McCarter Theatre 2026-27 Season Equity Principal Actors - McCarter Theatre Center Auditions

McCarter Theatre 2026-27 Season - Princeton, NJ EPA Revised

McCarter Theatre Center | Princeton, NJ

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

REVISED

LOCATION

Audition time updated. Call will run from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.

McCarter Theatre
91 University Pl
Princeton, NJ 08540-5121

Thursday, March 19, 2026 — Berlind Rehearsal Room, use the Berlind Theatre entrance

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E) Entrance
Break: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

PERSONNEL

• Artistic Director – Sarah Rasmussen
• Director of Artistic Initiatives – Julie Felise Dubiner
• Associate Artistic Director – Donya K. Washington
• Artistic & Casting Coordinator – Meredith Bartmon

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an appointment please fill out this form:
https://mccartertheatre.wufoo.com/forms/mxpr95r1szd

CONTRACT

LORT Non-Rep

• $1320 weekly minimum (LORT B+)
• $1213 weekly minimum (LORT B)
• $1114 weekly minimum (LORT C)

OTHER DATES

See breakdown for production-specific dates.

OTHER

www.mccarter.org

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in McCarter Theatre Center's 2026–27 Season (see breakdown). All roles will be understudied.

An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. At McCarter, we unite the ideals of joy and justice, committed to diversity, beauty, and belonging. We seek actors that represent a vast diversity of our human experience. Actors of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, body types and identities are strongly encouraged to attend. Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Descriptions speak to the characters as written and should not discourage actors who are comfortable playing the gender and age described from attending. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

PREPARATION

Each actor will have three minutes. Please prepare a brief monologue or two contrasting one-minute monologues. If you wish to sing, prepare a monologue and a 16-bar cut of a contemporary musical theatre song. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring a picture and resume, stapled together.

Breakdown

A BEAT OF OUR OWN

Casting Director: ARC / Duncan Stewart, CSA & Patrick Maravilla, CSA
Casting Assistant: ARC / Jaron Cole
Book: Rehana Lew Mirza & Mike Lew
Music & Lyrics: Sam Willmott
Orchestrations: Matthew Malone
Additional Arrangements & Orchestrations: Kuljit Bhamra
Director: Stafford Arima
Choreographer: Rujuta Vaidya
Music Supervision: Bryan Perri
Music Director: Patrick Sulken

Matthews Theatre (LORT B+) - $1320 weekly minimum

• First Rehearsal: Aug 25, 2026
• Tech Begins: Sept 29, 2026
• Previews Begin: Oct 7, 2026
• Opening: Oct 16, 2026
• Closing: Oct 25, 2026

SYNOPSIS

After leading their college team to victory at the Michigan State Championships, teammates Mary and Preeti find themselves bound for Nationals. But when they clash over Mary's plan to fuse multiple Indian styles into their routine, Mary breaks off and forms her own squad. There's only one problem: aside from her chaotic roommate Sunita, none of the new recruits have ever danced before. Armed with a new sense of purpose — and a little help from a former Bollywood star — Mary sets out to mold a ragtag group of lovable misfits into title-worthy contenders. But do they stand a chance against Preeti and her team of bhangra all-stars?

All roles will be understudied.

NOTE

All Tracks: If you have experience singing Bhangra Boli, Punjabi folk music and/or Ghazal, we want to hear it!

NOTE

All roles are as cast and will double a variety of ensemble roles which may include: ELU STUDENTS, A CHINESE DRAGON, A MIME, REKHA'S DELIVERY BOYS, RESTAURANT GOERS, BOLLYWOOD FILM DANCERS, PREETI'S FAMILY IN CHANDIGARH, etc.

SEEKING

MARY: Female. Mixed Race (South Asian-American/White). 20s. Our heroine. Positive attitude, figuring out where she fits in the world, occasional fits of imposter syndrome. Strong dancer; experience in Indian styles of Bhangra, Bollywood, and Kathak a plus. Pop mezzo with a strong mix and mix-belt.

PREETI / AS CAST: ALREADY CAST

SUNITA / AS CAST: Female. South Asian-American. 20s. Ride-or-die BFF with Mary, anti-authoritarian visual artist/pharmacology major. A strong dancer. Mezzo-alto with a strong mix-belt.

