Work With Us
Opportunities at Porchlight Music Theatre
Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre thanks to the work of our dedicated and talented staff and artists. If you have skills and experience that would be an asset to our team, we’d love to meet you!
Porchlight Music Theatre is a professional, nonprofit Chicago theatre with an annual budget of about $2.5million. We are part of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, operating on a CAT II contract, as well as the Chicago Federation of Musicians.
Celebrating the past, present and future of this unique American art form for more than 25 years, Porchlight is in residence at the historic, intimate Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and completed the best-attended and highest-grossing season in its history just prior to the pandemic.
Porchlight delights more than 30,000 patrons each season with a three- to four-show Mainstage season of inventively reimagined classics, recent Broadway hits and new musical finds; a Porchlight Revisits series of rarely seen musicals in limited run with enhanced dramaturgy; a New Faces Sing Broadway cabaret series; and a free Broadway in your Backyard neighborhood-park concert series, in addition to educational programs for students of all ages through classes and camps, Chicago Public Schools and community partnerships.
It’s an exciting time to be a part of Porchlight Music Theatre!
Thank you for your interest in the 24/25 season at Porchlight Music Theatre! At this time, casting for Fun Home and New Faces Sing Broadway NOW is complete.
All auditions will take place at 4200 W. Diversey Ave. More information below on parking and arriving at the audition space.
(Information below for Non-Equity Performers; Equity Performers — please refer to the Equity portal.)
Audition Dates:
Wednesday, Sept.18, 2024 – EPA: 9AM – 5PM (Lunch 1 – 2PM)
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 – EPA: 10AM – 2PM
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 – ECC:
Vocal #1 (All Genders) – 9 – 11AM
Dance #1 (All Genders) – 11AM – 1PM
Lunch 1 – 2PM
Dance #2 (All Genders)- 2 – 4PM
Vocal #2 (All Genders) – 4 – 6PM
SEEKING
Open to all ethnicities, genders and ability (18+). Seeking Chicago local hires only. We encourage Trans and Gender Non-Conforming performers to submit for any roles they are interested in; genders listed are those of the character, not the performer.
Seeking strong comic actor/singers. (See Character Breakdown.)
AUDITIONS –
Please prepare one (1) one-minute pop/rock cut in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your book in case the team would like to hear more and a physical headshot/resume.
We do not accept video submissions for these productions.
Arriving at Porchlight:
All auditions will take place at 4200 W. Diversey Ave. There is free parking on the street and in the adjacent lot. Please do not park in front of the loading dock. The #76 Diversey bus stops directly in front of the building (Tripp Ave.) in both east and west bound directions. Enter through the black door on the S/E corner of the building off the parking lot near the loading dock.
Personnel:
Tye Blue; Director/Co-Author
Kasey Alfonso; Choreographer
Scheduled to be in person with casting authority:
Michael Weber; Artistic Director
Frankie Leo Bennett; Producing Artistic Associate
Michael McBride; Music Director
Rehearsals: Porchlight Studios, 4200 W. Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60639
Tech/Performances: Broadway Playhouse, 175 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
PAY:
AEA – Tier 5: $908.50 weekly minimum
Non-Union: $400.00 weekly minimum
TIME COMMITMENT for Titanique:
Week of March 3, 2025 – First Rehearsal
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 – First Performance
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – Press Opening
Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Closing
Character Breakdown:
All roles will be understudied.
