Audition Notice - Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Books & Lyrics by Tom MacRae
Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Ages 16 & up

Directed by David Turner
Musical Direction by Bret Tassone
Choreography by Kristy Cruz and Kirk Eichelberger
Season Artwork by Noah Hrbek

Audition Dates: February 10, 11, and 12
Callbacks (By invitation only): February 14
Performance Dates: April 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, and May 1, 2, and 3

"So go and find your dance, go and find your voice."

Jamie New is 16 years old and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in and feels terrified about the future. However, Jamie is destined to become a sensation. With the support of his brilliant and loving mother, as well as his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, defeats the bullies, and emerges from darkness into the spotlight. At sixteen, he stands on the edge of possibility. It’s time to make his dreams come true.

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

CASTING

NEAR WEST THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE CASTING. WE WILL CAST ARTISTS WITHOUT REGARD TO DISABILITY, RACE, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, COLOR, GENDER IDENTITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ETHNIC ORIGIN, OR ANY OTHERWISE INDICATED BASIS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTICALLY CASTING TO ENSURE ALL MARGINALIZED GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED.

This production is open to participants ages 16 and up. The show explores themes of gender expression, identity, and bullying. We are committed to fostering a respectful, supportive environment for all cast, crew, and audience members. Our goal is for every cast member to feel safe, seen, and celebrated throughout the process.

Character Descriptions

Jamie New - Tenor (B2–C5) All ethnicities, Male-identifying or non-binary performers
A bold, witty, and resilient teenager discovering confidence and self-expression. Requires strong comic timing, emotional honesty, and major stage presence. This role includes drag performance and movement in heels; prior experience is helpful but not required. Performer must be open to coaching and rehearsal support.

Margaret New - Mezzo-Soprano (F3–F5) All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
Jamie’s fiercely loving and protective mother. Requires strong vocal storytelling and the ability to balance humor with deep emotional vulnerability. A grounded, heart-forward role.

Wayne New - Non-singing role, All ethnicities, Male-identifying performers
Jamie’s estranged father. Requires emotional restraint, realism, and the ability to portray discomfort and cruelty without caricature. A pivotal dramatic role.

Ray - Alto (A3–D5) All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
Sharp, funny, and fiercely loyal. Jamie’s biggest champion. Requires strong comedic instincts, warmth, and confidence. A role rooted in joy, camp, and advocacy.

Miss Hedge - Mezzo-Soprano (A3–E5) All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
A strict, authoritative teacher who values conformity. Requires vocal strength, precision, and commanding character work. Must balance rigidity with eventual vulnerability.

Pritti Pasha - Alto/Mezzo-Soprano (G3–E5) South Asian or Middle Eastern heritage encouraged, Female-identifying performers
Jamie’s intelligent, grounded best friend. Requires emotional honesty, warmth, and strong vocal ability. A role centered on integrity, courage, and loyalty.

Dean Paxton - Baritone/Tenor, All ethnicities, Male-identifying performers
A school bully whose bravado masks insecurity. Requires strong acting skills, emotional range, and the ability to show growth over the course of the story.

Becca - Soprano / Mezzo-Soprano / Alto, All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
Loud, outspoken, and unapologetic. Requires bold energy, strong ensemble instincts, and comic timing. Plays a key role in shaping the school’s social world.

Bex - Soprano / Mezzo-Soprano / Alto, All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
Cheeky, high-energy, and irreverent. Requires confidence, strong ensemble work, and comedic presence. Often paired with Becca.

Fatimah - Soprano / Mezzo-Soprano / Alto, Muslim performers encouraged, Female-identifying performers
A student navigating faith, identity, and self-expression. Requires warmth, ensemble awareness, and honest character work.

Vicki- Soprano / Mezzo-Soprano / Alto, All ethnicities, Female-identifying performers
A featured student ensemble member. Requires strong ensemble skills, commitment, and openness to character development.

