RAGTIME Equity Ensemble Dancers (All genders) - Rubicon Theatre Company Auditions

RAGTIME, THE MUSICAL - LA ECC DANCERS (MORNING - ALL GENDERS)

Rubicon Theatre Company | Ventura, CA

Notice: Audition

AUDITION DATE

Friday, July 31, 2026
11:00 AM (P)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CONTRACT

SPT
$784 weekly minimum (SPT 8)
Plus - Health & Pension

SEEKING

Equity chorus dancers for RAGTIME, THE MUSICAL (See

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PREPARATION

Wear clothing that allows for ease of movement and appropriate footwear (jazz shoes, character shoes, dance sneakers, or athletic shoes). The movement call will assess comfort with movement and ensemble storytelling; extensive dance training is not required.

LOCATION

Actors' Equity Association - Los Angeles
5636 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601

PERSONNEL

Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by J. Scott Lapp
Musical Direction by Abdul Hamid-Royal
Choreography by Natalie Iscovich
Rubicon Co-Founder: Karyl Lynn Burns
Associate Artistic Director/Casting Director: Stephanie Coltrin

Expected to attend:
Abdul Hamid Royal - Music Director
Natalie Isovich - Choreographer
Stephanie Coltrin - Casting Director

OTHER DATES

Callbacks in Ventura: likely August 10
Rehearsals: September 29 - October 18
Tech/dress: October 15-18
Final Dress: October 20
Afternoon rehearsals followed by evening Previews: October 21-23
Opening: October 24
Closing: November 15

Performances Wednesdays at 2 pm & 7 pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7 pm; Saturdays at 2 pm & 7 pm; Sundays at 2 pm.

If ticket sales warrant, performances may be added on Tuesday or Sunday nights. There will be two 10 am student matinees on Oct 23 and November 5.

OTHER

ECC Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Equity's

CONTRACT

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

RAGTIME, THE MUSICAL

CASTING NOTES

Critical to Rubicon Theatre Company's core values is an institutional culture of dignity, trust, and mutual respect. In every decision we make, we strive to uphold the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and to facilitate artistic excellence and risk. The character descriptions are written as they are identified in the script and in collaboration with the creative team.

1) We list race/ethnicity when specific to the character as written by the playwright but are otherwise actively

SEEKING

2) We recognize that most characters are written on the gender binary, and so we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles with whom they most identify.

3) We recognize that no community is homogenous and identity is complex. To that end, the above three guidelines were written with our intention of intersectionality and are meant to be viewed holistically.

Overall, we seek to cast our productions as expansively, inclusively, and mindfully as possible. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and if there are any accommodations we can provide.

SYNOPSIS

It was the music of something beginning… RAGTIME is a sweeping musical adaption of E.L. Doctorow's novel that follows three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th Century: Black pianist Coalhouse Walker, Jr. and his beloved Sarah, Jewish immigrant Tateh and his little girl, and a wealthy white family led by matriarch Mother. All grasping for the same dream, if only they can hold on to it. Featuring a lush score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, a stirring book by Terrence McNally. RAGTIME weaves fictional narratives with real historical figures and events, creating a rich tapestry that blurs the line between personal struggle and national identity, making history feel both intimate and epic.

NOTES FROM CREATIVE TEAM

When Rubicon Theatre Company hired us to present this sweeping American epic, we made the deliberate choice to strip away the grand scale and focus on the beating heart of the story: the people. Set at the dawn of the 20th century, Ragtime explores the intersecting lives of three distinct groups all grasping for the same elusive American dream. By utilizing a smaller, versatile ensemble who play multiple roles, our goal is to bring E.L. Doctorow's historical tapestry into sharper focus. This reduction allows us to trade spectacle for intimacy. It asks our actors to transform before your eyes, moving seamlessly between historical figures and the everyday citizens who built this country. This production will serve as both a mirror of where we have been and a guide for where we still need to go.

SEEKING

All will double as Immigrants, factory workers, union organizers, Harlem residents, wealthy elites, and other historical figures (Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, etc.)

[FATHER/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, 35 to 50. A traditional, somewhat rigid businessman from New Rochelle. He struggles to understand the changing world around him. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Baritone (A2-F4)

[MOTHER'S YOUNGER BROTHER/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, 18 to 30. Mother's idealistic and passionate younger brother. He becomes radicalized and seeks to make a difference in the world. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone with strong top range (B2-F#4)

[BOOKER T. WASHINGTON/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, 40 to 60. A respected African American leader advocating for progress through education and hard work. Ethnicity: African descent African-American. Vocal range: Baritone (D3-Eb4)

[EVELYN NESBIT/ENSEMBLE] Female presenting, 18 to 30. A vaudeville performer and symbol of early 20th-century celebrity scandal. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Soprano (B3-D5)

[EMMA GOLDMAN/ENSEMBLE] Female-presenting, 30 to 50. A fiery and outspoken political activist fighting for workers' rights. Ethnicity: Caucasian/Eastern European/Jewish. Vocal range: Alto (B3-D5)

[SARAH'S FRIEND/ENSEMBLE] Female, presenting, 18 to 30. A young African American woman who helps narrate Sarah's story. Passionate, soulful. Ethnicity: African descent, African American. Vocal range: Soprano (D4-D5)

[WILLIE CONKLIN/ENSEMBLE] Male-presenting, 30 to 45. Irish-American fire chief who is racist and takes out his anger on Coalhouse. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Tenor/Baritone.

[MATTHEW HENSON/ENSEMBLE] Male, presenting, 25 to 45. An Arctic explorer, who crosses paths with Father when they accompany Admiral Robert Peary on his adventure. Ethnicity: African descent, African-American. Vocal range: Baritone/Tenor.

[KATHLEEN/ENSEMBLE] Female-presenting, 45 to 65. The family's Irish-born maid. Ethnicity: Caucasian. Vocal range: Alto/Soprano.

[HARLEM WOMAN] Female-presenting, 25 to 45. Ethnicity: African descent, African American. Vocal range: Alto.