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
SCHEDULE IS TBA
Friday, March, 13:
Saturday, March 14:
Sunday, March 15
We will accept video submissions but highly recommend attending in person.
VOCAL AUDITIONS:
Please prepare 16-32 bars of a 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 Friday, March 13.
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
Music Director: Lori Pagano
Choreographer: Stephanie Fox
Stage Manager: Lawrence Jacquan
Hover over the images to learn more about the Creative Team!
APPLICATION COMING SOON!
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 for Mature Audiences and contains the following:
Strong or mature language and sexual references in dialogue and lyrics.
Mature Themes: HIV/AIDS and illness, Substance use (drug references; not glorified), romantic relationships, poverty, homelessness, death, and grief.
A specific breakdown of content by role will be provided in the audition form,.
GCPA is committed to thoughtful and responsible casting for all productions, especially when exploring challenging or mature material, and ensures age-appropriate pairings for any shows that include intimate stage relationships. We’re transparent about any onstage intimacy before auditions so actors and families can make informed choices and have trained support in intimacy coordinators and counselors when the story requires it.
COMING SOON!
