RiverStage invites you to open auditions for its season finale and big summer musical, “1776“! Auditions will be held on two dates in March 2026: Monday, March 23rd and Tuesday, March 24th, on both dates at 6:30pm. All auditions are at Greenspace Center, 815 Market St, in Lewisburg, and the show will be performed at the same location from June 19-28, directed by Ellen Boyer.

WHAT TO PREPARE:
Auditioners only need to attend one session, and should prepare approximately 1 minute (one verse/chorus) of a Broadway musical song to sing. (Selections from “1776” are welcome, but not required. Auditioners are encouraged to listen to “1776” ahead of time an choose a song that is in a similar style, even if it is not from “1776” itself.) Auditioners should either bring a device with an accompaniment track to play, or bring piano sheet music for our music director to provide accompaniment–please no a-cappella singing unless you have no other options. You will also be asked to read selections from the script (these will be provided at the audition), and fill out a brief form with contact information, past experience, and availability. Please bring a calendar so that you can indicate any scheduling conflicts thru June 28, 2026.

VIDEO AUDITIONS
Video auditions will be accepted only for anyone that can’t attend the in person audition dates; videos must be received before March 23rd. Please send email to auditions@riverstagetheatre.org for further instructions if you wish to submit a video.

From the script:

“The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence… if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. 1776 is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book.” 

ROLES AVAILABLE:
We are seeking approximately 20 performers for the characters in the play, as described below. PLEASE NOTE: Although most of the characters are men, and there are only two “named” female characters in the show, we will be looking to specifically cast additional female voices, and we are open to casting actors of all genders who are willing to play male character roles. We also invite all ages and experience levels to audition–ages of the character do not need to match your age to be considered for the character:

• John Adams (approx. age 41): Delegate from Massachusetts, dutiful husband, opinionated, proud, starving for independence from England. Baritone, C3 to F#4
• Stephen Hopkins (approx. age 70): Delegate from Rhode Island, drinker, playful. Baritone, C3 to Eb4
• Roger Sherman (approx. age 55): Delegate from Connecticut. Coffee drinker, hyperactive, a simple cobbler. Tenor, C3 to Bb4
• Robert Livingston (approx. age 30): Delegate from New York, recent father, humble, gracious. Baritone, Bb2 to F4
• Benjamin Franklin (approx age 60-70): Delegate from Pennsylvania. Intelligent, pleasant, cunning. Baritone/Bass, Ab2 to Eb4
• John Dickinson (approx. age 44): Delegate from Pennsylvania, hawkish, sharp-tongued, a bit detestable. Baritone/Bass, A2 to E4
• Thomas McKean (approx. age 42): Delegate from Delaware, florid, likable, charming, Scottish. Baritone, C3 to Eb4
• Richard Henry Lee (approx. age 45): Delegate from Virginia, willoy aristocrat, flamboyant, infuriating. Baritone, C3 to G4
• Thomas Jefferson (approx. age 33): Delegate from Virginia. Mild-mannered, sweet, well-read, in love with his wife. Tenor, C3 to G4
• Edward Rutledge (approx. age 26): Delegate from South Carolina, haunting, youngest member, serpent-like. Tenor, C3 to A4
• Abigail Adams (approx. age 32): Intelligent, quick-witted, radiant, bright, wife to John. Mezzo-soprano, Db4 to F5
• Martha Jefferson (approx. age 27): Striking, delightful, humorous, joyous, wife to Thomas Jefferson. Mezzo-soprano, Bb3 to D5
• Courier (approx. age 15-20): Message runner between George Washington’s army and the Congress, innocent but battle-hardened. Tenor, C3 to Db4
• Other Featured/Supporting Roles without solo singing: John Hancock, Caesar Rodney, Charles Thomson, Reverend John Livingston, Joseph Hewes, A Leather Apron, A Painter, Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Lewis Morris, James Wilson, George Read, Samuel Chase, Dr. Lyman Hall, Andrew McNair

READINGS
Below are links to a variety of monologues and scenes that auditioners will be asked to read during the auditions, for your perusal.

• Monologues: Adams, Franklin, Hopkins, Rutledge
• Monologues: Thompson, Courier, Dickinson
• Martha, Franklin, and Adams
• Adams and Franklin #1
• Adams and Franklin #2
• John and Abigail: page 1, page 2

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RiverStage is dedicated to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion when casting and giving a wide range of community members opportunities to develop their talents and skills on stage. Note the subtle distinction between characters and performers: although the licensing contracts for most plays and musicals prohibit us from changing the attributes of the characters as they are written (e.g., we can’t change “Alexander Hamilton” to “Alexandra Hamilton”), they allow and encourage us to cast performers who may differ from the character in sex, gender, race, age, or other characteristics, and we strive to do that when we can. We encourage anyone regardless of background or experience level to audition for any role they are interested in.

If you have any questions about any particular show or role, please contact us at auditions@riverstagetheatre.org!

And in the meantime, you can always follow us on Faceboom & Instagram, and (most recommended) use our “Contact Us” page to sign up for email updates about upcoming auditions!

Thanks and we’ll hope to see you at auditions in the future!