Auditions: West Side Story
Schedule
Fri Mar 13 2026 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
1700 N Park Rd, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61604 | Peoria, IL
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WEST SIDE STORYMusical
Directed by Deric Kimler
AUDITIONS:
Friday, March 13th 6p-8p
Saturday, March 14th 1p-4p
Call Backs: Sunday, March 15th at 1p-5p
Location: Corn Stock Theatre Center
Show Dates: May 29th - June 6th at 7:30p (Monday 6/1 & Tuesday 6/2 no shows)
Auditions open to all performers 16 & up by date of Auditions
Please sign up for an audition slot on the form below.
SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BA4AA2CA1FF2-61966118-west
WHAT TO EXPECT AUDITIONS:
People need to bring at least 32 bars of music of your choice, please bring hard copies of your music so our accompanist can play. We will vocalize everyone and have a dance audition that will be taught day off. Call backs information will be given at the auditions.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Dancer's who can sing and are preferably human and capable of telling a story/empathy. Being a part of this show is going to be more than being a part of West Side Story, it's going to be telling the story that is as old as time and help show our community that we all have a part to play in making our community a better, more inviting and space to live.
HOW WE WILL CAST:
We will cast 32-38 people. The Jets will be cast as predominantly white or light skinned individuals and the Sharks will be cast as Hispanic and NonHispanic Black or Indigenous people of color. We are highlighting facts, America has a race problem and part of that are people who "pass" and how people can graduate or lose privilege. We will be discussing much of this throughout the course of the show, if you'd like to be involved, and have more questions please email me at [email protected].
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Deric Kimler
Assistant Director: John Donlan
Stage Manager: Erin Pantages
Backstage Director: Vicente Arias Cruz
Music Director: Gayle Cooper
Orchestra Director: Jeff Neavor
Choreography: Lily Hart
Choreography Development: Erica Franken
Production Secretary: Jennifer Hodum
Recruitment & Team Captain: Lisandra Torres
Costumes: Jill Moritz & Darah Hannan
Set Design: Christine Paternoga & Jack Clifford
Props: Jes King
Hair & Make Up: Amy Williams
Lights: Wayne Carey
Sound: Jace McCance
Marketing Liaison: Jeremiah Lee
Ramps: Erika Poch
Selection Liaison: Trish Ballard
SYNOPSIS:
West Side Story is a musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in 1950s New York City, about the fierce rivalry between two teenage gangs, the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, whose conflict is tragically ignited when Tony (a former Jet) falls in love with Maria (the sister of the Sharks' leader, Bernardo) at a dance, leading to escalating violence and a fatal "rumble" that results in Tony's death, underscoring themes of love, prejudice, and gang violence.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
MARIA (Shark) - A hopeless romantic and innocent young girl. She falls in love with Tony and finds herself at the center of the violent conflict between the two gangs. Bernardo's younger sister. Strong soprano voice.
Range: Bb3 -‐ C6. Some dancing.
TONY (Jet) - A romantic young man and former leader of the Jets, he has found a new lifestyle now that doesn’t involve gangs. Tony finds himself violently torn between his friendships and love. Falls in love with Maria and meets an unfortunate death. Genuinely sweet and sincere. Strong tenor voice. Range: Bb2 -‐ Bb4. Limited dancing.
RIFF (Jet) - An athletic, quick-‐tempered leader of the Jets. He seeks to eliminate the Sharks and establish his own gang's dominance. Tony's best friend, he is eventually murdered by Bernardo. Strong singer. Range: Bb2 -‐ G4. Strong dance background required.
BERNARDO (Shark) - A proud, strong, handsome man. Bernardo seeks to carve out territory as a sense of identity for him and his friends. Maria's brother and Anita's boyfriend. Leader of the Sharks. Limited solo singing. Range: Bb2 -‐ Eb4. Strong dance background required.
ANITA (Shark) - Feisty and assertive. She dispenses "older sister" advice to Maria and tries to shield her from the dangers of the gangs. Bernardo's girlfriend and Maria's friend. Strong Alto (belt).Range: F3 -‐ D5. Strong dance background required.
CHINO (Shark) - An angry and, at times, naive Shark who turns murderous and vengeful. Suitor to Maria and friend of Bernardo's. Speaking Role. Dancing/Singing required.
LT. SCHRANK - A local police detective frustrated by the ongoing violence between the Jets and Sharks. Blunt, brash, racist, and unapologetic. Speaking Role. No dance background required.
OFFICER KRUPKE - The local beat cop. He has no patience for the gangs conflict and tries to keep tensions from erupting between them. A little dorky, he is regularly mocked by the local gangs. Speaking Role. No dance background.
DOC - The adult owner of the store where the Jets hang out. He tries to guide the Jets youthful angst and provides a safe haven for Tony. Old fashioned and wise in his ways. Speaking Role. No dance background.
ACTION (Jet) - The most quick-‐tempered member of the Jets, always ready for a fight. Tenor
A- RAB (Jet) - Slightly less quick tempered than Action. Baby John's best friend. Baritone.
BABY JOHN (Jet) - The youngest Jet, is beaten up during the opening sequence. Tenor.
SNOWBOY (Jet) - Good dancer
BIG DEAL (Jet) - Good dancer
DIESEL (Jet) - Second-‐in-‐command of the Jets. Leader after Riff's death. Baritone/Bass
ANYBODYS (Jet) - A spunky tomboy who is desperate to become a member of the Jets. The other Jets mock her for her ambitions, but generally appreciate her company. Full of energy and heart. Speaking Role. Dance role.
PEPE (Shark) - Gang member, Dancing/Singing required. Baritone.
INDIO (Shark) - Gang member, Dancing/Singing required. Tenor.
LUIS (Shark) - Gang member, Dancing/Singing required. Baritone/Bass.
ANXIOUS(Shark) - Good dancer/ensemble
NIBBLES (Shark) - Good dancer/ensemble
GRAZIELLA (Jet) - Riff's girlfriend. Good dancer/ensemble
VELMA (Jet) - Good dancer/ensemble
MINNIE (Jet) - Good dancer/ensemble
CLARICE (Jet) - Good dancer/ensemble
PAULINE (Jet) - Good dancer/ensemble
ROSALIA (Shark) - Indio’s girlfriend, more demure, not too bright, Mezzo Sop.
CONSUELO (Shark) - Tough, young. Pepe’s girlfriend, Alto.
TERESITA (Shark) - good dancer/ensemble
FRANCISCA (Shark) - Young, Luis’ girlfriend, Soprano
ESTELLA (Shark) - good dancer/ensemble
MARGARITA (Shark) - good dancer/ensemble
GLAD HAND: Nerdy, overly cheerful and ill-‐equipped social director at the school dance (“Mambo”). Speaking role. No dance background.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In an effort to keep Corn Stock a safe space for minors, it is the theatre’s policy to conduct a background check for all volunteers. If you are cast in the production, Corn Stock will need your full legal name, email address, and phone number before rehearsals can proceed. An outside company (InquireHire) performs all background checks by sending you an email and/or text message with a link to fill out the necessary background check form. All information is sent through a secure server and CST sees none of your information. Background checks only flag crimes against children and no other records. Casting will be made official pending a successful background check.
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Where is it happening?
1700 N Park Rd, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61604Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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