ali’s friends. Distrustful of the outside world, especially the intentions of men, she’ll do anything to keep her daughter safe and give her the best shot at life. NOTE: Because of the improvisational nature of the music, there is no limit on high belt range.
Character is a Black man in his late 30s–early 40s. Tenor. An exceptional singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals. Ali’s doorman. A large, physically imposing presence but with a kind heart. He looks out for Ali and all the residents of Manhattan Plaza. Will understudy DAVIS: Ali’s father, a traveling musician who has been absent for her entire life. Charming and likable, a true artist whose true love is music; although he also loves his family, it’s difficult—maybe impossible—for him to make space for both.
All genders and ethnicities. A group of exceptional, highly skilled, athletic dancers who can learn quickly and possess unique looks and energies that feel authentic to NYC in the 1990s. Must be able to tell a story through movement, possess a high degree of personal artistry, and bring their own individuality, personality, and point of view to the choreography. Styles sought: hip hop, rhythmic, and contemporary dance. A strong knowledge of and ability to move between all dance styles, as well as a strong sense of rhythmic ability, are essential.
Character is a young Black woman. 18+ to play 17. An extraordinary singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals as well as rap/spoken word. To understudy ALI: a strong, stubborn girl with a rebellious streak trying to carve out her own identity independent of her mother’s overprotective, ever-watchful eye. Will also understudy JESSICA & TINY: friends of Ali’s from her Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
Character is a Black man in his 40s. An exceptional singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals who can hold harmonies. Will understudy DAVIS: Ali’s father, a traveling musician who has been absent for her entire life. Charming and likable, a true artist. Will also understudy RAY: Ali’s doorman — a large, physically imposing presence but kind-hearted. Feels like a real person, not an actor. THIS IS AN OFFSTAGE ROLE.
Character is a Black man in his 20s. Tenor. An extremely strong soul/R&B singer skilled and comfortable with improv and ad lib — think 1980s vocal harmonies like Boyz II Men, Jodeci, New Edition. Experience with drumming and/or percussion is a big plus (please note on submission). To understudy KNUCK: a young man who has grown up holding his own in Ali’s gritty Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood and who Ali falls in love with. Although the world—including Ali's mother—insists on seeing him as a “thug,” beneath his exterior is a sensitive and soulful young man with a gentle, generous spirit, growing increasingly frustrated with a world that stereotypes him. Will also understudy RIQ & Q and RAY. THIS IS AN OFFSTAGE ROLE.
Character is a Black woman in her late 40s. An exceptionally strong, powerfully-voiced singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals and harmonizing. To understudy MISS LIZA JANE: a longtime resident of Ali’s building who becomes Ali’s piano teacher. Outwardly stern and taciturn, with incredible gravitas and presence. Puts tremendous value on discipline and focus but, despite her imposing presence, approaches Ali with patience and empathy. Will also understudy CRYSTAL & MILLIE: Ali’s neighbors who have known Ali her entire life. Must be comfortable speaking in Spanish. THIS IS AN OFFSTAGE ROLE.
Character is Black, Latina, or Afro-Latina in her 40s. A strong, powerfully-voiced singer comfortable with R&B/pop/jazz vocals and harmonizing. Will understudy CRYSTAL & MILLIE: Ali’s neighbors who have known Ali her entire life. Must be comfortable speaking lines in Spanish. THIS IS AN OFFSTAGE ROLE.
BIPOC men & women, 20s–30s. To cover 4–8 ensemble dancers and potentially other ensemble roles (see character descriptions above).
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