In the Heights

concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
book by Quiara Alegría Hudes

May 17 – June 10, 2023 | Musical | Mainstage | Thursday – Saturday |

In the Heights is an uplifting musical with concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Latin American neighborhood of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City. The show was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical! In the Heights will be directed by Vincent Ortega.

About the Director

Vincent Ortega is an Experienced Dancer Choreographer/Director with formal training in ballet, jazz, and choreography and performance techniques. Mr. Ortega has gone on to perform with and assist choreographers for some of the biggest names in Pop music including: Ricky Martin, Camilla Cabello, The Black Eye Peas, Usher, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson. Vince’s Video and Film appearances as a Dancer include: NSYNC, Janet Jackson, Christina Milian, Movie 43, Enchanted and most recently Westworld on HBO.

Musical Theatre Performance highlights: Mamma Mia (Broadway/National Tour), In The Heights, On Your Feet. As a leader and teacher to both professionals and aspiring performers Vincent has led auditions for regional theaters, carried out numerous dance captaining titles and assisted several Director-Choreographers including Maria Tores (On Your Feet Broadway, Disney Enchanted)

Vincent has gone on to Choreograph for live shows and network television and Film. His work can be seen on Nickelodeon, Disney (Disney’s Shake It Up, Disney’s Descendants), HBO, E! And many more.

Audition Info

Auditions will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 10:00AM-4:00PM. Vocal auditions will be from 10:00AM- 2:55PM and dance auditions will be from 3:00PM-4:00PM. Everyone auditioning should attend both a vocal audition and the group dance audition.

Please schedule a vocal audition slot here.

For the dance audition everyone should come to the audition space at 2:55pm, you will not need to bring a second form. Just check in when you arrive.

Prior to your vocal audition, please download, complete, and print the audition form to bring with you to your audition. Headshots and resumes are required.

ALL characters please prepare 16 bars of a Pop, R&B or Contemporary Musical Theatre (RENT or after) sung musical selection. Music from the show is welcomed. Please bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. Be prepared to dance if requested.

Those wishing to be considered for Usnavi, Benny, Sonny or Graffiti Pete should also prepare a rap selection (a capella acceptable) in addition to a song.
Those wishing to be considered for Usnavi, Vanessa, Benny or Graffiti Pete should be prepared to stay and dance and/or attend the dance call. Graffiti Pete should be prepared to freestyle.
Those wishing to be considered for Ensemble roles should plan to also attend the Ensemble/Dance call.

Callbacks will be from 6:00PM-10:00PM on Monday, March 6, 2023 by invitation.

The show will run evenings at 7:30PM Wednesday – Saturday May 17-20, 2023; Thursday – Saturday May 25-June 10, 2023 with Saturday matinee performances at 2:00PM on May 27 & June 3, 2023.

Rehearsals will begin on Saturday, April 8, 2023 and will be held (apart from tech week) Monday – Friday from 6pm to 10pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

Vocal and Dance Auditions will be held in the Multipurpose Room of Salt Lake Community College’s South City Campus, 1575 S State Street, Salt Lake City, 84115. Parking is available at no charge in the South-East parking lot off of 1700 South. Please enter on the South-East side of the building.

All hired actors are paid via a stipend. The Grand Theatre is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. We welcome all qualified performers, without regard to disability, race, color, gender, national origin or any other basis, unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Character Breakdown

