Ages 16 - 20
For Mature Audiences
Professional Focus Production^
Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.^PROFESSIONAL FOCUS PRODUCTION
RENT is being presented as one of our “professional focus” productions which means an even higher focus on professional practices and production values. There are also NO PRODUCTION/PARTICIPATION FEES.
Auditions will be held March 13 - 15, 2026
CLICK HERE for Audition Form
Friday, March 13th
7 - 9:30 RENT Vocal Auditions
Saturday, March 14th
12:30 - 3 pm RENT Vocal Audition UPSTAIRS ACTING
Sunday, March 15th:
12 - 1:30 RENT Movement Call BLUE ROOM
Callback schedule will be held for 1 pm - 9 pm.
We will accept video submissions but highly recommend attending in person.
VOCAL AUDITIONS:
Please prepare 16-32 bars of a contemporary/pop musical theatre song. Sheet music is preferred. No transpositions and no lead sheets. No a cappella singing. Please do not sing songs from the show. An accompanist will be provided. Backing tracks (karaoke) are not preferred but are allowed. We will provide the speaker and adapters/Bluetooth. Please bring your track on a device.
MOVEMENT CALLBACKS:
A short movement combination will be taught. You will be notified at your vocal audition if we would like to see you at the movement call.
READ/SING CALLBACKS:
You will be notified at your vocal audition if we would like to have you read/sing. A schedule will be emailed out by midnight on Saturday, March 1st.
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS:
Attending auditions in person is much preferred. If you are unavailable for any of the times listed, here is the process to submit a self-tape video audition:
Tapes are due by March 9. You will be notified of any callbacks by March 11. Callback tapes are due by midnight on Saturday, March 14.
All vocal audition self-tapes should follow these guidelines:
- Please prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song. Please do not sing from the show.
- Vocal backing tracks or live accompaniment are allowed. Do not sing a cappella.
- Please slate your name, age, and what you will be singing.
- Video auditions are accepted as UNLISTED YOUTUBE links or GOOGLE DRIVE links ONLY.
- Links need to be included in your audition form.
- GOOGLE DRIVE links must be shared with the following emails: lpagano@gcpastl.org, ppagano@gcpastl.org, sfox@gcpastl.org
Some helpful self-tape hints:
- Early submissions are greatly appreciated and give us more time to spend on your video than those we receive at the deadline.
- You do not need fancy equipment. Using a phone camera is more than sufficient.
- Film in landscape.
- Make sure your phone is stationary and level. A tripod is helpful, but not necessary. It is easy to make a stand for your phone out of household items.
- Choose a quiet, well-lit area with minimal distractions.
- Natural light and ring lights are great, but you can also enhance with lamps. We want to clearly see your facial features and expressions.
- You do not need to do a full-body frame unless your audition piece requires it. In most cases, an upper body frame is best.
- Practice before filming! Prepare for this audition as you would for an in-person audition. Practice your song for vocals and acting before ever setting up your equipment.
- If you are prepared ahead of filming, you should not need more than 3 takes. Do not over analyze details.
Be sure you’ve read all the audition details above and then CLICK HERE to complete the Audition Form to schedule an appointment or submit a video.
Director: Paul Pagano
Choreographer: Stephanie Fox
Music Director: Lori Pagano
Stage Manager: Lawrence Jacquan
Paul Pagano (Director), a native of St. Louis, received his BA in Drama from Washington University and Masters in Theatre Education from Fontbonne University. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2001, Paul has had the opportunity to work with the Guthrie Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Hey City Theatre, the MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, HotCity Theatre, and many others. As a director and fight choreographer, in addition to 19 productions (and counting) at GCPA, credits include the MUNY, Washington University, Fontbonne University, Missouri All-State Theatre, and Kirkwood Theatre Guild. As an instructor, Paul has taught at GCPA, COCA, St. Louis University High School, and STAGES Performing Arts Academy. Love to wife, Lori, and kids, Xavier and Kalia!
Stephanie Fox (She / Her)
Artistic Director, Co-Founder
sfox@gcpastl.org
Originally from Oklahoma, Stephanie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Music: Music Theatre. After moving to New York, she continued her education privately at studios including Jen Waldman Studio, Kimberly Vaughn: Kimberly Vaughn Performance Studio, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway.
Stephanie has choreographed many shows across the country and, as an educator, she has taught dance, musical theatre, song interpretation and audition technique in St. Louis, Oklahoma, and Indiana at studios including COCA, STAGES Performing Arts Academy, ArtWorks Academy, Range of Motion Dance Studio, Round Barn Theatre, On Broadway Productions, Poteet Little Theatre and Oklahoma Children's Theatre. Currently, she is the choreographer for Chaminade College Preparatory School.
