HELLO, DOLLY! AUDITIONS

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This blockbuster Broadway hit bursts with humour, romance, high-energy dancing and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history.

Join socialite-turned-matchmaker Dolly Levi as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a wife for the curmudgeonly “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. Dolly’s romantic scheming soon entangles Horace’s two clerks and a lovestruck young artist. As she busies herself finding mates for the suitors, Dolly realizes it’s her turn to find her own perfect match. One of the most entertaining musical comedies of all time, Hello, Dolly! is a beguiling romp in the universal search for love, with smash hits like “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” and, of course, the show-stopping “Hello, Dolly!” 

An information session will be held in person and online on May 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

This is a great chance to meet the team, hear their ideas and how they work, get some tips on how to have a successful audition and ask lots of questions.

The session will be done in a hybrid format. 

For those wishing to attend in person the session will be held at the SMT Rehearsal Unit, 51 Estate Drive, Toronto, ON (Markham & 401 area).

For those who wish to join virtually via Zoom please use the following link:

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82265547046?pwd=FRahCnEdWSgyaATkqLDESrZ4ufMpEl.1

November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21, 2025 at 8pm 

 November 9, 16 and 22, 2025 at 2pm

An additional performance may be added on November 12, 2025 at 8pm

Extra shows being added will be confirmed by October 6th at the latest.

Cast members must be available for ALL performances.

Venue: Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd (NE corner of Kingston and Markham)

Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 7:00 – 10:00pm
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 7:00 – 10:00pm
Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 7:00 – 10:00pm
Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 12:00 – 4:00pm 

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm  

SMT’s Unit, The Estate — 51 Estate Drive, Scarborough, ON. The entrance is not visible from the street but is directly across the street from the entrance to the Holiday Inn.

Rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and continue:

Sundays 12:00 to 6:00 pm

Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 to 10:30 pm

  Please note there may be rehearsals over the holiday period (Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Yom Kippur, Diwali, etc.). Please be sure to include any conflicts during this time on your audition sheet.

Additional or longer rehearsals will be held once the production has moved to the theatre. Rehearsals at the theatre are as follows (dates/times may be adjusted):

Sitzprobe: Date and time to be announced

Move-in: October 26, 2025 9:00am – 9:00pm

Sound Rehearsal: October 29, 2025 from 6:30 – 11:00 pm

Q2Q Technical Rehearsal: November 2, 2025 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Technical Dress Rehearsal: November 3, 2025 6:30 – 11:00 pm

Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra: November 4, 2025 6:30 – 11:00 pm

Final Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra: November 5, 2025 6:30 – 11:00 pm

Post Show Unit Clean Up: November 29, 2025 - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Music

Please prepare TWO songs from classic musicals in the style of Hello, Dolly! keeping in mind the following:

1. Each song should be a 16-32 bar selection length. We may only hear one – the      second song is a back-up choice should we want to hear something different.
2. Songs should showcase your vocal range and storytelling ability. Think about the character that you are auditioning for and the types of songs they sing!
3. You will receive redirects of your song so please make sure you are really      comfortable with it. Your song should be memorized.
4. We may cut off the songs or we may ask you to stop mid-song, give you a re-direct, and ask you to continue.
5. You are welcome to sing material from the show.

Please help the pianist to help you!

Make sure your sheet music is:

• In the proper key for the pianist
• Hole punched and placed in a binder
• Preferably double sided
• Clearly marked for the accompanist with any cuts or repeats
• Please refrain from taping together sheets of music or bringing single loose sheets of music.

Monologue

Please prepare ONE monologue 1 to 2 minutes maximum keeping in mind the character for which you are auditioning and please showcase your storytelling ability.

Movement Call

There will be a movement call held halfway through each audition session. On Sunday, June 22 at 8:30pm, Tuesday, June 24 at 8:30pm, Thursday, June 26 at 8:30 pm and Saturday, June 28 at 2:00 pm. You must attend the movement call on the day of your audition, so be prepared to come early or stay later depending on the timing of your audition.

Please wear comfortable clothes and enjoy yourself. That counts as much as whether you get the steps! We encourage all levels of dance abilities to attend.

Online Form

Once you book an audition you will be sent a link to our online audition form. Please make sure to fill this out as soon as possible. As part of the form, you will be asked to provide a full list of conflicts. Be as thorough as you can, especially around any holidays. If there are changes in conflicts during the audition process, please inform the producers, or bring an updated list to the audition and/or call backs. 

Performers must be available for ALL performances and technical rehearsals at the theatre. No Exceptions.

The information provided will be used when creating the rehearsal schedule. Please note it is a lot of work to reschedule a rehearsal because of last minute conflicts. Conflicts added after the time of auditions may result in removal from the show or numbers in the show.

Should you receive a callback please assume you will need to be there for the both sessions. We will provide a schedule for the sessions. Our intention is to start the session with children/youths. Once you have been released you are welcome to stay to watch the rest of the call-back. It’s always nice for folks to have an audience that isn’t the panel.

Those called back will be asked to prepare specific scenes and musical selections from the show. These will be sent along with callback notifications and will also be available for preview online ahead of time. Please note the physicality descriptions for some of the more dance and movement heavy roles which may include some supporting roles (Harmonia Waiters, polka contest participants) and will be noted in the callback.

Callback material does not need to be memorized but you should be familiar enough with it that you can participate and connect with your scene partners and the panel.

Please note - though we will try, we may not be able to accommodate conflicts for callbacks.

