Auditions
Step into the Spotlight at The Rose
The Rose encourages actors of all races, ages and skill sets to audition for our main stage shows. Adult and youth artists have a great time working together to produce shows at The Rose.
At the same time, being a part of a main stage show is a big commitment, not only for the performer but for their family. Rehearsals are as frequent as six days per week and often run late into the evening. The result is a high-quality performance and memories that will last long after the spotlight has dimmed. Auditions are held on a regular basis throughout the season. For more information on main stage auditions, please contact auditions@rosetheater.org. Interested in knowing when The Rose is holding auditions? Fill out the form below to be sent our audition announcements directly to your inbox.
Audition Email List
Audition Announcements
The Rose to hold auditions for its 2024 production of
Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds
The Rose is holding auditions for roles in its 2024 production of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds. In-person auditions will be held on Sunday, October 29th with callback taking place Monday, October 30th. We will be casting both adult and youth (13+) roles for this production. Please see the cast breakdown & details below.
The Rose is joyfully and boldly committed to ensuring diversity & equity in the casting of each of its productions.
Actors of all types regardless of race, gender, age, or disabilities are welcome to audition for both lead and ensemble roles.
Time Commitment for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds
Rehearsals: Three Little Birds actors must be available for weeknight & weekend rehearsals from Jan. 23rd – Feb 21st, 2024.
Performances: Three Little Birds actors must be available for weekday daytime performances as well as weekend performances from Feb. 22nd – Mar. 10th See calendar full calendar here.
Email auditions@rosetheater.org with any questions.
When, Where & How to Audition
When & Where
-
- Attend in-person auditions on Sunday, Oct. 29th starting at 4:30 pm
OR - Submit a video audition by 11:59 pm on Saturday, Oct. 28th.
- In person auditions will take place at our downtown location, 2001 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68102.
- Callbacks will be held on Monday, Oct. 30th starting at 5:30 pm also at our downtown location.
- Attend in-person auditions on Sunday, Oct. 29th starting at 4:30 pm
What to prepare
- Acting: Prepare a 60 second monologue of your choice OR select from the provided sides to read from. If auditioning in person we will have someone available to read opposite of you. If submitting a video audition please have someone out of frame read opposite of you.
- Provided sides can be found in the registration & video submission forms.
- Provided sides can be found in the registration & video submission forms.
- Music: Auditionees should prepare 16-32 bars of singing OR choose to use the provided sheet music & backing track.
- For in-person auditions, an accompanist will be available, as will a bluetooth speaker & laptop for those wishing to provide their own playback or use the backing track. Singing acapella (without any accompaniment) is also acceptable.
- Sheet music, and the backing track can be found in the registration & video submission forms.
- For in-person auditions, an accompanist will be available, as will a bluetooth speaker & laptop for those wishing to provide their own playback or use the backing track. Singing acapella (without any accompaniment) is also acceptable.
- Dance: Learn a dance combo!
- In-person auditions- Upon arrival you will join the show’s choreographer to learn a short dance combo. Please wear clothing and shoes you can comfortably move around in.
- In-person auditions will have a different dance call than folks submitting a video.
- For video submissions – In the video submission form you’ll find an instructional dance video. Review and submit a video of yourself performing the dance combo.
- In-person auditions- Upon arrival you will join the show’s choreographer to learn a short dance combo. Please wear clothing and shoes you can comfortably move around in.
How to sign up & submit
Want to audition in person?
Complete the following registration form:
Three Little Birds In-Person Registration Form
Want to audition via video submission?
Complete the video submission form and upload your materials here:
Three Little Birds Video Audition Submission
*In-person registration is not required to submit a video audition
About The Show!
Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds
Based on a story by Cedella Marley
Music & Lyrics by Bob Marley
Adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt
Arrangements, Orchestrations, Additional Music & Lyrics by John L. Cornelius, II
Featuring such Bob Marley classics as “One Love” and “Jammin”, “Three Little Birds” transports you to a tropical paradise for this modern musical folktale. Ziggy is afraid to leave the house because of tropical storms, evil spirits, and the sneaky, hair-grabbing trickster, Duppy. But with the help of a few feathered friends, Ziggy will learn that “every little thing is gonna be alright!”
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.
