Audition Notice for “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
MVLCT Is thrilled to announce auditions for our next 45th Anniversary production Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Courtenay Baker (Peter and the Starcatcher).
Audition Dates:
Saturday, April 5 at 2:00pm in the Uptown Theatre and Dance Arts Iowa at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon
Sunday, April 6 at 7:00pm in the Uptown Theatre and Dance Arts Iowa at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon
Callbacks (If needed) Monday, April 7 at 7:30 in the Uptown Theatre at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon
Rehearsal Dates:
Rehearsals begin May 27.
Generally, rehearsals will run Sunday – Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Performance Dates:
July 18-19, 25-26, and August 1-2, 2025 at 7:30pm and July 20, 27 and August 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Uptown Theatre at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon
Audition Information:
This show is open to auditioners aged 16+.
Music Auditions:
Auditioners should prepare about a minute of a classic rock or funk song. Please bring a karaoke track for accompaniment.
Auditioners may absolutely sing something from the score of Jesus Christ Superstar as there are several roles with specific vocal range requirements:
Jesus Christ: A2 to G5
Judas: D3 to D5
Caiaphas: C2 to F4
Come dressed to dance.
There will be two divisions of dance rehearsals:
Movers, who will learn a simple dance combination to confirm you can move on the beat of the music
Dancers, who will learn a longer jazz combination
There will be 4-6 dancers cast in the dance ensemble
Preferred: Fill out our audition form online here or at auditions. It will ask you for conflicts – this is critical information to build the rehearsal schedule.
Second best: Bring your schedule of conflicts and a writing implement to complete on paper.
Synopsis:
What’s the buzz? The first musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life.
The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.”
Courtesy of Concord Theatricals
“The production at MVLCT will be a high-energy production of about 90 minutes performed without an intermission. Set in an urban alley at an undetermined present-day time, performers will use every available inch of the theatre to bring you into this story.”
Character Descriptions:
JESUS: Rock Tenor. Leader of the twelve Apostles, a man, called the "Son of God" and the "King of the Jews". But does he believe that?
JUDAS: Rock Tenor. One of the twelve apostles of Jesus; concerned for the poor and the consequences of Jesus' fame. Broken-hearted idealist.
MARY MAGDALENE: Mezzo/alto belter. A female follower of Jesus who finds herself feeling a love she’s never known. The role requires an actress that can show grace, stability, weakness, and compassion.
PILATE: Rock Baritone. Governor of Judea who foresees the events of Jesus' crucifixion from beginning to aftermath in a dream and finds himself being presented with that very situation. Reluctant to pass judgement, conflicted.
KING HEROD: High Baritone. The King of Galilee; Jesus is brought to him for judgment after first being taken to Pilate. Flamboyant and over-the-top.
PETER: Tenor. One of Jesus' twelve apostles; denies Jesus three times upon the night of Jesus' arrest to save himself. Young.
SIMON: High Baritone. One of Jesus' twelve apostles; urges Jesus to lead his followers into battle against the Romans. Strong dancer.
CAIAPHAS: Low Bass with Rocky Top. High priest who sees Jesus as a threat to the nation. Granite.
ANNAS: High Baritone. Fellow priest at the side of Caiaphas who is persuaded by Caiaphas into seeing Jesus as a threat. A bit slimy.
ENSEMBLE Soul Girls/Dance Ensemble: Must be strong dancers who have contemporary/jazz/tap dance experience and good rock / pop sounds.
ENSEMBLE Pharisees/Romans/Priests/Scribes/Infirm/Media: Must be strong movers who have good rock / pop sounds.
ENSEMBLE Apostles: Must be strong movers / intermediate dancers who have good rock / pop sounds.
Courtesy of Andrew Lloyd Webber Show Licensing
Casting note: One ensemble role has been precast as this person is also the Dance Captain.
