Violet Auditions

Theatre Charlotte is thrilled to announce auditions for Violet directed by Stuart Spencer, with music direction by Danielle Barnes Hayes and choreography by Sharlie Duncan. Violet will be presented from March 29 to April 13, 2025 at Theatre Charlotte.

AUDITION AND SIGN UP DETAILS

Auditions will be held in person on Saturday, January 25th from 1pm to 4pm and Sunday, January 26th, 2025 from 6pm to 9pm at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207. Callbacks may be scheduled for Monday, January 27th at 6pm.

We are seeking performers of all body types, skin colors and gender expressions ages 12 and older.

Auditions for actors 12-16 will held by video submission only. See below for more information on what to expect during auditions.

Rehearsals are typically held Sunday through Thursday evenings starting at 6pm. There may be an occasional Friday evening or Saturday rehearsal based on space and performer availability.  Detailed rehearsal schedules will be created as soon as possible after the show is cast.

Theatre Charlotte is a volunteer-based organization and all positions are unpaid.

Please sign up for an audition time and fill out an audition form here.

For performers aged 17+

During your audition time, you should be prepared to sing 16 bars of music in the style of the show that best reflects your range and character(s) you are auditioning for (singing a selection from Violet is acceptable). An accompanist will be provided and you must bring sheet music with you; no digital sheet music will be permitted. In addition to singing, you may be asked to learn a small piece of choreography and/or read from the script, so please dress accordingly. 

Video auditions are also being accepted through the audition form and should include a vocal selection and brief choreography sample. Deadline for video auditions for performers aged 17+ is January 24th at 5PM.

In person callbacks for certain roles will be held at the discretion of the creative team.  Not receiving a callback is not indicative of casting decisions.

Please note – Performers auditioning for principal roles should be comfortable with elements of intimacy and physical contact as noted in the character descriptions below.  Performers who are not comfortable are encouraged to audition for any of the other roles.  Discomfort with intimacy will by no means impact future casting decisions by Theatre Charlotte or the creative team.

For performers aged 12-16

Video auditions are required through the audition form and should include a vocal selection, a brief choreography sample, and a 30 second monologue of your choosing. After all submissions are reviewed, you may be contacted by the production team and requested to attend an in-person audition or to record a specific side or song. In order to allow time for review, the deadline for submissions for performers aged 12-16 is January 18th.

ABOUT VIOLET

Discovering who you are is the greatest journey of all. Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award, Violet is a moving musical featuring show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel. Set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, Violet follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter young woman accidentally scarred by her father. In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider.

AVAILABLE ROLES FOR VIOLET

Theatre Charlotte is looking for a cast that reflects the diverse population of the Charlotte region. Unless specifically stated, roles are open to all ethnicities. Ages listed are ages of the characters to be played not necessarily the age of the performer.

VIOLET
White, Female-presenting, mid to late 20s
G3-F5; Mezzo-Soprano - a young North Carolina woman whose face was scarred in a childhood accident. Stubborn, but hopeful. This is more than a bus journey to her.  Intimacy note – character will flirt with, dance with, and kiss other characters, including a scene in bed, will also share typical father/daughter affection.

FLICK
African-American, Male-presenting, mid to late 20s
C4-E6; Baritone- A soldier.  He has lived a typical southern black male life, but has found hope and confidence in the Army, even if it’s not perfect for him.   Confused, and maybe a little intrigued, by Violet.  Intimacy note – character will flirt with, dance with, and kiss other characters.

MONTY
White, Male-presenting, early to late 20s
A3-G5; Baritone - A soldier and Flick's friend from basic training. Self-assured, and cocky… but maybe without knowing it.  A young man enjoying life and not afraid to admit it. Intimacy note – character will flirt with, dance with, and kiss other characters, including a scene in bed.

YOUNG VI
White, Female-presenting, mid to late teens
A3-E5; Mezzo-Soprano– Violet as a teenager.  Naive, but likely wise beyond her years.  Her memory is vitally important in Violet’s journey and to our story.  Intimacy note –character will share typical father/daughter affection and will be carried by Father

FATHER
White, Male-presenting, mid 30’s+
A3-F5; Baritone– A widower tasked with raising Violet on his own.  He made mistakes but did the best he knew how.  Haunted by the accident that scarred Violet. Intimacy note –character will share typical father/daughter affection and will carry Young Vi

OLD LADY and others
Female-presenting, 50’s+
F3-E5; Mezzo/Soprano, Alto– A grandma on the bus with Violet.  Helpful, but a little judgmental. Will double other roles. Intimacy note – character will dance with multiple other characters

PREACHER and others
Male-presenting, mid-30’s+
B3-G5; Tenor– A televangelist and source of hope for Violet.  A showman with a message… and an audience. Will double other roles

VIRGIL and others
Male-presenting, late teens to 30’s
B3-B5; Tenor– The preacher’s assistant.  Will double other roles

MUSIC HALL SINGER and others
Female-presenting, mid-20’s+, Seeking diverse performer, but all ethnicities encouraged to audition
A3-G5; Mezzo/Soprano, Soprano– The bluesy singer at a Memphis music hall. Will double other roles

LULU BUFFINGTON/Land Lady and others
African-American, Female-presenting, mid-20’s+
F3-G5; Mezzo/Soprano, Soprano– A gospel singer at the Preacher's telecast. Will double other roles

LEROY EVANS/Radio Singer and others
Male-presenting, mid-20’s+
B3-F5; Baritone– A citizen of Spruce Pine.  Will double as a featured radio singer and others

ENSEMBLE and additional roles
All ages and ethnicities
All vocal parts – bus drivers, bus passengers, waiters, gospel choir members, radio singers, and more

******

Theatre is full of magic that vibrates throughout the essence of art, imagination, culture, and history. We strive to provide theatre to our community and our city that is saturated in excellence, community, experience, inclusion, and influence. Our goal is to mount productions that reflect the growth and beauty of the diversity of Charlotte and we sincerely hope that our friends in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities will strongly consider joining us for auditions for Violet.