AUDITION FOR US
Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company holds auditions at least once each year for participation in our mainstage productions and additional concerts and special events. At our auditions, all principal roles in a production are available, and many of our productions are double cast in order to provide as many performance opportunities as possible. Our audition process includes a singing portion – where a Gilbert & Sullivan selection is highly suggested – alongside reading sides from the show we are casting.
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Although our rehearsal schedule and time commitment varies depending on production and role, RGSOC rehearsals typically take place on Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons in Northern New Jersey. All of our rehearsal and performance locations are easily accessible by train and/or bus from New York City, and ride shares are often coordinated for individuals living near one another. If you have any questions about our auditions or rehearsal process, please feel free to contact us or email us at ridgewoodgands@gmail.com.
UPCOMING AUDITIONS
Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company is excited to announce auditions for our production of Patience (Veronica Shea, Director | Rider R. Foster, Music Director | Sophia Mortensen, Stage Manager). Performances will take place November 14-16, 2025 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
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Auditions will take place from 11am-3pm on Saturday, August 16 in Glen Rock, NJ and 6:30-9:30pm on Monday, August 5 in NYC - please read below for additional information and a link to submit!
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REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Rehearsals will begin in early October, and take place Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons, with some additional rehearsals on Wednesday evenings. Public concert performances will take place throughout Northern New Jersey and New York in late October, and full performances with orchestra will take place November 14-16 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
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PERFORMANCES:
Friday, November 14 at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 15 at 2pm
Saturday, November 15 at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 16 at 3pm
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
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Please fill out the Audition Form here to receive your audition slot. Please note that within this form, you will be asked for a resume and a recent photograph. If submitting a virtual audition, you will also be asked for two contrasting vocal selections recorded within the last 24 months. English language is preferred (but not required), and your submission can be from a recording session, an excerpt from a production, or a self-tape.
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Singing:
Performers auditioning for principal roles should prepare two selections - with at least one being Gilbert & Sullivan - in the style of the show. If auditioning for a principal role, singing a selection from the show as listed here is suggested, though other English light opera is also acceptable. Those auditioning for the chorus should sing 32 bars of what they feel most comfortable performing (English preferred).
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Acting:
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At auditions, all auditioning for principal roles will read sides, which will be provided to you in the room. Here is a link to our sides, which you can also use to submit for your digital audition.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
We are open to gender-bending and cross-fach casting! However, we cannot transpose individual songs, other than octave displacement (i.e., bringing a line up or down an octave as needed).
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Colonel Calverley (bass-baritone)
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Major Murgatroyd (baritone)
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Lieut. The Duke of Dunstable (tenor)
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Reginald Bunthorne (comic baritone)
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Archibald Grosvenor (lyric baritone)
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The Lady Angela (mezzo-soprano)
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The Lady Saphir (soprano or mezzo-soprano)
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The Lady Ella (soprano)
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The Lady Jane (contralto)
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Patience (soprano)
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Chorus of Rapturous Maidens and Officers of Dragoon Guards (all voice types)
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