CÉLINE DION – Female, 30s-40s, the greatest singer in da whole world, Céline Dion is an angel descended from her own beautiful French-Canadian planet. Charming, charismatic and endlessly kooky, she approaches life with the whim of a quirky ingenue that just arrived to Earth. Convinced she was actually on the Titanic in 1912 (and not just the singer of the movie’s iconic theme song), Céline takes the audience on a journey, insisting she was there the whole time and knows the real story. A love letter to…herself, Céline uses her glorious voice and incredible catalogue of music to narrate one of greatest love stories of all time. (VOCAL RANGE: Belts to a D, Mix to an F#)
JACK DAWSON – Male, 20s-30s, Jack Dawson is one of the star-crossed protagonists aboard the Titanique and hell bent on living his life like it’s golden. An artistic genius with not a penny to spare, he winds up on the Titanique after winning a hand of poker and making a dorm room out of his third class bunks. He meets Rose Dewitt Bukater, and within only a few days, falls madly in love with her, paints her naked, ruins her marriage etc. Jack is effervescent, can talk to a bag of rocks and is a walking poster for living, laughing and loving. He is an old fashioned sk8er boi and Rose is a vintage Avril Lavigne. (VOCAL RANGE: Baritenor, belts to a G)
ROSE DEWITT BUKATER – Female, 20s-30s, Rose Dewitt Bukater is the beautiful ingenue and star-crossed lover aboard the Titanique. She is gorgeous, poised, elegant – but underneath her corset bubbles a fire of rebellion. When she meets her extremely hot yet extremely poor polar opposite, Jack Dawson, she knows she must break off her engagement to her fiancé, Cal Hockley – even if it costs her her life. Nothing will stop her from loving Jack, not even the Titanique sinking, or a full blown murder attempt by Cal. Rose can be stubborn, wily, and a borderline psychopath, but everything she does is for love. (VOCAL RANGE: Belts to an E, mix to an F)
CAL HOCKLEY – Male, 30s, Engaged to Rose DeWitt Bukater, this aristocrat will stop at nothing to marry Rose. He can’t stand the thought of Rose falling in love with Jack Dawson, a sewer rat in the lower class bunks. The rivalry between the two continues to worsen until, eventually, Cal goes crazy with jealousy and puts a hit on Jack’s life. Cal is Jack’s nemesis and the epitome of a refined douchebag with a creepy, Count Dracula vibe. A leading man with strong pop vocals and improv chops. (VOCAL RANGE: Tenor, to Bb)
UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN/IRISH LADY – Female, 30s-40s. Brassy, sassy and only sometimes classy, Molly Brown’s got a big heart and bigger personality. As the mother figure of the Titanique, she offers Rose and Jack sage wisdom to bring them together. A total know-it-all, Molly’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but she darn well spills it whenever she pleases. (VOCAL RANGE: Belts to a D, Mixes to a G)
VICTOR GARBER – Male, 30s-50s. Victor Garber is the polished and perfected designer of the Titanique. Handsome, refined and proud of his baby, he believes it will be no problem at all to speed the ship up and get to Fire Island a few days early. A true leader, he takes over all duties aboard the Titanique and ends up steering the ship straight into the Iceberg, where he meets …The Iceberg Bitch. A prideful man, he insists upon staying on the boat until the bitter end. Excellent comedy chops. (VOCAL RANGE: Tenor, Belts to a Bb)
SEAMAN / TOUR GUIDE / PEABO / ICEBERG – Black, 20s-40s, any gender. The Iceberg Bitch is the personified Iceberg on the Titanique and The Iceberg Bitch came here to slay. Literally. A Tina Turner/RuPaul hybrid of fierceness ready to take the ship down with vocal prowess. The Iceberg Bitch portrays multiple distinct characters in Titanique, including a Tour Guide, Seaman and Peabo Bryson. Excellent comedy and improv chops. (VOCAL RANGE: Tenor who belts to a D and beyond; High strong Pop Mix).
RUTH DEWITT BUKATER – Male, 30s-50s. any ethnicity. The cold, unflinching mother of Rose Dewitt Bukater, Ruth is hanging by a thread. On the brink of financial ruin, she is desperate to marry off her daughter to keep the family name out of the dirty, peasant mouths of those within her social circle. Ruth is a consummate pretender, desperate to stay relevant and rich on the Titanique, no matter the cost. She’ll do WHATEVER it takes to be on top, including delivering the most dramatic, Meryl Streep-esque monologues about the sacrifices of being a woman. Strong improv, sketch and classical acting skills a must. (VOCAL RANGE: Baritone, belts to an F#).
BGV #1 (ONSTAGE) – Black, Female, 20s-40s. Onstage background vocalist of Céline who will also understudy SEAMAN / TOUR GUIDE / PEABO / ICEBERG and MOLLY BROWN (VOCAL RANGE: Soprano, Belts to an F, mix/head to high A)
BGV #2 (ONSTAGE) – Any ethnicity, Female, 20s-40s. Onstage background vocalist of Céline who will also understudy CELINE DION, ROSE and possibly other roles. (VOCAL RANGE: Soprano, Belts to an E, mix/head to a High A)
BGV #3 (ONSTAGE) – Any ethnicity, Male, 20s-40s. Onstage background vocalist of Céline who will also understudy JACK ,CAL , and VICTOR GARBER (VOCAL RANGE: Tenor, belts to a Bb, head to high D)
Job Postings
ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION
Company Manager
Overview: This position serves as the main point of contact for the companies of all productions/events including Mainstage, Broadway in your Backyard, Chicago Sings, ICONS Gala and other performance-related events.
Responsibilities:
Company Management (95% of time)
- Be the first point of contact for all company members for everyday professional needs determining when it is appropriate to engage human resources and senior leadership.
