West Side Story
General Audition Information
Dates: May 18, 20 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Location: Liberace Auditorium at the
West Milwaukee Intermediate School
5104 W Greenfield Ave.
West Allis, WI
Cast Member Audition Form
PIT Member Audition Form
Crew Member Interest Form
Vocal Audition
- Have a prepared piece, 1-2 minutes in length, your choice of music
- Unless you have perfect pitch, we don’t recommend singing acapella
- A pianist will be provided, please bring music for accompaniment
- We will be listening for vocal range, diction, projection, and intonation
Dance Audition
- You will be auditioned in groups and taught a short combination of dance steps by the choreographer
- Wear comfortable shoes appropriate for dance
Additional Information
Depending on available time after dance and vocal auditions, we may start doing readings from the script. If we run out of time, we will do call-backs for readings on May 21st. The call backs will be decided based on your dance and vocal auditions. Do NOT assume you aren’t being considered for a role if you are not called back.
It is very important that you list any dates that are a conflict for you. Casting decisions will also be made based on conflicts, so the less you have, the better your chances of being cast.
Important Dates
May 26th – 1st Rehearsal
July 3rd – NO Rehearsal
July 17 – Sitz-probe
July 20 – 22 – Tech week. NO CONFLICTS ALLOWED
July 23, 24, 25 @ 7:00 PM, July 26 @ 2:00 PM – Performances
July 27 – Strike
Rehearsals will generally be Monday thru Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Not everyone will always be called for rehearsal every night
Character Descriptions
The Sharks – A Puerto Rican gang
Maria: A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernado’s younger sister. Range: Strong soprano Bb3-C6; some dancing
Anita: Feisty and assertive. She dispenses “older sister” advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gang. Bernado’s girlfriend and Maria’s friend. Range: Strong alto (belt) F3-D5; strong dancer
Bernado: A proud, strong, handsome man. Bernado seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for him and his friends. Maria’s brother and Anita’s boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks gang. Limited solo singing. Range: Bb2-Eb4; strong dancer
Chino: An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernado’s. Speaking role, minimal dancing and singing
Pepi: Gang member. Baritone, dancer
Indio: Gang member. Tenor, dancer
Luis: Gang member. Baritone/Bass, dancer
Juano: Gang member. Baritone/Bass, dancer
Moose: Gang member. Tenor, dancer
Rosalia: Indio’s girlfriend, more demure, not too bright. Mezzo, dancer
Consuela: Tough, young. Pepe’s girlfriend. Alto, dancer
Francisca: Young. Luis’ girlfriend. Soprano, dancer
Terestia: Young. Juano’s girlfriend. Mezzo, dancer
Estella: Young. Moose’s girlfriend. Alto, dancer
The Jets – A Caucasian gang
Tony: A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets. He has found a new lifestyle now that doesn’t involve gangs. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an unfortunate death. Genuinely sweet and sincere. Strong tenor Bb2-Bb4; limited dancing
Riff: An athletic, quick-tempered leader of the Jets. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang’s dominance. Tony’s best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernado. Strong singer. Range Bb2-G4; strong dancer
Anybodys: A spunky Tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart. Speaking role; limited dancing
Diesel: Second in command of the Jets. Leader after Riff’s death. Baritone/Bass; dancer
Action: The most quick-tempered member of the Jets. Always ready for a fight. Tenor; dancer
A-Rab: Slightly less quick tempered than Action. Baby John’s best friend. Baritone; dancer
Big Deal: Tenor, dancer
Snow Boy: Baritone, dancer
Baby John: The youngest Jet. Beaten up in the opening sequence. Tenor, dancer
Graziella: Riff’s girlfriend. Mezzo, dancer
Velma: Diesel’s girlfriend. Alto, dancer
Minnie: Baby John’s girlfriend. Mezzo, dancer
Clarice: Big Deal’s girlfriend. Alto, dancer
Pauline: Action’s girlfriend. Mezzo, dancer
Debbie: Snow Boy’s girlfriend. Alto, dancer
Hotsie: A-Rab’s girlfriend. Mezzo, dancer
The Adults
Officer Krupke: The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gang’s conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. A little dorky, he’s regularly mocked by the local gangs. Speaking role only.
Detective Schrank: A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharts. Blunt, brash, racist, and unapologetic. Speaking role only.
Doc: The owner of the store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways. Speaking role only.
Glad Hand: Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-equipped social director at the school dance. Speaking role only.