Milwaukee Repertory Theater | Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee, WI

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Submission

CONTRACT

LORT Non-Rep

$1213 weekly minimum (LORT B)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in FOOTLOOSE (See breakdown).

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit your headshot and resume for consideration.

Deadline: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

SUBMIT TO

[email protected]

PERSONNEL
Executive Director: Chad Bauman
Artistic Director: Mark Clements
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny
Loggins and Jim Steinman
Director and Choreographer: Stephen Mear
Music Director: Dan Kazemi

Viewing submissions:
Casting Director: Jonathan Hetler

OTHER DATES
1st Rehearsal – 8/25/26
Tech Begins – 9/15/26
1st Preview – 9/22/26
Opening – 9/26/26
Closing – 11/1/26

OTHER

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.

Breakdown

FOOTLOOSE

SYNOPSIS: Get ready to kick off your heels and feel the beat! The smash-hit film Footloose explodes
onto the stage with high-octane choreography and electrifying ’80s anthems, including “Let’s Hear It for
the Boy” and “Holding Out for a Hero.” When city teen Ren moves to a small town where dancing is
banned, he challenges the rules, sparks romance, and inspires a community to rediscover joy, freedom,
and the power of music. Helmed by Olivier Award-winning artist Stephen Mear, who wowed Rep
audiences with his choreography for Ragtime and Guys and Dolls, this energetic, feel-good Tonynominated
musical will have you laughing, cheering, and jumping to your feet.

NOTE: Seeking true triple threats. All "Teen" roles must be strong singers and dancers. "Adult" roles must be strong singers and strong movers.

SEEKING:

REV. SHAW MOORE – MALE, WHITE, AGE: 40s-50s – The secret to the character of Rev. Moore is that he
is charismatic. Charming, even. Shaw has a quick mind, a loving heart and a sense of humor, all of which
endear him to his congregation. While trying to be strong for so many people, however, he continues to
mourn the death of his son – the one person he could not save. Only Ariel and Vi (and eventually Ren)
get a glimpse of this private anguish and the flashes of frustration and temper that arise from that. And
age-wise, remember that Shaw is the father of a teenage girl; then, do the math. (Range: A2-F#4)

VI MOORE – FEMALE, WHITE, AGE: 40s-50s – Despite the loss of her son and the strained relationship
with her husband, Vi fully understands what kind of unflagging good humor she must display in order to
keep her household – and her husband’s congregation – running smoothly. And with her plucky
irreverence, she gives us a glimpse of what life with Shaw was like before the tragedy, when theirs was a
marriage both passionate and playful. (Range: A3-Db5)

ARIEL MOORE – FEMALE, WHITE, AGE: 18-25 – Ariel is smart; she understands the rules of the different
worlds she moves between and, in each situation, she plays her part brilliantly. When she’s in her father’s
presence, for instance, she is buttoned-up and demure; with Chuck, she burns off all her unexpressed,
explosive energy with raucous, thrill-seeking behavior. Ariel loves to laugh – with Chuck, with her
girlfriends and, eventually, with Ren – but her high spirits are, quite often, her attempt to keep a lid on
the grief she feels about her brother’s death and the loss of her once loving relationship with her father.
(Range: G3-Eb5)

REN McCORMACK – MALE, BLACK, AGE: 18-25 – Not only able to sing and dance – he must also be
witty. After all, Ren is a cut-up, a joker who enjoys a good time (which is why his Pals are upset to find
out he’s leaving in the opening number). Lately, though, his fun-loving attitude has taken on a tone of
desperation, as he tries too hard to convince the world – and himself – that his father’s desertion hasn’t
wounded him as deeply as it has. Ariel is the first character to get Ren to talk about that sticky subject;
sharing that intimacy early on becomes the basis for their relationship. Ren’s emotional journey starts
with his being feisty and flippant in Act I, continues through his thoughtful argument to the Town
Council and ends with his emotional final confrontation with Rev. Moore. It’s a journey from boyhood to
maturity. (Range: D3-C5)

ETHEL McCORMACK – FEMALE, BLACK, AGE: 40s – Where does Ren get his intelligence, his resilience
and his sense of humor? From his mother, of course! It’s hard for Ethel to be living in her sister’s home
and Vi abiding by her brother-in-law’s rules, but she never succumbs to the pathos of her situation; after
all, she has to be strong for Ren. Their mutual loss has brought them closer together, and they share a
teasing, good-natured relationship. (Range: A3-D5)

WILLARD HEWITT – MALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 18-25 – Willard is not dumb; he is a gentle soul with
quick fists, which are his defense against a world that he often has trouble comprehending. Willard just
hasn’t had anyone come along to puncture that macho belligerence – until Ren arrives. After that, the
humor in the character of Willard derives from his gradual, innocent and giddy discovery of the new
worlds that Ren opens up to him. (Range: Bb2-Ab4)

RUSTY – FEMALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 18-25 – Rusty may come off as sassy and self-assured, but, in
many ways, she is the most deeply romantic character in FOOTLOOSE. She truly believes that she and
Willard were meant to be together, but they’re both so inept about expressing themselves that it takes
Ren – and a little time on the dance floor – to ultimately bring that about. (Range: A3-F#5 (opt. F#6))

CHUCK CRANSTON/“TEEN” ENSEMBLE – MALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 19-26 – Ariel's boyfriend, and
other roles. (Range: F#3-B4)

COWBOY BOB/“ADULT” ENSEMBLE – MALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 30-50 – The lead vocalist at the Bar-
B-Que, and other roles. Plays guitar. (Range: E3-C5)

URLEEN/WENDY JO/“TEEN” ENSEMBLE – FEMALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 18-25 – Ariel's friend, and
other roles. (Range: A3-D5)

COACH ROGER DUNBAR/PRINCIPAL HARRY CLARK/“ADULT” ENSEMBLE – MALE, ANY ETHNICITY,
AGE: 30s-50s – the high school gym teacher, principal, and other roles.

ELEANOR DUNBAR/LULU WARNICKER/BETTY BLAST/“ADULT” ENSEMBLE – FEMALE, ANY ETHNICITY, AGE: 30s-50s – Wife of adult roles, owner of The Burger Blast, and other roles.

SALARY

LORT Non-Rep $1213 weekly minimum (LORT B)

UNION

AEA