AUDITION NOTICE

Director: Kodi Cannon

Associate Director: Emma Ferrante

Choreographer: Laura Merani

Music Director: Wendy Berkelaar

Music Director Apprentice: Pablo Samuel Castro

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About the Show

Book by Comden and Green

Music by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown 

 

Set during Hollywood’s transition from silent films to “talkies,” Singin’ in the Rain follows matinee idol Don Lockwood as the industry, and his career, are turned upside down by the arrival of sound. This production is set on an MGM soundstage, where audiences watch the filming of Singin’ in the Rain unfold in real time, revealing both the polished spectacle and the behind-the-scenes chaos of early moviemaking. To deepen that world, this staging introduces silent production characters who physically shape the action and bring the studio to life around the story.

 

Information Meeting

• Sunday, February 1, 2026 @ 7:00pm

• Open to everyone

• Orpheus House 17 Fairmont Ave.

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Auditions (NOT taking place at Orpheus House)

• Auditions: February 16 -19, 2026 

  • Booking Groups at 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm

  • ARTS COURT: 2 Daly Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2

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Callbacks:

• Saturday, February, 21, 2026

  • Mid-Afternoon. Exact Times TBD​

  • Orpheus House 17 Fairmont Ave

 

How To Book

• Orpheus Members: Priority booking opens Monday, January 26, 2026.

• General Public: Booking opens to all on Monday, February 2, 2026.

• Click the button at the top or bottom of this page to book.

• Notes:

  • Please arrive on time for check-in and administration.

  • Each audition group should expect to be on-site for approximately 90 minutes.

  • Please bring a physical photocopy of your sheet music (approx. 32 bars). An accompanist will be provided. Note: There is no photocopier on-site.

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To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, no walk-up auditions will be permitted. All performers must book a specific time slot in advance.

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Rehearsals & Performances 

• First Rehearsal: Monday, March 16, 7:00 - 10:00 pm 

• Show Dates: Friday, May 29 -  Sunday June 7, 2026, 

  • Tuesday through Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday matinees (2 p.m.). 

  • No performance on Monday, June 1, 2026

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Rehearsals take place at Orpheus House -  17 Fairmont Ave.

Performances take place at Meridian Theatres @ Centerpointe

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General Orpheus Audition Notes:

• Auditions are by appointment only.

 

• Please arrive a few minutes before your appointed time.  The Production Assistants will support all those auditioning by providing forms, taking photos, submitting music for the accompanist, answering questions, and generally keeping things organized.

 

• All those auditioning will learn a short dance routine and perform it as a group for the directing team.  The dance routine instructions will be available on the website.  Following the dance audition, each person will sing and read individually.  Sides will be available on the website ahead of time and  will also be provided at the audition.  All 3 portions of the audition are mandatory for everyone.

 

• Please wear clothes and footwear that you can move in comfortably. If you have tap shoes, please bring them.

 

• You are encouraged to do your own vocal and physical warm-up prior to your audition.

 

• As usual, an accompanist will be provided for each audition.  Those auditioning must bring a printed copy of their selected music in the preferred key, with piano lines intact (please do not expect the accompanist to transpose your piece; a capella auditions, self-accompaniment and karaoke tracks are not permitted; vocal range may or may not be checked by the musical director as part of the audition process).

 

• The directing team will be recording the audition when given your express verbal consent during the audition process. This recording is private and solely for the purposes of balancing the directing team's recollection ability for casting purposes. This recording will be permanently deleted after casting decisions have been made. You may choose to not give your consent, your decision will have no bearing on your likelihood of being cast.

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Character Breakdown:

*Note that each performer will be portraying their character as well as the actor playing them and the ability to switch between naturalistic and theatrical acting is a plus.

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Don Lockwood 

30 - 40

Baritone  G2-Ab4

A charismatic silent-film star with confidence, charm, and heart. Strong dancer with leading-man presence

 

Kathy Selden

25 - 30

Mezzo-Soprano G3-F5

A smart, talented aspiring performer with warmth, wit, and sincerity. Excellent singer and dancer.

 

Cosmo Brown

30 - 40

Tenor C3-Ab4

Don’s best friend and creative partner; clever, energetic, and endlessly inventive. Outstanding dancer with strong comic skills.

 

Lina Lamont

30 - 40

Mezzo-Soprano C4-Eb5.  Lina sings with a challenging “unpleasant tone.”