BILLY / AS CAST: Male. Latinx-American. 20s. The team DJ, Mary’s love interest, a music nerd who shares Mary’s journey navigating multiple cultures. Strong dancer. Baritenor with pop sensibilities.

AMIT / AS CAST: Male. South Asian-American. 20s. Charismatic, sensitive but conflict-avoiding team captain of the TIGRES Bhangra team. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Tenor with pop sensibilities and style.

REKHA / AS CAST: Female. Indian. 40s–60s. Indian immigrant who has lived in the US for 20 years. A Bollywood performer turned restaurateur. Mary’s diva mentor. Strong dancer, specifically in Bollywood and Kathak. Bright alto.

PIT SINGER: Female. A vocalist who sings in semi-classical ghazal and Punjabi folk styles. Sings the voice of Mary’s mother.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Lauren Keating

Matthews Theatre (LORT B+) - $1320 weekly minimum

• First Rehearsal: Nov 4, 2026
• Tech Begins: Dec 3, 2026
• Previews Begin: Dec 8, 2026
• Opening: Dec 11, 2026
• Closing: Dec 27, 2026

SYNOPSIS

There is magic, music and merriment for all in this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, as Ebenezer Scrooge is taken on a fantastical journey through Christmases past, present and future in order to discover delight, wonder, and generosity.

All roles will be understudied.

NOTE

Principal actors will also perform various ensemble roles. All actors must have a British dialect or any other dialect that may have existed in London in the Victorian era. All actors are encouraged to have musicianship, singing skills and/or movement skills.

SEEKING

EBENEZER SCROOGE: ALREADY CAST

BOB CRATCHIT / AS CAST: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 30s–early 40s. Scrooge’s clerk. A family man of kindness and compassion, good humor and enduring good spirits. A hard worker who cares about his community and is devoted to his family. Despite life's hardships, he remains optimistic and compassionate.

MARGARET CRATCHIT / AS CAST: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 30s–early 40s. The realist to Bob’s optimist. An author, as well as protective wife and mother who is fierce, loving and warm. She shares her husband’s compassionate disposition but is quicker to anger. She sees more clearly the injustice in the world and does not suffer fools.

CHRISTMAS PAST / AS CAST: Any gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. A spritely ghost and the most angelic of the four spirits we meet. Welcoming and warm, as well as tough and investigative. Good movement and vocal skills.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT / MRS. FEZZIWIG / AS CAST: Any gender. Any race/ethnicity. 40s+. A spirit of immense jolliness and good spirits, such that it overflows from them. The incarnate of Christmas fun, with a talent for taking Scrooge to task when need be. Not afraid of confronting the darker side of things. Plays mandolin.

CHRISTMAS YET TO COME / MR. FEZZIWIG / AS CAST: Male. Any race/ethnicity. Mid 40s+. A phantom; an unspeaking and ominous presence with physical acuity. Good movement and vocal skills. Doubles as MR. FEZZIWIG – the warm and generous employer of young Ebenezer Scrooge.

JACOB MARLEY / AS CAST: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 30s. Scrooge’s deceased business partner. Shrewd and intelligent. He shuts himself off to anything outside of work and business. Strident, harsh and cold in his youth, repentant in his ghostly return. A hard-nosed businessman who also cares about his friend Scrooge. We see Marley at the age of his apprenticeship and as his ghostly, older self.

FRED / YOUNG EBENEZER / SCROOGE’S FATHER / AS CAST: Male. Any race/ethnicity. 20s–30s. Scrooge’s nephew. Hearty and caring, exuding joy and goodwill wherever he goes. Recently married and very much in love. The beloved only son of Scrooge’s sister Fan, who died in Fred's youth. Excellent movement and vocal skills. Doubles as the young EBENEZER.

CAROLINE / AS CAST: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s–30s. A big heart and a great wit. Recently married to Fred and very much in love. Feels the joy of the season and shares it with all around her. Loves a good joke and a good party. She is not afraid to stand up to Scrooge. Excellent movement and vocal skills. Plays mandolin and violin.

MRS. DILBER / AS CAST: Female. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Scrooge’s maid. She believes in ghosts, is easily spooked and is not great at gruel-making, but she has a kind heart and is beloved in the town. Comedically skilled. Good vocal skills.

