Rubicon Theatre Company
CONTRACT
SPT $677 weekly minimum (SPT 8)
SEEKING
Equity actors for principal roles and chorus singer parts in IN THE HEIGHTS (see breakdown).
In The Heights is the story of three days in the tightly knit Latin community of Washington Heights, on the island of Manhattan. In the heat of the summer as the 4th of July approaches, we are introduced to the neighborhood, its people and the interwoven stories of faith, hope and love. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggle can be deciding what traditions to keep and what to leave behind. From the Tony Awardâwinning writers and creators of the Broadway smash, “Hamilton”, comes a beautiful, touching, vibrant and timely immigrant story.
INSTRUCTIONS
SEE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS IN BREAKDOWN. Submit at https://forms.gle/SzQHeNkx5t7CFuxX6 .
Deadline: Wed, Jul 27, 2022
PERSONNEL
Viewing auditions:
Producing Artistic Director: Karyl Lynn Burns
Director/Choreographer Luis Salgado
Associate Director: Valeria Cossu
Musical Director: TBD
Casting Director: Stephanie Coltrin
OTHER DATES
Callbacks by appointment in Ventura, California: July 28 and 29
Rehearsals start: September 13, 2022
First preview: October 26, 2022
Opening: October 29, 2022
Closing: November 13, 2022
OTHER
www.rubicontheatre.org
All rehearsals and performances will be at Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, California.
This will be a fully vaccinated company. Covid testing protocols will be in place, and all company members will be masked during rehearsals.
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.
BREAKDOWN
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please prepare a song in the style of the show. You may also use the accompaniment at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q3tbi9l5e9wtwta/AACimgpcqm6F09m-uyPNVZg1a?dl=0 .
Optional: If you would like to submit a video reading a scene from the show, the sides can be accessed here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qB0X6lEzqPleiNqwaBrdw4ohIcOnWwwi?usp=sharing
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Week 1: September 13-18- Rehearsals
Week 2: September 20-25- Rehearsals
Week 3: September 27-October 2- School Assemblies, Rehearsals (note that we have posed a question in our proposal about whether this week can be a different, educational contract)
Week 4: October 4-9- Classroom workshops, rehearsals (note that we have posed a question in our proposal about whether this week can be a different, educational contract)
Week 5: October 11-16- Rehearsals
Week 6: October 18-23- Technical Rehearsals
Week 7: October 25-30- Rehearsals/Previews/Opening Performances
Week 8: November 2-6- Performances
Week 9: November 9-13- Performances
Synopsis: In The Heights is the story of three days in the tightlyâknit Latin community of Washington Heights, on the island of Manhattan. In the heat of the summer as the 4th of July approaches, we are introduced to the neighborhood, its people and the interwoven stories of faith, hope and love. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggle can be deciding what traditions to keep and what to leave behind. From the Tony Awardâwinning writers and creators of the Broadway smash, “Hamilton”, comes a beautiful, touching, vibrant and timely immigrant story.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:
All Principal characters are Latinx, Afro-Latino, or Black.
Usnavi de la Vega (Male, 20-30)- The narrator of the musical’s exposition and a major character throughout; owns a small bodega in Washington Heights. Abuela Claudia, the neighborhood matriarch, “practically raised” him when his parents both died during his early childhood. He dreams of moving to the Dominican Republic. He is in love with Vanessa. Articulate and funny and can be awkward. Extremely strong singer/rapper/dancer. Vocal range: A2-A4 Ethnicity: Latino / Hispanic
Nina Rosario (Female, 20-30) Fresh, intelligent college student (the first in her family to go to college). Loves her family and is admired by all. Complicated and conflicted. Her family doesn’t know that she quit school months ago. In a romantic relationship with Benny which is a source of conflict with her father, who can be overprotective. Very strong singer with soprano belt range and a strong dancer. Vocal Range: F3-F5. Ethnicity: Black/African/Latino
Benny (Male, 20-25) Works at the dispatch of Nina’s father, Kevin. The only character in the play who does not speak Spanish, Benny falls in love with Nina. He dreams of opening his own business. Strong, masculine, ambitious and intelligent. Baritenor, strong mover, strong rapper. Vocal Range: B3-A4. Ethnicity: Black, White, Asian, or any other non-Latino
Vanessa (Female, 20-30) Stylist at Daniela’s salon. Hardened in part by a troubled home life, dreams of a better life in a downtown apartment, but cannot yet afford it. Tired of whistles and catcalls and searching for true love, she is Usnavi’s love interest. Strong dancer, mezzo with a strong belt. Strong belt, strong dance. Vocal Range: F#3-F5. Ethnicity: Latina/Hispanic
“Abuela” Claudia- (Female, 50’s-60’s) The loving matriarch of the barrio who is like a grandmother to all. Both strong and wise, she practically raised Usnavi after his parents died. She and her mother moved from Cuba to New York in 1943 while she was a child. She worked as a maid for several years but never earned the money for her and her mother to travel home. Strong Singer. Vocal Range: Eb3-E5. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Sonny de la Vega (male, 18-25)– Usnavi’s witty, sassy, superficially lazy, yet ambitious younger cousin who works with Usnavi in the bodega. A jokester with an intelligent and thoughtful side which yearns for social justice. Strong comedy chops. Vocal Range: D3-B4. Strong rapper and dancer. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Daniela (Female, 25-45) The outrageously dramatic owner of the salon where the neighborhood girls come to gossip. Bold, sassy, funny, enjoys banter and demands respect. Increasing rent on the salon is forcing her to move to the Bronx. Strong belter, with strong comic chops. Vocal Range: F3-E5. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Carla (Female, 18-40) Funny co-worker of Daniela and Vanessa, supportive friend, sweet, religious. Works at Daniela’s salon along with Vanessa, and is Daniela’s close friend; young and pretty, but a little slow to get the others’ jokes and innuendos. Strong comedic timing. Vocal Range: F3-E5. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic Chilean, Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican descent.
Kevin Rosario (Male, 50’s-60’s) Overprotective but loving father of Nina who can occasionally have a temper. Owns a taxi dispatch with his wife Camila. Commanding presence, strong baritone. Vocal Range: A2-F4. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic, Puerto Rican descent.
Camila Rosario (Female, 40’s-60) Nina’s strong-willed mother, who wants what is best for Nina. Holds her tongue in the presence of her husband but reveals her true feelings when she’s had enough. She is a powerful presence. Strong Mezzo-soprano. Vocal Range: G3-E5. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Piragua Guy (Male, 30’s-50’s) The owner of a small piragua stand that competes with Mister Softee. Charismatic, observant, reflective. Strong Singer, some dance. Vocal Range: D3-A4. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic/Any
Graffiti Pete (Male, 20’s-30’s) A graffiti artist, He is good friends with Sonny and is one of the few characters who acknowledge Sonny’s dreams. Usnavi considers Pete to be a vandal who makes trouble until Pete’s skills as an artist are revealed. Skilled hip hop and/or break dancer. Strong rapper. Ethnicity: Latino/Hispanic
Residents of Washington Heights (20’s-60’s, all ethnicities, all gender identifications) – Strong dancers skilled in hip hop and contemporary jazz. A diverse group with their own stories, Strong dancers skilled in hip hop and Latin dance/acro ability a plus.
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.
Videos