A proud member of Actors' Equity (Stephanie Long), Stephanie has performed across the country at theatres including: Insight Theatre Company, The Round Barn Theatre, Mt. Washington Valley Theatre, Shawnee Playhouse, KJK Productions, Cortland Repertory, College Light Opera and Group Theatre Too. Some favorite credits include: National Tour: Junie B. Jones (May); Regional: Company (Amy), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), A Chorus Line (Diana and Maggie), Nunsense (Sr. Robert Anne), Godspell (Robin), Grease (Jan), Titanic (Alice Beane), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Rhetta), and White Christmas (Judy).
Lori Barrett-Pagano earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Washington University in St. Louis. She has been teaching voice for over 25 years – currently as an adjunct voice faculty at St. Louis University, privately out of her home, as well as voice and musical theatre classes at GCPA.
Lori enjoys singing numerous styles of music and has performed with musical theatre, operetta, and opera companies. Locally, she has performed with The MUNY, STAGES St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, Echo Theatre, Spotlight Theatre, MainStage Musicals and SIUE Summer Showbiz. Regional credits include The Minnesota Opera, North Star Opera, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company.
Her most enjoyable performing is to sing and dance around the house with her actor/singer husband, Paul, and her most precious stars, son, Xavier, and daughter, Kalia.
Lawrence (Any/All) is a St. Louis native multidisciplinary artist, now residing in Chicago. Lawrence's experience in theatre & dance has varied in scope, serving as; Stage Manager for 8 musicals with Gateway Center for Performing Arts (and is excited to return to this role), Assistant Stage Manager for Rebels & Misfits' Macbeth, Teaching Artist in Dance at Yes Honey Studio, St. Louis Dancing Classrooms, & Bella Body & Co. Lawrence has also been Frank & Dance Captain for Stray Dog Theatre's Dreamgirls, and is also the recipient of an Arts for Life Best Achievement in Choreography award for their work on bare: A Pop Opera.
Hover over the images to learn more about the Creative Team!
Apply for Assistant Director, Assistant Stage Manager, Assistant Choreographer, Assistant Costume Designer and more.
CLICK HERE
Actors are not called to every rehearsals, only when needed. A detailed schedule will be provided. This is a short and intensive rehearsal process, so only limited conflicts will be considered. No additional conflicts can be submitted after March 15th except for emergency circumstances. If you plan to audition for the MUNY, please fully communicate your current situation at auditions.
YOUR CONFLICTS MUST BE UP-TO-DATE IN THIS FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL.
Rehearsals
June 27th - July 31st
Mon, Tues, Thurs 5 - 10 pm
Saturday 10 - 4
Sunday 1 - 9
Tech:
August 1 and 2: 10 am - 10 pm
August 3 - 5: 4:30 - 10 pm
Performances:
August 6th at 7 pm
August 7th at 7 pm
August 8 at 2 pm and 7 pm
August 9th at 2 pmPerformances held at
Strike Sunday, August 9th. All company members are required to stay until strike is completed.
Strike is REQUIRED for all company members with no exceptions.
RENT is being presented as one of our “professional focus” productions which means an even higher focus on professional practices and production values. There are also NO PRODUCTION/PARTICIPATION FEES.
COSTUMES
GCPA provides costumes. Actors may be asked to provide the following:
Female Characters – Skin colored tights. Skin colored leotard with invisible straps. Some option(s) out of: jazz shoes, character shoes, lace up boots, heeled tap shoes
Male Characters: – Black Pants, belt, and socks. White button-down dress shirt. White undershirt. Fitted undershorts. Some option(s) out of: black dress shoes, black jazz shoes, flat tap shoes, lace up boots.
All - Provide own make-up and hair products unless wigged.
Potentially provide every day items such as jeans.
Prices vary for base layer items and dance shoes. GCPA does provide options from wholesaler Revolution Dancewear for extremely competitive prices.
TICKETS
Tickets for Rent will be $25- $35. There are no complimentary tickets.
There may be a processing fee.
TRIBUTES, BUSINESS ADS, T-SHIRTS AND JACKETS
All of the below are OPTIONAL.
GCPA provides a program (digital and printed) where you will have the option to purchase a tribute ad for your actor and/or a business ad. There are price points from $20 - $500, so something for everyone!
T-shirts will be available for $30. Show shirts include the show logo on the front, cast/crew list on the back and the YTC Cast Member badge on the shoulder.
Youth Theatre Company Members Only Jackets are available for $70
There is a company dinner between shows on Saturday with a suggested donation of $10.
EXTRAS
Parent volunteer may ask for donations/ideas for our annual fundraiser, Raise the Curtain.
Parents often organize a cast party and director gifts, requesting a donation from cast. This is separate from GCPA and up to the cast to decide.
RENT is a contemporary rock musical with mature themes. Full details about content are in the audition form. Performers should carefully review the general and character-specific considerations below before auditioning.
