TUTS Kicks Off National Audition Tour for IN THE HEIGHTS

Theatre Under The Stars Artistic Advisor, Sheldon Epps and In The Heights Director, Nick DeGruccio kicked off a three city audition tour this weekend for the upcoming TUTS production of In The Heights, the Tony-winning best musical from the creator of Hamilton: An American Musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Joining them for the audition process is associate choreographer Rebecca Kritzer, who is supervising the officially licensed Original Broadway Choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler on behalf of the TUTS production Choreographer Jose-Luis Lopez.

The creative team saw a wide array of local Houston talent including Equity and Non-Union Performers with a great influx of new first-time auditioners and familiar actors TUTS audiences already know and love.

"The Houston auditions for In The Heights brought out some terrific talent," said director Nick DeGruccio, "and as we auditioned the spirit of community and joy spread throughout the singers and dancers call. Community, diversity and family are at the core of In The Heights and we saw and felt it reflected in all that auditioned this past weekend. I found the actors to be open, present and very personable."

There was a great influx of Hispanic, Latino, and Black performers auditioning for the show bringing lots of new faces. One of the auditioners, local actor Daniel Rosales took to facebook to share his feeling of pride after experiencing the diversity of the call, "Being in an dance call where almost the entire room is Latinos. That's awesome."

Next the creative team, including choreographer Jose-Luis Lopez will travel to Los Angeles and New York City over the coming two weeks to survey hundreds of prospective young talents in the search for the final cast.