DISASTER!
By Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick
Concept Created by Seth Rudetsky and Drew Geraci
Additional Material by Drew Geraci
Directed by Kipp Simmons
Music Direction by Todd Gregory-Gibbs
Choreography by Meghann Deveroux
OPEN CALL AUDITIONS:
• Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00–4:00pm
• Monday, April 6, 2026, from 6:00-9:00pm
• Prairie Baptist Church - 7416 Roe Ave, Prairie Village, KS 66208
WE ARE SEEKING:
• The Barn Players is seeking an ensemble cast of strong musical theatre actors for their production of DISASTER!.
• All roles are for ages 18+, with the exception of one preteen (any gender).
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
• You MUST complete the online audition form prior to arrival (LINKED HERE).
• Bring a headshot and resume (if you have them).
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:
• When you get to Prairie Baptist Church, please park in the parking lot west of the church and enter through the main doors. There will be signs directing you to the audition space.
AUDITIONING:
• Auditions will be an open call and we will see people in the order that they sign in.
• Sing a one to two minute selection of a musical theatre song in the style of the show. You are welcome to
sing a song from the show.
• Please provide sheet music - NO CDs & NO ACAPPELLA auditions.
• If you have worked with anyone on this directing team before, there is no need to come to the open call. Please complete the audition form and email your interest to the director at kippbot@gmail.com.
AUDITIONING BY VIDEO:
• You may submit a video audition to kippbot@gmail.com.
• Be sure to include your audition form, a headshot, and resume (if you have them) with the email.
AFTER AUDITIONS:
• You will be notified by email by April 7, 2026, if you are invited to callbacks.
CALLBACKS (BY INVITATION ONLY):
• All callbacks will take place at Prairie Baptist Church on Sunday, April 11, 2026, from 1:00-5:00pm.
REHEARSALS:
• Rehearsals will begin around June 29, 2026.
• Typical weekly rehearsal schedule will be Sunday afternoons from 1:00-5:00pm and Monday-Thursday nights from 6:30-10:00pm.
• Tech rehearsals will be on Monday, August 3rd and Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00-11:00pm.
• Conflicts with the rehearsal schedule must be kept to an absolute minimum during the rehearsal process.
• No conflicts will be accepted during dress/tech week without prior approval from the director.
PRODUCTION DATES: August 7-16, 2026
• Performances:
WEEK ONE: Friday, Saturday & Monday (Industry Night) @ 7:30pm and Sunday @ 2pm
WEEK TWO: Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 7:30pm and Sunday @ 2pm
(Eight performances)
• All performances will take place in The Black Box Theater at The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
• Cast members are required to assist with strike following the final performance.
• Cast members may also be asked to assist with costume pieces.
• We encourage actors to indicate interest in any roles that fit their gender identity at auditions.
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
DISASTER! is a new musical straight from Broadway, featuring some of the most unforgettable songs of the '70s.
"Knock on Wood," "Hooked on a Feeling," "Sky High," "I Am Woman" and "Hot Stuff" are just a few of the scintillating hits in this hilarious musical comedy with a book by three-time Emmy Award nominee and SiriusXM Broadway host, Seth Rudetsky, and Jack Plotnick.
It's 1979, and New York's hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addiction.
What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos.
As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they've lost ... or at least escape the killer rats.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
- Chad
- A handsome and winning man. Pretends to be a player, but is really still heartbroken over the loss of his first love. Tenor with a great rock and pop voice.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: C3
- Scott
- Goofy guy. A nerd who wants to be cool. Tenor with a sweet voice.
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: F3
- Ted
- A disaster expert. Non-emotional. Dry. A serious, professorial type.
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: E3
- Marianne
- An attractive and focused journalist. Insecure underneath it all. Great, high pop belt.
Vocal range top: Gb5
Vocal range bottom: G3
- Tony
- A very unscrupulous but attractive and (sometimes) charming middle-aged man. A schemer.
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: D3
- Jackie
- An aging but still sexy showgirl and now lounge singer. Dumb but honest. Goldie Hawn-esque.