BELLE / AS CAST: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 20s–30s. An optimist with clear values and a vision for her future. She has a positive outlook and isn’t afraid of a challenge. She comes from a large family and has an apprenticeship. Scrooge’s fiancé for a time. Strong movement and vocal skills. Plays tambourine.

OLD JO / AS CAST: Female. Any race/ethnicity. 50s+. Kind-hearted and scrappy, a kind of anti-Scrooge. Runs a street vending re-sale business dealing in any and everything. Always a good time; tries to hide their soft heart with a fast-talking exterior. Good movement and vocal skills.

CAROL THE CAROLER / CHARLIE / AS CAST: Any gender. Any race/ethnicity. Any age. Strong vocals and movement. Plays violin. Charlie is Old Jo’s friend.

YOUNG PERFORMERS

We will be auditioning young performers at a later date. If a minor attends any audition, they must be accompanied by an adult.

Tiny Tim & others: The Cratchits' youngest child.

Belinda & others: The Cratchits' child.

Peter & others: The Cratchits' child.

Martha & others: The Cratchits' oldest child.

Young Scrooge & others: Scrooge as a young person.

Fan & others: Scrooge’s sister.

Want & others: A phantom who visits Scrooge.

Ignorance & others: A phantom who visits Scrooge.

Caroler & others: Vocalist and ensemble member.

PURPOSE

Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Keith Arthur Bolden
A Co-Production with Alliance Theatre

Berlind Theatre (LORT B) - $1213 weekly minimum

Alliance production dates:

• First Rehearsal (Alliance): July 28, 2026
• First Day On Stage (Alliance): Aug 20, 2026
• Previews Begin (Alliance): Aug 28, 2026
• Opening (Alliance): Sept 4, 2026
• Closing (Alliance): Sept 20, 2026

McCarter production dates:

• First Rehearsal: Jan 8, 2027
• Tech Begins: Jan 16, 2027
• Previews Begin: Jan 21, 2027
• Opening: Jan 22, 2027
• Closing: Feb 7, 2027
• Possible Extension: Feb 13, 2027

SYNOPSIS

For decades, the influential Jasper family has been a pillar of Black American politics: civil rights leaders, pastors and congressmen. But like all families, there are cracks and secrets just under the surface. When the youngest son Nazareth returns home to Illinois with an uninvited friend in tow, the family is forced into a reckoning with itself, its faith and the legacies of Black radicalism. Spirited, hilarious and filled with intrigue, Purpose is an epic family drama from one of the country’s most celebrated voices.

All roles will be understudied.

SEEKING

SOLOMON JASPER: African American man. Late 70s–80s. Father of Junior and Nazareth. Renowned civil rights leader and pastor. Proud, brilliant, and deeply principled. Struggling with aging, relevance, and disappointment in the world he helped change. Carries immense authority alongside anger, vulnerability, and fear of being left behind.

CLAUDINE JASPER: African American woman. Late 70s. Mother and family matriarch. Warm, sharp, generous, and controlling. Has spent her life holding the family together and believes togetherness must be protected at all costs. Her love is deep and sincere, but often suffocating.

SOLOMON “JUNIOR” JASPER JR.: African American man. 40s. Older son. Former politician, recently released from prison. Charismatic, persuasive, and emotionally complex. Sincerely seeking redemption, though often blurs healing with performance. Requires an actor capable of charm, vulnerability, and contradiction.

NAZARETH JASPER: African American man. Late 20s–30s. Younger son. Quiet, guarded photographer. Observant and introspective. Chose distance and solitude over legacy and expectation. Searching for identity outside of his family’s shadow. Strong inner life; grounded, restrained presence.

MORGAN JASPER: African American woman. 40s. Junior’s wife. Quiet, observant, emotionally precise. Has paid the price for her husband’s ambition and mistakes. Speaks less than others but carries significant weight and clarity. Strong command of silence and subtext.

AZIZA HOUSTON: African American woman. 30s. Queer. Warm, open, and emotionally intelligent. Comfortable with herself and respectful of history without being intimidated by it. Her presence brings ease into a tense family dynamic and unintentionally exposes buried truths.

PLAY 5 - TBD

Will be auditioned at a later date.

Written by TBD
Directed by TBD
Breakdown: TBD