Ruthless! Youth Auditions:
SEEKING: two dynamic triple-threat youth performers ages 9 to 13, to play 8-year-old Tina Denmark. Any Ethnicity, with a strong mix/belt to Eb5 on Saturday, October 18th 9:00am – 12:30pm (5-minute audition slots).
Character Description:
Tina is an undeniably adorable and talented little girl who knows exactly what she wants. When not on stage she's sweet, courteous and charmingly manipulates the audience as she manipulates those around her, well aware you draw bees with honey, not vinegar. When she momentarily loses it, she quickly returns to her sweet, innocent persona.
**This role will be double cast with the performance duties split between the two actors. They will also understudy one another in the event one needs to call out of the show.
Guardians should be aware of the content of the show – the character’s use of profanity, weapons, and her (comic) lack of empathy and remorse for her irreversible, ruthless actions.
Ruthless! The Musical
Apr. 17 - May. 17, 2026
Written by Joel Paley
Directed by Christina Ramirez
Show Description:
8-year-old Tina Denmark is a charming, sociopathic child star who’ll stop at nothing to land the lead role in her school musical. As her ambitious mother, Judy, transforms from a naive housewife to a Broadway diva, Tina’s psychotic drive for fame escalates, leading to a hilariously dark and twisted musical journey.
Audition Information:
Auditions are in 5-minute time slots from 9:00am – 12:30 pm on Saturday, October 18th at Citadel Theatre. Sign up for an audition time here: https://signup.com/go/eXdVtwP
Please bring your headshot and resume.
Please prepare a 32-bar cut (roughly 1 minute) of a song in the style of the show.
Audition Date:
Saturday, October 18th, 2025: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Audition Location:
Citadel Theatre: 300 S Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest, IL 60045
CONTRACT:
Non-Equity:
$150 rehearsal stipend; $30/show performed in
Ruthless! Sylvia and Lita Auditions:
SEEKING: non-equity actors to play the roles of Sylvia St. Croix and Lita in Ruthless! The Musical
Character Descriptions:
Sylvia St Croix - 40’s - 50’s, any ethnicity, Classic Broadway Belt, F3 - D#5 (or down the octave)
A stylish woman of a certain age whose histrionic flair secures her a place alongside Mama Rose, Dolly Levi, and Mame as the fourth head carved into the Mount Rushmore of Theatrical Dames. A no-nonsense manager whose specialty is discovering, signing, and guiding the careers of extraordinarily talented children.
Lita Encore - 40’s - 60’s, any ethnicity Vocally, Ethel Merman type, Alto E3 - Ab4
A boozy theatre critic who cracks wise, laughs at her own jokes, and can write a review so scathing she can close a Broadway musical in less than two paragraphs. She's a loving and compassionate mother to Judy, whom she adopted and raised as her own child, but can't resist making jokes when engaged in a heart-to-heart talk with her daughter, all in good fun, of course.
All characters in the show are written with she/her pronouns, however actors of all genders who wish to be considered are invited to audition. Note from the playwright: “All of the characters in Ruthless are just that - characters! The show will work with all females, all males, or any combination [of genders.]
Ruthless! The Musical
Apr. 17 - May. 17, 2026
Written by Joel Paley
Directed by Christina Ramirez
Show Description:
8-year-old Tina Denmark is a charming, sociopathic child star who’ll stop at nothing to land the lead role in her school musical. As her ambitious mother, Judy, transforms from a naive housewife to a Broadway diva, Tina’s psychotic drive for fame escalates, leading to a hilariously dark and twisted musical journey.
Audition Information:
Auditions are in 5-minute time slots from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 18th at Citadel Theatre. Sign up for an audition time here: https://signup.com/go/KScetBP
Please bring your headshot and resume.
Please prepare a 32-bar cut (roughly 1 minute) of a song in the style of the show. Bring book in case we need to hear a second piece.
Audition Date:
Saturday, October 18th, 2025: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Audition Location:
Citadel Theatre: 300 S Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest, IL 60045
CONTRACT:
Non-Equity:
$150 rehearsal stipend; $30/show performed in