A glamorous silent-film diva with bold confidence and sharp comedic instincts. Larger-than-life character role.

 

R.F. Simpson

40 - 60

Non-singing

The optimistic head of a movie studio navigating a changing industry. Strong comic timing

 

Roscoe Dexter

30 - 50

Non-singing

A serious, pretentious film director. Character actor with heightened comedic style.  Non-singing

 

Phillips

25 - 45

Non-singing

A supportive and encouraging film director who recognizes Kathy’s potential early on. Thoughtful, perceptive, and grounded, with gentle authority.  

 

Zelda Zanders

25 - 45

Non-singing

Lina’s outspoken confidant and gossip columnist. Sharp, theatrical, and fun.  

 

Miss Dinsmore

40 - 65

Non-singing

A proper female diction coach brought in to assist the studio’s transition to sound. Brief but memorable comic role.

 

Mr. Ziegler

40 -65

Non-singing

A fastidious male diction coach helping actors adjust to sound. Comedic, precise, and slightly eccentric.

 

Tenor

(“Beautiful Girls”)

25 - 45

Tenor C#3-Ab4

Featured singer performing the romantic ballad “Beautiful Girls.” Strong legit tenor voice; polished, classical musical theatre style.  

 

Dora Bailey

30 - 50

Non-singing

A polished and energetic red-carpet interviewer thriving on celebrity, spectacle, and sound bites. Confident, charismatic, and quick-witted, with a strong presentational 

 

Rod

20 - 35

Non-singing

A cheerful studio performer featured in musical numbers. Strong dancer with ensemble leadership energy.

 

Featured Silent Production Roles 

20 - 60

(Non-speaking roles created specifically for this production; strong physical storytelling required.)

 

Camera Operator

An observant and curious technician capturing the action. Strong spatial awareness and playful physical interaction with performers and equipment.

 

Studio Assistant

An eager, multitasking presence constantly in motion. Expressive reactions, quick physical shifts, and strong ensemble instincts.

 

Lighting Operator

A precise and responsive technician shaping mood and focus. Strong physical specificity and clear storytelling through movement and timing.

 

Production Crew / Actors / Audience Members

18+

Various small speaking roles including studio crew, performers, radio personalities, and audience members. Excellent opportunities for strong ensemble members with character and versatility.

 

Ensemble

18+

various vocal ranges

Studio performers, dancers, reporters, and Hollywood personalities who bring early Hollywood to life. Strong dance ability and adaptability valued

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Notes from the Choreographer

 

Singin’ in the Rain is a joyful, character driven show, and I’m looking for dancers with natural grace, musicality, and a willingness to fully connect to the storytelling. The choreography will be clean and classic, infused with the sense of nostalgia we all love from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

Strong tap skills are a plus, but adaptability and a genuine desire to work as part of a collaborative team are just as important. This is an ensemble driven process, and I value performers who are open, supportive, and excited to build something together. If you have no tap experience, that’s ok - you’ll have opportunities to learn throughout the rehearsal process!

 

Ideally, performers auditioning for Don, Kathy, and Cosmo will have a good foundation in tap and be keen to continue developing those skills.  Performers auditioning for Cosmo should be prepared to show strong physicality and a sense of physical comedy in the audition.

 

Above all, I’m looking for performers who can execute the choreography while bringing warmth, personality, and story to every moment on stage.

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Notes from the Music Director

 

My connection to this gorgeous piece of classic musical theatre goes back to my very first season with Orpheus, when they first produced Singin’ In the Rain in 1998.  I was in my 20’s, a bright-eyed rehearsal accompanist, eager for my first foray into the pit orchestra.  Twenty-eight years and many pit orchestra experiences later, I’m still bright-eyed over this show, and looking forward to shaping these well-loved songs with this next production.

 

In the character breakdowns you’ll see several roles are tagged as “Non-singing”.  This simply means that the character is not featured in a specific number.  However, there will be an opportunity for all non-singing characters to bust out their vocal chops in at least the Finale, if not other ensemble numbers as well. 

 

Don and Kathy must have strong singing voices.  Cosmo’s wit and playfulness must shine through even when he sings.  

 

Lina Lamont is famously known for her less-than-pleasant speaking voice. This, of course, will spill over into her singing as well. She sings in tune… just not well.

 

With some wonderful group numbers such as “All I Do is Dream of You”, “Broadway Melody” and the iconic title number, “Singin’ in the Rain”, this is sure to be a hit with cast and audience alike!

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