Dance Callback

There will be a dance callback for roles that require a higher level of dance ability, including some principal and ensemble parts. Please note the physicality descriptions for some of the more dance and movement heavy roles which may include some supporting roles (Harmonia Waiters, polka contest participants) and will be noted in the callback. The dance callback is open to anyone who wishes to demonstrate their dance ability—regardless of formal training. Whether you're a trained dancer or simply have some experience, we encourage you to let the artistic team know if you would like to participate.

Please note: Everyone is required to attend the general movement call at the initial auditions, which will involve some basic choreographed movement. The dance callback, however, will be more advanced and technically demanding. 

To book an audition, contact auditions@smt-theatre.com. Please indicate your preference of audition date/time. 

Casting Notes

  Please note that age ranges given in the descriptions indicate perceived appearance on stage as opposed to the actor's chronological age. These are just guidelines. 

We are open to diverse casting and all roles are open to consideration regardless of background, ethnicity or sexual/gender orientation. 

We will be casting youth and younger performers for supporting and ensemble roles.

There are 2 vocal range versions of this score that effect a number of the characters (Original - Org and Medium Voice Version- MVV) and we encourage diverse vocal talent to audition.

Physicality Codes Legend

C = basic physical contact like shaking hands, arm-in-arm and partner dancing   

D = a dance role   E = embracing    F = fight choreography     K = kissing

L = weight bearing, lifting, or being lifted      SI = staged intimacy 

Roles Available

  Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi

An indefatigable meddling matchmaker; a widow in her middle years. Charming and charismatic; huge role. 

Age:  40s to 60s  

Gender:  Female-identifying 

Vocal range :

Orig. vocal range: Eb3–G4 with optional notes down to Bb2

MVV : G3–C#5 with optional notes down to F#3 

 Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Frequent embraces
K – Kiss with Vandergelder
L – May be lifted during choreography 

  Mrs. Irene Molloy

A milliner and proprietor of a hat shop near 14th Street in New York City. 

Age:  30s to 40s  

Gender:  Female-identifying 

Orig. vocal range:  Contralto – A3–D5, optional G3–E5 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces Cornelius
K – Kiss with Cornelius
D – Participates in key dance sequences 

Minnie Fay

A young woman who works in Irene’s Shop. 

Age: 20s 

Gender:  Female-identifying  

Orig. vocal range:  Comic Soprano – Eb4–F5, optional C4
MVV : Bb3–F5 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces Barnaby
D – High-energy, comic dancing 

Ernestina

A single woman in need of Mrs. Levi’s services. 

Age: 30s to 60s 

Gender:  Female-identifying  

Orig. vocal range:  Mezzo Sop - F4–D5 

Physicality Codes:  C – Physical contact and choreographed movement 

  Ermengarde

The 17-year-old niece of Horace Vandergelder. 

Age: late teens

Gender:  Female-identifying  

 Orig. vocal range: Mezzo Sop - E4–G5
MVV: A3–C#5 

Physicality Codes: 

  C – Physical contact and choreographed movement

E – Embracing Ambrose

SI – Mild staged intimacy

D – Participates in key dance sequences 

Horace Vandergelder

Proprietor of a hay and feed store in Yonkers, NY and a client of Mrs. Levi’s, ill-tempered and money-obsessed.  

Age:  50s to 60s 

Gender:  Male-identifying 

Orig. vocal range:  Baritone – B2–E4 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces Dolly
K – Kiss with Dolly 

 Cornelius Hackl

Vandergelder’s chief clerk, 33 years old. 

Age: early 30s 

Gender: Male-identifying 

Orig. vocal range:  High Baritone – D#3–G4, optional Bb2
MVV: C3–G4, optional A2 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces Irene
K – Kiss
D – Participates in key dance sequences 

Barnaby Tucker

An assistant to Cornelius, 17 years old 

Age: late teens

Gender: Male-identifying 

Orig. vocal range:  Tenor – E3–G4, optional Bb2
MVV: Bb2–G4, optional A2 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces Minnie
D – Participates in key dance sequences 

Ambrose Kemper

A young artist seeking to marry Ermengarde 

Age: 20s

Gender: Male-identifying 

 Orig. vocal range: Tenor – E3–G4
MVV: F#3–F#4 

Physicality Codes:  

C – Physical contact and choreographed movement
E – Embraces
K – Kiss with Ermengarde
D – Participates in key dance sequences 

Mrs. Rose

Sells vegetables from a street cart;   a friend of Mrs. Levi’s from years ago.

Age: 40s to 60s

Gender: Female-identifying

Physicality Codes:

C – Character interaction
 E – Possible embrace or friendly gestures

Rudolph Reisenweber

Prussian headwaiter of Harmonia   Gardens; very proper and imposing.

Age 40s to 60s

Gender: Male-identifying

Physicality Codes:

C – Partner contact; formal posture;  accent required

Waiters and Staff of the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant
Age: All ages

Vocal range: Open

Physicality Codes:

C, D – Strong dance ability required;   fast and precise movement

Polka Contest Contestants

Energetic dance couple roles for contest scene.

Age: All ages

Vocal Range: Open

Physicality Codes: C, D – Strong partnered dance required

Ensemble

Townspeople, Yonkers Band, Feed Store   Customers, Harmonia Gardens Guests, Court, Policemen, Parade participants

Age: All ages

Vocal Range: Open

Physicality codes: C – Strong character presence and delivery, staged movement; physical presence, comedy