Cain Park announces auditions for the 2025 Musical: Caroline, Or Change, April 7, 2025. Auditions will be held at the Cleveland Heights Community Center located at 1 Monticello Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.

AEA contracts are available. All performers are compensated.

You must bring sheet music in the proper key. No recorded tracks or acapella singing will be accepted. Audition Accompanist provided.

April 7, 2025; 2pm - 10:30pm AEA appointments available

April 7, 2025; 2pm-7pm non AEA appointments available. 

Adults: Please prepare two contrasting selections in the style of the show, not to exceed three minutes total. We may only ask to hear one. If you are unable to attend in person and wish to be considered please submit a self tape to ihinz@clevelandheights.gov

Kids (12 & under): Please prepare one short selection to sing, not to exceed 90 seconds.

Caroline, Or Change
Director, Joanna May Cullinan
Associate Director, Ananias J. Dixon
Music Director, Rachel Woods
Choreographer, Lauren Marousek
Rehearsals begin July 7, 2025. The show runs August 7-24, 2025

About Caroline, Or Change
Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book & Lyrics by Tony Kushner
Set in one of the most pivotal times in America's history, the Tony-nominated Caroline, Or Change is riveting, moving and awe-inspiring. Featuring a virtuosic score by Tesori (Fun Home, Violet, Shrek), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies, creating a breathtaking medium for Kushner's (Angels in America) provocative and personal story.

In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. Outside of the laundry room, some of the greatest social advancements that the country has seen are being set in motion, and change is knocking on the door.

Caroline, Or Change Character Breakdown

The Role of Emmie Thibodeaux has been cast.

ALL OTHER ROLES ARE OPEN

Caroline Thibodeaux (Black Female Identifying, Age 35-45, Mezzo/Belter)
Works as a maid to the Gellman family. She is a divorcee with four children and resistant to change in the world. Bitter, tired, devoted. A true star-vehicle, this role requires a commanding singer/actor.

Washing Machine (Black Female Identifying, Age 20-50, Mezzo/Belter)
Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story.

The Radio (Three Black Female Identifying, Ages 20-50)
Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story. Played by three women similar to a Motown trio. Must be proficient with tight harmonies and movement.

Noah Gellman (White Male Identifying, Age 7-11, Countertenor)
The son of Caroline's employer, Stuart Gellman. Shy, forgetful, and looks to Caroline for comfort and distraction.

The Dryer/The Bus (Black Male Identifying, Age 20-50, Baritone)
The Dryer is part narrator, part tormentor, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story; The Bus is part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story. One actor plays both roles.

Grandma Gellman (White Female Identifying, Age 50-65, Mezzo)
Stuart's mother and Noah's grandmother. She is concerned for her son's melancholy and an admirer of his new wife.

Grandpa Gellman (White Male Identifying, Age 50-65, Baritone)
Stuart's father and Noah's grandfather. He is aloof to the changes occurring in the South.

Rose Stopnick Gellman (White Female Identifying, Age 30-45, Mezzo/Belter)
An old friend of the Gellman's and Stuart's new wife. She has recently moved to the South.

Stuart Gellman (White Male Identifying, Age 30-45, Baritone)
Noah's father and Rose's new husband. He is also Caroline's employer. He has trouble connecting to his son and new wife.

Dotty Moffett (Black Female Identifying, Age 25-40, Mezzo/Belter)
Caroline's high-spirited friend and fellow maid. A drinker and smoker, she is routinely admonished by Caroline for her behavior.

The Moon (Black Female Identifying, Age 20-50, Soprano)
Part narrator, part friend, and part subconscious to Caroline and her story.

Jackie Thibodeaux (Black Male Identifying, Age 9-13, Tenor)
Caroline's son. Though he is older than Joe, he is more sweet and naïve.

Joe Thibodeaux (Black Male Identifying, Age 7-11, Tenor)
Caroline's son. Though he is the baby of the family, he is outspoken and skeptical.

Mr. Stopnick (White Identifying Male, Age 60-75, Baritone)
Rose's father from New York City. A politically progressive man with dissenting opinions.
 

Cain Park is committed to inclusive casting and creates a safe space for actors of color, actors of varying abilities, women, trans and gender non-conforming actors, and members of any other historically marginalized community. Actors will be cast solely on the basis of talent, except in cases where age, race, or physical ability are essential to a role.