I'm music directing Waitress in the Jeffers Theatre at Hickory Theatre. Auditions are in April. The show closes the season in June.

Set against the backdrop of a small-town diner, Waitress follows the journey of Jenna, a talented pie-maker and waitress who finds herself unhappily married and pregnant. A baking contest in a nearby county and a satisfying encounter with someone new present a tempting recipe for a chance at a fresh start. With help from her spunky co-workers, each with their own aspirations, struggles, and relatable stories, she finds the courage to take a long abandoned dream off the shelf and start fresh.

Based on the film and featuring a soul-stirring score by Grammy-nominated artist Sara Bareilles, Waitress is a celebration of resilience, self-discovery, and the family we choose. It serves up a generous helping of toe-tapping tunes and unforgettable moments, proving that even in the face of challenges there’s a chance to bake your own recipe for happiness.

For more information, check out the info and links below, including character descriptions and what to expect at auditions.

— Jeff Hartman, Music Director
June 6-21 @hickorytheatre #waitress

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Auditions

Auditions for Waitress will be held at Hickory Theatre on Sunday, April 6 from 3 pm & Monday, April 7 from 7 pm, with possible callbacks on Tuesday, April 8 from 7 pm.

Hickory Theatre
30 Third Street NW
Hickory, NC 28601
828-327-3855
hickorytheatre.org

Auditions will include singing and dancing. Please dress comfortably for your dance audition.

Please prepare 32 bars from one of the following Waitress selections only.
*Any can be used for any character

Jenna - She Used to Be Mine - Audition Cut

Becky - I Didn't Plan It - Audition Cut

Dawn - When He Sees Me - Audition Cut

Jim - It Only Takes a Taste - Audition Cut

Earl - You Will Still Be Mine - Audition Cut

Cal - Opening Up - Audition Cut

Ogie - Never Getting Rid of Me - Audition Cut

Joe - Take It From an Old Man - Audtion Cut

Those auditioning for the role of Jenna will also be required to sing "What Baking Can Do" and "Bad Idea" at callbacks.

An accompanist will be provided. Do not bring your own accompanist. Do not accompany yourself unless you are auditioning for the role of Earl with a guitar. Please bring sheet music with you if needed.

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Free Audition Prep

Hickory Arts will sponsor Complimentary Waitress Audition Prep with the Music Director. One FREE session per Auditioner. The booking link is below.

Hickory Arts
720 2nd Ave SW
Hickory, NC 28602
828-270-9801
hickoryarts.com

Creative Team

Eric Seale... Director
Jeff Hartman… Music Director
Gina Duckworth... Choreographer

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Orchestra

Jeff Hartman… Music Director / Piano-Conductor / Keys I
Kiki Neale… Keys II
Josh Smith… Drums / Percussion
Jackson Sigmon… Bass
William Knight… Guitar
TBD... Cello

*The band will be on stage.

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Rehearsals

Sunday-Thursday from 7 pm beginning Monday, April 14
*Rehearsals may run longer and/or additional dates may be added if necessary

Tech:
(Call is 1 hour before)

Sunday, June 1, 2 pm - Sitzprobe
Sunday, June 1, 7 pm - Cue to Cue
Monday, June 2, 7 pm - Dress Tech
Tuesday. June 3, 7 pm - Dress Tech
Wednesday, June 4, 7 pm - Dress Tech
Thursday, June 5, 7 pm - Dress Tech

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Performances

(Call is 1 hour before)

Friday, June 6, 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 7, 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 8, 2:30 pm

Producers Night: Thursday, June 12, 7:30 pm

Friday, June 13, 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 15, 2:30 pm

Thursday, June 19, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 20, 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 21, 7:30 pm

Possible Extended Dates:
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 pm
Friday, June 27, 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 28, 7:30 pm

*Strike is Sunday after closing night.

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Character Breakdown

*Casting is relative. Don’t be afraid to audition against what’s suggested. It may give the creative team new ideas and a different perspective. Show us what you got! Play Age is how the character will be perceived and not necessarily the age of the actor.

