Auditions

Video auditions due Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59 pm

In-person auditions on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00-9:00 pm at Two Brothers Roundhouse

City of Lights Theatre & Cabaret is excited to announce non-equity auditions for Moonlight Cabaret: Dreamscapes, accepting video submissions and in-person auditions.

About the show

Moonlight Cabaret: Dreamscapes will take place on Sundays, July 7 and 14 in the Two Brothers Roundhouse Courtyard and consists of four shows: 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Show description

Somewhere in the twilight between waking and sleeping is the land of dreamscapes, where we experience the impossible and ponder the world beyond. Moonlight Cabaret: Dreamscapes is a collection of musical theatre songs exploring what it means to dream; the human need to imagine, intuit, and pursue our deepest yearnings and highest potential.

Songs will range from “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel. Audiences will be able to order off the menu and enjoy the outdoor beer garden.

We are looking to cast 16-20 performers.

Artistic and Music Director: Kirsten Currie Tait

Choreographers: Ann Marie Decker, Hannah Decker

Staging Director: Michael Currie

Music Directors: Grace Currie, Liz Hutchinson, Andrew Toniolo

Vocal Coach: Colleen Bruton

Auditions:

Video submissions will be accepted until Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59pm.
In-person auditions will take place on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00-9:00 pm

Location of audition: Virtual OR Two Brothers Roundhouse first-floor banquet room

Submissions: Please complete the audition form for consideration. After filling out the form, please email your video audition to auditions@cityoflightstheatre.org by Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59 pm. Please email us with any questions. Find more details on video submissions below.

We encourage performers of all ethnicities and ages (18+) to audition. We are looking to cast 16-20 performers.

Audition form

Tentative setlist

Vocal coaching session at Moonlight Cabaret rehearsal 2023

Pay: Performer stipend is $100 or 25% of ticket sales in their name, whichever amount is greater. Performers may instead elect to donate their stipend back to the organization and receive two comp tickets in thanks, to contribute to our $15,000 fundraising goal to produce our first musical in 2025.

Time commitment: The rehearsal period of the show is May 13 - July 13 with performances on July 7 and 14 at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm (four shows total) at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois. Plan on approximately 8-12 rehearsals in the evening or weekend afternoons within those dates. Please let us know your conflicts during that period. We will provide a master schedule within one week of casting.

Important days/times:

Sunday, June 30 at 1:00-5:00 pm
Saturday, July 6 at 1:00-5:00 pm
Sunday, July 7 at 1:00-10:00 pm (two shows)
Sunday, July 14 at 1:00-10:00 pm (two shows)

Material to prepare for your audition (virtual):

Fill out the audition form.
Please pick one or two songs from the tentative setlist and/or another song you’d like to sing for the show that you feel fits the Dreamscapes theme.*
Prepare using live or pre-recorded accompaniment.
Record yourself. Begin your recording with a slate—tell us your name, height, and location.
Sing 32 bars of a song or two of your choice from the tentative setlist or a song you are suggesting for the show. Please sing along to a backing track or live accompaniment (no a cappella auditions, please).
Upload the video to YouTube and make the visibility “unlisted.” If you’re having technical issues, please write to us at auditions@cityoflightstheatre.org.
Email the video link to auditions@cityoflightstheatre.org by Tuesday, April 16 at 11:59 pm with the subject line “Moonlight Cabaret Audition.”

Material to prepare for your audition (in person):

Fill out the audition form.
Please pick one or two songs from the tentative setlist and/or another song you’d like to sing for the show that you feel fits the Dreamscapes theme.*
Prepare using live or pre-recorded accompaniment.
Print sheet music for Kirsten Tait to play OR email her a PDF in advance of the audition to kirsten@cityoflightstheatre.org (sending the music in advance will get you a smoother audition experience).
Come to Two Brothers Roundhouse on Tuesday, April 16 any time between 7:00-9:00 pm. Follow the signs that say “Cabaret Auditions.”
Sign in, and when it’s your turn to audition, please sing 32 bars of a song or two of your choice from the tentative setlist or a sing 32 bars of a song you are suggesting for the show.

*While you are auditioning with one song, you will still be considered for the whole setlist. Please choose the song you feel suits you best. Also, you can submit another song not on the list if there’s something you love—we might decide to use it!

Notes for auditions:

If you’re auditioning on a duet, just sing the part you’re interested in.
Remember, we may cast you but assign you a different song on the setlist. Don’t get your heart set on any particular song.

Audition form

Tentative setlist

Hear from last year’s cast

I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself and get to share it with the home I love the most.

Amanda Duran
I love City of Lights Theatre and Cabaret because it brings together musicians who not only take a lot of pride in their art, but who are also loving and supportive people.

Rowan Currie
It’s a space for artists and performers to learn with and from one another—a space for people who find the utmost joy and peace in making music together. I couldn’t be more grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it or for the people has brought into my life.

Sherry Becker
City of Lights Theatre allows many types of people to be involved—whether it's theatre professionals working in the Chicagoland area or people who did theatre in high school— everyone's involved at a level of professionalism that exceeds that of community theatre. That's something that's very hard to find nowadays, so, 10/10 would recommend.

Hannah Decker
This has elevated my musicianship from one level to another. The last two years have given me so much experience, friendships, and knowledge. If I could do it all over again, I would 1000x times over.

Daniel Currie

Questions?

Artistic and Music Director: kirsten@cityoflightstheatre.org

Executive Director: grace@cityoflightstheatre.org

Technical and Staging Director: michael@cityoflightstheatre.org

Auditions

I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself and get to share it with the home I love the most.

I love City of Lights Theatre and Cabaret because it brings together musicians who not only take a lot of pride in their art, but who are also loving and supportive people.

It’s a space for artists and performers to learn with and from one another—a space for people who find the utmost joy and peace in making music together. I couldn’t be more grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it or for the people has brought into my life.

This has elevated my musicianship from one level to another. The last two years have given me so much experience, friendships, and knowledge. If I could do it all over again, I would 1000x times over.

Questions?