OPEN SINGER/DANCER AUDITION FOR A BEAT OF OUR OWN
McCarter is pleased to announce an open singer/dancer audition specifically for our fall musical A BEAT OF OUR OWN, which will take place on Thursday, March 26th at McCarter Theatre Center from 11am-2pm.
Anyone may sign up for an appointment for these auditions. We cannot guarantee that walk-ins will be accommodated. Please review the breakdown/cast listing below before signing up and only attend if you feel suited to a role in the show. DO NOT attend this open call for any show in our season other than A BEAT OF OUR OWN.
This audition is an exciting opportunity for the casting team at McCarter to connect with local dancers and singers, especially those with experience in South Asian dance and music styles such as Bhangra, Kathak, Bollywood, Hip Hop, Bhangra Boli, Punjabi folk music, Ghazal, etc.
If you wish to be seen at this Open Singer/Dancer Audition, please follow this link to sign up for an appointment - https://mccartertheatre.wufoo.com/forms/m1hf8dik17jezyj/
All auditionees will dance first. Please wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes- no heels. You will be taught a short combination at the audition and do not need to prepare any combination of your own in advance. We do not recommend planning to dance barefoot.
After the dance call, all auditionees will sing. Please bring a 16-bar cut of a contemporary musical theatre song. Bring sheet music in the correct key.* An accompanist will be provided. If you would like to also sing a sample of Bhangra Boli, Punjabi folk music and/or Ghazal, be prepared to do so acapella. We'd love to hear it!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to casting@mccarter.org.
BREAKDOWN
A BEAT OF OUR OWN
Casting Director: ARC / Duncan Stewart, CSA & Patrick Maravilla, CSA
Casting Assistant: ARC / Jaron Cole
Book: Rehana Lew Mirza & Mike Lew
Music & Lyrics: Sam Willmott
Orchestrations: Matthew Malone
Additional Arrangements & Orchestrations: Kuljit Bhamra
Director: Stafford Arima
Choreographer: Rujuta Vaidya
Musical Staging: Jesse Robb
Music Supervision: Bryan Perri
Music Director: Patrick Sulken
Matthews Theatre (LORT B+) - $1320 weekly minimum
First Rehearsal: Aug 25th, 2026
Tech Begins: Sept 29th, 2026
Previews Begin: Oct 7th, 2026
Opening: Oct 16th, 2026
Closing: Oct 25th, 2026
After leading their college team to victory at the Michigan State Championships, teammates Mary and Preeti find themselves bound for Nationals. But when they clash over Mary's plan to fuse multiple Indian styles into their routine, Mary breaks off and forms her own squad. There's only one problem: aside from her chaotic roommate Sunita, none of the new recruits have ever danced before. Armed with a new sense of purpose - and a little help from a former Bollywood star - Mary sets out to mold a ragtag group of lovable misfits into title-worthy contenders. But do they stand a chance against Preeti and her team of bhangra all-stars?
All roles will be understudied.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
*All Tracks: If you have experience singing Bhangra Boli, Punjabi folk music and/or Ghazal...we want to hear it!
[MARY/AS CAST]:
Female. Mixed Race (South Asian-American/White). 20s.
Our heroine. Positive attitude, figuring out where she fits in the world, occasional fits of imposter syndrome. Strong dancer, experience in Indian styles of Bhangra, Bollywood, and Kathak a plus. Pop mezzo with a strong mix and mix-belt.
[PREETI/AS CAST]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Female. Punjabi/ South Asian-American. 20s.
A no-nonsense sophomore who is proud of Bhangra's Punjabi roots. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Pop mezzo with a strong mix and mix-belt.
[SUNITA/AS CAST]:
Female. South Asian-American. 20s.
Ride or die BFFs with Mary, anti-authoritarian visual artist/pharmacology major. A strong dancer. Mezzo-alto with a strong mix-belt.
[BILLY/AS CAST]:
Male. Latinx-American. 20s.
The team DJ, Mary’s love interest, a music nerd who shares Mary’s journey navigating multiple cultures. Strong dancer. Baritenor with pop sensibilities.
[AMIT/AS CAST]:
Male. South Asian-American. 20s.
Charismatic, sensitive but conflict-avoiding team captain of the TIGRES Bhangra team. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Tenor with pop sensibilities and style.
[REKHA/AS CAST]:
Female. Indian. 40s-60s.
Indian immigrant who has lived in the US for 20 years. A Bollywood performer turned restaurateur. Mary’s diva mentor. Strong dancer, specifically in Bollywood and Kathak. Bright alto.
[PIT SINGER/AS CAST]:
Female.
A vocalist who sings in semi-classical ghazal Punjabi folk styles. Sings the voice of Mary’s Mother.
[ENSEMBLE 1 / Constance / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / As Cast]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Female. Asian-American. 20s.
A flighty flaky fashionista. Strong dancer. Soprano with strong mix.
[ENSEMBLE 2 / Gobind / Announcer / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
Male. Sikh Punjabi/South Asian-American. 20s.
An upbeat chemistry major who loves Bhangra with all his heart and also his two left feet. All characters portrayed by this performer wear a paag/head covering and have facial hair. Strong dancer. Tenor.
[ENSEMBLE 3 / Jake / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / As Cast]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Male. Black. 20s.
Gay basketball player, who acts like he’s above it all, but is actually a true team player. Strong dancer. Baritenor.
[ENSEMBLE 4 / Just Bob / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
Male. South Asian-American. 20s.
Big-hearted super senior. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Baritenor.
[ENSEMBLE 5 / Lily / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / As Cast]:
Female. Muslim, Black. 20s.
A shy math nerd. Strong dancer with solid ballet and jazz experience. All characters portrayed by this performer wear a hijab/head covering. Soprano with solid mix and strong mix-belt.
[ENSEMBLE 6 / Mohan / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
Male. Sikh Punjabi/ South Asian-American. 20s.
A sensitive feminist and incredible bhangra team hype man. All characters portrayed by this performer wear a paag/head covering and have facial hair. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Sings boli, so experience in Bhangra and/or Punjabi folk singing is a plus. Tenor.
[ENSEMBLE 7 / New Mary / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Female. South Asian-American. 20s.
Freshman brought on as a ringer to replace Mary, defers to the group. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra, Bollywood, Kathak and Hip-Hop. Mezzo with strong belt.
[ENSEMBLE 8 / Noah / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / As Cast]:
Male. Jewish. 20s.
An adorably over-eager team player who makes up for dance skill with enthusiasm. Strong dancer. Tenor.
[ENSEMBLE 9 / Shetal / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Female. South Asian-American. 20s.
LOVES hanging with other Desis but also a sh*tstarter. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Mezzo with pop sensibilities.
[ENSEMBLE 10 / Shilpa / Mary’s Mom / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
Female. South Asian-American. 20s.
Shilpa wants to win at all costs, best friends with Shetal. Mary's Mom is a professional Kathak dancer. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Kathak, Bhangra, and Bollywood. Mezzo with pop sensibilities.
[ENSEMBLE 11 / Varun / ELU Student / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / Preeti's Family / As Cast]:
ALREADY CAST – CONSIDERATION IS FOR UNDERSTUDIES ONLY
Male. South Asian-American. 20s.
Bro-y muscular fun-loving dude's dude. Strong dancer, specifically in Indian styles of Bhangra and Bollywood, Hip-Hop. Tenor.
[ENSEMBLE 12 / Wallace / Bollywood Performer / Restaurant Goer / As Cast]:
Male. White. 50s-60s.
Sunita's faculty advisor, a widower trying to get back into the world. Strong dancer. Baritenor.
NOTE: All performers are "as cast" and will play a variety of ensemble roles which may include: ELU STUDENTS, A CHINESE DRAGON, A MIME, REKHA'S DELIVERY BOYS, RESTAURANT GOERS, BOLLYWOOD FILM DANCERS, PREETI'S FAMILY IN CHANDIGARH, etc.