CenterStage Theatre
Summer Theatre at the new
Dawn Lipson Canalside Stage at the JCC!
Watch for a full schedule of concert and theatre events to come soon.
About Us
CenterStage Theatre has been delivering spectacular performances that touch and inspire audiences for more than 40 seasons, including original plays and Broadway hits. We continue to open minds, start conversations, and delight theatre lovers, thanks to the support of patrons, volunteers, and sponsors.
The mission of CenterStage Theatre at the JCC is to entertain, enlighten and educate the Greater Rochester community by providing quality theatre that is relevant to the Jewish experience and has universal appeal.
Our focus is developing new works, presenting world and area premieres of America’s hottest new plays and musicals and re-imagining beloved classics. We love plays and musicals that spark conversations, celebrate world-changing people and events and bring the world closer together.
Subscribe + Save
Subscription packages are no longer available for our 2020–21 season.
Sponsored by
Auditions
JCC SummerStage Announces Auditions for SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Directed by Lindsay Warren Baker
Musical Direction by Andy Pratt
Choreography by Katie Keller Groat
From Music Theatre International:
Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
CAST
Seeking a diverse ensemble of actors (various ethnicities and genders) for at least eight (8) featured roles plus ensemble. Total cast size 12+. Auditions are open to high school and college student performers ages 16 and up. Roles include:
- NICK BOTTOM — Male, mid 20s to 30s. A struggling writer who cannot stand Shakespeare. Nigel’s older brother. Baritone.
- NIGEL BOTTOM — Male, mid 20s to 30s. Nick’s sweet younger brother. A struggling writer who falls in love with Portia, a Puritan. High Baritone / Tenor.
- SHAKESPEARE — Male, mid 20s to 30s. The Bard. Over the top with a huge ego. Rock Tenor.
- BEA — Female, mid 20s to 30s. Nick’s wife. She loves Nick despite his past lack of success. She dresses up like a man to prove she can be an actor. Belter.
- PORTIA — Female, 20s to 30s. A Puritan woman who loves poetry, theater, and ultimately Nigel. Youthful Soprano with a strong Mix.
- Nostradamus – Male, 40s to 60s. A soothsayer. Baritone.
- Brother Jeremiah – Male, 40s to 50s. Portia’s father. A Puritan who thinks Nick and Nigel’s plays are sinful. Baritone.
- Minstrel – Any gender (traditionally male), mid 20s to 40s. A storyteller. Tenor (traditionally).
- Shylock – An older Jewish man. An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Comedic actor who sings.
- And More!
More detailed character descriptions can be found in the link below.
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudy tracks may be cast with the following in mind:
- Principal roles may be understudied by ensemble members.
- Understudies may be cast to cover ensemble tracks.
Understudies are considered full cast members and are responsible for attending all music rehearsals, any staging/choreography rehearsals applicable to the role(s) they are covering, as well as all performances.
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
- Synopsis
- Character Descriptions
- Content Warnings – Subject Matter
- Content Warnings – Language/Profanity
- Content Warnings – Theatrical Intimacy
AUDITIONS
WHEN & WHERE
Online video submissions due by Wednesday, May 12.
CALLBACKS
In-person at the JCC on Sunday, May 23. Time TBD. You must be available for the callback to be considered for casting.
REQUIREMENTS
- Auditions are open to high school and college student (including 2020 and 2021 graduates) ages 16-25.
- Prepare and record two (2) 32-bar contrasting musical theater selections of your choosing.
- Songs must be performed with live or pre-recorded accompaniment.
- No a cappella selections.
- Please do not accompany yourself while you sing.
- Prepare and record provided choreography:
- https://youtu.be/ah2sySBmhSE
- The recording of your dance audition should be filmed horizontally from the front and include your whole body (head to toes) in the shot.
- Choose a clean space to record with plenty of light (a dance studio, a rec room, a spot outside, etc.) so that we can see you and your body lines clearly.
- Your face should be well lit and visible too! Hair should be pulled back and neat and attire should be form-fitting.
- Please be sure that we can hear the music in your recording.
- Try your best and have FUN!
- Please submit all of your videos through a file sharing link. Examples include YouTube (“unlisted”), Google Drive links (with “anyone with the link can view” access), etc.
- Headshot
- Resume (or list of experience)
- List of known schedule conflicts (please no conflicts two weeks prior to opening)
- Submit your materials via the audition form.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Performances of Something Rotten! will occur on an outdoor stage under a performing arts tent. The current goal is to perform Something Rotten! outdoors, unmasked, and distanced following NYS safety guidelines for small/medium performing arts organizations. As regulations change, so will our policies to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved. Current requirements include:
- Performers will be required to follow all designated covid protocols throughout the rehearsal process including mask-wearing prior to tech week and social distancing when possible.
- Performers will be asked to provide proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the first technical rehearsal.
- In lieu of vaccination documentation, performers will be required to present evidence of a negative covid diagnostic test completed within 72 hours of each technical rehearsal or performance.
- Those cast will be asked to agree to limited/no unmasked contact with anyone outside of their immediate household (especially relatives or friends out of state) from June 27 – July 18 (last week of rehearsal, tech, and performance week) in order to mitigate exposure, spread, and the need to quarantine.
- Detailed protocols will be provided and reviewed with those cast prior to any in-person rehearsals.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will begin the week of May 24. We will meet 5-6 times per week (Monday-Thursday evenings and weekends as necessary). Rehearsals will begin online (over Zoom) and then take place in-person at the JCC both indoors and outdoors.
TECH
July 5-8
PERFORMANCES
July 10-18
There will be at least six (6) public performances. Actors should anticipate potential weather related delays to start times and/or rescheduled / added performances over the course of the week. Please keep the entire performance week available. Potential performance times including rain dates and possible added shows include:
- Saturday, July 10 @ 7pm
- Sunday, July 11 @ 2pm & 7pm
- Monday, July 12 @ 7pm
- Tuesday, July 13 @ 7pm
- Wednesday, July 14 @ 7pm
- Thursday, July 15 @ 7pm
- Saturday, July 17 @ 2pm & 7pm
- Sunday, July 18 @ 2 & 7pm
For more information, contact Ralph Meranto (Producer) or Lindsay Warren Baker (Director).
History
Theatre has also always been an important component of JY/JCC cultural arts offerings. Many shows were produced in the JY auditorium on Andrews Street. these shows were able to be produced in the newly built JCC Hart Theater. With superb acoustics and audience views from every seat in the house, the theater created an opportunity for an expanded focus on the arts.
In 1977 a committee of JCC volunteers launched a national search for a professional theater director. The committee selected Philadelphia-based actor/producer Herb Katz and JCC CenterStage was born.
Group Sales
Contact us for group pricing.
Volunteer
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, including backstage, front of house, and ushers, contact us.
Contact Us
Ralph Meranto, Director of CenterStage Theatre,
JCC Associate Executive Director
Marc Cataldi, Administrative Assistant
Event Schedule
Love Letters
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Something Rotten!
Your tax-deductible contributions help ensure CenterStage thrives as a destination for quality professional theatre created right here in Rochester.
Crafted from the actual testimonies of Rochester-based Holocaust Survivors, CenterStage Theatre and the Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester commissioned this new play to put a human face on this important time in history. A cautionary tale on the risks of normalized hate, this inspirational and uplifting play ensures that the voices of our Survivors will never be silenced.