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Carrollwood Players Theatre announces open auditions and offstage production opportunities for:The Carol Burnett Show
A Black Box Comedy
Directed by Alicia Spiegel
Presented by an Anonymous Supporter - "Comedy = Tragedy + Time"
Carol Burnett is known as one of the most brilliant comedians of all time, and the wildly popular Carol Burnett Show had Americans glued to their TVs for 11 years, garnering 25 Emmy awards and inclusion in Time magazine’s list of the “100 Best TV Shows of All Time.”
It’s the early 1970s and you are a member of the studio audience on Stage 33 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. As you settle into your seat, the lights dim, that familiar theme song begins to play, and our own cast of cut-ups take to the stage as Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman and special guests to perform a collection of the show’s funniest and most memorable comedy sketches. And you never know what might happen when this funny foursome and their friends go off script.
Also featuring questions with Carol, hilarious TV commercial parodies and more!
The entire staff of the original Carol Burnett Show are donating their share of profits from this production to the Navajo Children’s Scholarship Trust.
Presented with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
The Carol Burnett Show is presented by arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service
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AUDITION DATES:
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 at 7 p.m.
AND
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Auditions will be at Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618
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PRODUCTION DATES:
January 9th - 18th, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m.
Call time for all performers and crew on performance dates is 1 hour prior to showtime.
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Tech Week:
January 5th - 8th, 2026
Performers and some production volunteers/crew MUST be available for all tech week rehearsals and all performances. There are no exceptions! You MUST complete the online sign-up form in advance to attend this audition or be considered for production volunteer opportunities. PLEASE LIST ALL POTENTIAL DATE SCHEDULE CONFLICTS ON THE ONLINE FORM
Complete the form at:
https://forms.gle/5HkKCZz59b2a9Ets7.
IMPORTANT: If you have SIGNIFICANT conflicts between auditions and tech week, please carefully consider whether or not you are in a position to participate in this production. We are looking for performers who are AVAILABLE and COMMITTED to this production.
Please take care to complete the conflict section of this form accurately and completely. Casting and staffing decisions and rehearsal schedules are based in part on information you provide about potential conflict dates.
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Rehearsals:
The exact rehearsal schedule is to be determined, but rehearsals are usually 2-3 days per week, mostly weekday nights, but there may be rehearsals on Saturdays in the daytime and/or Sundays in the evening. Weekday evening rehearsals generally begin at 7 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. (possibly later during tech week) Sunday evening rehearsals generally begin at 6 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. There will be a total of approximately 20-25 rehearsals for this production.
The rehearsal schedule intensifies as opening night draws closer. Tech week rehearsals often run later into the evening.
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No experience is necessary. All roles are open. All ethnicities, identities and abilities are strongly encouraged to audition for any and all roles. This is a non-paid opportunity.
Headshots and resumes are encouraged but not required.
You may send in advance to [email protected]
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Production Volunteer Opportunities: Let us know what you are interested in helping with!
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Casting:
During its legendary run from 1967 to 1978, The Carol Burnett Show set the gold standard for television sketch comedy. At its heart was a remarkable ensemble whose chemistry, timing, and versatility created some of the most memorable moments in TV history.
Led by the incomparable Carol Burnett — joined by comedy greats Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, and Vicki Lawrence — the show blended outrageous character sketches, musical numbers, movie parodies, and good-natured improvisation into a weekly event audiences adored. Together, these four performers formed a comic dream team whose warmth, wit, and fearless sense of fun defined an era and continue to inspire laughter decades later.
We are NOT seeking "lookalikes" of the stars of the show, though any resemblance is certainly a plus. What is far more important is impeccable comedic timing, a passionate talent for fun and shenanigans, and the ability to portray a wide variety of colorful characters.
in addition to the four "show regulars," we will be casting two performers to join the sketch comedy fun as "guest stars"
The age ranges listed below are flexible.
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Roles Available:
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Carol Burnett - Female - 35 to 50
The heart and soul of the show, Carol Burnett is a brilliant comedian, actress, and singer whose warmth and quick wit made her one of America’s most beloved entertainers. During The Carol Burnett Show’s original run, she was known for her radiant personality, her expressive face, and her unmatched ability to move effortlessly between slapstick comedy and heartfelt sincerity. Carol often played everything from glamorous movie parodies to sweet, scatterbrained housewives — always anchoring the show with her signature charm and infectious laugh. A performer with impeccable timing and a natural rapport with both her cast and the audience.
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Harvey Korman - Male - 40 to 60
The consummate straight man with a flair for the absurd, Harvey Korman brought sophistication and grandeur to every sketch he touched. Tall, elegant, and dramatically expressive, he often played the pompous or self-important foil to Carol and Tim’s antics — though he was just as capable of delivering outrageous comedy himself. His deep, booming voice and theatrical delivery gave even the silliest material an air of Shakespearean gravitas. Audiences adored him not only for his comedic versatility, but also for his frequent, uncontrollable laughter whenever Tim Conway went off-script.
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Tim Conway - Male - 35 to 50
The mischievous master of physical comedy and improvisation, Tim Conway was the unpredictable genius who could make his castmates — and the entire audience — collapse in laughter. Known for his deadpan expressions, mumbling delivery, and perfectly timed slow-burn reactions, Conway often played meek or bumbling characters who somehow caused total chaos. His most famous bits — like the Oldest Man or Mr. Tudball — showcased his uncanny ability to stretch a moment into pure comic gold. A true clown in the best sense, Tim was the lovable troublemaker who delighted in cracking up everyone on set.
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Vicki Lawrence - Female - 25 to 40
Quick-witted, youthful, and full of spark, Vicki Lawrence was the show’s breakout protégé — hand-picked by Carol herself. Known for her remarkable resemblance to Burnett, Vicki grew from ensemble player to standout star, holding her own alongside seasoned comedians. Her most iconic creation, “Mama” (Thelma Harper), revealed her gift for sharp-tongued character work and timing well beyond her years. Onstage, she brought both energy and poise, equally skilled at straight comedy and musical numbers. Vicki embodied the fresh, fearless humor that kept The Carol Burnett Show vibrant and relevant.
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Male Guest Star - Male - Any Age 18+
Female Guest Star - Female - Any Age 18+
The male and female guest stars will play a wide variety of comedic supporting characters and will need top notch comedic timing and versatility.
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What to Prepare:
Acting - Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and some improv activities. Those interested in the Carol Burnett role should come prepared to do their best rendition of Carol's famous Tarzan Call (you can easily find this on YouTube.)
VIDEO AUDITIONS - PLEASE NOTE: We prefer to see all auditions in person. Requests for video submissions will only be considered if we are unable to source sufficient talent from those auditioning in person. If you wish to audition by video only, there is no need to complete this form. Please email us at [email protected] and we'll put you on our backup list.
Alternate audition dates: We regret we are not able to schedule an alternate audition date for you.
What to expect on your audition date:
We expect a LARGE turnout for auditions, and space is LIMITED. We regret we cannot admit any guests, companions, or observers.
Auditions begin at 7 p.m. and doors will open at 6:45 p.m. IMPORTANT information is covered at the beginning of each session, therefore it is imperative that you are prepared to begin on time. No auditioners will be admitted after 7:05 p.m.
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You MAY apply to audition AND apply for offstage opportunities (in the event you are not cast), though some offstage positions may be filled prior to the audition dates. If you apply to audition AND to volunteer offstage, we will assume your first preference is to perform.
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Questions may be directed to [email protected]
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