- With support from Associate Production Manager, maintain information/resources for each production, managing access in shared drive, for:
- Headshots and bios
- Contract Log: Responsible for the collection of personal information, agent information. payment amount and compensation details, negotiation timeline, scheduled absences, and tracking of marketing materials, hiring paperwork and distribution of performance materials. With the Associate Production Manager, support the hiring and onboarding of all artistic and production personnel.
- With support from the Associate Production Manager, execute and ensure timely return of all agreements/contracts and other paperwork.
- With assistance from the Associate Production Manager/SM, distribute rehearsal/performance materials in an efficient and trackable manner; make additional copies of and/or source materials as needed; collect materials and return per deadlines.
- Be well versed in the details of all PMT contracts and pertinent union rulebooks.
- Create, manage and distribute welcome/info information and attend Meet & Greets and Stage Management orientations in person to present/review information.
- Support guest artists including arranging travel and housing/accommodations when needed.
- Create (with designer and outside apparel vendor), sell and distribute production-specific apparel for individual mainstage companies (available for order at start of rehearsals).
- Order company meals and provide order info to Audience Services and SM.
- Maintain regular check-ins with the company throughout the production.
- Serve as Disciplinary Contact for company members, addressing issues in a timely and documented manner.
- Plan and execute opening/closing night receptions for performance/technical companies.
- Be available/respond in a timely fashion during all occasions when the company is working, as needed.
- Support the Production Department with administrative tasks, as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned (5% of time)
- Participate in organizational planning such as strategic meetings and external committees.
- Attend relevant training to stay current on industry norms and best practices.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
- 2-4 years of experience, or equivalent exposure, in company management at a resident theatre or for a commercial producer.
- Proven leadership experience; diplomacy and calmness under stress, and excellent communication and organizational skills are required.
- High emotional intelligence
- Detailed-oriented and ability to multitask
- Ability to work nights and weekends as required
- Knowledge of AEA and SDC contracts
- Ability to draft and interpret personnel contracts
- Knowledge of excel, Google Drive, and other Windows applications
- A commitment to creating an equitable, safe, inclusive and empowering environment for all people.
COMPENSATION
- $23.00 per hour
- Average of 20 hours per week
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Flexible hybrid work setting
CLOSING & APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please send a cover letter and resume via email to employment-intern@
Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field are strongly encouraged to apply.
EDUCATION
Teaching Artist
Porchlight accepts resumes for Teaching Artists on a rolling basis for all youth programs – specifically for in-school residencies and after-school programs.
$25-35/hour plus paid prep time and travel stipend per class.
If you are interested (or know anyone who may be interested) in this role, send an email with your teaching resume attached to our Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@
Responsibilities:
- Work with Education Director and teaching team to plan, prepare, and execute classes upon agreed schedule
- Attend teachers’ meeting prior to the start of the teaching session and agreed upon number of continuing training and professional development sessions
- Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class and be ready to receive students at class time
- Not miss more than two classes per session
- Communicate the need for a sub as soon as possible to Education Director
- Participate in self evaluation and provide feedback on teaching team and class experience
- Restore the classroom space after class each day
- Communicate the need for all printing and supplies as soon as possible, or purchase and submit reimbursement
- Adhere to all deadlines for class communications including newsletters and programs
How to Apply:
Please send your teaching resume to Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre – especially residents of Chicago’s south and west side and Spanish speaking teaching artists – are strongly encouraged to apply.
INTERNSHIPS
Join the Team. Be a Porchlight Intern.
Porchlight Music Theatre’s Internship program is an opportunity for qualified college students, graduates and young professionals to learn in a hands-on environment as part of the staff of a non-profit theater. Porchlight offers internships in different categories: Artistic Administration, Education & Outreach, Development & Special Events, Marketing & PR/Publicity, and Artistic/Casting.
Porchlight Interns work closely with their departments on special projects and ongoing work. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. You can find more information about each internship in “more info”.
Questions? Email rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org
Porchlight is NOT accepting applications for internships at this time. Thank you for your interest.
Be a Part of Our Team As a Volunteer*
Porchlight Music Theatre welcomes volunteers to assist our staff on a variety of projects and events.
- Volunteer benefits include complimentary tickets to Porchlight Music Theatre productions and events, as available.
- Volunteers must complete and submit an application, and an interview will be conducted either in person or via phone.
For more information, please email info@porchlightmusictheatre.org, subject: Volunteer.
*Please note that theatre ushers are provided by The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts. For information on how you can become a Saint, call (773) 529-5510.
Script Submissions
Porchlight Music Theatre accepts full length scripts year-round from literary agents and theatre professionals with whom we have an existing professional relationship. We invite unrepresented writers to submit a brief bio, short synopsis, and ten pages of sample dialogue and music on CD or sent electronically.