Albany Civic Theater is excited to hold open auditions for The Pirates of Penzance!By W. S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Directed by Christi Sears
Performances: Apr. 17, 18, 19(m), 24, 25, 26(m), May 1, 2, 3(m), 7, 8, 9, 2026
Open auditions for The Pirates of Penzance will be held at Albany Civic Theater on Monday, January 26th and Tuesday, January 27th. Doors open at 6:15 PM, auditions will begin promptly at 7 PM. Auditioners should plan to attend both Monday and Tuesday. Callbacks will be held by invitation-only if needed on Wednesday, January 28th.
Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form that will be provided at the theater. You are also welcome to download and print the form below, complete it in advance, and bring it with you. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required, but always appreciated.
Rehearsals are generally 7-9 PM, Mondays-Thursdays, until the run of full acts the week prior to opening night. Please keep this in mind when providing your list of conflicts, including the list of important dates listed below. Bring a full list of your conflicts from January 29-May 10, 2026 (weekends included).
Important dates:
Take Stage: March 22, 2026
Retreat: April 4, 2026
Set Strike: May 10, 2026
Tech week: April 13 - 16, 2026
Audition info/welcome letter: https://tinyurl.com/ACTPiratesOfPenz-Wel-Letter
Audition form: https://tinyurl.com/ACTPiratesOfPenz-Audition-Form
What to prepare/expect:
• MONDAY: Vocal and dance auditions. Please prepare to sing a song that accentuates your vocal ability. Do not pick a song from The Pirates of Penzance; sing a song from a different show in a similar style. Bring your sheet music with you as there will be an accompanist at auditions. If you have dance shoes, please bring them as well. Be ready to learn and perform a basic dance routine. Please come dressed to move and wear comfortable shoes. You will warm up as a group. You will be called up to sing on stage. Hand your sheet music to the pianist. You will not be singing the entire song; plan to sing between thirty seconds to one minute of your song (depending on the number of auditioners, it may be less than that). After your song, you will work with the vocal director on scales. Move into the lobby for the dance portion of the audition process. You are welcome to leave after doing your vocal and dance audition and returning the next day for script readings.
• TUESDAY: Script readings. This is when you’ll be called to read lines from the show with others. Since most of this show is sung, you possibly will be given the words of a song to read with others.
• WEDNESDAY: Callbacks by invitation only, if needed. If we decide on Tuesday that we are able to cast this show, there will be no callbacks. If we need callbacks, we will let you know at the end of Tuesday evening.
About the show:
The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera being performed in a steampunk style. Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice, falls head-over-heels in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Frederic is due to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, but there’s a snag. Born on 29 February, Frederic discovers that he is technically still a youngster. Although very much in love, his dedication to duty is unshakeable. Can he find a way to live happily-ever-after with Mabel?
Cast of characters:
• Frederic: A member of the Pirates. He is unaffected and possesses an unself-conscious sex appeal. Youthful, genuine and innocent. Young adult, male presenting. Vocal range top: G4. Vocal range bottom: Bb2.
• Mabel: Daughter of the Major-General. Mabel is a classic beauty similar to Lillian Gish or Mary Pickford. An astute young woman, she is sympathetic in nature. She and Frederic fall in love. Young adult, female presenting. Vocal range top: Db6. Vocal range bottom: Bb3.
• Pirate King: The leader of the pirates. Despite his sharp and loud bark, he is actually a whole-hearted romantic with a soft bite. A handsome man typically found with an open shirt and wind in his hair. Mature adult, male presenting. Vocal range top: F4. Vocal range bottom: A#2.
• Major-General Stanley: A father with many daughters. He resembles a male Queen Victoria in his sensibilities. Possesses kindness, warmth, and good-humor. The love for his daughters is undeniable. Mature adult, male presenting. Vocal range top: E4. Vocal range bottom: Bb2.
• Ruth: Frederic's lifelong nanny. A sneaky Mrs. Potts, she is attractive enough for her age but cares very little about such things. She wants nothing more in life than to see Frederic happy, healthy, and by her side. Mature adult, female presenting. Vocal range top: Eb5. Vocal range bottom: G3.
• Kate: Daughter of the Major-General. Quick-witted and rather sassy. She, like her other sisters, is strikingly beautiful. Youthful to mature adult, female presenting. Vocal range top: G5. Vocal range bottom: Ab3.
• Edith: Daughter of the Major-General. Though a level-headed girl, she is quite mischievous. Very beautiful and the eldest of the daughters. Youthful to mature adult, female presenting. Vocal range top: G5. Vocal range bottom: Ab3.
• Samuel: The Pirate King's right-hand man. Perhaps a bit rotund, Samuel is clever but easily manipulated and influenced. Mature adult, male presenting. Vocal range top: F4. Vocal range bottom: Bb2.
• Sergeant: The leader of the police. He is Groucho Marx-esque and uncomfortably clumsy. Though their duty to protect is clear, the Sergeant and his police are more accustomed to fear and hide. Mature adult, male presenting. Vocal range top: E4. Vocal range bottom: G2.
• Ensemble: Major’s daughters, Pirates, Police
To learn more about the director and show, please visit https://www.albanycivic.org/2025-2026/pirates-of-penzance-2026
Event Venue
111 1st Ave W, Albany, OR, United States, Oregon 97321
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