AUDITIONS: IN THE HEIGHTS
MSJC Menifee Valley Campus Department of Theatre Fall 2026 Musical Production

Join us for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s vibrant celebration of community, family, identity, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.

AUDITION WORKSHOP
Thursday, August 6
5:00–7:30 PM
MSJC (28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee, CA 92584) Black Box Theatre

Prepare for auditions through:

• Dance and movement with Choreographer Julie Freeman
• Vocal coaching with Music Director Julie Edwards-Matanga
• Acting and audition coaching with Director Leopold Murphy
• Ensemble-building, feedback, and audition tips

The workshop is not an audition. It is an opportunity to learn, build confidence, and prepare.

IMPORTANT DATES
Auditions: Tuesday, August 11 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Callbacks: Thursday, August 13 | 5:00–8:00 PM
First Rehearsal: Wednesday, August 19

PLEASE PREPARE

• 16–32 bars of a musical theatre or contemporary song
• Accompaniment track without background vocals
• Current résumé and headshot
• Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for movement
• Water

We are seeking strong storytellers, singers, actors, dancers, movers, rappers, and ensemble performers who bring professionalism, curiosity, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays and Thursdays
August 19–October 15 | 3:30–9:30 PM
Performances: October 22–November 1

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

USNAVI
A charismatic Dominican-American bodega owner and the narrator of the story. He dreams of
returning to the Dominican Republic while struggling to recognize the home and community he
has already built.
Seeking: A strong actor with excellent storytelling, rap, singing, rhythm, humor, and emotional
depth.

NINA ROSARIO
The first person in her family to attend Stanford University. Intelligent, compassionate,
ambitious, and emotionally layered, Nina returns home carrying a difficult secret and the weight
of her family’s expectations.
Seeking: A strong soprano/belter with emotional honesty, warmth, and vulnerability.

BENNY
An employee at Rosario’s Car and Limousine Service. Warm, optimistic, intelligent, and
charismatic, Benny dreams of building a future with Nina.
Seeking: A strong contemporary singer with pop and R&B sensibility, natural charm, and strong
acting ability.

VANESSA
An independent and ambitious young woman who works at Daniela’s salon and dreams of
moving downtown. She is confident, guarded, witty, and determined to create a new life for
herself.
Seeking: A strong belter, actor, and confident mover with emotional range and presence.

ABUELA CLAUDIA
The heart and spiritual center of the neighborhood. Wise, loving, resilient, and deeply connected
to the community, Abuela Claudia’s story is rooted in sacrifice, memory, faith, and perseverance.
Seeking: A powerful actor and singer capable of carrying the emotional weight of “Paciencia y
Fe.”

KEVIN ROSARIO
Nina’s proud and hardworking father. Kevin has sacrificed greatly to provide his daughter with
opportunities he never had and struggles with changing expectations, pride, and letting go.
Seeking: A grounded, emotionally mature actor with strong vocal ability and commanding
presence.

CAMILA ROSARIO
Nina’s compassionate, perceptive, and strong-willed mother. Camila is the emotional center of
the Rosario family and often serves as the voice of reason during conflict.
Seeking: A strong actor and singer with warmth, humor, authority, and emotional intelligence.

SONNY
Usnavi’s energetic teenage cousin who works at the bodega. Quick-witted, humorous, socially
aware, and passionate about improving his community.
Seeking: A charismatic actor with excellent comic timing, rap ability, rhythm, movement, and
heart.

DANIELA
The outspoken, confident, and commanding owner of the neighborhood beauty salon. Daniela
knows everyone’s business and brings humor, leadership, and energy wherever she goes.
Seeking: A dynamic singer-actor with strong comedic instincts, vocal power, movement ability,
and stage presence.

CARLA
A fun-loving and energetic employee at Daniela’s salon. Carla is playful, genuine, humorous, and
deeply connected to the women around her.
Seeking: A strong singer-actor with comic timing, warmth, personality, and movement ability.

GRAFFITI PETE
A talented neighborhood artist with swagger, creativity, and heart. Although initially
misunderstood, Pete becomes an important part of the community.
Seeking: A confident mover or dancer with strong physical storytelling, rhythm, personality, and
acting ability.

PIRAGUA GUY
A beloved neighborhood street vendor who brings humor, warmth, persistence, and tradition to
Washington Heights.
Seeking: A strong singer with excellent vocal range, comic charm, energy, and connection to the
community.

ENSEMBLE
The ensemble brings Washington Heights fully to life and includes salon clients, business
owners, workers, commuters, dancers, children, neighbors, and members of the surrounding
community.
Seeking: Strong singer-actors, dancers, movers, rappers, and storytellers who bring individuality,
energy, cultural specificity, and commitment to the collective story.

Every ensemble member plays an essential role in building the world, rhythm, movement, and
emotional life of the production.

Directed by Leopold Murphy, M.F.A.
Music Direction by Julie Edwards-Matanga
Choreography by Julie Freeman
Come ready to move, sing, act, connect, and tell the story of Washington Heights.

Auditions / Rehearsals

Audition Workshop: Thursday, August 6th, from 5 PM - 7:30 PM
Audition: Tuesday, August 11th, from 5 PM - 8 PM
Callback: Thursday, August 13th, from 5 PM - 8 PM
Rehearsals: Wednesday, August 19th – Thursday, October 15th
3⁄4 Wednesdays: 3:30 PM – 9:30 PM
3⁄4 Thursdays: 3:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Tech. / Performance

“Sitzprobe” (Mandatory) – October 10th: First rehearsal where the cast sings
through the score with the band, seated and without staging or choreography.
The focus is entirely on syncing vocals with live music.
Saturday Tech - Oct 17th [9 am – 6 pm]
Tech Week - Oct 19th - Oct 21st [4 pm call time / 7 pm curtain]
Preview - Oct 22nd [4 pm call time / 7 pm curtain]
Opening Weekend - Oct 23rd - 25th
Friday, Oct 23rd & Saturday, October 24th [5 pm call time / 7 pm curtain]
Sunday, October 25th [12 pm call time / 2 pm curtain]
Pick–up Rehearsal - Oct 29th [4 pm call time / 7 pm curtain]
Closing Weekend - Oct 30th – Nov 1st
Friday, Oct 30th [5 pm call time / 7 pm curtain]
Saturday, October 31st [11:30 am call time / 2 pm curtain]
Sunday, November 1st [11:30 pm call time / 2 pm curtain]