The Drama Group's Dreamgirls Auditions

The Drama Group is an all-Volunteer Organization. No roles are available for pay. Please bring all of your conflicts to the auditions for review.

Performances : April 4-6th & April 10th - 13th with two shows on Saturday and a possible added show.

Dreamgirls Synopsis
Inspired by Motown and R&B legends of the 1960s-70s, Dreamgirls follows the rising stardom of the Dreamettes, an all-girl singing trio from Chicago. The three best friends—the phenomenally talented, but demanding Effie White, the beautiful and appealing Deena Jones, and the eager, romantic Lorrell Robinson—team up with driven, demanding manager Curtis Taylor, who is determined to see their—and his—star rise. As their careers begin to take off, changes are made to ensure their mass appeal to the pop market. Egos are bruised, tempers flare, and hearts are broken in pursuit of stardom. Inspired by the stories of groups such as The Supremes and The Shirelles and featuring many iconic classic songs, Dreamgirls is a love letter to American R&B music and the artists that make such music great.
Character Breakdown
EFFIE WHITE – African American woman, 20-40. Vibrant young woman who is as oversized in talent as she is in person. Effie is the true powerhouse in the group, a soaring singer whose voice overpowers and transcends Deena’s and Lorrell’s. She is smitten with Curtis from the start and is overcome with anger and jealousy when she senses his growing attraction to Deena. Effie should be full-figured, and her size carries with it a true sense of sexuality. Must have a huge gospel belt voice. Must move very well.
DEENA JONES – African American woman, 20-30. The young, thin, beautiful member of the dreams. Happy singing backup to Effie until Curtis puts her in the lead and grooms her as star of the group. Mezzo, big full belt voice. Must move very well.
LORRELL ROBINSON – African American woman, 20-30. The third member of The Dreams. Sexy, flirtatious girl from the projects of Detroit who has been singing with her best friends Effie and Deena for years. Carries on an affair with Jimmy Early, who refuses to leave his wife for her. Soprano, on top of most triad harmony, big full belt voice. Must move very well.
CURTIS TAYLOR, JR. – African American man, 30-40. Handsome, and very sexy. Slick car salesman who becomes the Dreams’ manager. Has an appreciation of R & B music and a sense of what it sells. Motivated by dreams, he takes over the management of Jimmy Early’s career and oversees the rise to stardom of The Dreams. Initially warm and approachable he becomes hardened by wealth and power and the need to control everything and everyone. Baritone. Must move well.
JAMES “THUNDER” EARLY – African American man, 30-40. James Brown-like R & B star. The Dreamettes become his backup singers. Has an affair with Lorrell. Charismatic, sexy, high energy. Rock and R & B tenor. Must move well
C.C. WHITE – African American man, 18-30. Effie’s songwriter brother writes all “The Dreams” hit songs. Endearing and soft-spoken, he tries to do what’s best but slowly gives up his ideals to Curtis’ controlling vision. High baritone. Must move well.
MICHELE MORRIS – African American woman, 20s. Effie’s replacement in “The Dreams”. She sings bottom in the harmonies. Mezzo soprano, big belt. Must move well.
MARTY – African American man, 30-50, street savvy, long-time manager who oversaw Jimmy’s career and rise to R & B stardom. Represents an earlier age of Black entertainment. At odds with Curtis and his ideas and schemes. Later oversees Effie’s comeback. Baritone voice. Should move well.
1 CAUCASIAN MAN AND 2 CAUCASIAN WOMEN - Strong singers who move well to play Dave and The Sweethearts (Pat Boone singer and his backup girls who sing the all-American pop version of “Cadillac Car”.) Will play other ensemble roles such as reporters, press agents, etc.
1 CAUCASIAN MAN – Strong singer, character actor to play Frank, the press agent, and various supporting roles. Must move well.
ENSEMBLE OF EXCELLENT SINGER / DANCERS: (African American/Multicultural/Caucasian) Singer/Dancers for various supporting roles: strong singers who move very well. All possess unique and vivid personalities and have the ability to play a wide variety of characters including Tiny Joe Dixon, Dave & the Sweethearts, The Stepp Sisters, The Tuxedos, Charlene, Joann, M.C., Stage Manager, Little Albert, Mr. Morgan, The Tru-Tones, Dwight, fans, reporters, stagehands, party guests, photographers, film executives, etc.
• DAVE (& THE SWEETHEARTS): (Pat Boone types)
• WAYNE: Male, assistant to Curtis
• FRANK: Male, press agent
• DWIGHT: Male, TV director M.C., Male or Female (as male), emcee at The Apollo Theater
• CHARLENE & JOANN: Females, backup singers for J.T. Early
• MORGAN: Male, Effie’s lawyer
• JERRY: Male or Female Nightclub owner
• Male and Female Singing Groups:
• Female: STEPP SISTERS … LES STYLE … [DAVE] & THE SWEETHEARTS
• Male: LITTLE ALPERT & THE TRUE-TONES … THE FIVE TUXEDOS … TINY JOE DIXON

Seeking understudy roles as well. Understudies will have a guaranteed performance.
Auditions Notice
January 12th 6pm – 10pm
January 14th 7pm- 10pm
Callbacks by invite only: January 16th 7-10pm
Audition Requirements:

This is not the Dreamgirls movie, so please be familiar with the music and characters from the Broadway Musical. Do not sing a song from the movie. Remember the interpretation of characters from the movie, are not the same from the Broadway show.

General: Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the paperwork. Please bring a complete list of conflicts between January and April and please bring a resume and headshot if you have them.

Vocal: Please prepare 32 bars of a song in the style of Dreamgirls that best shows your vocal range and talent. Please bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist who will be provided.
If you are auditioning for Effie White, please prepare a 32-bar cut of” Move” and “I am Changing”.
If you are auditioning for James Thunder Early, please prepare a 32- bar cut of a James Brown song or a Little Richard song.
If you are auditioning for Denna Jones, please prepare a 32 bar cut of a Diana Ross song or a song by a Motown artist.
A vocal coach will be present to test your range and ability to harmonize.
Be prepared to read from the script

Dance: Please come prepared to move with appropriate shoes. There will be a dance routine to learn. If you are auditioning for the “Dreamettes,” also bring shoes with heels to learn extra dance routines.
Callbacks:
Information will be given at the auditions.
If you are called back for one of the Dreamettes, please be prepared to read from the script and sing in groups of trios the title song “Dreamgirls” and “It’s All Over”.
If you are called back for Curtis please be prepared to sing “ When I First Saw You”
If you are called back for Effie White please be prepared to sing “ And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”.
Rehearsals:

Rehearsals will be 4 days a week 6:30pm to 10:30 pm.
January – 19th, 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 30th (6:30pm – 10:30 pm)
February – 2nd, 4th, 6th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th, 28th (6:30 – 10:30 pm)
March – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday (6:30 – 10:30 pm)
March 16th or 23rd possible call time of 11 am with a rehearsal run start at 1pm
Tech Week March 30th-April 3rd, 2025. The show opens April 4th with eight performances and two shows on the second Saturday.
Call time for performances is 2 hours before showtime.
No conflicts are allowed during tech week.

Rehearsals and Auditions will be at

Drama Group

330 202nd St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

For more questions, please email johnsoncordaro@gmail.com with the subject "dreamgirls auditions"