AuditionS

Our 38th Season of productions has been announced, and we are thrilled to have a lot of opportunities for both student and adult/professional performers in the Capital Region and beyond.

We will host two open calls for performers this season. The first, this month in September, will be for our productions of A Christmas Story and Cry-Baby. Additional open calls will be held in January and February, 2026, for our productions of Footloose at Park Playhouse, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, 13: The Musical, Elephant & Piggy: We’re in a Play, and our PSC Premieres developmental premiere production, all at Cohoes Music Hall.

We are always glad to welcome a broad range of Capital Region and visiting auditioners from all backgrounds and experience levels for our productions, and you can expect a warm, welcoming audition experience if you choose to join us. Keep an eye on this space in future for information about our January and February open calls, and scroll down below to learn about our upcoming September open call.

Open Call for A Christmas Story & CrY-Baby

Seeking students ages 8-18 for A Christmas Story, students ages 14-18 for Cry-Baby, and adults/professionals for both productions.

Rehearsals for A Christmas Story will begin this fall, and performances will be held December 3-21 at Cohoes Music Hall. Rehearsals for Cry-Baby will begin in late Winter, 2026, and performances will be held April 10-26 at Cohoes Music Hall. Specific schedule breakdown below.

Those interested in auditioning should attend one of the following open calls:

Dates & Times

  • Thursday, September 11 | Sign-in Open from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

  • Friday, September 12 | Sign-in Open from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

  • Saturday, September 13 | Sign-in Open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Audition Location

Playhouse Stage Studios, 95 Remsen Street, Cohoes, NY 12047
Note: entrances are located on both Remsen and Ontario Streets. Follow signs to sign-in location.

What to Prepare

Performers should prepare about 32 bars/measures (roughly one minute) of any song from any musical that best showcases their ability. Please bring sheet music for your song; a piano accompanist will be available to accompany auditions. If students wish to sing without piano accompaniment, they are welcome to. You may be asked to dance, so please dress comfortably. If you have tap shoes, please bring them. If you don’t have them, that’s perfectly fine!

If you have a headshot and resume, please bring a copy. If you don’t have them, that is okay! When you arrive, you will be asked to complete an online form to sign in. Our staff will be available to answer any questions students or parents may have. Note: information about the rehearsal processes will be available at the open call. Please come prepared with your schedule, ready to note any potential conflicts with the schedule, as this is considered as part of the casting process.

Callbacks

If needed, callbacks will be held the afternoon of Sunday, September 14. Callback information will be provided to select auditioners following their open call audition. Note: not getting called back does not necessarily mean a performer will not be offered a spot in the production(s). Additional singing/reading at callbacks will only be required of performers being called back for specific roles.

Available Roles

There are a wide variety of principal, supporting, and ensemble roles in these large productions. All roles will be cast age appropriately. All roles in these productions are available except for the following:

  • A Christmas Story - Jean Shepherd, The Old Man, Mother, Ms. Shields, Mrs. Schwarz, and Santa are cast.

  • Cry-Baby - the role of Mrs. Cordelia Vernon-Williams is cast.

Note: By all means, students who participated in the 2024 production of A Christmas Story are welcome and encouraged to audition, but are not guaranteed any specific role or spot in the production.

Student Program Tuition

Tuition for student participation in these productions is $600. Tuition includes participation in the production and rehearsal process, as well as participation in our series of Workshops and Master Classes throughout each process. As ever, some tuition assistance is available, and an ability to pay is not considered as part of casting.

Professional Performer Compensation

All adult roles are paid opportunities. Some housing for out-of-town actors may be available on a case by case basis. Both union and nonunion performers are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to film and send a submission or your performance reel, along with your headshot/resume to info@playhousestage.org

Schedules

A Christmas Story
Rehearsals: 

October 3 - November 15
Tues-Wed - 6-9pm, Thurs-Fri - 7-9pm, Saturday - 12-8pm, Sundays as needed

November 18 - November 26
Tues-Fri - 5-9pm, Saturday & Sun - 12-8pm

Tech: November 29 - Dec 2 hours TBD
Performances: December 3-21, 2025, Wed-Sat @ 7pm & Sat-Sun @ 2pm

Cry-Baby
Rehearsals:

February 17 - 20
Tues-Fri 10am-5pm

February 24 - April 4
Tues - 5-9pm, Wed - 6-9pm, Thurs-Fri - 7-9pm, Saturday - 12-8pm, Sundays as needed

Tech: April 6-9 hours TBD

Performances: April 10-26, 2026, Thurs-Sat @ 7:30pm & Sat-Sun @ 2pm