National Search for African Diaspora and African American Performers
Audition Brief
This is a re-issue of a casting call for the national tour of Hairspray. After completing rounds of auditions across Australia, the producers are continuing their search for talent.
Following deliberation with the Hairspray licensors and consultation with MEAA, the producers want to publicly acknowledge that to tell this story confidently and authentically, they specifically require African Diaspora and African American performers.
The Show
John Frost on behalf of Crossroads Live Australia is delighted to present general auditions for the 2022/23 Australian Tour of Hairspray directed by Jack O’Brien and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, Book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. The show is currently scheduled for a three-city Australian Tour commencing in Melbourne. The producers are currently seeking highly talented African Diaspora and African American performers to bring this story to life.
Hairspray won eight Tony Awards®, including one for Best Musical and ten Drama Desk Awards. Based on John Waters’ 1988 film of the same name. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and ‘downtown’ rhythm and blues. The story is set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, and follows teenager Tracy Turnblad, who’s dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show to become more inclusive.
Audition Preparation and Process
Self-Tape Requirements:
• Auditionees must prepare Audition Material for one (1) character of their own choice and upload a self-tape submission to the CXL Talent Portal.
Audition Material:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3v2uqa5sxptm7qr/AADxBIUy9qmvzzZB5fJNpjY8a?dl=0
All Submissions must be made via the Crossroad Live Talent Portal:
• Application Form: https://registrationscxlau.xroadslive.com/
• Please contact the Hairspray audition team via if you have any questions.
• Deadline for applications: Monday 18 April 2022 at 11:59 pm
Important Notes
It will be a requirement of employment that all company members be fully vaccinated prior to rehearsals / employment commencing.
In order to tell this story, we specifically require African Diaspora and African American performers.
