91��Ƶ

"She Loves Me"

Book by Joe Masteroff 
Music by Jerry Bock 
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Directed by Dr. Jacob Allen
Benjamin W. Rawlins Professor of Musical Theatre, University of Memphis
Artistic Director, Ohio Light Opera
Music Direction by Professor Jonathan Swoboda

Audition Information

91��Ƶstudents are invited to audition for She Loves Me. Please review the preparation requirements, content disclosures, and production calendar before signing up.

When: November 30–December 2, 2026, 6:00–10:00 p.m.

Where: D-205, Kent Center for the Performing Arts

Signing up

Complete the by Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Upload a headshot (required) and a performance résumé, if you have one. At the end of the form, follow the link to sign up for a 5-minute audition slot. Be sure to sign up for the "She Loves Me"/"Romeo & Juliet" specific time slots.

What to Prepare

Please prepare a 32-64 bars of a “Golden Age style” musical. You must perform with a live accompanist (provided) so be sure to bring appropriately prepared sheet music in the correct key. Selections from the show are acceptable but not encouraged.

Auditions are held jointly with Romeo and Juliet. You may audition for both productions with a monologue and song, or for the musical only with a song. BFA Musical Theatre students should review the requirements below.

Callbacks

Date, time, and location: Thursday, December 3rd, beginning at 6:00pm Callback music, scene excerpts, and any movement requirements will be announced prior to the call but will include sides and songs from the show.

91��Ƶ the Musical

At a parfumerie in 1930s Europe, coworkers Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash clash at work while each falls in love through anonymous letters. Neither realizes that the person on the other side of the correspondence is standing behind the same shop counter. She Loves Me follows their courtship and the romantic complications of their fellow employees.

Content and Character Action Disclosures

Content notes: Romantic kissing; sexual references and innuendo; infidelity; attempted suicide and discussion of suicide involving Mr. Maraczek. The script includes a gunshot associated with the attempt; the production’s staging, firearm props, and sound effects are to be confirmed.

Suggested Character Action Disclosures: 

Approach to Intimacy

The final kiss will be choreographed in collaboration with the actors, with clear communication about boundaries. Choreography may be adjusted to preserve the storytelling while respecting those boundaries. Any additional intimate contact will be discussed and agreed upon before it is added.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule

Staging Rehearsals: January 19 through February 17, 2027. Monday – Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 2-6pm.

Technical and dress rehearsals: Friday, February 19th – February 25th.

Performances: Thursday February 25th – Sunday February 28th & Wed March 3rd – Sunday March 9th.

Casting Statement: 

She Loves Me will be cast, according to the representation of KSU.

Roles

Casting notes, ensemble size, doubling, and understudy assignments:

GEORG NOWACK — A parfumerie clerk and Amalia’s anonymous correspondent. “Baritenor”

AMALIA BALASH — A new clerk at the parfumerie and Georg’s anonymous correspondent. Lyric soprano with healthy mix.

ILONA RITTER — A clerk seeking a more fulfilling romantic relationship. Mezzo Belter

STEVEN KODALY — A charming, self-serving clerk involved with Ilona. Tenor

LADISLAV SIPOS — A clerk, family man, and Georg’s confidant. Baritone

ARPAD LASZLO — An ambitious delivery boy hoping to become a clerk. “Baritenor”

MR. MARACZEK — The owner of the parfumerie. Baritone

FEATURED AND ENSEMBLE ROLES — Customers, café patrons, and other supporting characters; assignments to be confirmed.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.F.A. MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENTS

“B.F.A. Musical Theatre candidates are required to audition for all theatre division main stage productions and accept roles if cast. Exemptions to the audition requirement may be granted under certain circumstances. Circumstances include but are not limited to: religious beliefs, moral objection, psychological triggers with the play, and physical concerns. In order to be exempted from the audition requirement, students must submit a written petition to the performance faculty prior to the beginning of the casting process for the production in question. The performance faculty will make a good faith effort to deliberate and come to a decision on the petition at the first performance area meeting after the receipt of the petition. At no point will a student be asked to disclose sensitive personal information.”

For information on all the B.F.A. Musical Theatre requirements, please go to the following. B.F.A. Musical Theatre

Questions or Accessibility Needs

For questions about auditions, content, or accessibility accommodations, contact Dr. Jacob Allen at jgallen@memphis.edu.

"Romeo and Juliet"

by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Paul Hurley
Original Music by Jeremy Bullock
Intimacy Choreographer: Caitlin Kane
Dance Choreographer: Jennifer Black
Fight Choreographer: Ryan Zarecki

Audition Information

When: November 30th through December 2nd – 6:00p-10:00p

Where: D-205, Kent Center for the Performing Arts

Signing up

Fill out and submit this () by Sunday, November 29th at 5 p.m. Please be prepared to upload a headshot (required) and performance resume (if you have one) through this form. At the end of the form, after submission, follow the link to sign up for a 5-minute audition slot. Be sure to sign up for the She Loves Me/Romeo & Juliet specific time slots.

