Circa ’21 is HOLDING open AUDITIONS for:
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
SATURDAY, FEB 17 | 10 am
Auditions will take place at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse
1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island
Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island, and director Kimberly Vanderginst are seeking local actors of all ages for its upcoming Theatre for Young Audience production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We are especially looking for child and adult actors who sing and dance with ease. We encourage all ages and ethnicities to attend. Those auditioning should prepare 16-32 bars of an up-tempo contemporary musical theatre selection. An accompanist will be provided. Candidates should bring their sheet music in the proper key, as well as a current headshot/resume. Candidates may be asked to read from the show and/or learn a short choreography routine.
For those unable to attend the open call, online submissions will be accepted. Please forward a cover letter, headshot/resume, song and dance reel, and monologue to production manager, Jeremy Littlejohn. Production dates, including rehearsals, are March 11 – May 18. All roles in this professional production are paid.
Roles to be filled:
Greg Heffley
A first-year middle schooler. Driven with a burning desire to achieve popularity and acclaim, at all costs. Equal parts cocky and insecure, Greg’s single-focus on popularity often makes him short-sighted and immature, almost costing him his closest friendship. Seeking a strong, comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
Rowley Jefferson
A first-year middle schooler, with a determinedly sunny disposition and über positive outlook on life. Almost blindly devoted to Greg, but ultimately capable of standing up for himself. Seeking a strong, comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
Manny Heffley
Impossibly adorable and spoiled baby brother of Greg and Rodrick. Manny enjoys exalted status as his parents dote on him and make constant excuses for his behavior. Seeking strong comedic young performer.
Rodrick Heffley
Sullen, sarcastic older brother of Greg, and his main tormentor. Brash and obnoxious, Rodrick is the frontman of the heavy-metal, garage band; Löded Diper and delights in torturing Greg and taxing their parents’ goodwill. Seeking strong, comedic young performer with a powerful, singing voice. Vocal Range: High rock tenor. Mix to D5.
Chirag Gupta
Greg’s quick-witted and wily classmate, who is enthusiastically engaged in a year’s long prank-battle with Greg. Seeking a strong, comedic young performer with a powerful unchanged singing voice.
Patty Farrell
A middle school girl, ambitious, driven, overachieving classmate of Greg’s. Always out to best him at every turn, Patty sees success as the only destination. Seeking a strong, comedic young performer with a powerful singing voice.
Fregly
Greg’s deeply odd-ball classmate, who is sensitive to sugar and unapologetically interested in his own boogers. Seeking a strong, comedic young performer with a powerful, unchanged singing voice.
Ensemble
Seeking additional performers to play a variety of roles, including Bryce Anderson (dreamboat classmate of Greg’s who enjoys unfettered adoration and popularity), Chris Hosey & Lionel James (elementary school buddies Greg is trying to move beyond), Joshie (Boy Band teen heartthrob), Yvette & Pauline (part of the popular Patty Farell groupies) and Teen Thugs (members of Rodrick’s prank-playing, head-bashing crowd).
Circa ’21 is seeking submissions for:
Jersey Boys
The multi-Tony award-winning international sensation, Jersey Boys will be exploding onto the Circa ’21 stage this Summer! Follow the incredible story of four guys bound by one dream, who worked their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Audiences will be taken on an exhilarating journey with some the greatest hits from the golden era of music, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Oh, What a Night!” “My Eyes Adored You,” and many more. The sensational production will be directed by Michael Ingersoll, who previously directed the show at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, with Choreography by Ashley Becher and Music Direction by Ron May.
Currently seeking:
Circa ’21 is currently seeking submissions for multiple roles and encourages performers of all ethnicities and ages to submit. Rehearsals begin April 18, 2024, with opening on May 3 and closing July 6, 2024. Performances take place at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, in Rock Island, Illinois. Weekly salary, housing and travel included. Please see the character breakdown for a complete list of characters we are casting.
Roles to be filled:
Tommy DeVito – Male. 25-45
The lead guitarist and baritone of The Four Seasons. Tommy grew up in Belleville, New Jersey, in a working class, Italian neighborhood. Tommy and his brother, Nick DeVito, form several musical acts -- though their success is often impeded by one or the other ending up in prison. Tommy acts as band manager, taking the lead role and managing all the trio’s gigs. Tommy decides to mentor Frankie, taking him under his wing and teaching Frankie about music, women, and the ways of the world. Tommy claims to do what’s best to take care of the group, but he often does so in ways the group would not approve of. Tommy is always a bit of a wild card. He is reckless and impulsive, and the others can never depend too much on him. Tommy has a volatile temper and a fragile ego. He needs to feel respected. Nevertheless, Tommy does have a charming, bad boy dynamic that is hard to dislike. This role requires a New Jersey accent.
Vocal Range: G3 to E4
Nick DeVito (and others) – Male. 25-45
A part of the Variety Trio with his brother, Tommy, and Nick Massi. Nick DeVito grew up in Belleville, New Jersey, a working-class neighborhood from which most of its’ inhabitants dream of escape. Nick is a talented musician but squanders his chances away through his criminal activities. With his brother, Nick takes part in multiple thefts, and spends time in jail. When Tommy and Nick Massi form The Four Seasons with Frankie Valli, Nick DeVito misses his chance to hit the big time with them because he is still behind bars. This role requires a New Jersey accent and doubles as other members of the
Ensemble. Vocal Range: A3 to E4
Ensemble – Any age and gender
The ensemble of Jersey Boys play many featured roles. Ensemble members may play: Nick’s date; fans; policemen; detectives; parents; Four Seasons’ replacements; and music executives. A number of musical groups perform: Yannick, a French rapper, with backup singers (“Ces soirées-là (Oh What a Night)” - Paris 2000); The Royal Teens (“(Who Wears) Short Shorts”); Hal Miller and the Rays (“An Angel Cried”); Miss Frankie Nolan and the Romans (“I Still Care”); Billy Dixon and the Topix (“Trance”); and The Angels (“My Boyfriend’s Back”).
For consideration, please send cover letter, headshot/resume and reel to Production Manager Jeremy Littlejohn at jeremylittlejohn1977@gmail.com. If you wish to be considered for the Ensemble, please include a dance reel as well.
All other roles have been filled at this time
Join us at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse and become part of our rich history!
The actors and artistic staff at Circa '21 hail from all parts of the country.
Semi-annual auditions are held in New York and other major metropolitan areas.
In addition, local auditions are held for every show.
