MCC Theater | New York, NY

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Thursday, January 29, 2026

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)

Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CONTRACT

Off Broadway

$681 weekly minimum (Development - Level 2)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in a Developmental

Workshop (Level 2) of WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (See breakdown).

All Equity stage managerial positions have been filled.

PREPARATION

Please prepare a short cut of a contemporary pop/rock song. If talent plays an instrument, we welcome them to accompany themselves. A piano accompanist will also be provided.

LOCATION
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036

PERSONNEL
Co-Artistic Directors: Bernard Telsey and William Cantler
Executive Director: Blake West
General Manager: Beth Dembrow
Book by Peter Hedges
Music and Lyrics by Adrian Enscoe,
Christopher Sears, Sydney Shepherd, Regina Strayhorn
Directed by Anne Kauffman

Expected to attend:
Scott Galina: Director of Artistic Planning & Production
Elissa Huang: Manager of Artistic Development

OTHER DATES
Workshop Dates:
Monday, March 30, 2026 – Friday, April 17, 2026

OTHER

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.

An Equity Monitor will be provided.

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 attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE

SYNOPSIS: A musical adaptation of the novel by Peter Hedges. Summer, 1991. Endora, Iowa (Pop. 1,009). In the days leading up to the miraculous 18th birthday of Gilbert Grape’s younger brother Arnie, the ordinary-extraordinary-infamous Grape family gets tested in a myriad of ways.

NOTE: This show is an actor-singer-instrumentalist show – each actor will likely play multiple characters, sing, and play proficiently (at least one, if not many) instruments.

Ability to proficiently play any of the following instruments is a plus:
WINDS - Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone
BRASS - Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba
STRINGS - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
PERCUSSION, DRUM KIT
PIANO/ORGAN/KEYBOARDS
GUITAR (Acoustic, Electric, Bass)

SEEKING:

AMY GRAPE – 34 – the oldest of the Grape children, a devoted daughter, puts everyone else first, bravely holds the family and barely herself together.

ELLEN GRAPE – 16 – the youngest Grape, an angsty teenager with a big, hidden heart, born the same year as Alanis Morissette.

MRS. BETTY CARVER – mid-late 30s – loyal-seeming wife of the local insurance man has been having a secret affair with Gilbert since he turned 18 – desperate to live a different life.

ARNIE GRAPE – about to turn 18, neurodivergent, big-hearted, a truth-teller, aching for independence

GILBERT GRAPE – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 24, a dreamer, stuck in himself and his
hometown, loyal to his brother, overwhelmed at times by the demands of his challenging family, aches to break free.

BONNIE “MOMMA” GRAPE – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. mid 50s – mother of the Grapes.
When Bonnie Grape lost her husband to suicide, she developed an eating disorder and agoraphobia. Sixteen years and 500 pounds later, she no longer leaves the house. More than anything in the world, Momma just wants to see her son, Arnie, turn 18.

BECKY BURNS – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. early-mid 20s – an out-of-towner – spontaneous and surprising, a truth teller looking for meaningful connection and the right amount of fun.

TUCKER VAN DYKE – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 24 – Gilbert’s best (and only) friend. Stuck in Endora as well, but without complaint. On the simpler side, but loyal and dependable.

JANICE GRAPE – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. late 20s – Gilbert’s second older sister, a highly caffeinated flight attendant who got away, always up for a party.

MR. LAMSON – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. 60s – Gilbert’s long-time boss and owner of the
struggling local grocery store. A salt-of-the-earth type, a bright-side thinker and father figure for Gilbert.

ALBERT GRAPE – THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. father of the Grape children – early 30s – took his life many years ago, a haunting presence.

SALARY

Off Broadway $681 weekly minimum (Development - Level 2)