What to Prepare:

1. Auditions are open to all 91��Ƶstudents
2. For the initial audition, all Spring shows will be holding combined auditions.
3. For Romeo and Juliet, prepare a 1 – 2 minute monologue from a Shakespeare play. We’d love to hear the piece in your own natural voice and dialect. There’s no need to adopt a British accent or any other accent for the audition.

Callbacks: 

Friday, December 4 – beginning at 5:30 pm, Location TBD

For callbacks, actors will be given excerpts from scenes or speeches in the play to prepare and perform. Sides do not need to be memorized, but we encourage you to be familiar enough with the material to make strong acting choices, respond to your acting partners, and be prepared to take direction if/when offered. Some actors may be asked to sing.

Once you have completed the form, a link at the end will navigate you to the sign-up page. Please be sure to have a headshot and resume (if you have them digitally) ready to upload.

Auditions will be held in conjunction with auditions for the other spring production, She Loves Me. Directors and stage managers from all production teams will be present for your audition. You may audition for all productions (presenting a monologue and song) or choose to *only audition for the play or musical (presenting either a monologue or a song accordingly).

If you are only interested in auditioning for Romeo and Juliet, you do not need to prepare a song; only a monologue from a Shakespeare play is required.

*Please refer to the audition requirements for BFA MT students below.

ABOUT THE PLAY:

Summary:

Two families. A feud that has endured for generations. And despite it all, two young people find each other across the divide. As they struggle against forces beyond themselves, Romeo and Juliet becomes a story not only of love and loss, but of the devastating consequences of inherited conflict and the possibility of finding humanity where we have been taught to see only an enemy. One of the most produced plays in the history of theatre, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet continues to resonate with audiences.

You can find a copy of the full script of Romeo and Juliet here:

Movement, Music, and Stage Combat:

Stage Combat

Several roles engage in stage fights, including Romeo, Benvolio, Abram, Balthasar, Tybalt, Sampson, Gregory, Mercutio, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Nurse, and Juliet.

Dance 

All actors will dance in the production. No formal dance training is necessary.

Singing

The actor playing Juliet will sing.

Notes on Casting:

From the Director: Actors are encouraged to audition for any role they feel comfortable portraying, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and/or disability.

Content Notes: Murder; suicide and discussion of suicide; violence; grief and bereavement; familial abuse; sexual references and innuendos; forced marriage.

Suggested Character Action Disclosures:

Notes:

1. All intimacy and stage combat will be choreographed.

2. While the actions described here are included in the script, we are open to adjusting these actions to work within the actors’ boundaries, as long as the choreography still conveys the story of the scene as written.

3. Additional moments of physical contact / choreographed physical intimacy may be added to the staging, if the director and actors agree that it supports the story.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Rehearsals:

There will be one session prior to the beginning of rehearsals on either:

• Sunday, December 6 from 12 pm-4 pm OR
• Friday, December 11 from 6 pm- 10 pm OR
• Tuesday, January 19 from 6 pm-10 pm

Rehearsals will begin on February 15.

Week 1 – Feb. 15

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6- 10 pm

Saturday (4 hours)

Week 2 – Feb. 22

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 6- 10 pm

Saturday (4 hours)

Week 3 – March 1

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6- 10 pm

Saturday (6 hours)

Week 4 – March 8

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6-10 pm

No Rehearsals during Spring Break – March 13 – 21

Week 5 – March 22

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6-10 pm

Saturday (6 hours)

Week 6 – March 29

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6- 10 pm

Saturday (8 hours)

Week 7 – April 5

*Tech/Dress begins Friday, April 9th, with a full tech day on Saturday, April 10th

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 6- 10 pm

Saturday 1:00-10:30 pm

Week 8 – April 12

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 6-10:30 pm

PERFORMANCES

Thursday, April 15, 7:30 pm

Friday, April 16, 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 17, 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 18, 2:00 pm

Wednesday, April 21, 10:00 am and 7:30 pm

Thursday, April 22, 7:30 pm

Friday, April 23, 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 24, 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 25, 2:00 pm

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.F.A. MUSICAL THEATRE AND M.F.A. STUDENTS

“B.F.A. Musical Theatre candidates are required to audition for all theatre division main stage productions and accept roles if cast. Exemptions to the audition requirement may be granted under certain circumstances. Circumstances include but are not limited to: religious beliefs, moral objection, psychological triggers with the play, and physical concerns. In order to be exempted from the audition requirement, students must submit a written petition to the performance faculty prior to the beginning of the casting process for the production in question. The performance faculty will make a good faith effort to deliberate and come to a decision on the petition at the first performance area meeting after the receipt of the petition. At no point will a student be asked to disclose sensitive personal information.”

