A NEW BRAIN - Arc Stages Non Equity Auditions

The Community Stage at Arc Stages presents Auditions for A New Brain!

From the Tony Award-winning authors of Falsettos, A New Brain is a life-affirming, heartfelt, comedic and sometimes sardonic musical about a composer during a medical emergency. As doctors and nurses try to figure out what's wrong with his brain, Gordon drifts in and out of consciousness as he contemplates his life, legacy, and the meaning of music.

A NEW BRAIN
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed and Choreographed by Rena Gavigan
Music Direction by Stephen Ferri

PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursday, July 9 at 7 pm
Friday, July 10 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 12 at 2 pm
Sunday, July 12 at 7 pm
(No performance Saturday, July 11 due to the Pleasantville Music Festival)

AUDITIONS DATES
Sunday, April 12 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Monday, April 13 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm

A New Brain is a Community Stage production, non-union only.

All auditions, rehearsals and performances take place at Arc Stages at 147 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville, NY 10570. The theater is located just a few blocks walking distance from the Pleasantville Metro-North Train Station.

What to Prepare:

Please prepare no more than a 1 minute cut of a song from the show. You are welcome to use the
A New Brain Sides for your audition. You may also sing a short cut of a song in the style of the show, but from the show is highly recommended.

An accompanist will be provided. No appointment necessary. Open to ages 18+
Note: Callbacks will be Wednesday, April 15 (by invitation only)

Bring a résumé detailing your theatre experience, or be prepared to list your performance experience.
We will rehearse weekday evenings and some weekends, approximately 3 times a week in May, and 4 times a week in June. All actors will not be called for every rehearsal. We schedule rehearsals efficiently with respect for everyone's time.

Bring your schedule and be prepared to list conflicts through Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Who will be in the room?
Director - Rena Gavigan (she/her)
Music Director - Stephen Ferri (he/him)
Artistic Director - Ann-Ngaire Martin (she/her)
Artistic Director - Adam Cohen (he/him)

If you are unavailable during these audition dates or have any other questions, feel free to email
info@arcstages.org.

A New Brain Character Breakdown
Listed genders refer to the genders of the characters as they’re referred to in the script.

Gordon Michael Schwinn: Vulnerable, loveable yet sarcastic composer. A perfectionist who often lets stress and work-life get in the way of his health and happiness.
Male, 25-40s (Tenor) G2-G4

Mr. Bungee: Director/producer/star of a Children's TV show. Gordon’s chaotic employer whose Napoleonic complex and hellbent attitude sends stress and dysfunction to his employees’ lives.
Male, 40s-60s (Baritone) B2-G4

Mimi Schwinn: Gordon's loving but unstable mother. The living definition of a person who cares too much. She’s protective and suffocating. She’s also reckless and unhinged.
Female, 40s-60s (Mezzo) F#3-C#5

Rhoda: Gordon's best friend and agent. Caring and loyal to her friends, but a bit of a loose cannon in her personal life. Quirky and messy in the best kinds of ways.
Female, 25-40s (Soprano) A3-E5

Roger Delli-Bovi: Gordon's charming and affectionate boyfriend. A sensitive dreamer who just wishes happiness for Gordon and himself.
Male, 25-40s (Baritone) A2-G4

Lisa: A homeless lady; wise, bitter and tough. A realist who sees the world through an unbiased lens. She sees through people’s bullshit.
Female, 25-60s (Mezzo) F3-Eb5 Strong Belt

Richard: The nice nurse. One of the good ones. A loveable and generous hospital worker who loves his job and his patients. He takes everything with a grain of salt and sees the best in people. Is referred to as “the fat nurse.”
Male, 20s-40s (Baritone) G2-G4

Nancy D: The mean nurse. A spunky but cruel and sarcastic nurse. A frantic and manic presence. She’s a bit of joy and a bit of chaotic evil. The physical manifestation of hospital fears. Is referred to as “the thin nurse.”
Female, 20s-40s (Soprano) A3-G5

Dr. Jafar Berensteiner: An unsympathetic doctor. He is very clinical and unfeeling towards his patient’s emotional needs.
Male, 20s-50s (Baritone) G2-E4

The Minister: Hospital employee with a drinking problem. Provides humor but does not seem to comprehend that patients may not be comforted by the exact same beliefs as he is preaching.
Male, 20s-50s (Tenor) C3-A4

Waitress: The overbearing waitress. She’s a loopy and quirky ball of fun.
Female, 20s-30s (Soprano) A3-G5

We might cast a few additional actors as ensemble Hospital Staff.