Casting Call for "Rent" the Musical

A musician/singer-songwriter who is a recovering drug addict living with HIV. Roger has mourned members of his community and is grieving the loss of his deceased former girlfriend. Roger longs for connection and meaning through his music. He is roommates with Mark in an abandoned loft space. *Must be comfortable with opposite sex onstage intimacy. Guitar experience is a plus, but not required. (Male presenting) Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: F2

A filmmaker and video artist who constantly seeks validation. He connects deeply with his roommate Roger and longs for the days when his group of friends were closer. In his struggles to find his place in the world, he often finds himself on the outside looking in. Mark comes from privilege but desires to understand his responsibility to himself and his community. He is the narrator of the show. (Male presenting) Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: A2

A professor of technology at NYU that is grounded in anarchy and liberation, Tom Collins is a proud black man who is smart, caring, and the backbone of his friend group. His chosen family is lifted by his positive and nurturing spirit. His warmth and empathic presence allows him to invite his friends to examine personal accountability. *Must be comfortable with same sex onstage intimacy. (Male presenting) Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: F#2

Mark & Roger's landlord & former roommate. A proud man who married into privilege, Benny struggles to find connection with his former chosen family. He is constantly battling being a friend while pleasing his new rich in-laws. In spite of being seen as a sell out, Benny longs to know who he is & where he fits in his community. Musically, Benny has a freedom to his voice similar to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and/or Lionel Richie. (Male presenting) Vocal range top: F#4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2

A dancer and sex worker, Mimi is a proud Latina woman determined to live in the moment. She is a drug addict who is living with HIV. A young woman on a journey to find who she is and what she is fighting for. Mimi’s addiction and intentions are often at odds. She desperately tries to make the best of life in whatever way she can. *Must be comfortable with opposite sex onstage intimacy. (Female presenting) Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: Eb3

A vibrant street musician who radiates light! Angel moves through the world as a gender nonconforming human living with HIV. Angel has an incredible spirit with a gift for inspiring human connection all while being a street fashion icon. Angel is magnetic and rooted in living for the moment. *Must be comfortable with same sex onstage intimacy. Drag experience is a plus, but not required. (Multi-gender presenting) Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: Eb3

A performance artist who is constantly raging and ready to fight. Maureen is full of wellintended passion and anarchist energies of which she pours into her art no matter the medium. She’s a former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins and Benny. She completes the chosen family rounding out the space with intoxicating energy dripping with sexualized vigor. *Must be comfortable with same sex onstage intimacy. (Female presenting) Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: C4

A public interest lawyer who always fights for the underdog, Joanne comes from a conservative upper-class family. As an out and proud lesbian, she demands her own liberation. She is smart, purposeful, and grounded. She is dating Maureen Johnson. Joanne’s connection to Maureen brings her into an established chosen family. *Must be comfortable with same sex onstage intimacy. (Female presenting) Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3

A producer with Buzzline, a tabloid-esq TV show. Ensemble.

Benny’s father-in-law. Ensemble.

A drug dealer. Ensemble.

Mark’s mom. Ensemble.

Joanne’s dad. Ensemble.

Joanne’s mom. Ensemble.

Ensemble.

Ensemble.

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Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Life Support group member. Ensemble.

Ensemble.

Ensemble.

Ensemble.

Ensemble.