ANNIE Auditions

 Rhinebeck Theatre Society Annie Audition Notice

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow."

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. (MTI)

Leapin’ lizards! The Rhinebeck Theatre Society is proud to announce auditions for Annie, one of the world’s best-loved musicals. We are seeking a large cast of actors of all ages (and a couple of dogs!) for this classic show. 

Audition Dates: Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th, both at 7 pm, at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572). Callbacks by invitation to follow on Tuesday, May 20th.

Virtual Auditions Submissions: Email a YouTube link or Google Drive link of your singing audition to rhinebecktheatresociety@gmail.com by Sunday, May 18th at 7:00 pm. 

Please prepare a brief cut of a song to share. Please sing something from or in the style of Annie. Your cut should not exceed 60 seconds. Bring sheet music or a backing track, whichever is easier for you. If possible, download or save the backing track locally to not rely on Wifi. If nerves have you tied in a knot, consider a duet with a friend.

We also will be doing a movement/dance exercise at the audition, so please wear something you can move in!

Bring a resume detailing your theatre experience or be prepared to list your performance experience.
Bring your schedule and be prepared to list conflicts through September 7th. Please note there will be two performances (a matinee and an evening show) on Saturday, August 30th.

Who will be in the room?

Director - Lisa Delia (she/her)

Producer/Assistant Director - Duane Joseph Olson (he/him)

Co-Producer - Wendy Urban-Mead (she/her)

Music Director - Laura Evans (she/her)

Choreographers/Directors of Young Actors - Maria Coppola (she/her) and Haley Swetz (she/her)

Stage Manager - Mike Clark (he/him)

Rhinebeck Theatre Society is committed to providing community-minded, safe theatre experiences. We seek to present stories in a way that reflects a richly diverse world. Feel free to email directors Lisa Delia (she/her) & Duane Joseph Olson (he/him) with any questions at rhinebecktheatersociety@gmail.com. Please contact us about accessibility and accommodations.

Performance Dates: August 22nd - September 7th at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (661 Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572). Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm (There is an additional Saturday evening performance on 8/30 at 8 pm).

Annie Character Breakdown

Note for auditioners: The role of Sandy will be played by a real dog! Please keep this in mind when you consider auditioning.

Annie: The title character. The spunky and optimistic 11-year-old orphan who is looking for her birth parents. She ends up getting adopted by Oliver Warbucks. Brave and sincere, she cares for and protects the other orphans. (Age: 11, Vocal range: A3-G5) Two actresses will be cast as Annie and perform five shows each.

Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks: Billionaire businessman who opens his home – and his heart – to Annie. Grumpy and dense, but becomes softened by Annie as time goes by. (Age range: 40s+, Vocal range: B3-Gb5)

Miss Hannigan: The disillusioned orphanage matron. She hates children (whom she abuses with household chores and overprotects, until they reach adulthood), but is fond of alcoholic beverages. When Annie goes to Warbucks, she counts on her younger brother, Rooster, and his girlfriend, Lily, to bring her back to prevent her from getting adopted. (Age range: 30s+, Vocal range: A3-F5)

Grace Farrell: Oliver Warbucks' faithful secretary, who loves Annie from the start. The polar opposite of, and dramatic foil to, Miss Hannigan. Put-together and sensible. (Age range: 20s-40s, Vocal range: Bb3-G5)

Rooster Hannigan: Miss Hannigan's younger brother, a convict fresh out of jail and looking for a new scheme. He plots to impersonate Annie’s parents so he can pocket the reward money. Sly, snarky, belter-friendly (Age range: 20s-40s, Vocal range: B3-G5)

Lily St. Regis: Rooster's girlfriend, an egotistical gold digger. She and Rooster pose as Annie's "parents,” so they can fool Warbucks and get their hands on a $50,000 reward. (Age range: 20s-30s, Vocal range: B3-G5)

Sandy: An abandoned mixed-breed dog that, once Annie rescues him, becomes her companion and pet. (Please contact Lisa Delia or Duane Joseph Olson if you would like your pup to be considered! Does not have to be sandy in color.)

The Orphans:

Molly: The youngest orphan, Annie's best friend. Spunky and really wants a family. 6 years old.

Pepper: The bossiest orphan, who likes to take control and is rivals with Annie. A bully who tends to complain and roughhouse. 12 years old.

Duffy: The oldest orphan, who often hangs around with Pepper. 13 years old.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: President of the United States, he aids Warbucks in the search for Annie's parents. Upon meeting Annie, he is inspired to make a new deal and restore America's economy.

Bert Healy: Radio announcer who agrees to broadcast Annie's search for her parents.

Star-To-Be: An upcoming Broadway star, who sings a solo in "N.Y.C."

Ensemble: Servants of the Warbucks Estate, Staff Members, White House Staff, Citizens of NYC, carnival performers, the homeless who live in shanties in the town of Hooverville.

There are dozens of featured ensemble roles; most everyone will have a named role of some kind at one point or another.