Director/Choreographer: Matt Spencer
Pit Conductor: Mitchell Sensenig
Stage Manager: Scott Miller

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Please review the breakdown of roles and prepare to audition for the one that speaks to you the most.

THE CAT IN THE HAT

Male or female presenting Our story’s omniscient narrator, he is fun loving and enjoys rhyming. Pops up throughout the story to help the audience. Wise and attentive. (F4-F2)

JOJO

8-12 Male or female presenting 7-13 The Mayor’s child, they are a Who that is always finding trouble. Bright, creative, and inadvertently mischievous. Possesses a wildly expansive imagination and finds solace in their friendship with Horton. (C5-Ab3)

HORTON THE ELEPHANT

Male 20-40 Our story’s main character, he is a compassionate and gentle elephant. Commonly misunderstood because of his larger size. He is protective and loving of all creatures in the jungle. (F4-A2)

GERTRUDE MCFUZZ

Female 20-30 Horton’s one-feathered-tail bird neighbor. Gertrude is sweet and timid. Though kind and loyal, she is also self-conscious of her shortfalls. (F5-F3)

MAYZIE LABIRD

Female 20-40 The most beautiful bird in all of the jungle. Oblivious to her self-centered ways, she relies on her talent of manipulation, and intoxicating beauty, to navigate her way through life. (Eb5-G3)

THE SOUR KANGAROO

Female 25-40 The ‘leader’ of the jungle. She is loud, brassy, and stubbornly set in her ways. A caring mother, but unabashedly sassy and soulful. (F5-F#3)

THE SOUR KANGAROO

Female 25-40 The ‘leader’ of the jungle. She is loud, brassy, and stubbornly set in her ways. A caring mother, but unabashedly sassy and soulful. (F5-F#3)

MR. & MRS. MAYOR

Male and female 25-60 The newly elected leaders of Whoville and Jojo’s parents. They are loving but slightly over scheduled parents. They love their child and their town. (Tenor and Mezzo-Soprano)

GENERAL GENGHIS KHAN SCHMITZ

Male or female presenting 23-80 “General crazy for war,” this member of Whoville runs the Military Academy. Patter singing.

ENSEMBLE

Jungle Creatures (The Wickersham Brothers, Yertle The Turtle, Bird Girls); The Whos. This cast of characters will play many characters throughout the show. We will build on the ensemble’s talents to build this wild and magical show.

Audition Requirements:

Please prepare 16 bars of music from a contemporary musical that best shows your voice and range. Legible sheet music must be provided for the rehearsal pianist/music director. Recorded accompaniment or a cappella auditions are not allowed. A reading will be provided. If you are invited to call backs, music cuts and sides from the show will be provided.
There are two forms you will need to fill out for this audition: the Theatre Harrisburg audition form and the SEUSSICAL supplemental audition form. You may print and complete them ahead of the audition to save time. Have your conflict calendar handy when completing these. Please note! No conflicts are allowed during tech week or for any of the performances.
If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will need to also sign your audition form.

Callbacks:

Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, February 6 from 6-9 by invitation only.

Reach out to [email protected] with questions.

PLEASE NOTE:

Auditions are by sign-up ONLY. Please sign up through the following form:

AUDITION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS):

Who may audition?

Anyone may audition! Theatre Harrisburg is committed to identity-conscious casting. This means the casting committee will consider an auditionee's identity in relation to that of a character. Thus, you may audition for any character you wish to, but please be aware that the casting committee must consider licensing restrictions and other such factors when casting. In some cases, casting notices will be very specific with regard to character (gender-presenting, race, ethnicity, etc.) in others, open to anyone. Regardless of casting notices, everyone is welcome to audition for any show, unless age specific requirements are noted (some shows may not be suitable for minors).

How do I audition?

Each show director will set their requirements for audition day. Standard requests will be that you bring your upcoming scheduling conflicts to share with the casting committee, fill out an audition form (parents/guardians will need to sign this form as well for minors), and have fun! Musicals typically ask you to prepare 16-32 bars of a song to sing for the committee. Some plays ask for a prepared monologue, others give you something to read at the open call. Many musical auditions will have a movement or dance call. Please see individual shows below for more information!

What is an open call?

An open call audition means anyone is welcome to attend that day. There may be sign-ups in advance for time slots, but beyond that, open means just that! Please be aware that our sign-ups fill up quickly, so consider signing up ahead of time.

What is a callback?

Callbacks are closed, invitation only auditions. During a callback, individuals are selected from open calls and other means to attend a second audition. This second audition gives the show director and casting committee an opportunity to have you read from the show script, sing from the show, and work with other auditionees so that we can put together the best cast possible for a show. Please note that for musicals any readings will happen at callbacks. In some cases this is where the dance call will happen as well. If you are not available for callbacks for a musical we may not be able to consider you for any roles soley on you vocal audition. Please make sure you clear your schedule for callback ahead of time. Please email [email protected] if you will not be available.

How will I know if I get the part?

Everyone who auditions is notified either by e-mail or a call if they are being offered a role in a show. Typically, an email is sent to those who did not fit the director’s vision for that particular show to let them know they should try again for a different production. Calls are made within a few days of callbacks for role offers. Everyone will be contacted within 2 weeks of auditioning.

Do you pay actors?

Theatre Harrisburg is a non-profit Community Theatre. Our actors, crew, ushers, and box office personnel are all volunteers...and we love them for giving their time and talents to us!

Are any of your shows pre-cast?

Theatre Harrisburg does not pre-cast shows. Some directors and other production members may invite community members to audition, but no one is ever offered a role before the auditions are completed. Each show has a committee attached to it for casting that includes the Artistic and Production Director to insure our inclusive and conscious policies are being adhered to in a manner befitting our stance of being the home where “community takes center stage.”

When are rehearsals?

Rehearsal schedules will vary per director, but generally rehearsals are in the evenings during the week and may include a weekend rehearsal, as well.

Seussical

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Audition Requirements:

Callbacks:

PLEASE NOTE:

AUDITION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS):

SAVE WITH SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS