RENT | TFAA Mainstage Production – Auditions & Info

Presents

December 10–13, 2026

"No Day But Today"

Callbacks by invitation only

Audition Information

Open auditions for all roles. Come prepared to sing, read, and move.

📅 Audition Dates

  • Sunday, September 13 — 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Monday, September 14 — 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Callbacks (if needed): Wednesday, September 16 — 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🎤 What to Prepare

  • Prepare 16–32 bars ACAPELLA (or 30–60 seconds) of a musical theatre or contemporary rock/pop song
  • Women: Read Mimi's funeral speech
  • Men: Read Mark's Act 1 Scene 1 "December 24th" speech
  • All auditionees will learn 32 counts of choreography during auditions

TFAA MainStage

TFAA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in casting. We welcome performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, body types, and backgrounds to audition. Unless specifically required by the script, casting decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or other personal characteristics. We encourage all interested performers to audition and bring their unique talents and perspectives to our stage.

Rehearsal Schedule

Please submit all known conflicts clearly and completely at the time of your audition. Commitment to the full rehearsal schedule is expected of all cast members.

Accurate conflict information is important to the casting and scheduling process.

Cast members will not be called to every rehearsal. Rehearsal schedules will be created based on the scenes, music, and choreography being worked on each day. .

🗓️ Weekly Rehearsals

  • Sundays: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Mondays: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Wednesdays: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursdays: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Production Team

Meet the creative team bringing RENT to life on the TFAA Mainstage.

Director

Bethany Wethington

Assistant Director

Cathy Schaffer

Music Director

Liz Longbrake

Vocal Coach

Dani Hummel-Sass

Stage Manager

Nancy Derby

Choreographer

Lindsay Stine

Character Breakdown

Principal roles and ensemble — all roles are open for audition.

Roger Davis

Male-Presenting · 20s–30s

A songwriter and former guitarist struggling with addiction and loss. Withdrawn and brooding, he searches for one last great song before his time runs out.

Mark Cohen

Male-Presenting · 20s–30s

An aspiring filmmaker and the story's narrator. Idealistic and loyal, Mark documents the lives of his friends while searching for his own artistic purpose.

Tom Collins

Male-Presenting · 20s–30s

A philosophy professor and anarchist with a warm heart. His deep love for Angel is the emotional center of the show.

Benjamin Coffin III

Male-Presenting · 20s–30s

Once part of the Bohemian group, Benny has married into wealth and become the landlord of his former friends' building. Conflicted between loyalty and ambition.

Joanne Jefferson

Female-Presenting · 20s–30s

A Harvard-educated lawyer and Maureen's partner. Practical and grounded, she struggles to balance her professional life with Maureen's unpredictable nature.

Angel Dumott Schunard

Male/Non-binary · 20s–30s

A vibrant, joyful drag queen and street drummer. Angel's boundless compassion and love for Collins make them the heart and soul of the group.

Mimi Marquez

Female-Presenting · Late teens–20s

A young dancer at an exotic club, battling addiction. Passionate and fearless, she breaks through Roger's walls and fights to live life on her own terms.

Maureen Johnson

Female-Presenting · 20s–30s

A dramatic, charismatic performance artist and activist. Bold and unapologetic, Maureen commands attention and stirs up both passion and chaos.

Ensemble

All genders · All ages

Various Ranges

The ensemble brings the world of RENT to life — portraying the homeless, club-goers, protestors, and community of New York's East Village. Strong singers and movers encouraged.

Audition Requirements

Everything you need to know before you walk in the door.

🎵 Vocal Audition

  • Prepare 16–32 bars (30–60 seconds) of a musical theatre or contemporary rock/pop song
  • Bring sheet music in your key or a backing track
  • An accompanist will be provided

💃 Choreography

  • All auditionees will learn 32 counts of choreography during auditions
  • No prior dance experience required — energy and willingness matter most
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can move in

📝 Additional Notes

  • Headshot and resume appreciated but not required
  • Please list all scheduling conflicts
  • All roles are open — diverse casting encouraged
  • Questions? Reach out to the production team

📖 Cold Readings

  • Women: Mimi's funeral speech
  • Men: Mark's Act 1 Scene 1 "December 24th" speech
  • Sides will be available at auditions

"Angel was one of my closest friends. It's right that it's Halloween, because it was her favorite holiday. I knew we'd hit it off the moment we met—that skinhead was bothering her and she said she was more of a man than he'd ever be and more of a woman than he'd ever get..."

— Mimi,

"We begin on Christmas Eve, with me, Mark, and my roommate, Roger. We live in an industrial loft on the corner of 11th Street and Avenue B. It's the top floor of what was once a music publishing factory. Old rock and roll posters hang on the walls. They have Roger's picture advertising gigs at CBGB'S and the Pyramid Club. We have an illegal wood burning stove; it's exhaust pipe crawls up to a skylight. All of our electrical appliances are plugged into one thick extension cord which snakes its way out a window. Outside, a small tent city has sprung up in the lot next to our building. Inside, it's freezing because we have no heat."

— Mark,

No Day But Today

Don't miss your chance to be part of this iconic production. We can't wait to see you at auditions!

Questions About Auditions?

Reach out to our Director for any questions about the RENT audition process.

Bethany Wethington

Director

✉️ RentDirector@thetfaa.org

© 2026 Tiffin Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. All rights reserved.

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).