Auditions & Employment
Uptown Music Theater is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusivity for its staff, creative teams, casts, musicians, crew members, and audiences, and is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and discrimination-free environment.
We welcome the uniqueness that any candidate can bring to our organization in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
We welcome candidates that help us build and maintain an anti-racist and anti-oppression environment, and who help prioritize joy in the production process. Applicants of diverse, underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Director - Jeri Hart | Choreographer - Sarah Canon | Music Director - Aaron Kaplan
Artistic Director - Jamie Davidson | Co-Producer - Larry Mason
Production Dates - February 28, March 1, 8, 9, 14, and 15, 2026
Rehearsals - January 13 through February 18, 2026
Tech Rehearsals - February 21 through February 27, 2026
How I Became a Pirate is a musical adventure on the high seas. 10-year old Jeremy (or Jenny) Jacob is digging in the sand at North Beach when they are recruited by the friendly Captain Braid Beard and his mates to help find the perfect digging spot for their treasure. Boarding the ship, the Captain and the pirate crew share with Jeremy/Jenny the ins and outs of a pirate's life at sea including how to talk like a pirate and "proper" pirate manners and etiquette (or the lack thereof). The pirate world proves to have many surprises for Jeremy/Jenny and she ultimately learns that true treasure can be found in the heart and home.
Audition Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 6pm – 9pm. *Portions of auditions will be recorded on video. If you are not available on the audition date, please email info@uptownhp.org
Callback Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 – Noon – 4pm. *Portions of callbacks will be recorded on video
Audition, Callback, and Rehearsal Location: West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd., Highland Park, IL
Rehearsals: Tues. 1/13/26 – Thur., 2/18/26: Weekly rehearsals will be Mondays 7:15-9:15pm, Tuesdays 6:30-9:15pm, Thursdays: 6:00 -9:00pm, and Sundays (2/1, 2/8, and 2/15 only) 2pm – 5pm. Fridays, Saturdays, and the other Sundays will be days off.
Tech Rehearsals/Final Dress: Sunday, 2/21: 4pm – 10pm; Mon 2/22-Fri 2/27, 6pm-10:00pm
Performances: Saturdays and Sundays, 2/28/26 - 3/15/26, 10:00am and 12:30pm. Twelve performances.
Performance Location: Elm Place Auditorium, 2031 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, IL
Pay: $300 stipend
What to Submit and Prepare: Please reserve an audition slot and submit Uptown’s How I Became a Pirate Audition Form and include your headshot and resume. Please prepare a 1 minute music selection in the style of the show that highlights your musical and vocal strengths. Please bring your sheet music in a three-ring binder for the piano accompanist, and a copy of your headshot and resume for the creative team. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your audition call time. You will not dance at auditions. Actors who are called back will dance.
How I Became a Pirate Character Descriptions
Roles may be any gender in this production. We encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
JEREMY or JENNIFER JACOB – a child of about 10 years old, played by a child
BRAID BEARD (age 18+) – the Pirate Captain – with a “braided beard” on his chin
SWILL THE PIRATE (age 18+) – with wire-rim eyeglasses – philosophical – intellectual – who gets blamed for everything that goes wrong
SHARKTOOTH THE PIRATE (age 18+) – foreboding pirate – scowling grin – wears a patch on eye – but yet – a “sensitive guy” – ballet ability a plus
PIRATE MARIE/PIERRE (age 18+) – talks with a French accent – the ship’s cook – enjoys fine French cuisine
MAX/MAXINE THE PIRATE (age 18+) – wears a stuffed Parrot on their shoulder – “he’s only a stuffed, plush Parrot but we don’t have the heart to tell ‘im ‘ees not real”
PIRATE SEYMOUR BRAUNSCHWAGGER (age 18+) – A typical Pirate First Mate
PIRATE SCURVY DOG (age 18+) – A typical Pirate Second Mate – with a tendency to “bark”
Note: SEYMOUR and SCURVY will cover for other pirates if they are unable to perform.
Please let us know if we can assist with any accessibility accommodation or questions to facilitate the casting process.
Director - Tor Campbell | Choreographer - Zak Jacobs | Music Director/Conductor - Aaron Kaplan
Artistic Director - Jamie Davidson
Associate Director - Sharon Miles | Assistant Choreographer - Amber Golich | Associate Music Director - Kevin Zhou
Production Dates - July 18 through August 2, 2026
Rehearsals - May 26 through July 9, 2026
Tech Rehearsals - July 10 through July 17, 2026
Disney's The Little Mermaid is an adventurous love story about identity, community, and finding the strength of your inner voice. The tale revolves around Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter who dreams of exploring the human world and falling in love. After bargaining with Ursula the evil sea witch to trade her tail for legs, Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.