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Ben / Lisa
- Smart boy and girl twins played by the same actor. Honest and direct. Jackie’s son and daughter. Amazing pop voice. Belt to a high D. With vibrato! A young Michael Jackson/Andrea McArdle.
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
- Sister Mary Downey
- Awkward, judgmental nun with a gambling addiction. Great high pop belt.
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
- Shirley
- Lovable and jolly Jewish woman. Maury’s wife. Tap dancing a plus. Great comedic actress.
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: F#3
- Maury
- Lovable and jolly. Shirley’s dedicated husband.
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Db3
- Levora Verona
- A flamboyant and glamorous faded disco diva. Pushy and sassy but in love with her sweet dog. Great pop belt.
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
- Ensemble
- Able to play various glamorous party guests/character roles. Great comedic chops, good dance ability and great voices needed.
The Barn Players embraces diversity in all aspects of our organization.
Nontraditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
The Barn Players welcomes and values all forms of diversity as we strive to better represent the performing arts community in Kansas City.
Nontraditional, inclusive and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
For more information, please contact The Barn Artistic Director, Amy Sander, at amy.e.sander@gmail.com.
SPRING AWAKENING
Music by Duncan Sheik
Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater
Directed by Julie Ewing
Stage Managed by Mitch Simmons
Music Direction by Delano Mendoza-Holt
Choreography by Erin Robertson
Intimacy Coaching by Daniel Vazquez
OPEN CALL AUDITIONS:
• Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 12:00–5:00pm
• Prairie Baptist Church - 7416 Roe Ave, Prairie Village, KS 66208
• Auditions are open call. You may arrive anytime during the audition window.
• PLEASE NOTE: By signing up to audition, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age, and understand this production contains mature themes and staging.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE:
• You MUST complete the online audition form prior to arrival (LINKED HERE).
• Bring a headshot and resume (if you have them).
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:
• When you get to Prairie Baptist Church, please park in the parking lot west of the church and enter through the main doors. There will be signs directing you to the audition space.
WHAT TO PREPARE:
• Auditions will be an open call and we will see people in the order they sign in.
• The Artistic Team encourages you to sing for the role you are most interested in by either selecting a cut for your character of choice provided by our team or singing a one-minute cut from a song from SPRING AWAKENING. That’s right, SING FROM THE SHOW, PLEASE!
• You are, of course, welcome to sing a one-minute cut in the same vocal style as SPRING AWAKENING if you wish.)
• Audition cuts for several characters can be found HERE.
• If you are interested in a specific role, you are encouraged to prepare the cut for that character.
• Bring clearly marked sheet music.
• No acappella auditions and no prerecorded tracks.
AUDITIONING BY VIDEO:
• If you cannot attend in person, you may submit a video audition to: theatrejce@gmail.com
• Please include your headshot and resume (if you have them).
• Complete the online audition form.
• Video auditions are due by Wednesday, April 8th.
CALLBACKS (BY INVITATION ONLY):
• Invitation emails will be sent the evening of April 11th.
• Callbacks will take place on Sunday, April 12th from 5:00-9:00pm.
• Prairie Baptist Church - 7416 Roe Ave, Prairie Village, KS 66208
• Sides can be found here if you would like to be extra prepared!
REHEARSALS:
• Song Slam/Music Rehearsal: Saturday, July 25, 10:00am-5:00pm at the home of the director. (Attendance is extremely important to the process. A detailed schedule will be available and include a lunch break.)
• Regular rehearsals will begin on Sunday, August 3rd at Prairie Baptist Church.
• Typical schedule: M-F from 6:30-10:00pm.
• Conflicts with the rehearsal schedule must be kept to an absolute minimum during the rehearsal process.
• No conflicts will be allowed during tech or performance week.
• This production will use video, projections, and live camera as part of the design. Some filming will take place in June and July.
PRODUCTION DATES: September 4–13, 2026
• Performances:
WEEK ONE: Friday, Saturday & Monday (Industry Night) @ 7:30pm and Sunday @ 2pm
WEEK TWO: Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 7:30pm and Sunday @ 2pm
(Eight performances)
• All performances will take place in The Black Box Theater at The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
• Cast members are required to assist with strike following the final performance.
• Cast members may also be asked to assist with costume pieces.
