In The Heights AuditionsWalter M. Mayes, Artistic Director of South Bay Musical Theatre announces auditions for In The Heights performing May 16 – June 6, 2026.

  • Music and Lyrics and Book by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes
  • Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Director & Vocal Director:Dave Leon
  • Music Director:Tony Gaitan
  • Choreographer:Michael Saenz
  • Stage Manager:Carla McCreight

Initial auditions will be held Sunday, January 4 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 7 from 7:00 – 10:00  p.m.

Please schedule an audition slot here. (Audition sign-ups are open at 1:00 a.m. December 1.)

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. Please bring your music in a three-ring binder and clearly marked with start, end, and cuts for the ease of the accompanist.

Bring a headshot, resume, conflict calendar through June 6, and clothes and shoes comfortable to dance in.

Auditioners must attend a dance call but may choose to do so before or after their vocal audition time if available. You do not need to sign up for a dance call–please come to the one most convenient for you.

Dance call times are:

For Sunday, January 4

– 11:00 a.m.
– 12:30 p.m.
– 2:00 p.m.
– 3:30 p.m.

For Wednesday, January 7

– 8:00 p.m.
– 9:30 p.m.

Rehearsals will be held on Sunday thru Thursday evenings and the occasional Saturday morning.

The rehearsal calendar is compact and fast-paced. Therefore, conflict calendars will be an important consideration when making casting decisions. Please give us complete conflict information. If you are already obligated to another show that will cause conflicts with our rehearsal schedule, or if you are auditioning for multiple shows that perform in the same time frame as ours, please let us know. Only minor conflicts will be accepted.

Auditions will be held at 761 Mabury Rd, Suite 20 in San Jose.

Callbacks, by invitation only: Saturday, January 10 from 10 AM – 2 PM.

SUMMARY

In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

SBMT Casting Commitment

South Bay Musical Theatre will follow the request of the rights holder when casting, which read: “In the Heights celebrates, uplifts and amplifies a Latine community in New York City. To honor the authors’ vision and to clearly and appropriately tell that story, the roles should be cast accordingly. Company members must match the character definitions as written in the script.”

If they feel they meet the requirements, we encourage actors to submit, regardless of race/ethnicity/caste, disability, body type, age, orientation, or gender/gender identity*. Show us your talent and we will figure out whether we can use it or not.

*Though we’re contractually unable to change the script or the music, we are open to considering any actors for roles of specific gender identities. An actor would need to demonstrate the capability to portray the specified character as written as well as sing the required range. If you wish to be considered for specific roles, please note them on your audition form.

South Bay Musical Theatre is a community-based theater organization. Please note that out-of-town performers are responsible for arranging their own housing and travel if cast. We do not offer payment, housing, or travel stipends for participation in our shows. We are not taking AEA submissions. All cast members are volunteers with a performance per diem of $250 in total.

All roles are open

USNAVI DE LA VEGA – Owner of De La Vega Bodega, Latino (A2-A4)
NINA ROSARIO – A freshman at Stanford University, Latina (F3-F5)
KEVIN ROSARIO – Nina’s father, owner of Rosario’s Car Service, Latino (A2-F4)
CAMILA ROSARIO – Nina’s mother, co-owner of Rosario’s, Latina (G3-E5)
BENNY – Employee of Rosario’s, African American (B2-A4)
VANESSA – Works at the salon, Latina (F#3-F5)
SONNY – Usnavi’s cousin, Latino (D3-B4)
ABUELA CLAUDIA – Raised Usnavi, though not his blood grandmother, Latina (Eb3-E5)
DANIELA – Owner of Daniela’s Salon, Latina (F3-E5)
CARLA – Works at the salon, Latina (F3-E5)
GRAFFITI PETE – An artist
PIRAGÜERO (PIRAGUA GUY) – Scrapes piraguas from his block of ice, Latino (D3-A4)

ENSEMBLE

KEY DATES

  • Rehearsals begin Sunday, March 8, 2026

  • Move-in to the theater Saturday, April 25, 2026

  • Tech begins Friday, May 8, 2026 (Meaning we need you all the time–no conflicts accepted)

  • Open Saturday, May 16, 2026

  • Close & Strike June 14 2026