Audition: Heathers

Heathers: The Musical

by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe

Directed by Maribeth McCarthy

Run: Performances will be May 12-21, 2023, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm

*Due to the explicit nature of the show, you MUST be 18 or older to audition!

Open Call: Please attend one of the following: Thursday, March 9, 6:00-9:00 pm, or Saturday, March 11, 11:00-1:00 pm

Location: Meadville Community Theatre (400 N. Main Street, Meadville, PA). Please enter through the front door and wait in the main lobby, do not go through the theater.

Audition details: Please bring a list of conflicts from March 25-May 21 (YOU *MUST* BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL PERFORMANCES!)

Please come prepared with a song of your choice in the style of the show. An accompanist will be available, or you are welcome to bring a karaoke track to play via our Bluetooth

If you have any questions, please contact Director Maribeth McCarthy at moulinrougelover@hotmail.com

Show synopsis:

Based on the cult classic film of the same name, Heathers is the story of Veronica Sawyer, a senior at the fictional Westerberg High. Veronica longs to be cool like the clique of it-girls that runs Westerberg: the unaffected, unattainable Heathers. Unfortunately, in addition to awesome levels of popularity, the Heathers are also cruel, choosing to mock and bully their kingdom into submission. When Veronica uses her skills as a forger to get the Heathers out of detention, she impresses their leader Heather Chandler— so much so that they agree to let her into their exclusive club. At first Veronica is thrilled—until she finds out that being one of the Heathers means bullying the same kids she used to call friends. Meanwhile, Veronica finds herself attracted to a mysterious newcomer at school named Jason Dean (JD). When an innocent drink mixup results in the accidental poisoning of Heather Chandler, JD convinces Veronica to stage Heather’s suicide. The results are so successful that Veronica and JD, exhilarated with their newfound power, resolve to rid Westerberg of the cruelly popular elite forever, until Veronica has a change of heart and must choose between her love of JD and doing the right thing.

Heathers: The Musical is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously handsome new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized butt… but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

Character Breakdown:

VERONICA SAWYER – 17. She burns to be both cool and kind, but doesn’t know yet how to be both at the same time. Fierce sense of right and wrong, keen sense of ironic humor. Thinks she’s an old soul, but she’s still innocent enough to be blindsided by love/ hormones (or shocked by cruelty). Voice: High belting required, up to Ab. Must have dynamic and stylistic range.

JD – 17. He is darkly charismatic, compelling, attractive, charming on the outside yet very damaged on the inside. Keen smarts and strong inventive comedy. Voice: Strong, confident belt to at least an Ab, A preferable; wide emotional range.

HEATHER CHANDLER – 17. Richest, hottest, most magnetic, cruelest girl in town. Relishes power and wields it like a scalpel – no fear, no patience, no mercy. Voice: Strong belt to F or higher preferred. Mezzo for chorus.

HEATHER MCNAMARA – 17. Beautiful, innocent, stupid, can be mean on command if Heather Chandler orders it, but actually quite vulnerable and fearful. Voice: Strong belt to Db, D preferred. Soprano for chorus. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Mac and Duke can switch vocal parts as needed.

HEATHER DUKE – 17. Whipping-girl of the 3 Heathers. When she finally becomes Queen Bee she wields power like a bulldozer. Alto for chorus. Voice: Strong belt to C, D preferred. NOTE: in certain choral songs Heather Duke and Mac can switch vocal parts as needed.

MARTHA DUNNSTOCK – 17. Nicknamed “Martha Dumptruck,” the opposite of hot, confident, or popular. Huge and beautiful soul, optimistic even in the face of rejection. Voice: Strong belt to E or F, wide vocal expression.

RAM SWEENEY – 17, Linebacker. Big, insensitive to the feelings of others, ruled by appetites. Voice: Strong Baritone, belt to G, some Falsetto useful.

KURT KELLY – 17. Quarterback and Captain. Big, chiseled, rude, entitled, cocky. Mean, thinks he’s the brains in the friendship with Ram. Voice: Tenor, strong belt to Ab or A, some Falsetto. NOTE: in certain songs Ram and Kurt can switch choral assignment if, say, Ram sings higher than Kurt.

RAM’S DAD – Former football player turned suburban Dad, has never outgrown his glory days in high school. Hates weakness, but capable of soul-searching when tragedy strikes.

BIG BUD DEAN – JD’s single Dad. Big jolly personality that barely conceals the enormous rage bubbling just below the surface. Quite possibly a serial bomber.

COACH RIPPER – Stalwart, man’s man; quick to defend his players.

*One after typically plays Ram’s Dad, Big Bud and Coach Ripper

MS. FLEMING – Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth. Aging hippie teacher, still yearning for the day the Age of Aquarius reaches Ohio. Hungry for the spotlight, resentful of entitled youth.

VERONICA’S MOM – Easygoing, distant, yet capable of laying down the law. Voice: Great belt up to C, higher always welcome.

*One actress typically plays Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom

KURT’S DAD – Straight-laced, very conservative, also former football player. A simple guy, not book smart, you’d be happy to share a beer with 

VERONICA’S DAD – Easygoing and distant. 

PRINCIPAL GOWAN -Rumpled, burned out, hates conflict.

*One actor typically plays Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan

BELEAGUERED GEEK (BOY 1) – A put-upon, bitter geek. Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).

PREPPY STUD (BOY 2) – A blowdried 80’s preppy. Voice: Bass (up to E) or Bari (up to G#).

HIPSTER DORK (BOY 3) – Thinks he’s Ducky from ‘Pretty In Pink.’ Voice: Bari (up to F#) or Tenor (up to A).

NEW WAVE GIRL (GIRL 1) – A sullen New Wave girl. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).

STONER CHICK (GIRL 2) – A fuzzyheaded stoner chick. Voice: Belt to at least C# (a Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).

YOUNG REPUBLICANETTE (GIRL 3) – A tennis-playing, uptight Student Council type. Voice: Belt to at least C# (Soprano up to high A/B is also a plus).

“Heathers: The Musical” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com

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