WEST SIDE STORY - Davis Musical Theatre Company Non Equity Auditions

AUDITION DATES

Attend one of the following:

Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Callbacks, if invited, will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION

Davis Musical Theatre Company
Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center
607 Pena Drive, Davis, CA 95618

PRODUCTION TEAM

Directed and Choreographed by Kyle Jackson
Musical Direction by Dean Mora

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Rehearsals begin November 15, 2026.

The production opens January 8, 2027. Performers must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Please prepare 16–32 bars, or approximately one minute, of a song in the style of the show. Do not select a song from West Side Story. Bring sheet music in the appropriate key for the accompanist. A cappella singing and recorded accompaniment are not permitted.

Auditions will include a dance combination taught by the choreographer. Because dance and physical storytelling are central to this production, auditioners should wear or bring clothing and shoes that allow them to move safely and comfortably.

Please bring:

• Sheet music for your prepared vocal selection
• A current headshot and résumé, if available
• A complete list of scheduling conflicts
• A completed audition form

Walk-ins are welcome, but auditioners are encouraged to sign up online at dmtc.org. The audition form may be completed digitally in advance or on paper at the audition.

The callback list will be posted on the DMTC website following Monday evening’s auditions.

For questions or additional information, contact
info@dmtc.org or visit
https://dmtc.org.

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to the streets of New York City, where two rival gangs—the Jets and the Sharks—are locked in a bitter struggle for territory and belonging. When Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader, fall in love, their relationship challenges the hatred dividing their communities.

Featuring a celebrated score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is a powerful and heartbreaking exploration of love, prejudice, violence, and the devastating cost of division.

*West Side Story contains mature themes and racial content*

AVAILABLE ROLES

All roles are open. DMTC welcomes performers of all backgrounds and encourages auditioners to consider any role with which they identify. The production team is committed to approaching the cultural identities and conflicts represented in the story with care and respect.

Listed vocal ranges and character ages are approximate and may be adjusted at the discretion of the production team.

Tony: A former leader of the Jets who has begun imagining a life beyond the gang. Earnest, hopeful, and deeply romantic, Tony falls in love with Maria and becomes caught between that love and his loyalty to his friends. Requires a strong, expressive tenor with excellent acting ability. Vocal range: Bb2–Bb4.

Maria: A hopeful and idealistic young Puerto Rican woman who has recently arrived in New York. Maria falls in love with Tony despite the conflict between their communities and gradually discovers the courage to make her own choices. Requires a strong soprano with warmth, emotional depth, and excellent acting ability. Vocal range: Bb3–C6.

Anita: Bernardo’s girlfriend and Maria’s closest confidante. Confident, perceptive, passionate, and fiercely protective, Anita has built a life for herself in New York while remaining deeply connected to her community. Requires a commanding actor, singer, and dancer. Vocal range: F3–D5.

Riff: The energetic and quick-tempered leader of the Jets and Tony’s closest friend. Riff is charismatic, territorial, and intensely loyal to the gang he considers his family. Requires a strong actor, singer, and dancer with natural leadership and stage presence. Vocal range: Bb2–G4.

Bernardo: Maria’s older brother, Anita’s boyfriend, and the proud leader of the Sharks. Protective, confident, and determined to defend his community, Bernardo’s pride and anger fuel his rivalry with the Jets. Requires an exceptionally strong dancer and actor with commanding stage presence. Vocal range: Bb2–Eb4.

Chino: Bernardo’s friend and Maria’s intended suitor. Initially reserved, sincere, and responsible, Chino is changed by the escalating violence between the gangs. Requires a strong dramatic actor. Some movement may be required.

Anybodys: A determined, energetic young person who desperately wants to be accepted as a member of the Jets. Frequently dismissed by the gang, Anybodys proves to be brave, resourceful, and deeply loyal. Requires strong acting ability and physicality.

Doc: The compassionate owner of the neighborhood drugstore where Tony works and the Jets gather. Doc serves as a voice of reason and recognizes the destructive consequences of the gangs’ hatred. Primarily an acting role.

Lieutenant Schrank: A local police lieutenant who attempts to control the conflict between the Jets and the Sharks through intimidation and discriminatory abuse of authority. Requires a strong character actor. Non-singing role.

Officer Krupke: A neighborhood police officer who regularly confronts the gangs but commands little respect from them. Gruff, impatient, and often exasperated by the Jets. Primarily an acting role.

Glad Hand: The well-intentioned but ineffective adult chaperone of the community dance. Glad Hand attempts to manufacture cooperation between the rival groups while failing to understand the depth of the conflict. Featured comedic acting role.

The Jets: A tight-knit street gang that sees the neighborhood as its territory and one another as family. Featured Jets include Action, A-Rab, Baby John, Snowboy, Big Deal, Diesel, Gee-Tar, Mouthpiece, and Tiger. These roles require distinctive character work, strong movement, and varying levels of singing and dance ability. Several roles are dance-intensive.

The Jet Girls: Friends and girlfriends within the Jets’ community, including Graziella, Velma, Minnie, Clarice, Pauline, and others. These performers are prominently featured in the dance and ensemble sequences and require strong characterization, movement, and musicality. Several roles are dance-intensive.

The Sharks: A Puerto Rican street gang led by Bernardo. Featured Sharks include Chino, Pepe, Indio, Luis, Anxious, Nibbles, Toro, Moose, and Juano. These roles require strong characterization, movement, and varying levels of singing and dance ability. Several roles are dance-intensive.

The Shark Girls: Puerto Rican women within the Sharks’ community, including Rosalia, Consuelo, Francisca, Estella, Margarita, Teresita, and others. These performers are prominently featured in “America,” the dance at the gym, and other ensemble sequences. Strong singing, characterization, and movement are required, with several dance-intensive roles.

Ensemble: Additional performers portray members of the surrounding neighborhood and community. The ensemble is essential to the production’s vocal sound, physical storytelling, and depiction of a city divided by fear and prejudice. Featured lines, solos, and dance opportunities may be assigned from the ensemble.