Audition Dates: Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, 2025 – 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. *Portions of auditions will be recorded on video. If you are not available on audition dates, please email info@uptownhp.org
Callback Dates: Sunday, January 11, 2026 - – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Monday, January 12, 2026 – 6:00 – 10:00pm. *Portions of callbacks will be recorded on video
Audition and Callback Location: The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL
Rehearsal Locations: The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL; and The Performing Arts Center @ Deerfield High School, 1959 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL
Performance Location: The Performing Arts Center @ Deerfield High School, 1959 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL
Rehearsals: Tues. 5/26/26 – Thur., 7/9/26: Weekly rehearsals will be four nights per week: 6:30 -10:30pm on Sundays through Wednesdays, and also two Thursdays, 5/28/26 and 7/9/26. The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston, IL. Rehearsals will move to the theater on Monday, June 29. Thursdays (except May 28 and July 9), Fridays, and Saturdays will be designated as days off each week. There will also be one evening understudy rehearsal between 8/3-8/5/26 (TBD).
Tech Rehearsals/Final Dress: Fri 7/10, 6pm-11pm, Sat and Sun 7/11 and 7/12, 10am – 10pm, Mon 7/13-Friday 7/17, 6-11pm
Performances: Saturday 7/18/26 - Sunday 8/2/26: Nine performances. Performance schedule includes 7:30pm on Fridays, 2pm and/or 7:30pm on Saturdays, and 2pm on Sundays. A tenth performance may be added on either Thursday, 7/23 or Thursday 7/30, as a special morning matinee for young audiences.
Pay: Principals will receive a $300 rehearsal stipend plus $30 per performance, for a total of $570; Supporting/Featured/Ensemble will receive a $200 rehearsal stipend plus $30 per performance for a total of $470; Understudies and Swings will receive a $150 rehearsal stipend (plus $30 per performance, if performed).
What to Submit and Prepare: Please reserve an audition slot and submit Uptown’s The Little Mermaid Audition Form and include your resume and headshot. Please prepare a 1 minute music selection in the style of the show that highlights your musical and vocal strengths. Please bring your sheet music in a three-ring binder for the piano accompanist, and a copy of your headshot and resume for the creative team. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your audition call time. Your audition will be approximately one hour. First, you will be called as a group for a 30-minute dance call. Your individual vocal audition will follow.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid Character Descriptions
Roles that require a specific race/ethnicity have been noted in the breakdown. Many classic musicals are written with binary gender terms. While the character descriptions are limited to binary pronouns, we encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
Principals
ARIEL (18-30) – A mermaid and King Triton’s youngest daughter. She is curious about the human world, and dreams of becoming a part of life above the water. Pragmatic, trusting, kindhearted, and passionate. Vocal range: Bb3-Eb5
PRINCE ERIC (18-30) – A human monarch who has little interest in taking the crown. He is adventurous and a risk taker. Once Ariel saves his life, he becomes enthralled with finding his rescuer. Vocal range: B3-D5
SEBASTIAN (any gender, 30-45): A crab and advisor to King Triton. A musical virtuoso who is constantly distraught from keeping after Ariel. Despite his paranoia, he cannot bring himself to stand in Ariel’s way. Vocal range: Bb2-C5
URSULA (30-50): The manipulative sea witch and sister who tries to overthrow King Triton. She is cunning and devious and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Vocal range:F3-C#5
Supporting/Featured/Ensemble
FLOUNDER (any gender, young adult (age 13+) to play teen): A fish and smitten with Ariel, their best friend. Rambunctious but cautious, fearful of the dangers that lurk in and above the water. Vocal range: A2-G4
SCUTTLE (any gender, 18+): A disheveled seagull and expert in human artifacts. Loudmouthed, optimistic, and a bit ignorant, despite their supposed expertise. Vocal range: C3-G4
KING TRITON (35-50): King of the Sea and Ariel’s father. Beneath his imposing presence and commanding nature lurks a harried single father who will do anything to protect his daughters. The death of his wife has also given him an irrational fear of humans. Vocal range: Ab2-F4.
FLOTSAM (any gender, 20s-30s): An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear. Vocal range: C4-C#5
JETSAM (any gender, 20s-30s): An eel and one of Ursula’s lackeys. Oily and spineless, he will say anything you want or need to hear. Vocal range: C4-C#5
GRIMSBY (male presenting, 40-60) Prince Eric's British guardian. Droll, stuffy, and constantly urging Eric towards his royal duties, specifically marriage.
PILOT/CHEF LOUIS (30s-50s) These are featured Ensemble roles played by the same actor in this production. The Pilot is the head of Prince Eric's ship. He has featured solos in the song Fathoms Below. Chef Louis is the French Palace chef. He is diabolical and violent. A culinary perfectionist with an affinity for blades. Vocal Range: Bb2-A4
ENSEMBLE – MERSISTERS/OTHER ROLES (18 – 40 years old). The female presenting ensemble will play many featured roles including Ariel's 6 Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Alanna), Palace Maids, Princesses, Sea Creatures, and Gulls.
ENSEMBLE – SAILORS/OTHER ROLES (18 - 40 years old) The male presenting ensemble will play many featured roles including the Sailors, Chefs, Sea Creatures, and Gulls.
Note: Sea Creatures, Gulls, and other animals are gender non-binary and will be played by all members of the ensemble.
Understudies: Ensemble will understudy Principal/Supporting roles. Understudies are encouraged to attend principal/supporting rehearsals and rehearse their role during the process.
Please let us know if we can assist with any accessibility accommodation or questions to facilitate the casting process.