Synopsis
When budget cuts threaten to shut down Verity High School, the parents do what any reasonable adults would do—hijack the annual talent show to save the day.
Featuring Angela, a mom who puts the “hell” in helicopter parenting, but can you blame her? Her husband literally suffocated via clown nose. Then there’s her son, Harlan, a misunderstood artiste who just wants to perform his avant-garde Hamlet… as a Harlequin clown. Next up is Sutton, The Boss B*tch of Broadway, who still thinks she’s the main character (because, obviously, she is). And in the wings is her daughter, Alexa, who wants to be more than her superstar mom’s lackey. Following up that act is Luis, an OG gay, whose kids don’t even go to the school anymore. Rounding out the parents is Coach, who speaks in sports metaphors and unconditionally supports his genderqueer child, Dylan. And Dylan , the reluctant director of this talent show disaster, soon discovers that controlling the parents is harder than wrangling the town’s overabundant llama population. But the best was saved for last. Meet Verna, the seventy-year-old pot-smoking, gambling, unhoused pianist with questionable morals who might just save the day.
Generations, identities, and way too much parental involvement collide in this musical comedy about the importance of community, the paradox of cancel culture, and finding a safe place for creative expression. Because if the parents are running the show, what could possibly go wrong?
Audition Info
What?
A 1-hour abridged version of Verity High: Canceled!, the musical, will be performed at the Atlanta Fringe Festival.
Auditions Due
Video Auditions due April 20, 2025
Audition Requirements
Prepare and film a one-minute song (see comps in character descriptions below) and a monologue from the show (provided below). For Harlan only: Film a one-minute lyrical/contemporary solo. (For reference: Read the abridged script here)
Rehearsals
We anticipate up to 8 hours of rehearsal between April 24- May 27th. We will establish exact times and rehearsal locations based on artist availability.
Tech Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 28 2:30-5:30 @ The Supermarket Event Stage
Performances
The Supermarket Event Stage
638 North Highland Avenue Northeast
Fri, May 30 @ 10:30pm
Sat, May 31 @ 8:45pm
Tues, June 3 @ 8:45pm
Thu, June 5 @ 7pm
Sat, June 7 @ 10:30pm
Sun, June 8 @ 3:30pm
(if you have a conflict with 1 or 2 of the performances or tech, we may be able to work around that. We will have two swings to fill-in if needed. But ideally, you will be available for all 6 shows)
Compensation
$600 total plus parking fees
Roles
ANGELA, 40s or 50s, female, Caucasian. Pragmatic, driven, and fiercely protective, Angela is the kind of mom who always has a plan—and expects everyone else to follow it. She’s high-key, high-strung, and deeply invested in her son Harlan’s success, sometimes to a fault. Though she can come off as controlling, it’s rooted in fear: of failure, of judgment, of losing her son.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Audition song suggestions: Maybe This Time (Cabaret); The Music Still Plays On (A New Brain); Sooner or Later (Dick Tracy movie)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
HARLAN, 17, male, any race. A creative, sensitive soul trapped under the weight of his mother’s expectations. Harlan is introspective, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent—but he’s also still figuring out who he is and how to make his mother see him. He’s got real talent and a quiet spark, but he’s not a spotlight chaser. His journey is about finding the courage to speak up, take risks, and maybe even break a few rules.
Vocal Range: Tenor
Audition song suggestions: Harlan - One Song Glory (Rent); Left Behind (Spring Awakening)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
SUTTON, 40s/50s, female, any race. A Broadway star. Sutton is glamorous, self-involved, and completely unapologetic about it. She’s used to commanding attention, fiercely ambitious, and desperate to stay relevant. She’s funny, theatrical, and wildly entertaining.
Vocal Range: Soprano
Audition song suggestions: Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera); Fable (Light in the Piazza); Once Upon a December (Anastasia)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
ALEXA, 17, female, any race. Student at Verity High. Sutton’s daughter. She’s not the loudest in the room, but she’s observant, has a dry wit, a strong moral compass, and a growing confidence in her own voice. Alexa is the kind of teen who feels older than her years.
Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano
Audition song suggestions: I’m Not That Girl (Wicked); Only Us (Dear Evan Hansen); Home (Beetlejuice)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
COACH/ADAM, 40/50s, male, any race. A beloved teacher, a devoted dad, and the calm in the middle of the storm. Coach is emotionally intelligent, open-hearted, and quietly hilarious. He’s the kind of guy who gives great advice and listens more than he talks. As the brother of a Broadway diva (Sutton) and father to a non-binary artist (Dylan), he bridges generations with grace and compassion. Understated, warm, and refreshingly un-macho.
Vocal Range: Baritone
Audition song suggestions: Mr. Cellophane (Chicago); Fathers and Sons (Working); A Sentimental Man (Wicked)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
DYLAN, 23, gender fluid, any race. Passionate, creative, and trying really hard not to lose it. As the director of the school talent show, Dylan is caught between generations, identities, and expectations—from the earnest students to their chaotic, over-involved family. Dylan is smart, sensitive, and still figuring out how to lead without people-pleasing. In the show, Dylan identifies as she/her in the opening and they/them in the majority of the show.
Vocal Range: Tenor
Audition song suggestions: Michael in the Bathroom (Be More Chill); The Wall in My Head (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
LUIS, 40/50s, male, American Latino. Big-hearted with the soul of a kid and the flair of a showman. Luis is vibrant, nurturing, and endlessly creative—the guy who turns cardboard into magic and chaos into choreography. He’s the life of the party and the emotional glue of the group, always ready with a joke, a snack, or a perfectly timed dance break. Deeply supportive and full of love, Luis brings joy wherever he goes, even when things get messy.
Vocal Range: Tenor or baritenor
Audition song suggestions: Bamboleo (Gipsey Kings); Inútil (In the Heights); I’d Order Love (First Date)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)
VERNA, 60s/70s, female, any race. A dry, no-nonsense pianist with a razor-sharp wit and zero patience for BS. Verna would rather be gambling in Atlantic City than babysitting a talent show, but beneath her crusty exterior is a begrudging affection for the chaos around her. She’s the ultimate "seen it all" character—cynical but lovable, with deadpan delivery and impeccable comedic timing.
Vocal Range: Alto or character voice
Audition song suggestions: When You’re Good to Mama (Chicago); Here’s to the Ladies Who Lunch (Company); Money Money (Cabaret)
(Feel free to sing one of these songs or a similar song from your repertoire)