AUDITION NOTICE – ONCE THE MUSICAL
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré
Director: Conner Wilson
Music Director: Ainsley Matich
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré is seeking talented actor/musicians for our professional production of ONCE THE MUSICAL. This is a unique musical that requires actors that play instruments and/or musicians that act. All characters must be able to comfortably perform their instrument on stage, at times while moving or performing staging or choreography. All performers must comfortably speak English using either an Irish or Czech accent. A dialect coach will be utilized for the production.
AUDITION DATES & TIMES
- Monday, December 16 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (7-8pm Dance/Movement Call) Open Call
- Tuesday, December 17 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (7-8pm Dance/Movement Call) Open Call
- Wednesday, December 18 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Callbacks
AUDITION LOCATION
Loyola University Monroe Hall, 6th Floor New Orleans, Louisiana MAP LINK HERE
PRODUCTION DETAILS
This is a professional production open to both union and nonunion performers.
Rehearsal start date: April 28, 2026
Performance start date: June 4, 2026
Closing date: June 21, 2026
WHAT TO PREPARE – READ CAREFULLY
All interested artists should sign up for a slot on Monday, December 15th or Tuesday, December 16th. Regardless of your audition slot, we ask that you make yourself available for a one-hour (or less) movement call between 7pm and 8pm. This is a crucial part of the audition process.
Male-identifying actors wishing to audition for GUY should prepare the song “Say It To Me Now” self-accompanied on guitar. Additionally, we will have you read from selected sides for GUY.
Female-identifying actors wishing to audition for GIRL should prepare the song “If You Want Me.” We would also like to see some piano-playing of your choice. Additionally, we will have you read from selected sides for GIRL.
For actors wishing to audition for any other roles than GUY or GIRL: Either 1) sing any contemporary folk song (1960’s forward) accompanied by your own instrument OR 2) sing any contemporary folk song acapella (1960’s forward) and play your instrument solo after. (I.E. if you play Violin / Cello – you can sing first and play the instrument second – or vice versa).
Callbacks will be held on Wednesday night, December 17th. Additional callback materials will be provided to called-back artists.
WHAT TO BRING
- Instrument (an electric keyboard will be available on site for those playing piano)
- Comfortable clothing and shoes for movement
- Any sheet music you need for self-accompaniment
ABOUT ONCE THE MUSICAL
Once is an intimate, contemporary musical featuring the Tony Award-winning score by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The production tells the story of a Dublin street musician and a young woman from Eastern Europe who connect through music over the course of a week.
Book by Enda Walsh. Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Based on the Motion Picture Written and Directed by John Carney.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS – All roles available
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Girl, F (Czech accent) A determined and witty dreamer. Girl has come from the Czech Republic to Dublin for a new life. She is passionate about playing the piano and making music. Age: 20 to 35 Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: F#3 Must play: Piano |
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Guy, M (Dublin accent) A down-on-his-luck musician in Dublin. He is lovesick and lost. He loves making songs and playing guitar but is ready to give up. Falsetto up to C#5 Age: 20 to 35 Vocal range top: G#4 Vocal range bottom: F#2 Must play: Guitar |
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Billy, M (Dublin accent) A music store owner who allows Girl to play piano in his shop. Opinionated and loyal to those he cares about. Plays guitar. Age: 30 to 50 Must play: Guitar |
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Reza, F (Czech accent) Girl’s vivacious and flirtatious roommate. Plays violin. Age: 25 to 30 Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: D4 Must play: Guitar & Bass or Violin |
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Baruska, F (Czech accent) Girl’s mother. Loving, generous, and idealistic. Age: 45 to 60 Ideally plays: Accordion |
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Bank Manager, M (Dublin accent) Corporate on the outside, artistic on the inside. Age: 30 to 50 Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: G3 Must play: Guitar, Ideally plays: Cello |
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Da, M (Dublin accent) Guy’s father. A caring man who loves his son. Age: 50 to 70 Vocal range top: E4 Vocal range bottom: G3 Ideally plays: Guitar |
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Svec, M (Czech accent) Girl’s quirky roommate. Age: 20 to 40 Must play: Drums and Guitar |
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Andrej, M (Czech accent) Girl’s roommate. A big dreamer. Age: 20 to 30 Vocal range top: F#4 Vocal range bottom: A3 Must play: Guitar and Bass, or Violin |
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Eamon, M (Dublin accent) A Dublin music studio manager. Age: 20 to 50 Must play: Guitar and Piano |
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Emcee, M (Dublin accent) Host of an open mic at a Dublin pub. Age: 20 to 50 Vocal range top: D4 Vocal range bottom: C3 Must play: Guitar |
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Ex-Girlfriend, F (Dublin accent) Guy’s ex-girlfriend. Wanting a better life, she’s moved from Dublin to New York. Age: 20 to 40 Must play: Violin |
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Ivonka, F Girl’s daughter. Age: 6 to 10 No instrument requirement |
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VIDEO SUBMISSION
As previously stated, in-person auditions for this type of show are strongly preferred. But if you are completely unable to attend in person, please submit a video of the above audition requirements to casting@lepetittheatre.com no later than Monday December 8th, 2025. Please use the subject line “[Your Name] ONCE audition video submit” in order to be considered.
QUESTIONS?
For more information or questions regarding auditions, please email casting@lepetittheatre.com.
Programming is supported in part by The Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Foundation, Joy and Boysie Bollinger, The Rosemary B. and Brunswick G. Deutsch Foundation for Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, The Favrot-Van Horn Fund, The Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation, The Le Petit Theatre Endowment Fund from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, The Harold W. Newman Endowment Fund, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Inc., The New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund, The New Orleans Theatre Association (NOTA), The Elizabeth Porch Schwartz Endowment Fund, The Selley Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and WWNO 89.9 FM.
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