"Budy: The Body Holly Story" Play in Need of Actors

Plays electric and acoustic guitar. The young rock-and-roll trailblazer at the center of the story. Buddy is ambitious, confident, innovative, and determined to make music on his own terms. His partnership with Joe and Jerry creates The Crickets, and his songwriting and performances quickly propel him from a local Texas musician to a national star.

Plays upright and electric bass. Joe Mauldin, bassist for The Crickets and one of Buddy’s closest musical partners. A talented musician and an important part of the band’s signature sound, Joe becomes increasingly frustrated as Buddy’s ambitions begin pulling him away from the group.

Plays drums. Jerry Allison, drummer for The Crickets and one of Buddy’s longtime friends and collaborators. A driving force behind the band’s sound, Jerry is a talented young musician who shares Buddy’s excitement about the possibilities of their new music.

Plays electric and acoustic guitar. Tommy Allsup, known as the “Fourth Cricket,” is a talented guitarist who joins Buddy and The Crickets as their music career continues to grow. The role also functions as a featured musician within the larger world of the show.

Plays piano. Vi Petty, wife and musical partner of record producer Norman Petty. A talented pianist and musician, Vi is part of the creative environment surrounding Norman’s recording studio in Clovis, New Mexico, where Buddy and The Crickets develop their breakthrough sound. Doubles as additional ensemble roles.

Instruments a plus. J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, is a larger-than-life rock-and-roll entertainer known for his energetic personality and hit “Chantilly Lace.” He joins Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens on the Winter Dance Party tour and ultimately shares the stage with them at the final concert in Clear Lake.

Mexican American, Instruments a plus. Ritchie Valens is a groundbreaking young rock-and-roll performer whose recording of “La Bamba” becomes one of the show's major musical highlights. Talented, charismatic, and still very young, Valens joins Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper on the Winter Dance Party tour and performs alongside them at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

Instruments a plus. Maria Elena Santiago is the young Puerto Rican receptionist at Buddy’s music publisher who quickly captures Buddy’s attention. Their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, and Maria Elena becomes one of the most important people in Buddy’s personal life as his career begins to pull him in a new direction. Doubles as additional ensemble roles.

Instruments a plus, An Apollo performer who helps establish the energy and musical world of Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater. The Apollo sequence is one of the show’s major turning points, as Buddy Holly and The Crickets win over an initially skeptical audience and demonstrate the power of their music.

(APOLLO PERFORMER) Instruments a plus. An Apollo performer who helps create the vibrant musical atmosphere of Harlem’s Apollo Theater. She is part of the ensemble of performers who establish the contrast between Buddy and The Crickets’ Texas rock-and-roll sound and the African American musical traditions surrounding the Apollo.

Instruments a plus. Versatile performers who help populate Buddy’s rapidly changing world, portraying musicians, DJs, dancers, concert performers, recording artists, and other characters throughout the story. Strong musicianship, movement skills, and the ability to quickly shift between characters are valuable assets.

Instruments a plus. Versatile performers who help create the musical world surrounding Buddy, appearing as singers, dancers, musicians, DJs, concert performers, and other characters throughout the production. Strong musicianship, movement skills, and the ability to quickly shift between characters are valuable assets.