Auditions
West Side Story
West Side Story is a modern musical representation of the classic story “Romeo and Juliet”. Set in 1950s New York, The Sharks and The Jets are rival gangs fighting for the same territory. Tensions rise as a Shark girl named Maria and a Jet named Tony fall for each other, but there’s a problem they can never be allowed to be together. A rumble is planned and Maria pleads with Tony to stop it. Will he try? Or will he run away from the impossible task? The rumble goes horribly wrong and tensions are at the breaking point, will the fighting stop or will the Jets get rid of the Sharks once and for all?
Director: Selena Britz
Musical Director: Ben Saunders
Choreographer: Jacinta Vistoli
Production Dates: October 15-17th and 20-24th 2026
Matinees: Saturdays 17th and 24th at 2pm
Audition Dates and Times
Dates: 14th and 15th June 2026
Times: Sunday 2:30pm – 10pm
Monday 7:30pm – 10pm
Audition Information
Casting Statement
The Sharks portray Puerto Rican characters. Performers of Latino/Hispanic heritageare strongly encouraged to audition. We welcome performers of all backgrounds who can authentically and respectfully represent these roles.
Principal Roles
Maria
A young Puerto Rican woman who recently arrived in America.
Innocent yet strong‑willed, Maria believes deeply in love and peace and rejects the hatred between the gangs.
Playing age: 18–25 Ethnicity:
Latina / Puerto Rican Voice: Soprano (strong legit soprano)
Vocal Range: High note C6 (Soprano high C) Low note: Bb3 Dance: Confident mover.
Should show innocence, grace and naiveté in her movement.
Tony
A former Jet who longs for a better future. Tony falls instantly in love with Maria and believes their love can change everything.
Playing age: 18–25
Ethnicity: Caucasian / European or open casting
Voice: Tenor (strong legit musical theatre tenor)
Vocal Range: High note Bb4 Low note: Bb2
Dance: Confident mover and some stage
Riff
Leader of the Jets. Charismatic, impulsive and fiercely loyal to his gang. Riff drives the conflict between the Jets and Sharks.
Playing age: 18–30
Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Baritone
Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: B2
Dance: Strong dancer desirable. Should be able to leap, turn and jump with ease. Stage combat required
Anita
Bernardo’s partner and Maria’s closest friend. Anita is passionate, witty and confident. She loves the excitement of America but fiercely protects her community.
Playing age: 25–40
Ethnicity: Latina / Puerto Rican
Voice: Mezzo‑soprano with strong belt
Vocal Range: High note D5. Low note: F3
Dance: Strong fierce, confident and powerful dancer with attack. Requires great stamina and needs to show sharp contrast to the more lyrical and naive movement of Maria. Featured in Dance at the Gym and in America.
Bernardo
Leader of the Sharks.
Proud, protective and determined to defend his culture and his sister.
Playing age: 25–40
Ethnicity: Latino / Puerto Rican
Voice: Baritone Vocal Range: High note Eb4. Low note: Bb2
Dance: Strong dancer required. Should be able to show confidence, maturity and control. Stage combat required
Anybodys
A determined young person desperate to join the Jets. The role is often interpreted as gender‑nonconforming. Non-‑binary and female performers are welcome to audition.
Playing age: 18–25
Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Ensemble singing
Dance: Strong mover and some stage combat required
The Jets
A group of American teenagers fighting to protect their territory in a changing neighbourhood.
Playing age: 18-30
Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Tenor or baritone
Dance: Strong dancers/movers required with some stage combat.
Action – The most aggressive Jet; explosive personality (baritone). Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: G2. Leads the jets in Act 2.
Baby John – The youngest Jet; eager to prove himself (baritone). Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: F3
Diesel – Riff’s loyal lieutenant; strong, steady presence (baritone). Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: G2
A‑Rab – Energetic and impulsive (baritone). Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: Db3
Snowboy – Intellectual member of the gang; often acts as the ‘expert’ (baritone). Vocal Range: High note G4. Low note: F3
Additional Jets – Ensemble members as required (tenor/baritone).
The Sharks
Puerto Rican immigrants navigating life in America while defending their culture and territory.
Playing age: 18+ Ethnicity: Latino / Hispanic performers strongly encouraged
Voice: Tenor or baritone
Dance: Strong dancers and some stage combat required
Chino – Young, impressionable Puerto Rican man. Loves Bernardo as a brother. He entertains the possibility of marrying Maria at Bernardos request. Seeks revenge on Tony, after Bernardo is killed.
Pepe – Bernardo’s lieutenant. Voice: baritone.
Indio – Proud and fiery member of the gang. Voice: baritone
Luis – Loyal Shark gang member. Voice: baritone
Juano – Strong and resilient. Voice: baritone
Toro – Powerful member of the gang. Voice: baritone
Jet Girls
The female counterparts and girlfriends of the Jets gang members. As essential dancers, they represent the gang’s social support, social structure.
Velma – Riff’s girlfriend; confident and bold. Must be a string dancer. Voice: Mezzo-soprano
Graziella – Diesel’s girlfriend; stylish and self‑assured. Voice: Mezzo-soprano
Additional Jet Girls will become Ensemble dancers and singers, featured in Dance at the Gym and Cool. Their movements are more sophisticated and sinuous in contrast to the powerful and passionate style of the Sharks.
Shark Girls
All Shark girls are required to be strong, fierce and powerful dancers to handle the complexity of the ‘Dance at the Gym’ and ‘America’ choreography.
Consuelo – Tough and stylish Puerto Rican young woman. Voice: Mezzo-soprano.
Rosalia – Gentle and romantic Puerto Rican young woman, Voice: Mezzo-soprano. Must be a strong dancer.
Adult Roles - minimal movement required
Doc
A shop owncer who tries to keep peace between the gangs and acts as a mentor to Tony.
Playing age: 50+
Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Actor/singer
Officer Krupke
Local police officer dealing with the ongoing gang conflict
Playing age: 30+
Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Ensemble singing
Lt. Shrank
Senior police officer determined to stop the gang violence.
Playing age: 30+ Ethnicity: Open casting
Voice: Ensemble singing
Glad Hand
Overly enthusiastic but awkward social coordinator at the gym dance.
Playing age: 30+
Ethnicity: Open casting