Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
By Juliany Taveras
Based on the book Written by Christine Baldacchino and Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
About The Show!
Morris loves puzzles, painting, and pretending to be an astronaut—sometimes in a tangerine dress that reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair. Some classmates think boys shouldn’t wear dresses, but Morris’s imagination shows the wonder of childhood play. This heartwarming production celebrates creativity, individuality, and the freedom to imagine.
The Rose is joyfully committed to diverse and equitable casting. Actors of all backgrounds—regardless of race, gender, age, or ability—are encouraged to audition for both lead and ensemble roles.

Audition Information
The Rose is holding auditions for its 2026 production of Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, directed by Jay Hayden. Auditions will be accepted only via video submission, due by 11:59 PM on Friday, Dec. 12. In-person callbacks will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 4-8p.
We are casting both youth (12+) and adult (18+) roles for this production. Please see the character breakdown and additional details below.
Time Commitment
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- Rehearsals: Actors in Morris Micklewhite must be available for weeknight and weekend rehearsals from Jan. 20 – Feb. 19 at our downtown location.
- Performances: Actors must be available for weekday daytime performances as well as weekend performances from Feb. 20 – Mar. 8. Full calendar [here].
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Compensation
- Adult actors: $3,000 (most-favored-nation terms apply)
- Youth actors: no monetary compensation
Please email auditions@rosetheater.org with any questions.
When, Where & How to Audition
- Submit your audition via video by 11:59 PM on Friday, Dec. 12.
In-Person Callbacks by invitation only:
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 20, starting at 4:00PM
Location: The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102

What to Prepare
Acting
- Acting: Prepare a 60-second monologue of your choice OR select from the provided sides.
- Provided sides are included in the video submission form.
Character Breakdown
Please note that the pronouns listed next to the character are those used in the script. We are looking to cast actors of all identities for all roles.
- Morris (He/Him): Small child, big heart, dreamer, lover of snacks and intriguing sounds.
- Youth Artist
- Moira (She/Her): Morris’s mom with vivid red hair and a talent for pancakes.
- Adult Artist
- Will double as Ms. Melo
- Ms. Melo (She/Her): Elementary school teacher with a kind smile and keen eye.
- Adult Artist
- Will double as Moira
- The Girls (She/Her): Classmates Becky and Lila, convinced only they can wear dresses.
- Youth Artist or Adult Artist
- The Boys (He/Him): Classmates Eli and Henry, aspiring astronauts who can be a bit exclusionary.
- Youth Artist or Adult Artist
- The Safari (Tiger, Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe): Morris’s inner guides and free-spirited dream characters.
- All actors will double into the Safari animals.