Open Audition: Hairspray — April 19

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What: Open auditions for Hairspray, 

Book by Mark O’Donnel and Thomas Meehan. Music by Mark Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Based on the New Line Cinema Film written and directed by John Waters. Directed at Pentacle Theatre by Robert Salberg.

When: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Apr 19.

Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. NE Salem OR 97304 

Casting call: 

  • Casting actors able to play 5 male-presenting roles, and 6 female-presenting roles
  • For a full list of roles, genders, and ages, visit pentacletheatre.org/auditions.
  • Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes, and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Things to know:  

  • Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and open auditions for all roles begin promptly at 1 p.m. Please be on time and plan to stay through 5 p.m.
  • Please arrive early to fill out an audition form. We encourage you to download the form at PentacleTheatre.org/auditions and complete it in advance. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required but are always appreciated.
  • Bring your calendar and provide a complete list of your conflicts through Sept, 6 2025. If you have a conflict with the audition date, please contact the director.

Additional Information —

Callbacks: TBA if needed. 

Rehearsals: 

  • Generally, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, beginning in May. 
  • The director will set weekend rehearsals and work sessions as needed. Please keep this in mind when providing your list of conflicts.
  • Rehearsals will be scheduled to make the best use of everyone’s time. Cast members are required to attend every rehearsal once Hairspray moves into the theatre. If you have questions about rehearsals, please contact the director. 

The story: 

  • It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!

The characters: Casting actors able to play the following roles, genders:

  • Tracy Turnblad – female presenting, able to play high school aged – Vocal range: Top G5/bottom G3. Our story's unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. This role should be played by a white actress.
  • Edna Turnblad – male presenting, able to play 35+ - Vocal range: Top G5/ bottom F3. Tracy's big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer. Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. This role should be played by a white performer.
  • Wilbur Turnblad – male presenting, able to play35+ - Vocal range: Top A5 / bottom A3. Tracy's simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his wife, Edna, very much. This role should be played by a white actor.
  • Corny Collins – male presenting, able to play 30+ - Vocal range: Top A4 / bottom D3. The charismatic host of the Corny Collins' Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera. Corny should be played by a white actor
  • Penny Pingleton - female presenting, able to play high school aged – Vocal range: Top G5 / bottom A3. Tracy's best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother's dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. This role should be played by a white actress.
  • Amber Von Tussle – female presenting, able to play high school age – Vocal range Top F5 / bottom A3. Shallow, snobby, and racist. Can't dance but is expected to win Miss Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. This role should be played by a white actress.
  • Velma Von Tussle – female presenting, able to play 35+ - Vocal range: Top A5 / bottom G3. Amber's mother and the director of the Corny Collins show. She is a devious taskmaster and snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. This role should be played by a white actress.
  • Link Larkin – male presenting, able to play high school age – Vocal range: Top A5 / bottom G3. The star heartthrob on Corny Collins' show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract, he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. This role should be played by a white actor.
  • Seaweed J. Stubbs – male presenting, able to play high school age – Vocal range: Top D5 / bottom F3. Tracy's classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed should be played by a Black actor. *This role has been precast*
  • Motormouth Maybelle – female presenting, able to play 35+ - Vocal range: Top E5 / bottom F3. Seaweed and Little Inez's mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin's Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actress. *This role has been precast*
  • Little Inez – female presenting, able to play middle/high school age. Seaweed's little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress. *This role has been precast*
  • Prudy Pingleton – female presenting, able to play 35+ - Vocal range: Top B4 / bottom D4. Penny's strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. This role should be played by a white actress.
  • Ensemble - The Dynamites (these roles have been precast), Council members, detention kids, Mr. Pinky, Principal etc.

Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes, and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Show dates: Aug. 15 – Sept.6, 2025

  • Cast members may be required to make special appearances for marketing purposes in the weeks before the show opens.

Suitability: Hairspray is suitable for ages 10 and up.

Information: If you have questions or a conflict on the audition date, please contact director Robert Salberg at salberg.robert@gmail.com or 971-208-2799.