- ZIGGY – a timid boy with long dreadlocks, 11
- NANSI – a trickster girl, 11 (Also Spanish Bird#2/British Colonizer Bird#2, Sister Indian Bird)
- DUPPY – en evil spirit with long dreads, 30s (Also Villager#1/Great Grandfather Spanish Bird)
- DOCTOR BIRD – a mystical bird, Ziggy’s pet and best friend, 20s
- CEDELLA – Ziggy’s mother, 40s (Also Montego, a bird/Spanish Bird#1/Great Aunt African Bird)
- TACOOMAH – a bird (Also Villager#2/Great Grandmother British Bird/Cousin Chinese Bird)
Preparing for an Audition
Every audition is different. Please read the audition announcement for specific information regarding:
- Show title, director, available roles and contact information
- The age range of actors we are looking for
- Audition requirements
- Audition, rehearsal and performance dates
Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely. If applicable, we will indicate the need for specific dance wear in the audition announcement. If you have known rehearsal conflicts, please bring conflicting dates and times with you to auditions. Offers may be withdrawn for students who have more conflicts than those listed at the time of audition.
Actors under age 18 must have an adult wait with them during the audition process. The Rose Theater is unable to provide supervision.
Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the audition to complete paperwork. Auditions may last several hours, so be prepared to wait. Auditions are designed to closely approximate rehearsal conditions, therefore, parents are not allowed to view their student artist’s auditions. Bring a headshot and resume, if available. If the audition is for a musical:
- Come prepared to sing 16-24 measures from a song that highlights your voice. The song does not need to be from the musical you are auditioning for.
- A pianist will be available. Bring sheet music.
- You may sing a cappella (without accompaniment) but this highly discouraged, as it does not allow us to make an accurate judgment on how well you follow live accompaniment.
Download Youth Audition Tips Here
A note about younger children: The minimum age to audition for a show at The Rose is eight. We are sometimes asked about children under eight years old who want to audition. We are thrilled that your child has shown an interest in performing, but due to rigorous rehearsal and performance schedules, we ask that young children wait until they are older to audition for our main stage shows. We encourage younger children to participate in one of our production camps, which have more opportunities for budding young artists and child-friendly rehearsal and performance times.
The Audition
Depending on what the audition announcement asks you to prepare, we will likely ask for one or more of the following:
- Read directly from the show’s script
- Perform a monologue
- Perform a song
- Be taught a dance combination as part of a group
In the audition room, actors will perform for the show’s director and, if applicable, an accompanist and music director. Some actors will be released without being asked to stay and dance (if the show is a musical). This does not mean they will not be cast.
Nerves are a natural part of performing. We encourage student actors to accept that. We want young artists to learn from every experience at The Rose, including auditions. We always give students the chance to try again if they “mess up,” easing the pressure and stress.
After Auditioning
Callbacks are follow-up auditions that help directors make final casting decisions. If you or your child is called back, a member of the production team will call or email with an invitation prior to the scheduled callback date, which is listed on the audition announcement.
Getting a callback does not mean that you have been cast in the show. Not everyone will be called back. You will usually know within a few days if you have been called back for a particular show. If a student actor is not called back, it is appropriate to discuss with your student the fact that they will likely not be asked to participate in the show.
We do not always call or write to let you know that actors have not been cast. It generally takes us two weeks to complete casting decisions but may take longer. If you are not cast in a production, you may still have had a very successful audition — we may have been looking for a different kind of performer for a particular role. Often, great actors are not cast because they are just not what a director envisioned for a specific role. We encourage you to keep trying!
Youth Audition Opportunities
Teens ‘N’ Theater
Teens who have not yet graduated from high school are welcome to audition for roles in Teens ‘N’ Theater shows. Audition dates and times are subject to change. While changes are rare, we encourage you to check the website regularly. For more information about Teens ‘N’ Theater auditions, please contact Stephanie Jacobson at stephj@rosetheater.org or 402-502-4647.
The Rose Brigade
The Rose Brigade is an elite group of musical theater performers who perform pre-shows before select main stage productions and, in some cases, participate in local and regional competitions. Auditions for The Rose Brigade are open to singers and dancers ages eight to 18. All students accepted to The Rose Brigade must enroll in required classes and attend all rehearsals. All members are responsible for student fees and potential travel fees. For more information on The Rose Brigade, click here or contact the Class Coordinator at classes@rosetheater.org or 402-502-4617.
The Rose Dance Project
The Rose Dance Project (RDP) dancers are selected by audition to represent The Rose in local and regional dance competitions and to perform within the community. Some competition pieces are even set by national choreographers. Auditions are open to dancers between the ages of five and 18. Please note that all members are financially responsible for costumes, competition fees and potential travel fees. For more information, click here. In addition to weekly RDP rehearsals, members are required to take a number of designated ballet, jazz and tap classes per week. For more information, contact Sue Gillespie Booton at sueb@rosetheater.org or 402-502-4633.