For information on all the B.F.A. Musical Theatre requirements please go to the following. /theatredance/revised-requirements-bfa-musical-theatre-program

QUESTIONS OR ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS:

Please email the director, Paul Hurley (phurley1@kent.edu) with any questions or requests for accommodations.

"Children of Eden: In Concert"

THEA 42999-001 – The Porthouse Experience

Book by John Caird
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Based on a concept by Charles Lisanby

Director: Kathleen Faubel
Music Director: Tim Culver
Accompanist/Conductor: Rocci Teare

AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition Information

(please read in its entirety)

THOSE CAST MUST ENROLL IN THE PORTHOUSE EXPERIENCE COURSE, (3 CREDIT HOURS). CAST MEMBERS WILL BE COMPENSATED AT THE CURRENT PORTHOUSE WEEKLY RATE DURING THE SUMMER REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD: $400 FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND $450 FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GRADUATED)

When: November 30, December 1– 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Where: EZ Blackbox Theatre

Signing Up

Fill out and submit this () by Sunday, November 29 at 5 pm. Please be prepared to upload a headshot (required) and performance resume (if you have one) through this form. At the end of the form, there will be a link to sign up for a 5-minute time slot. Be sure to sign up for the Children of Eden-specific time slots.

What to Prepare

1. Auditions are open to all 91��Ƶstudents
2. Prepare two contrasting musical selections (e.g., uptempo and ballad, or in the style of the show.). Each cut should be 16–32 bars, with sheet music in the performer’s key. No a cappella singing will be permitted. You may sing from the show.

Callbacks

Wednesday, December 2. We will work around your spring semester preliminary audition.

Callbacks will consist of songs and sides from the show. This information will be circulated when the callback list is announced; please review them in advance of the callback.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals: Spring 2027 Semester M/W 3:20-5:00 pm

Brush-up Rehearsal: July 6

Technical Rehearsals Begin: July 7-8-9

Performances

Friday, July 9-Sunday, July 11, 2027, Tuesday, July 13-Saturday, July 17, 2027

Casting Statement 

Children of Eden will be cast, according to the representation of KSU.

Preliminary Auditions 

Open to ALL 91��Ƶ students.

Summary

Stephen Schwartz’s sweeping and deeply moving musical about one of the most universal—and complicated—relationships we share: the bond between parents and their children. Using stories from the Book of Genesis as its dramatic framework, Children of Eden is less about retelling biblical stories than using them as a platform to explore family: the hopes parents have for their children, the need of children to find their own way, and the challenge of loving one another even when our choices divide us. With a magnificent score by the composer of Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin, Children of Eden is ultimately a deeply human story about love, forgiveness, family, and letting go.

Character Breakdown

Ensemble

Family Members; Children; Storytellers

Father: Tim Culver

Adam: Eve's bright and childlike partner. He is initially devout to Father and loving to his wife & children. Later plagued by guilt. Hard-working and reserved.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Noah: rough but simple. He is unsophisticated and shrewd, but also warm and loyal. He builds the ark to save his family and honor Father.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: A3

Eve: curious and questioning, smart and excited. Chose an imperfect life of knowledge over a perfect life of innocence.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: G3

Mama: Noah's wife and inherently motherly. She possesses a gentle strength, is reassuring, and serves as the mediator of the family.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: G3

Cain: Abel's older, adventurous brother. Follows in his mother's footsteps and longs for the companionship of other humans. He is strong, stubborn, and independent.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Japeth: in love with Yonah and is willing to sacrifice his life to be with her. He is Noah's youngest son. Clever, rebellious, stubborn.

Vocal range top: A5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Abel: Cain's younger and more conservative brother who follows the "rules". He chooses his parents over Cain.

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Ham: Japeth's middle brother and Aphra's husband. He is not as docile as Japheth, nor as hot-headed as Shem. Looks up to and follows Shem's lead.

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Seth: Adam and Eve's third son and their family's second chance at life. He is innocently adventurous.

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Shem: the oldest of Noah's three sons. Married to Aysha, he is impulsive, strong, and hot-tempered.

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Aphra

Ham's pregnant wife. Longs for the flood to be over and is constantly worrying.

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Aysha

Shem's wife. Cynically bitter and constantly accusing those aboard the ark.

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: B3

Yonah

Noah's servant who falls in love with Japheth and becomes his wife. A descendant of Cain. She is strong, yet humble, kind, and smart.

Vocal range top: G5

Vocal range bottom: G3

Young Cain and Young Abel: These roles have been cast.

More 91��Ƶ Porthouse Theatre