• We encourage actors to indicate interest in any roles that fit their gender identity at auditions.
NOTES ON SHOW THEMES AND INTIMACY:
• SPRING AWAKENING contains mature themes including sexuality, abuse, and suicide.
• The Barn Players production of SPRING AWAKENING will include heavily intimate scenes between actors. These intimate actions include but are not limited to: Kissing, Caressing, Simulated Masturbation, Simulated Sex, Nudity
• The Barn Players will be employing the use of an Intimacy Coach to guide the process. You will receive a form at auditions that will include more specific intimacy info.
WHAT IS AN INTIMACY COACH?
• An Intimacy Coach is a member of the production staff that choreographs intimate moments on stage.
• An Intimacy Coach works with the actors to create choreography that fits within the boundaries of the actor and executes a director’s visions.
• Using trauma-informed and consent-based practices, an Intimacy Coach works with actors to achieve a safe, and repeatable performance that does not rely on the actor’s lived experiences.
• The Intimacy Coach also creates space for the mental intimacy of a show, giving the actors the tools to take care of themselves when dealing with a show that has heavy themes.
SHOW SYNOPSIS:
SPRING AWAKENING is a groundbreaking rock musical that explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion. The show follows a group of teenagers in late 19th century Germany as they navigate the trials and tribulations of growing up in a repressive society. With a powerful contemporary rock score, Spring Awakening boldly takes on issues of sexuality, suicide, and the struggles of finding one's own voice.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
• All roles, excluding the adult characters, are for performers who can portray ages 16–25. If you do not fit in this age range but are 18+ and feel like you can play the age range on stage, come on out to auditions.
• The Barn Players encourages inclusive and non-traditional casting. Performers of all backgrounds are welcome to audition.
- Wendla
- A curious young woman beginning to question the world around her. Innocent but determined to understand the truth about growing up.
Vocal: Soprano (approx. A3–E5)
- Melchior
- A bright and rebellious student who questions authority and the rigid social rules around him. Intelligent and intense.
Vocal: Rock tenor (approx. G2–G4)
- Moritz
- An anxious and overwhelmed student struggling under academic pressure and fear of failure. Emotionally raw role.
Vocal: High tenor/baritone mix (approx. C3–A4)
- Ilse
- A former student who has left home and learned to survive on her own. Free-spirited, confident, and worldly.
Vocal: Alto / Mezzo belt (approx. G3–E5)
- Martha
- A quiet and sensitive girl hiding abuse at home. Requires honesty and emotional depth.
Vocal: Mezzo / Soprano (approx. G3–D5)
- Hanschen
- Confident, intelligent, and comfortable in his identity. Charismatic and self-assured.
Vocal: Tenor (approx. C3–A4)
- Ernst
- Gentle and earnest. Searching for connection and acceptance.
Vocal: Tenor (approx. C3–G4)
- Thea
- One of Wendla's friends. Outspoken and curious about the adult world.
Vocal: Mezzo (approx. A3–D5)
- Anna
- Another of Wendla's friends. Thoughtful and observant.
Vocal: Mezzo / Alto (approx. G3–D5)
- Georg
- Awkward and eager to impress. Struggling to understand relationships and sexuality.
Vocal: Tenor (approx. C3–G4)
- Ensemble (ages 18+, portraying teens)
- Teen ensemble with featured moments throughout the show. Strong singers and comfortable movers who work well as a group.
- Adult Men
- One actor to play fathers, teachers, and authority figures including Herr Stiefel, Herr Gabor, the schoolmasters, and the Doctor.
Vocal: Baritone / Tenor (varies by track)
- Adult Women
- One actor to play mothers and authority figures including Frau Bergmann and Frau Gabor.
Vocal: Mezzo / Alto (varies by track)
The Barn Players embraces diversity in all aspects of our organization.
Nontraditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
The Barn Players welcomes and values all forms of diversity as we strive to better represent the performing arts community in Kansas City.
Nontraditional, inclusive and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
For more information, please contact SPRING AWAKENING Stage Manager, Mitch Simmons, at msimmons75@mac.com, or The Barn Artistic Director, Amy Sander, at amy.e.sander@gmail.com.