Principal

Jenna
A woman stuck in her life as an unhappily married waitress in a small town. Finds some happiness and expression through her meticulous baking of pies and her friendships with her coworkers, Dawn and Becky. Lives her live paycheck-to-paycheck, day by day, and wants nothing more than to get away and start fresh, unbeknownst to her destructive husband, Earl. Must have a fantastic Pop/Rock voice with great range. Dynamic, mature acting range.
Play Age: 20’s-30’s
Part Size: Lead
Vocal Range: Mezzo / F5-C6 *Strong Belt with Pop/Rock Experience
Dialect: Southern
Songs: What's Inside, Opening Up, The Negative, What Baking Can Do, It Only Takes a Taste, You Will Still Be Mine, A Soft Place to Land, Bad Idea, Bad Idea (Reprise), You Matter to Me, She Used to Be Mine, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Becky
The oldest of the three waitresses. Irreverent, irascible, been there, made it back, and somehow kept her forward and sometimes wicked sense of humor with excellent comedic timing. Must have a soulful pop voice with an excellent Pop belt.
Play Age: 40’s-50’s
Part Size: Lead
Vocal Range: Alto / E5 *Strong Belt and the ability to handle tricky Alto lines
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Opening Up, The Negative, What Baking Can Do, A Soft Place to Land, I Didn't Plan It, Bad Idea (Reprise), Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Dawn
She is the youngest of the waitresses. Thick glasses, hair parted 14 centimeters to the left — eccentric is the nice way to say she’s slightly unusual, and not so slightly OCD. She sets the tables, painstakingly ensuring each salt and pepper shaker is equidistant from the napkin holder. Must have an excellent Pop/Rock/Folk voice.
Play Age: 20's
Part Size: Lead
Vocal Range: Mezzo / E5-C6 *Quirky Voice
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Opening Up, The Negative, When He Sees Me, A Soft Place to Land, Bad Idea" (Reprise), I Love You Like a Table, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Dr. Jim Pomatter
Handsome, endearing, and neurotic. Has a warm, if clumsy, matter. Jenna’s gynecologist with whom an unexpected extramarital affair is born. Has a quirky sense of humor and a big heart, despite the fact that he’s contributing to the affair. Must have impeccable comedic timing and must move well. Should have a very strong Pop/Rock Tenor that can navigate the musical style of Sara Bareilles with ease.
Play Age: 30’s-40’s
Part Size: Lead
Vocal Range: Tenor / Bb4 *Strong Falsetto Necessary
Dialect: Standard
Songs: It Only Takes a Taste, Bad Idea, Bad Idea (Reprise), You Matter to Me, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Earl
Jenna’s husband. Peaked in high school, handsome in a gruff way, but that face is clouded with broken dreams, drowned with cheap beer. Just enough narcissism mixed with stupidity, to be a potent Molotov cocktail that can explode into unexpected anger one second and then turn into a sobbing mess the next. Guitar playing a plus.
Play Age: 20's-30's
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: Baritone / G4 *Southern Rock Sound
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Opening Up, You Will Still Be Mine, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Cal
A chef at the diner. A “Salt of the Earth” guy’s guy surrounded by gals. Brash, impatient, unsentimental, but somehow charming. Should have a strong Pop/Rock voice with great comedic chops. Must have a strong contemporary Baritone singing voice in the style of Sara Bareilles and have excellent comedic timing.
Play Age: 40's-50's
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: Baritone / F4
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Opening Up, Bad Idea (Reprise), Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Ogie
Strange, yet oddly lovable. Becomes slightly obsessed with Dawn (in a hilarious yet endearing way) after she goes on a 5-minute date with him. Quirky, incredibly persistent, and odd, yet kind. Should have excellent comedic timing. Must have an excellent Pop/Rock BariTenor sound.
Play Age: 20's-30's
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: Tenor / Bb4
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Never Ever Getting Rid of Me, Bad Idea (Reprise), I Love You Like a Table, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Joe
The owner of the diner where Jenna, Dawn, Becky, and Cal work. A seemingly old, curmudgeonly man who has a soft spot for Jenna (and her pie), warm at heart. A sarcastically funny and no-nonsense guy with a keen ability to read people. Very funny.
Play Age: 60's-70's
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: Baritone / G#4
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Take It From an Old Man, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Ensemble

Except for the Principals, the Ensemble plays the rest of the characters. All will be required to sing and move. More or less doubling may occur pending auditions/casting.
Age: 16 & Up (Unless Otherwise Indicated)
Vocal Range: SATB
Dancing: Movers
Songs: What's Inside, Opening Up, What Baking Can Do, Never Ever Getting Rid of Me, Bad Idea, Bad Idea (Reprise), I Love You Like a Table, Take It From an Old Man, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Ensemble+

Before you circle “No” at “Would you accept any role?”—consider what it means to be part of this ensemble. There are many parts for good actors and singers. Circle “Yes!” (But only if you mean it!)

Nurse Norma
Dr. Pomatter's assistant. A registered nurse (registration number 3143229098) at the doctor’s office where Dr. Jim Pomatter works, as well as St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she supports him in delivering children. She is secretly aware of his affair with Jenna Hunterson and is a fan of the pies she brings to the office. Scene Stealer.
Play Age: 60's-70's
Part Size: Featured
Dialect: Southern

Francine
Dr. Pomatter's wife and a resident at the hospital
Play Age: 20's-30's
Part Size: Featured
Dialect: Standard
Songs: What's Inside, Opening Up, What Baking Can Do, Never Ever Getting Rid of Me, Bad Idea, Bad Idea (Reprise), I Love You Like a Table, Take It From an Old Man, Contraction Ballet, What's Inside (Reprise), Everything Changes, Opening Up (Finale)

Lulu
Young Girl, to play 4-5 years old. Daughter of Jenna and Earl. A sweet, carefree child who appears in the last scene of the show. Should be confident and be able to engage in a small amount of dialogue and movement on stage.
Play Age: 4-5
Part Size: Featured
Dialect: Southern
Songs: Opening Up (Finale)

Jenna's Mother
Play Age: 20’s-30’s
Part Size: Non-Speaking

Jenna's Father
Play Age: 20’s-30’s
Part Size: Non-Speaking