The Concord Players Announce Auditions for

Directed by Jamie Cook
Music Direction by Ben Oehlkers
Produced by Andrea Roessler

Synopsis: “It's about one moment, the moment before it all becomes clear…” Songs for a New World is about that pivotal moment when you reach a crossroads—when you're forced to make a choice, take a stand, or turn back. The first musical by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (of Parade and The Bridges of Madison County), this deeply emotional collection of songs explores life, love, and the decisions that shape us.

Through a blend of diverse characters and strikingly original music, Brown takes audiences on a journey from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to the edge of a skyscraper overlooking Fifth Avenue. We meet a young man who sees basketball as his escape from the streets, a woman whose pursuit of wealth leads to a lavish but hollow marriage, and many more complex figures navigating their own struggles.

With a dynamic and electrifying score that spans genres from pop to classical, Songs for a New World is a compelling introduction to the power of musical theater, designed to resonate with today’s audiences and inspire the next generation.

Auditions will be held at 51 Walden St., Concord, MA, on:

  • Wednesday, February 26 7:00–10:00 PM
  • Thursday, February 27, 7:00–10:00 PM

Actors will be seen in groups of up to 8, by appointment only: to reserve your place in a 30-minute appointment slot, please use our signup form below. Auditioners please note:

  • Be prepared to sing no more than 32 bars of a song from the show (this is encouraged), or from a song in a style similar to that of the show; other Jason Robert Brown music is acceptable.
  • Please bring your sheet music with you; an accompanist will be provided.

See the Character Descriptions below for more details.

Callbacks will be held on Sunday, March 2, starting at 7:00 PM, at 51 Walden St. — actors, please reserve this date.

Rehearsals / Important Dates:

  • Rehearsals: Most Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7-10 PM, beginning on Wednesday, April 23. There are a few additional rehearsals on different days: Tuesday, April 22, Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), and Monday, Jun 2.
  • Tech week begins on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

There will be four performances in June 2025, all on one weekend:

  • Friday, June 20, at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, June 21, at 2:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 21, at 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, June 22, at 2:00 PM

Please note that conflicts are not permitted on performance dates, nor for tech week.

To sign up for auditions, please complete our online form, below. Before you fill it out, please note the following:

  • Be ready to select a 30-minute appointment slot on either
    Wednesday, February 26 (7:00-10:00 PM) or Thursday, February 27 (7:00-10:00 PM).
    • If you cannot make any of these times, you may submit a video audition, or you may contact the staff at
      sfanw-staff@concordplayers.org to arrange an alternate appointment, if possible.
  • Be prepared to upload your resume and headshot (when you receive a confirmation email for your signup):
    • Resume: PDF format is preferred, but most any document type will do (no image files, please).
    • Headshot: If you do not have a headshot, a front-facing picture of your head or head and torso, with just yourself centered in it, is acceptable. JPEG or PNG format is preferred, but any image format will do. (no PDF files, please).

    • Instructions for uploading your files will be in the confirmation email sent to you when you sign up.

    (If you need to submit a video audition, please send an email with a link to your video on a service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.; or with a link to an unlisted YouTube video; or as an attachment to the email; to auditions@concordplayers.org)

If you have any questions, or if you have a conflict with the audition dates, send an email to the staff at sfanw-staff@concordplayers.org

Character Descriptions

Concord Players is committed to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to audition. We also recognize that these characters are written on the binary (use he/him or she/her pronouns) and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

Please note: We will not be casting anyone under the age of 18 in any role.

Note: The age ranges below represent the ages that the actor can portray on stage, not the actual age of the actor.

  • Man 1 (male presenting, 25-35, high tenor):
    “The survivor”, wants more for themselves, and the people around them. A person for the people, taking what life gives them and doing what they can to leave the world a better place. Focus on growth and strength.

  • Man 2 (male presenting, 35-45, high baritone):
    “The wanderer”, feels restless and unfulfilled even in success. Driven, but driven for maybe not the right reasons and has lived a life of privilege. Finds comfort in being comforted and safe, will always find someone to take care of him.

  • Woman 1 (female presenting, 30-40, mezzo-soprano ):
    “The giver”, gives but doesn’t keep anything for herself, to her detriment. Givers will always be found by wanderers. Their desire to improve the lives of those around them often is taken advantage of. Eventually the giver will need to be strong to survive.

  • Woman 2 (female presenting, 30-50, mezzo-soprano):
    “The lone wolf”, the lone wolf thinks she is stronger on her own. Her dreams are big and her aspirations bigger. However, sometimes her plans get in the way of her happiness. Even in her isolation, she sees those in need and will always help.

  • Ensemble Man 1 (male presenting, 20-35, high tenor):
    “The fighter”, wants to survive and also leave a legacy. The fighter is someone who has had nothing given to them and has not let that hold them back. Has a tenacious, and infectious, spirit.

  • Ensemble Man 2 (male presenting, 35-45, high baritone):
    “The everyman”, the one who holds all of our stories together. He has the benefit of being a man in a society that praises him and supports him, but wants that for the people around him. Sees where support is needed and puts himself there. Is a listener, taking in stories and physically being a support even if he is not a central player.

  • Ensemble Woman 1 (female presenting, 17-25, mezzo-soprano):
    “The dreamer”, is trying to find where she fits in in this world while navigating being a young woman in modern day America. Watches the women around her searching for strength and inspiration.

  • Ensemble Woman 2 (female presenting, 45-65, mezzo-soprano):
    The foil to our dreamer. She is strength and love and warmth, trying to hold everything together around her. She gravitates to young people who need to borrow some of her strength and experience and she gives it willingly.

 

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