Work with Us
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.
Auditions
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.
