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!
Porchlight Music Theatre announces Non-Union General Auditions for 23/24 Season
DATES:
Non-Union:
Sunday, September 17th – 10am – 5pm: Non-Union Season General Auditions. Sign Up here: https://signup.com/go/DqnsKeX
Saturday, September 30th – 10am – 5pm: Non-Union Season General Auditions. Sign Up here: https://signup.com/go/DqnsKeX
AEA:
Tuesday, September 19th – 10am – 6pm: Equity Chorus Call, Singers (Equity performers, please refer to the Equity Portal. EMC AND NON-UNION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR WALK-UP AUDITIONS)
Friday, September 22nd – 10am – 6pm: ANYTHING GOES, Equity Principal Audition Equity performers, please refer to the Equity Portal. EMC AND NON-UNION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR WALK-UP AUDITIONS)
Sunday, September 24th – 10am – 6pm: Tuesday, September 19th – 10am – 6pm: Equity Chorus Call, Dancers (Equity performers, please refer to the Equity Portal. EMC AND NON-UNION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED FOR WALK-UP AUDITIONS)
Additional SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE auditions will take place at a later date.
All auditions will take place at 4200 W. Diversey Avenue. More information below on parking and arriving to the audition space.
(Information below for Non-Equity Performers; Equity Performers — please refer to the Equity portal.)
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 actor/singers/dancers. (See Character Breakdown.)
PERSONNEL
Michael Weber – Artistic Director
Tammy Mader – Choreographer: Anything Goes
Nick Sula – Music Director: Anything Goes
Frankie Leo Bennett — Producing Artistic Associate
Rehearsals: Porchlight Studios, 4200 W. Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL
Tech/Performances: Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL
PAY:
ANYTHING GOES: $320.00 per rehearsal week/$48.00 per performance
PORCHLIGHT IN CONCERT: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE: $600.00 stipend
AUDITIONS:
IN-PERSON DATES
Sunday, September 17th 10am – 5pm
Saturday, September 30th – 10am – 5pm
Link to Sign-Up Here: https://signup.com/go/DqnsKeX
Character Breakdowns/Description
A note about Anything Goes:
This production will utilize the 2022 revision — In this version, the race of the characters is not pivotal to the plot.
ANYTHING GOES:
RENO SWEENEY – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
Seeking Understudy.
Brassy evangelist turned nightclub singer.
Strong singing and dancing, especially tap, required, as well as comedic timing.
VOCAL RANGE: Alto/Belt.
HOPE HARCOURT
Prominent debutante. Strong singing and dancing required.
VOCAL RANGE: Soprano.
BILLY CROCKER
A young businessman who is in love with Hope.
Strong singing required and should be able to dance or move well.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone/Tenor.
LORD EVELYN OAKLEIGH
Wealthy Englishman, and Hope’s fiancé.
English accent, strong singing and the ability to move well also required.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone.
EVANGELINE HARCOURT
Hope’s overbearing mother.
VOCAL RANGE: Soprano/Alto
MOONFACE MARTIN
A hapless gangster, “Public Enemy #13”.
Requires strong comic timing, plus the ability to sing and move well.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone.
ERMA LATOUR
A playful, independent, impulsive, and loveably clueless “dame” – a typical 20’s
“gun moll” with a ‘Joisey’ accent. Strong singing and dancing.
VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo/Belt.
ELISHA WHITNEY
A nearsighted tycoon who always believes he’s right.
Ability to move well is a plus.
VOCAL RANGE: Baritone
SPIT and DIPPY
Two rascally New York City street toughs.
VOCAL RANGE: Tenor/Baritone
RENO’S ANGELS
Four (4) backup singers/dancers in Reno’s act.
All roles require strong singing and dancing, especially tap skills.
VOCAL RANGE: Various.
ENSEMBLE – Passengers, stowaways, and members of the crew of the S.S.
American. Strong singing and dancing, especially tap, required. Various roles will be cast from the ensemble.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE:
George
In Act 1: George Seurat, a rather cold artist obsessed with his work at the cost of his personal life. Constantly troubled and borderline obsessive. Act 2: Seurat’s burnt-out descendant and inventor-sculpture searching for his purpose. In the end, he is able to use his connection to the past to find the meaning in a blank canvas.
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: G#2
Dot/Marie
As Dot, George’s headstrong mistress and occasional model so discontent with their relationship that she eventually leaves him. As Marie, George’s elderly wheelchair-bound grandmother who helps him connect to his artistry through her grammar book notes.
Age: 20 to 40
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Old Lady
George’s mother. A cranky and rather demanding fixture in the park. She is able to find solace in nostalgia, and inspires George to find order in his art.
Age: 60 to 80
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Nurse
The Old Lady’s attendant. She is calming and assertive.
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Jules
A rival artist. Callous, critical, and ultimately shallow. He forces Frieda to engage in extramarital affairs.
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Yvonne
Jules’ pampered wife. She is as snippy and snooty as her husband.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Boatman
A surly blue-collared laborer, simple-minded and slovenly.
Age: 35 to 60
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: Eb2
Celeste #1
A young shop girl, gossipy and flirtatious. Her friendship with the other Celeste is strained when they fight over the Soldier and his companion.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Celeste #2
Another young shop girl, gossipy and flirtatious. Her friendship with the other Celeste is strained when they fight over the Soldier and his companion.
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Louise
Jules and Yvonne’s spoiled little girl. She faces neglect and abuse from her parents, despite being honest.
Age: 8 to 12
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Franz
Jules’s German coachman and Freida’s husband. Disgruntled with his job. Has a bit of a temper and secretly yearns for the Nurse.
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Frieda
Jules and Yvonne’s cook and Franz’s wife. Caring and positive as a surrogate nanny to Louise. Forced by Jules into an affair.
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Soldier
A French military man, polite and gentlemanly. Close with his companion, though he yearns for a separation.
Age: 20 to 35
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Louis
A baker who Dot starts seeing to make George jealous. Kind, friendly, and very popular, but a bit dull.
Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Time Commitment:
ANYTHING GOES
Week of Mon, Dec. 11: 1st rehearsal
Sat, Jan 13th: 1st preview
Thurs, Jan 19th: Press Opening
Sun, Mar 10th: Closing
We are working to accommodate a 5 day workweek as often as possible and rehearsals will be scheduled during the below times:
Week 1: Tuesday – Friday: 6:30pm – 10:30pm; Sat/Sun: 11am – 7pm
Weeks 2 – 4: 10:30am – 6:30pm or 11am – 7pm or 2:30pm – 10:30pm
Tech Week: 1pm – 10pm or 5pm – 11pm
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
Week of Tues. Apr 30: 1st rehearsal
Sat. May 11: 1st Performance
Sun. May 12: Closing
Rehearsal times will vary between 12:30pm – 10:30pm and 4:30pm – 10:30pm
Material to Prepare:
Please prepare 1 32-bar cut that best showcases your voice. Bring your book in case the team needs to hear more. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring your headshot/resume stapled together.
Arriving at Porchlight:
All auditions will take place at 4200 W. Diversey Avenue. 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.
Questions: Send to auditions@
Job Postings
EDUCATION
Teaching Artist
Porchlight is hiring Teaching Artists 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 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 resume + cover letter 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.