Auditions: Cabaret

Auditions for Cabaret will take place on Sunday, December 7th and on Monday, December 8th. Callbacks will be held Wednesday, December 10th.

Cabaret (May 21 – June 20, 2026) takes place from 1929-1930, a time when Berlin, in the midst of a post-World War I economic depression, is transitioning from a center of underground, avant-garde cultural epicenter to the beginnings of Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the rise of the Nazi Party. Into this world enters Clifford Bradshaw, a struggling American writer looking for inspiration for his next novel. On his first night in Berlin, Cliff wanders into the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub overseen by the strange, omniscient and gender-bending Master of Ceremonies, “the Emcee.” Here, Cliff meets Sally Bowles, a vivacious, talented cabaret performer, and an utterly lost soul. Sally and Cliff begin a relationship, which blossoms unexpectedly into a dream-like romance. As time passes, however, the situation in Berlin changes from exciting and vital to ominous and violent; Ernst, Cliff’s first German friend, turns out to be an up-and-coming member of the Nazi Party, and Herr Schultz, a fellow boarder at Fraulein Schneider’s guest house (and Schneider’s fiancée), is the victim of an Anti-Semitic hate crime. When he finds out that Sally is pregnant, Cliff decides that they must leave for America at once, before things get any worse. Sally, afraid, confused, and unsure that she’ll ever really be able to trade the sexy, illicit cabaret lifestyle for motherhood, gets an abortion, and tells Cliff that he must leave without her. With a distinctly Brechtian dose of provocation and a score featuring songs that have become classics of the American Musical Theater, Cabaret is a fierce, meaty musical that pushes the boundaries of the form and literally holds “the mirror up to nature.”

Audition Details:

Please come prepared with 32 bars (in the style of the show and an accompanist will be provided. You may also select a song that is part of the show) – an accompanist will be provided. All roles are open. Housing and stipends will not be provided. Select your in-person audition date and time below. Bring comfortable shoes/clothes as there will be a movement aspect with the choreographer.

Rehearsals will start in March 2026

  • Audition Dates:  Sunday, December 7th from 1:00-4:00pm and Monday, December 8th from 7:00-9:00pm
  • Location: Anne Arundel Community College, Cade 122 (West Campus)

Callbacks are scheduled for Wednesday, December 10th from 7:00-9:00pm.

  • All roles are unpaid and non-equity. ASGT is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Actors of all sizes, body types, races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and experience levels are encouraged to audition. No roles are precast, all roles are available.
  • Age ranges are not literal, but what actors can convincingly play on stage (per ASGT policies, you must be 18 by opening night, May 21, 2026 to audition).

If you are unable to attend the in-person audition, please reach out to Lin Whetzel at lwhetzel@summergarden.com by Friday, December 5th.

Sign-up for an Audition Spot Today >>

Character Breakdown

  • Master of Ceremonies (Emcee)
    Host at the Kit Kat Club– a gender-nonconforming-presenting, exuberant figure; comfortable with being close to the audience; dark, comedic, sinister…yet lovable; requires a strong presence that is playful and mysterious. Must act, sing (some in German), move well, and be comfortable with bawdy/suggestive staging/choreography.

    • Age range: 25-50
    • Accent: German
    • Vocal range top: C#5
    • Vocal range bottom: C3
  •  Sally Bowles
    A British cabaret singer at the Kit Kat Club. Quirky and flighty. Struggles with knowing the darkness of the reality of her life and has woeful luck in her relationships with men. Must act, sing, and dance well; comfortable with moments of intimacy and bawdy/suggestive staging/ choreography.

    • Age range: 20-40
    • Accent: British
    • Vocal range top: C5
    • Vocal range bottom: A3
  • Clifford (Cliff) Bradshaw
    An American novelist and English teacher traveling to Berlin. Through his journey he explores the many facets and complexities of his sexuality, politics, and artistic goals.) Must act and sing well, comfortable with stage movement, light dance, and moments of intimacy.

    • Age range: 25-40
    • Accent: American
    • Vocal range top: E4
    • Vocal range bottom: A2
  • Fräulein Schneider
    A landlady who rents rooms to Cliff, Sally, and several other characters in her large flat. She is alone and is resigned to her place in life, but secretly longs for companionship. She is very critical of some people while looking the other way with others; comfortable with stage movement and light dance (waltz). Must act and sing well; comfortable with moments of intimacy.

    • Age range: Late 40s-50s
    • Accent: German
    • Vocal range top: A-flat4
    • Vocal range low: D3
  •  Herr Schultz
    A Jewish fruit shop owner who falls in love with Fraulein Schneider; sweet, lovable, and adoring; heartbreakingly naïve about the political turmoil in Germany. Must act and sing well; comfortable with stage movement, light dance (waltz), and moments of intimacy.

    • Age range: Late 40s-50s
    • Accent: German• Vocal range top: high F
    • Vocal range low: low G
  •  Fräulein Kost (doubles as Kit Kat “Girl”)
    A prostitute who rents in Fraulein Schneider’s boarding house; larger than life personality, quick witted and sharp tongued; should be comfortable exhibiting a strong sensual and commanding nature; must act and move well and sing in German.

    • Age range: 30-49
    • Accent: German
    • Vocal range top: high F
    • Vocal range low: A flat
  • Ernst Ludwig
    A friendly and likable German, takes English lessons from Cliff, and smuggles funds for the Nazi party; comfortable with stage movement and light dance (waltz); and sing in German.

    • Age range: 20-40
    • Accent: German
    • Vocal range top: high F
    • Vocal range low: A flat
  •  The Kit Kat “Girls” & “Boys”
    These performers are often in salacious situations and costumes. They are an eclectic mix of types and aren’t necessarily a matching unit. It is very important they act, sing, dance / move well and with confidence. They will be part of various scenes in and out of the Club; should be comfortable interacting with the audience and comfortable with bawdy/suggestive staging/choreography; also sing in German; one doubles as Fräulein Kost, one as Gorilla, and one as Chanteuse.

    • Rosie
    • Lulu
    • Frenchie
    • Texas
    • Fritzie
    • Helga
    • Bobby
    • Victor
    • Hans (doubles as Rudy, a sailor)
    • Herman (doubles as Customs Official & Max)

Age ranges for ensemble: 18-40, Accent: German

Pit Musicians

  • Keyboard 1/Conductor
  • Keyboard 2
  • Drums
  • Bass
  • Keys 1 (Flute, Clarinet, Sax)
  • Keys 2 (Clarinet, Sax)
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone

All future communication regarding the status of auditions and callbacks will be emailed by the production manager (lwhetzel@summergarden.com).

Annapolis Summer Garden Theater presents Cabaret May 21 – June 20, 2026

Director: Dr. