South Bay Musical Theatre announces auditions for

RENT

Book, Music and Lyrics by: JONATHAN LARSON
Directed & Choreographed by Jen C. Maggio & Nicole Tung
Vocal Direction by Andy Kline
Music Direction by Christine Lovejoy
Produced by Walter M. Mayes

Auditions:

Link to sign up: https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_rent
Monday, June 5, 2023 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Please schedule a vocal audition slot. All should plan to stay to the end of the hour to attend the
dance/movement call.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of the show with sheet music in the correct key.
No recordings, please. An accompanist will be provided. Self-accompaniment on guitar or piano
is permitted. Bring a headshot, resume, conflict calendar through October 21, and clothes and
shoes comfortable to move in. All will be expected to attend the dance/movement call at the end
of each hour.

Auditions will be held at 761 Mabury Rd, Suite 20 in San Jose.
Callbacks by invitation only will be held on Saturday, June 17.

Monday, June 5, 2023
https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_rent
7:00-7:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
7:45-8:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL
8:00-8:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
8:45-9:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL
9:00-9:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
9:45-10:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
https://sbmt.ivolunteer.com/sbmt_rent
7:00-7:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
7:45-8:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL
8:00-8:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
8:45-9:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL
9:00-9:45 p.m.: Vocal Appointments
9:45-10:00 p.m.: DANCE/MOVEMENT CALL

All auditions will be recorded for staff reference.

The rehearsal calendar is compact and fast-paced. Therefore, conflict calendars will be a
primary consideration for casting. Only minor conflict schedules will be considered, if any.
No conflicts during tech week accepted.

SBMT Casting Commitment

South Bay Musical Theatre is actively re-shaping our company to be reflective of the community
it serves. We practice non-traditional and identity-conscious casting in all our productions. We
are seeking and highly encouraging all actors to submit, regardless of race/ethnicity/caste,
disability, body type, age, orientation, or gender/gender identity. All cast are volunteers with a
performance per diem equal to $250 total.

SUMMARY

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a
group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New
York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional
complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals
with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their
relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty
income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an
outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and
conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

ROLES

ROGER DAVIS: (20 to 25; Male; F2-A4)
A struggling musician and former drug addict. He is reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Roommates
with Mark in the loft and battles with being HIV-positive.

MARK COHEN: (20 to 30; Male; A2-G4)
Filmmaker and video artist. Knee deep in his own soul-searching, Mark is the typical young
artist. He and Roger are roommates in the loft. A bit of a nerd.

TOM COLLINS: (25 to 35; Male; F#2-A4)
A computer genius and liberal professor. He is a nurturer with a smooth and relaxed disposition.
Used to be a roommate in the loft and is HIV-positive.

BENJAMIN COFFIN III: (25 to 35; Male; Bb2-F#4)
The landlord of Mark and Roger’s apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny
traded in his personal morals for power and wealth.

JOANNE JEFFERSON: (25 to 40; Female; G3-E5)
A public interest lawyer and headstrong lesbian. She is smart and purposeful in all her
decisions. Carries on a tumultuous relationship with Maureen.

ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD: (20 to 30; Male; C3-A4)
The eccentric HIV-positive street drummer. A drag queen with an incredible gift of dance and a
magnetic personality. He becomes Tom’s lover.

MIMI MARQUEZ: (18 to 21; Female; Eb3 – E5)
An HIV-positive stripper with drug addictions. Slender and sickly, she conceals it all at her job in
the local strip club. She lives in the same building as the loft.

MAUREEN JOHNSON: (20 to 25; Female; C4-F5)
An unpredictably zany performance artist. Maureen oozes sexuality and used to live in the loft.
She has recently dumped Mark for Joanne.

ENSEMBLE (8 to 10 members)

Homeless Men & Women; Junkies, Parents (Mrs. Cohen, Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson); Support Group
(Steve, Gordon)

Key Dates:
First Rehearsal: (tentative) Jul 23, 2023
Load-in: Sept 9, 2023
Opening Night: Sept 30, 2023
Closing Performance & Strike: Oct 21, 2023