Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience

Non-Equity Open Call
In-person auditions on Jan. 14, 2024.

Please direct questions to casting@virginiarep.org.

(TYA)
Book and Lyrics by Mo Willems
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Todd D. Norris
Music Direction by Elle Meerovich
Choreography by Nicole Morris-Anastasi

Dude! Kids and adults will love this rock 'n roll parable based on the hit children's book by Mo Willems. Wilbur and all his fellow naked mole rats in the Tunnel have always been, well... naked. Wondering what other possibilities are out there, Wilbur discovers a love for clothing and style. When word of his new passion turns the Tunnel upside down, he proves to everyone that there's no need to be just like everyone else.

Casting Personnel:
Artistic Director: Todd D. Norris
Director: Todd D. Norris
Music Director: Elle Meerovich
Choreographer: Nicole Morris-Anastasi

Audition Location:
VA Rep Center for Arts and Education, 4204 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
Callback Location:
VA Rep Center for Arts and Education, 4204 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227

Casting Timeline
In-Person Auditions: January 14, 2024 from 7:30-9PM
Callbacks: January 21, 2024 from 7:30-10PM
Rehearsals begin: March 18, 2024
Performance run: April 10 - May 19, 2024

Audition Sign Up:

Please sign up for an audition using the form at THIS LINK. Following the initial audition individuals will be notified, if needed, for a callback.

• If you are also interested in auditioning for our production of On Air, you will have the option to sign up for a combined audition.

• At this time, we are only seeking actors local to Richmond, VA or actors who can provide their own housing.
• Please note that Virginia Rep is a fully vaccinated workplace and all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend auditions and callbacks.
• PLEASE NOTE: There are performances that will take place during weekday mornings in addition to weekend hours. Actors' schedules will need to be flexible to accommodate all performances.

What to prepare:

• 32 bars of a rock or pop selection from musical theatre or popular repertoire (Accompanist provided)
• A brief (1 min. max), family-friendly comic monologue or one of the sides linked HERE.

NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

In casting Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Virginia Repertory Theatre endeavors to be as inclusive as possible. We invite all performers, including gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors, to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.

Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr. (Actor A) - This role has already been cast. Wilbur is the dreamer, always looking at the clouds when everyone else has tunnel vision. Sees the best (dressed) in everyone.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2

Grande Mole Rat (Actor B), and H&M Singer
Grande is the popular kid and, consequently, the one with the most to lose. Any shift in the culture could threaten Grande's social dominance.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Venti Mole Rat (Actor C), and H&M Singer
Venti is the enforcer. The colony is a tricky place to understand, and now that Venti does, the mole rat is scared of having to re-discover a new place in it.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: E2

Tall Mole Rat (Actor D), and H&M Singer
Tall is a rule-follower with a heart of gold. Cannot reconcile the non-naked rules with her conscience and naked decency.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: B3

Grand-Pah Mole Rat/Buck Naked (Actor E), and other roles
Grand-Pah is the moral authority, who is less interested in pomp than in figuring out how to solve problems. Intimidating in the abstract, dyspeptic and really old in reality.
Buck Naked is a news anchor, one of the panicked spreaders of information and misinformation. They represent the mood of the larger tunnel culture.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: E3

Weather Mole/Secret Service (Actor F), and other roles
Weather Mole is a news weather-mole, one of the panicked spreaders of information and misinformation. They represent the mood of the larger tunnel culture.
Secret Service Mole is deadly serious, who quickly and magically transforms into a Hendrix/Joplin/Grace Slick rocker, then back to dead serious.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A#3

Also seeking understudies for the above roles.