Rent - 7 October 2010 until 17 October 2010

Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Based on Puccini's 'La Boheme', 'Rent' tells the story of one year in the life of friends living the Bohemian life in modern day East Village, New York City, 1989-1990. Among the group are our narrator, nerdy love-struck filmmaker Mark Cohen; the object of Mark's affection, his former girlfriend, Maureen Johnson; Maureen's Harvard-educated public interest lawyer and lesbian lover Joanne Jefferson; Mark's roommate, HIV-positive musician and former junkie, Roger Davis; Roger's new girlfriend, the HIV-positive drug addicted S&M dancer, Mimi Marquez; their former roommate, HIV-positive computer genius Tom Collins; Collins' HIV-positive drag queen street musician/lover Angel; and Benjamin Coffin III, a former member of the group who married for money and has since become their landlord and the opposite of everything they stand for. Shows how much changes or doesn't change in the 525,600 minutes that make up a year.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

LEADS

MARK COHEN:
A filmmaker, video artist and Rogers’s roommate. Left behind his affluent
upbringing to pursue his craft. Would rather tell the story than be the story.
(Must pass for mid to late 20's)
Baritone/Tenor with contemporary voice. Must comfortably be able to hit the holy grail A!
Strong American Accent
Dance Requirement: Good Mover / Tango

ROGER DAVIS:
A musician who is HIV positive. The tortured artist. He is the former front man for a fledgling rock band who is also a recovering drug addict, & searching for meaning through his song writing.
(Must pass for mid to late 20's)
Rock Tenor with technique. Usually sits on the top line above Mark.
Strong American Accent
Dance Requirement: Good Mover
Musical Instrument: Guitar

MIMI MARQUEZ:
An exotic dancer with HIV. She is sexy and street smart yet fragile and drug afflicted.
Must be able to pass for Hispanic descent
(Must pass for 19 as stage age)
Raw Voice with High Belt
American/Hispanic Accent
Dance Requirement: Very High / Exotic dance strength a plus!

SUPPORTING
TOM COLLINS:
A homosexual, philosopher, professor, activist and anarchist with AIDS. Former roommate to Roger, Mark and Benny, Angel’s lover, strong, warm, the patriarch of the group.
Any Ethnicity Welcome (Strong African/American undertones)
Must pass for 30's
Soulful Baritone
American Accent
Dance Requirement: Good Mover
Other Requirements: Comfortable kissing another male actor onstage. Sex simulation.

BENJAMIN 'BENNY' COFFIN III:
A landlord. Went to college with Mark. Lived with Roger, Collins, Maureen & Mark. Married into a wealthy family, hopes to build a studio for his friends while making money for his father-in-law.
Any Ethnicity Welcome (Strong African/American undertones)
Must pass for mid to late 20's
Baritone/Tenor
American Accent
Dance Requirements: None

“ANGEL” DUMOTT SCHUNARD:
A cross-dressing, street performer/percussionist living with AIDS. Warm, loveable, nurturing, honest... she is the mother hen! IN DRAG!
Any Ethnicity Welcome
Must pass for early 20's
High Tenor with R 'n' B mentality and a kicking falsetto
American Accent
Dance Requirements: High
Special Skills: Drumming and ability to dance in heels.

MAUREEN JOHNSON:
A bisexual performance artist. Ex-lover to Mark, now current lover with Joanne. Selfish, egocentric, confident. She can play up, push limits and ooze energy!
Must pass for mid to late 20's
Massive Range with Strong Belt – You know who you are!
American Accent
Dance Requirements: Must move/sing exceptionally well. Dance Training/Lifts/Flexibility a plus!

JOANNE JEFFERSON:
A Harvard grad lawyer and a lesbian (Also partially based on Marcello from La boheme) affluent upbringing. Comfortable with her artistic liberal way of life and conservative upbringing. Insecure in her relationship with Maureen. Very Dry Wit.
Any Ethnicity Welcome (African/American undertones)
Must pass for late 20's early 30's
Strong Pop Belt
American Accent
Dance Requirements: None

ENSEMBLE / CAMEOS

7 X MALE ENSEMBLE / FEATURED / CAMEO CAST MEMBERS
Includes various roles such as Thugs, Homeless People, Mr. Jefferson, Paul, Gordon, Steve, Police Officers, Squeegee Man, Vendors, The Man, Back Ups, Restaurant Man, Mr. Grey, Soloists, Pastor and more....

Looking for guys who can sing in contemporary voice, and can and act and that have good movement skills. Movement not essential to all characters. Ages range from early 20's to late 30's

7 x FEMALE ENSEMBLE / FEATURED / CAMEO CAST MEMBERS
Includes various roles such as Mrs. Cohen, Mrs. Jefferson, Ali, Pam, Sue, Homeless, Police, Blanket Person, Vendors, Junkies, Back Ups, Soloists, Alexi Darling, Rogers Mom, Mimi's Mom and more...

Looking for girls who can sing with a strong belt, and can act and that have strong dance skills. Dance skills not required for all roles. Ages range from early 20's to late 30's