Upcoming Auditions

AUDITION DATES:

Sunday, July 26 at 2PM

Monday, July 27 at 6PM

Callbacks (by invite only): Wednesday, July 29

PERFORMANCE DATES: 

October 23-25, 2026

DIRECTING TEAM:

Director: Greg Holt

Symphony Director: Jordan Bancroft

Choreographer: Mandy Masmar

Music Director: Ryan Occeña

Stage Manager: Anita Ross

SYNOPSIS: It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence, if only our founding fathers can agree

to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

America’s founding and our founding fathers have become a type of mythology and folklore for most Americans. These men are often viewed as God-like figures but in 1776 that belief was questioned. We see our founding fathers make mistakes, have flaws, and participate in the same political theatre that still happens to this day.

SCRIPTS: Scripts will be available for a week-long perusal with a $10 deposit. Please contact Greg Holt at greg@mycfct.org or Anita Ross at anita.ross@wcpbhct.org for a script or more information.

REHEARSALS: We will ask you to complete a conflict calendar prior to making casting decisions. It is helpful to bring your

conflicts from Sunday, July 26-Sunday, October 25 to auditions. Getting involved in a production is no small commitment and while we encourage and welcome one and all, it’s best to fully understand the time commitment and the challenges you may meet if you or a family member gets involved.

We will start our rehearsal period around July 30, 2026. The final technical and dress rehearsals are considered mandatory so we all are fully prepared for our audiences.

PERFORMANCES: All performances will take place on stage at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, located at 8201 Dakota St, Cedar Falls, IA.

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS:

Auditions will be held in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus. Interested individuals need only attend one audition session.

Initial auditions will consist of three parts: a vocal (musical) audition, a dance/movement audition, and acting audition with selections chosen from the script.

• For the vocal/music auditions: 16-32 bars/1 minute max from the show or similar musical and you will need to bring sheet music or a preferred instrumental music track. No acapella auditions please.
• For the dance/movement audition: Please wear clothing and footwear that allows full movement potential, and be prepared to learn and perform a short choreographed piece.
• For the acting audition: You will perform cold readings of selections from the musical.

CASTING NOTES:

Neither experience nor membership is required to audition. Experienced or first-time performers who enjoy singing, dancing, and acting are invited to audition. All roles are open and available. We are committed to a policy of open auditions.

Our success depends on the full participation of interested and dedicated people, regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

AVAILABLE ROLES:

NOTE: We are seeking to develop a cast that celebrates the diversity of America and, therefore, are interested in casting people from a wide range of ages, gender expressions, and race. The genders

listed in the character descriptions refer to the gender of the character, not the actor. Listed vocal ranges are for characters with solo songs or vocal moments.

DR. JOSIAH BARTLETT (plays 47). A New Hampshire delegate who sides in favor of independence.

JOHN HANCOCK (plays 40). President of the 1776 Continental Congress. John Hancock put the first and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.

JOHN ADAMS (plays 41). A Massachusetts delegate, John Adams is the leading voice for separation from England and the Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately his tendency toward fiery rhetoric makes him generally disliked by other Congress members. Vocal Range: C3-F#4

STEPHEN HOPKINS. (Plays late 60s) Crusty old geezer who is given to indulgence in alcoholic beverages.

ROGER SHERMAN (plays 55): A Connecticut delegate, Sherman sides in favor of independence and is on the committee to write the Declaration.

LEWIS MORRIS (plays 50): Lead delegate of New York, who abstains from every vote.

ROBERT LIVINGSTON (plays 30): A New York delegate, Robert Livingston is a member of the committee assigned to write the Declaration.

REVEREND JOHN WITHERSPOON (plays 30s-50s): NON-SINGING ROLE. A New Jersey delegate. He argues for, and wins, the inclusion of the Supreme Being in the Declaration. Supporter of Independence.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (plays Late 60s):A Pennsylvania delegate, Benjamin Franklin is urbane and cool headed. His logic often prevails where the emotions of others fail. He and Adams lead the charge for independence. Vocal Range: Ab2-Eb4

JOHN DICKINSON (plays 44): (44): A Pennsylvania delegate, John Dickinson leads a group of Congress members who favor petitioning King George III with their grievances rather than declaring independence from England. He represents the conservative side of Congress, the wealthy landowners who do not want to break from Great Britain. Vocal Range A2-E4

JAMES WILSON (plays 33): A Pennsylvania delegate, James Wilson casts the final vote to approve the Declaration, not because of his own belief in the cause, but because he does not

want to be remembered in history as “the man who prevented American independence.”

CAESAR RODNEY (plays 48): A Delaware delegate, Caesar Rodney works hard for independence, despite the fact that he is suffering from skin cancer.

COLONEL THOMAS McKEAN (plays 42): A Delaware delegate, Colonel Thomas McKean is Scottish and is very loud and vocal with his thick accent.

GEORGE READ (plays 43): A Delaware delegate, George Read is opposed to independence and sides with Dickinson.

SAMUEL CHASE (plays 35): A Maryland delegate, Samuel Chase always seems to be eating and is portly. He initially sides with Dickinson.

RICHARD HENRY LEE (plays 45): A Virginia delegate, Richard Henry Lee is selected to make the argument for independence to the Congress, as Adams is having little luck.

THOMAS JEFFERSON (plays 33): A Virginia delegate, Thomas Jefferson, in spite of his many protests, is selected to pen the Declaration of Independence. Vocal Range C3-G4

JOSEPH HEWES (plays 46): A North Carolina delegate, his main characteristic is that he is always deferring to Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, and does not seem to have much independent

thought for himself. He is against Independence.

EDWARD RUTLEDGE (plays 26): A South Carolina delegate, Edward Rutledge is opposed to the Declaration of Independence because of his passionate opposition to the document’s call for an end to slavery. Vocal Range C3-A5

DR. LYMAN HALL (plays 52): Physician and pastor and a Georgia delegate, Dr. Lyman Hall initially sides with Dickinson.

SECRETARY CHARLES THOMPSON (Plays 16-40): The secretary of the Congress.

ANDREW McNAIR (plays 16-50s): NON-SINGING ROLE. In the show, he is portrayed as a quirky, exasperated man who lights the fires and candles, opens and closes the windows, fills the ink wells, and keeps the Continental Congress meeting room clean.

THE LEATHER APRON (plays 15-17) Tenor. Young apprentice in training to learn McNair’s custodial trade.

THE COURIER (plays 15-20) A young messenger for Congress. Vocal Range C3-Db4

ABIGAIL ADAMS (late 30s): Wife of John Adams, her communications with John tell some of the story of the Declaration and much of the story of her and John’s love and life. Vocal Range Db4-F5

MARTHA JEFFERSON (27): The young and beautiful wife of Thomas Jefferson, Martha Jefferson is brought to Philadelphia to help dispel Jefferson’s writer’s block. Vocal Range Bb3-D5

OTHER ENSEMBLE