USNAVI DE LA VEGA(20‐30, Latino) Youthful, awkward, sincere Dominican owner of a convenience store. Urban, articulate, funny, harbors a crush on the local salon beauty. Not a “cool stud”. Narrator. SINGS, RAPS VERY WELL, DANCES, High Baritone/Tenor (to G4)
SONNY(20‐30, Latino) Young, smart‐alecky, wise and dry cousin to Usnavi. Tough and smart Dominican, has big plans for himself and his neighborhood. Great comedy chops. SINGS UPPER RANGE, RAPS VERY WELL, DANCES, Tenor (to Bb4)
NINA ROSARIO(20‐30, Latina) Fresh, smart college student. Brave and strong Puerto Rican girl, but has to tell her parents that she quit school months ago. Emotional and conflicted, but still the “star” of the neighborhood. Demanding role, lots of singing .VERY STRONG SINGER, DANCES, STRONG ACTRESS, Soprano High Belter (to F5)
VANESSA(20‐30, Latina) Sexy, hardened, stylist at the local salon. Has a troubled home life, wishes to get out and into something better. Tired of all the whistles and catcalls, looking for a true love. Ethnic, but definitely American. STRONG BELT SINGER, STRONG DANCER, Mezzo Soprano High Belter (to E5)
BENNY(20‐30, Black, White, Asian or any other non‐Latino)Strong, smart, masculine worker at the Rosario Taxi dispatch. Very ambitious, urban, and full of big dreams. Handsome, bright, and harbors a crush on the “boss’ daughter”.VERY STRONG SINGER, GOOD DANCER, STRONG ACTOR/RAPPER, Tenor (to Ab4)
ABUELA CLAUDIA(50-60 LATINA) Sweet, caring, and supportive Cuban matriarch of the neighborhood. Takes care of all the young people, and regularly plays the lottery. A wise character with strength, passion, and a long memory. A powerful actress, singer and story‐teller. STRONG SINGER, STRONG ACTRESS, Alto Belter (F#3 to C5)
KEVIN ROSARIO(40‐50, Latino) Puerto Rican born father to Nina. Owns and runs a taxi dispatch with his wife, Camila. Traditional, hard‐working Latin father, over‐protective, loving, but also has a temper. STRONG SINGER, STRONG ACTOR. Baritone (to E)
CAMILA ROSARIO(40‐50, Latina)The smart, caring “business” half of the Rosarios. She takes care of the bills and business, but usually holds her tongue in the presence of her husband. Dynamic Puerto Rican woman, with a powerful voice and presence that gets unleashed when she’s had “ENOUGH”!!!STRONG SINGER, STRONG ACTRESS, Mezzo Soprano Belter (G3 to B4)
DANIELA(35‐50, Latina)Sassy Puerto Rican owner of the local hair and nail salon. Loves to gossip, has a tough exterior, but enjoys being “The Boss”. Her salon rent keeps going up, so, sadly she is moving to the Bronx.. Great comedy chops and timing. Think Miranda Priestly meets Sofia Vergara. VERY STRONG SINGER, STRONG COMIC ACTRESS, Alto Belter (G3 to C5)
CARLA(20‐30, Latina)Bubbly, funny, side‐kick to Daniela. Very sweet and religious. Supportive friend to the salon trio. Good at playing “dizzy or bird‐brained”.STRONG SINGER, GOOD AT COMEDY, Soprano
GRAFFITI PETE(20‐30, Any ethnicity)Young, urban, slick graffiti artist of the neighborhood. Slightly shady, but with a good heart. He doesn’t see his “art” as a bad thing, wants to make a difference while making a living. Need an excellent hip‐hop or break dancer VERY STRONG DANCER, RAPS WELL
PIRAGUA GUY(30‐50, Latino)The town‐crier. Sells shaved ice from a cart, has a soaring tenor voice, reflects on how the people in the neighborhood “keep scraping by”. Charismatic and important role. SINGS VERY WELL, DANCES SOME, Tenor (Sustainable A4)
MEN AND WOMEN OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS(20‐50, Latino, Latina, Black, Asian, White)Interesting, diverse and well‐rounded people of the community. All shapes and sizes. As important as any of the principals, these people have stories of their own.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long is the rehearsal process?
Typically, rehearsals last about six weeks prior to opening. Due to the complexity of everyone’s schedules, rehearsals are reserved for evenings Monday through Fridays and Saturdays, during the day. Generally rehearsals are scheduled from 6:00-10:00PM weeknights, and 9:00AM-4:00PM on Saturdays.

Do I get paid?
Yes, we do offer stipends to all adult actors employed during a production. Children, under legal working age, do not receive monetary compensation, but usually receive discounted tickets for family members.

Do you hire Equity?
No, not generally. We are not an Equity Theatre, although, occasionally there is an Equity contract offered under special circumstances. However, Equity actors are always encouraged to audition, as you never know what will be offered.

Auditions