Mickey - Tenor / Baritone / Bass-Baritone / Bass, All ethnicities, Male-identifying performers
A featured student ensemble role. Requires strong group storytelling and vocal flexibility.

Sayid - Tenor / Baritone / Bass / Bass-Baritone, Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage encouraged, Male-identifying performers
A featured student ensemble role. Requires ensemble focus, musical commitment, and character clarity.

Cy - Tenor / Baritone / Bass / Bass-Baritone, All ethnicities, Male-identifying performers
A featured student ensemble role. Requires strong group energy and adaptability.

Levi - Tenor / Baritone / Bass / Bass-Baritone, All ethnicities, Male-identifying performers
A featured student ensemble role. Requires confidence, ensemble awareness, and vocal support.

Hugo Battersby / Loco Chanelle - Baritone / Bass-Baritone (F2–B3) All ethnicities | Male-identifying, non-binary, or gender-expansive performers
A former drag performer turned mentor. Requires grounded authority, warmth, and presence. This role includes drag performance; experience is welcome but not required.

Sandra Bollock - Tenor / Baritone / Bass-Baritone / Bass, All ethnicities, Performers comfortable with drag presentation
A seasoned drag queen with a big personality and comic timing. Requires confidence, physical comedy, and openness to drag performance or learning with support.

Tray Sophisticay - Tenor / Baritone / Bass-Baritone / Bass, All ethnicities, Performers comfortable with drag presentation
Dry, sarcastic, and sharp-witted. Requires strong character work, timing, and ensemble chemistry.

Laika Virgin - Tenor / Baritone / Bass-Baritone / Bass, All ethnicities, Performers comfortable with drag presentation
World-weary and experienced. Requires grounded humor, warmth, and strong ensemble presence within the drag trio.

Student Ensemble Casting: All ethnicities, gender identities, and gender expressions are encouraged to audition. Roles will be cast to support authenticity, consent, and ensemble balance.

Auditions

• You must be at least 16 years of age to audition.
• Audition dates are Monday, February 10, Tuesday, February 11, and Wednesday, February 12, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Anyone auditioning must stay for the entire time. Please register below to reserve a space.
• Callbacks are scheduled for Saturday, February 14, between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Our audition process involves group work in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You do not need a headshot or resume; no preparation is required. It is a group experience of theatre games, improvisation, characterization, and movement. Come as you are in comfortable clothing and be prepared to engage with your peers. Decisions and notifications will be made by the end of the following week.

Expectations

• Cast members are expected to prioritize rehearsals for the eight-week rehearsal period and the eight performances.
• By the end of your audition, you must communicate any known rehearsal or performance conflicts to the Stage Manager and/or Director.

Rehearsals

• Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, through Thursday, April 9. Rehearsal days are typically Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and a few Thursdays (depending on scheduling conflicts). Rehearsals are on Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm (typically a four- to five-hour range that may vary depending on conflicts; there are times when we may have a longer day with a dinner break) and Monday through Thursday from 7 pm to 10 pm.
• The stage manager will distribute a schedule by Thursday of every week.
• Closer to the show's opening, typically tech week, rehearsals may be extended on some days, but they will not run past 11:00 PM.
• You may be required to participate in a Dry Tech Rehearsal on Saturday, April 11, 2026. This rehearsal is typically during the day.

Dress Rehearsal Week - “ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED DURING DRESS REHEARSAL WEEK.”

• Sunday, April 12, 2026, is Tech Sunday, an extended rehearsal for all cast, staff, and crew from 12 PM to 10 PM.  A potluck supper has been scheduled for this date. This is the first working tech rehearsal. Costumes, lighting, props, and special effects will be incorporated later in the week.
• Monday through Thursday, April 13 - 16, are mandatory rehearsals. Cast, crew, and staff are expected to be at the theater from 6 PM to 11 PM each day. Everyone must stay until the end of the rehearsal to run the show.

Performances

• The cast is expected to be at the theater at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday performance nights and at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.
• The performances are on April 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, and May 1, 2, and 3.
• Curtain times are 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 2 PM on Sunday.