See yourself on stage at Riverwalk
Book by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney; Music by Dan Studney; Lyrics by Kevin Murphy
A high-energy, highly stylized satirical political commentary inspired by the 1936 propaganda film of the same name. Set in 1930’s America, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral.
We, the casting team, are looking to cast a diverse group of people (must be 18+ for content) and are open to all auditioners for any role, no matter gender, race, capabilities, or whether you fit the description or not. Come show us what you’ve got!
Please prepare: We are asking auditioners to bring 32-64 bars of sheet music similar to the style of the show to be sung for us, (please don’t use a song from the show) and be prepared to learn a dance routine! Cold reads will be held at callbacks.
Content notice:
Strong drug themes, exaggerated violence, sexual situations, implied nudity and mild to moderate profanity. These themes are presented in a highly stylized, spoof-like manner rather than being entirely realistic.
Casting team:
Director: Quinn Kelly
Assistant Director: Rita Sobish
Music Director: Kait Wilson
Choreographer: Carmen Zavala
When:
Open auditions will be held Sunday & Monday, July 5th & 6th at 7:00 PM
Callbacks take place on an invitation-only basis: Wednesday, July 8th at 7:00 PM
Performances and Rehearsal Information:
Rehearsals will mostly be Monday through Thursday (with some Sundays added in at later dates) between July 12th-September 9th from 6:30-9:30pm.
Performances for Reefer Madness will be Thursday through Sunday, September 10th through the 20th in the Studio Black Box.
Jimmy Harper (M - actor should be 18+) – A wholesome, innocent, high school teenager who runs into trouble after he is lured into the dangerous world of reefer.
Lecturer (Any gender, any age 18+) – A severe authority figure who warns the audience of the perils of Reefer Madness (Doubles as Goat-man, Mr. Poppy, Irish Priest, Old Man, Radio Announcer, Ticket-taker, Police man, and FDR)
Mary Lane (F - actor should be 18+) – Jimmy’s sweetheart, a naïve, virginal teenage girl
Jack Stone (M - 30-55) – The handsome and ruthless proprietor of the Reefer Den, a 30’s gangster movie type. (Doubles as Jesus, George Washington)
Mae (F - 30-55) – An attractive, yet slightly haggard dame in her mid-30s, the hostess of the Reefer Den
Ralph Wiley (M - 25-45) – A denizen of the Reefer Den, formally a fraternity man but his college days ended long ago due to his reefer habit. (Doubles as Sally’s baby, Switch Puller, Uncle Sam)
Sally (F - 25-45) – A sexy and seductive resident of the Reefer Den, she possesses the libidinous soul of Mae West combined with the rat-a-tat moxie of a vintage Barbara Stanwyck. (Doubles as Lady Liberty)
Placard Girl (F - 20-40) – Throughout the play she reinforces the warnings of the Lecturer by holding large signs that clearly state the moral of what we’ve just seen. (Doubles as Five-and-Dime Kid, Police officer)
Ensemble (Any Gender, Any Age) – Mixed gender group to represent Reefer Zombies, Kids at the Five-and-Dime, Jungle Orgy Dancers, Angels, and Patriotic background chorus in the Star-Spangled finale.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Performances for Come From Away will be October 15-18 & 22-25, 2026 on the Rotary Main Stage
*Note that these auditions will be held offsite due to earlier than usual auditions and building space*
Show and casting description: The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away is a story of kindness, joy, and hope in the face of tragedy. It tells a true story of events in Gander, Newfoundland, a small town that welcomed 7,000 stranded travelers after 9/11. As fear and uncertainty gripped the world, the people of Gander opened their hearts and homes, forging unexpected friendships and proving that even in the darkest times, compassion can shine through. Filled with undeniable Canadian charm, this powerful musical is celebrated for its uplifting message, ensemble cast, and folk-inspired score.
We are searching for a diverse company of 12 actor-singers who are interested in a creative and actor-driven rehearsal process. Each will play multiple roles with different accents. We welcome actors from all backgrounds. Riverwalk Theatre and our show’s creative team are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we encourage auditions from our diverse Greater Lansing community. Outside of the casting requirements stated below, we are committed to open casting. If any accommodation is required for auditioning and/or for participating in the show, please let us know.
Ages playable, not literal. Other specific character notes in character descriptions.
All actors will need a Newfoundland (Gander) accent as well as various other international accents. Please come prepared to show us your best Newfoundland (& other) accents! (for Newfoundland pronunciation see online videos such as THIS and THIS for help).
Casting team:
Directors: Jane Falion & Michele Booher-Purosky
Music Directors: Alan B. Sloan & Janus Hoang
Choreographer: Amanda Tollstam
When & Where:
Auditions: Open auditions will be held: July 12 & 13, at 7:00 pm*
Location: *Auditions will be held at Haslett Community Church, 1427 Haslett, MI 48840
Callbacks will take place on an invitation-only basis: July 14 at 7:00 PM,
First table read on July 15th.
Please Prepare:
-Prepare to sing 32 measures of a contemporary music theatre or pop/rock song, in the style of the show’s music, which showcases your acting and singing skills as well as your vocal range. Please do not sing music from the show. An accompanist is available – please bring sheet music.
-Plan to read a short passage of dialogue that demonstrates your proficiency with the Gander dialect and your charm as a storyteller.
-Plan to learn and perform a short piece of movement/choreography. (You may want to bring or wear comfy clothes for this portion of the audition).
-Please bring a simple one-page performing resume listing recent roles/shows in which you’ve performed, the year and the company/creative team as well as any specialty skills/interests.
-Please arrive early to allow time to fill out an audition form before 7pm auditions begin. You may also fill one out ahead of time to bring with you (located on our website). Because this show is set up somewhat differently than other musicals, most rehearsals will require the full company, so please list ALL CONFLICTS on the audition form.
Female Presenting Characters:
Bonnie & Others
A no-nonsense mother of 3, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety - but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her.
● Also Plays: Martha
● Age: 30-40s
● Vocal range top: Mezzo with a belt up to B (range top: B4)
Beulah & Others
Head of the Gander Legion & Teacher at the Gander Academy with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her.
● Also Plays: Delores. A New Yorker. (New York Accent) (sings Titanic theme song in karaoke)
● Age: 40s-60s
● Vocal type & range: Mezzo with a belt up to B
Janice & Others
An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her.
● Also Plays: Britney and Flight Attendant.
● Age: 20s
● Vocal type & range: Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E. (range top: E5)
Beverley/Annette & Others
Beverley: The first female captain for American Airlines, Pilot Beverley Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes.
Annette: A schoolteacher at Gander Academy with an active fantasy life.
Diane & Others
A traditional divorcee from Texas (Texan Accent), who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself.
Hannah & Others
Black. The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah.
● Also Plays: Margie and Mickey.
● Age: 40s-60s
● Vocal type & range: Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E. (range top: E5)
Male Presenting Characters
Claude & Others
The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before.
Oz & Others
The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways.
Nick/Doug & Others
Nick: An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane.
Doug: An Air Traffic Controller, married to Bonnie, who tries to help his wife and the animals.
Kevin T/Garth & Others
Kevin T: The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation.
Garth: The head of the local union, representing the bus drivers.
Kevin J/Ali & Others
Middle Eastern/North African (MENA)
Kevin J: Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible.
Ali: An Egyptian man traveling to America who experiences isolation and Islamophobia but who finds a connection to Beulah. (Egyptian Accent)
Bob & Others
Black. A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet - but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness.