Actors for Yes, Virginia Reading at the RAT NYC (Deadline 01.31.2026)
CATEGORY: Performer
Showpeople Theatre Collective
New York, NY
US
CONTACT NAME
Colby Thompson
Job Details
DESCRIPTION
Seeking actors/singers for Yes, Virginia at the RAT NYC.
Showpeople Theatre Collective presents the first musical in its New Works Reading Series.
Yes, Virginia is an imagining of what led up to the writing of The Sun's famous "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" editorial. Following the editorial's author, Francis Pharcellus Church, Yes, Virginia tells the story of an uncaring journalist who finally finds a cause to believe in when he meets Amelia O'Connor, an immigrant woman facing unemployment and eviction in the 1890s Lower East Side of Manhattan.
In telling this story about truth, immigration, and the American experience, we’re seeking singers of all voice types, genders, and races.
Submission Guidelines: You must be local NYC or at least able to attend all (or nearly all) rehearsals and the performance. Please make sure to include a MT song or reel that represents your voice well (if you are submitting solely for the non-singing role of William, submit a dramatic monologue instead). Pay close attention to the rehearsal schedule. Due to the small number of rehearsals, being present for them is important.
Rehearsals: March 18th 6pm-10pm March 20th 6pm-10pm March 25th 6pm-10pm March 27th 6pm-10pm
Note: All rehearsals will be in NYC at locations TBA.
Performance: March 28th @ 7:30pm (6:30pm call)
Venue: The RAT NYC (68-117 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201)
Role Breakdowns:
FRANCIS: An aloof and uncaring reporter and editor for The Sun. He doesn’t see much value in fighting for anything until he meets Amelia and sees her plight. (High Baritone or Tenor Singing A2-A4)
AMELIA: An Irish immigrant living in tenement housing on the Lower East Side. She has recently been fired from her job in a garment factory and as a result is facing eviction. She is deeply religious with both a temper and a soft side. Speaks with an Irish accent. (Soprano Singing Ab3-E5)
EDWARD: The editor-in-chief of The Sun newspaper. He advocates a focus on sensationalist crime reporting and starts some of the earliest corporate advertising used to fund print journalism. (High Tenor Singing Db3-Bb4) ALREADY CAST
ELIZABETH: An energetic and outspoken woman. She is Francis’ wife despite being his polar opposite and is the only person before Amelia to be able to pull any degree of emotion out of him. (Mezzo Singing A3-D5)
HATTIE: The head secretary for The Sun. She takes on a boss-like role in Edward’s absence, being a driving force behind the newspaper’s productivity. (Alto Singing F#3-D5)
WILLIAM: A young landlord, who owns a tenement house on the Lower East Side. (Spoken)
ENSEMBLE: Playing Reporters, Tenement Residents, New Yorkers, etc. (All Voice Types)
Please reach out with any questions to [email protected] or visit us at www.showpeopletheatrecollective.com
DURATION
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 28, 2026