WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE Equity Principal Actors - MCC Theater Auditions

WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE - NYC EPA

MCC Theater | New York, NY

NOTICE: AUDITION CALL TYPE: EPA

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION

Thursday, January 29, 2026
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St, 16th Fl
New York, NY 10036
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

PERSONNEL

CONTRACT

• Co-Artistic Directors: Bernard Telsey and William Cantler
• $681 weekly minimum (Development - Level 2)
• Executive Director: Blake West
• General Manager: Beth Dembrow
• Book by Peter Hedges
• Music and Lyrics by Adrian Enscoe, Christopher Sears, Sydney Shepherd, Regina Strayhorn
• Directed by Anne Kauffman
• All Equity stage managerial positions have been filled
• Scott Galina: Director of Artistic Planning & Production
• Elissa Huang: Manager of Artistic Development

PREPARATION

Please prepare a short cut of a contemporary pop/rock song. If talent plays an instrument, we welcome you to accompany yourself. A piano accompanist will also be provided.

OTHER DATES

Workshop Dates: Monday, March 30, 2026 – Friday, April 17, 2026

OTHER

EPA procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Equity Policy

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

SYNOPSIS

A musical adaptation of the novel by Peter Hedges. Summer, 1991. Endora, Iowa (Pop. 1,009). In the days leading up to the miraculous 18th birthday of Gilbert Grape’s younger brother Arnie, the ordinary-extraordinary-infamous Grape family gets tested in a myriad of ways.

NOTE

This show is an actor-singer-instrumentalist show – each actor will likely play multiple characters, sing, and play proficiently (at least one, if not many) instruments.

WINDS

Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone

BRASS

Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba

STRINGS

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

PERCUSSION

Drum kit

PIANO/ORGAN/KEYBOARDS

GUITAR

Acoustic, Electric, Bass

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in a Developmental Workshop (Level 2) of WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (see breakdown).

AMY GRAPE

34 – The oldest of the Grape children, a devoted daughter, puts everyone else first, bravely holds the family and barely herself together.

ELLEN GRAPE

16 – The youngest Grape, an angsty teenager with a big, hidden heart, born the same year as Alanis Morissette.

MRS. BETTY CARVER

Mid-late 30s – Loyal-seeming wife of the local insurance man, has been having a secret affair with Gilbert since he turned 18 – desperate to live a different life.

ARNIE GRAPE

About to turn 18, neurodivergent, big-hearted, a truth-teller, aching for independence.

GILBERT GRAPE

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 24 – A dreamer, stuck in himself and his hometown, loyal to his brother, overwhelmed at times by the demands of his challenging family, aches to break free.

BONNIE “MOMMA” GRAPE

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Mid 50s – Mother of the Grapes. When Bonnie Grape lost her husband to suicide, she developed an eating disorder and agoraphobia. Sixteen years and 500 pounds later, she no longer leaves the house. More than anything in the world, Momma just wants to see her son, Arnie, turn 18.

BECKY BURNS

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Early-mid 20s – An out-of-towner – spontaneous and surprising, a truth teller looking for meaningful connection and the right amount of fun.

TUCKER VAN DYKE

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 24 – Gilbert’s best (and only) friend. Stuck in Endora as well, but without complaint. On the simpler side, but loyal and dependable.

JANICE GRAPE

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Late 20s – Gilbert’s second older sister, a highly caffeinated flight attendant who got away, always up for a party.

MR. LAMSON

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 60s – Gilbert’s long-time boss and owner of the struggling local grocery store. A salt-of-the-earth type, a bright-side thinker and father figure for Gilbert.

ALBERT GRAPE

THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. Father of the Grape children – early 30s – took his life many years ago, a haunting presence.