To receive more information about auditions, go to our home page, scroll down to the bottom, and sign up to receive our email newsletter.
New Stage Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Actors of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to submit their information.
New Stage Theatre is seeking actors for its upcoming production of the musical
RAGTIME
A SWEEPING MUSICAL PORTRAIT OF AMERICA
It’s the dawn of the 20th Century in New York…a time of enormous change, of new ideas, and everyone is moving to the music of ragtime. This epic Tony Award winning musical depicts the struggles, successes, hopes and dreams of a white, upper-middle class family in New Rochelle, an African-American musician and his girlfriend in Harlem, and a Jewish immigrant and his daughter on the Lower East Side. Interwoven with their stories are the newsmakers of the era including Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington, J.P. Morgan and Henry Ford. Presenting a scaled down this originally massive musical into an intimate, innovative, highly theatrical production that, in today’s world, resonates to the very heart.
Rehearsals begin on May 5, 2026
The show opens on May 26, 2026
Show runs through June 7 or 14, 2026
Casting is currently ongoing for all of the play’s adult characters. Seeking AEA (SEA-Category 2- Tier C) and non-union actors. Travel, housing and per diem included for out of state artists.
If you would like to submit for the production, please send picture and resume to submissions@newstagetheatre.com and put the name of the character you wish to be considered for and where you live in the subject line. Please video 30-45 seconds of a song in the style of the show and send as a link. The deadline for submissions in January 26, 2026.
LOCAL OPEN AUDITION INFORMATION
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Where: 1100 Carlisle St, Jackson MS 39202
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Who: Adults only. Seeking all types and vocal ranges.
Those wishing to audition should sign up for a time at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A48AFA622AAFE3-61673230-ragtime
Actors will be asked to sing and read from the script. All auditioning should bring picture and resume.
Character Breakdown
MEN:
Coalhouse Walker, Jr: African-American male. 25-35 (baritone G2-A4). A ragtime pianist; proud, confident, stubborn, and a strong believer in justice.
Father: Anglo-American male. 40+ (baritone A2-F4). An Arctic explorer who returns to a changed world he can’t seem to understand.
Mother’s Younger Brother: Anglo-American male. 20-25+ (bari-tenor B2-F#4). A passionate lover and anarchist; intense and high-strung.
Tateh: Eastern European/Jewish/Latvian-American male. 30+, slight accent (tenor Bb2-F#4). Optimistic, intelligent, passionate, creative, charismatic.
Grandfather: Anglo-American male. 55+ (baritone). Mother’s father. Gruff & outspoken.
Booker T. Washington: African-American male. 45+ (baritone D3-Eb4). Distinguished, polished, and articulate.
Henry Ford: Anglo-American male. 30-45 (some “speak sung” lyrics, baritone). Folksy, arrogant innovator and industrialist.
JP Morgan: Anglo-American male. 45+ (some “speak sung” lyrics, baritone). A pompous, wealthy banking mogul
Harry Houdini: Originally from Hungary, male. 30s (tenor E3-G4). Magician/bodybuilder who embodies immigrant success.
WOMEN:
Sarah: African-American female. Early 20’s (lyric soprano G#3-F#5). Young, passionate, naïve, strong-willed.
Mother: Anglo-American female. 30s (alto G#3-F#5). Gentle, elegant, compassionate, optimistic, and open to change.
Emma Goldman: Originally from Russia, female. 40s, slight accent. (alto B3-D5). A passionate leader who crusades for the underprivileged masses.
Evelyn Nesbit: Anglo-American female. 20s (belter/soprano B3-D5). Vaudevillian performer, sexy and incredibly smart.
Sarah’s Friend: African-American female. Late teens – 30. (Gospel soprano G3 to stratosphere)
YOUTH:
Little Boy: Anglo-American male. 10-12. Voice has not changed yet. An earnest boy who has grown up in privilege. Open hearted to people that are different from him and has the precocious innocence of youth.
Little Girl: Eastern European/Jewish/Latvian-American female. 10-12 (Mezzo/Soprano) Tateh’s daughter. Her arrival in America is marked by sickness and hunger. She is scared of her new surroundings and loyal to her father, her only living relative
Young Coalhouse Jr: African-American. 4-6. Innocent and pure. Son of Coalhouse and Sarah. This role appears briefly at the end of the play and has no lines or songs
Ensemble: Adult and youth (7-17), male and female. All types. Most Actors will play more than one role and supporting roles include Admiral Perry, Stanford White, Harry K. Thaw, Willie Conklin (the racist firefighter), Judge, train conductor, people of New Rochelle/Harlem/Union Square, Jewish immigrants, factory workers, demonstrators, newsboys, reporters, bureaucrats, Coalhouse’s Men, and numerous other ensemble roles.
Actors interested in future auditions should send their photo and resume to submissions@newstagetheatre.com. New Stage also sees professional actors in New York City by appointment, at the UPTA auditions in Memphis each February, and at SETC in March. Auditions for Unframed are ongoing and information can be found on the Unframed at New Stage Theatre Facebook page. Artistic and production personnel may submit picture and/or resume to Artistic Director Francine Reynolds at submissions@newstagetheatre.com. To receive information about future auditions sign up to receive our e-newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of our home page.
Thank you for your interest in New Stage Theatre.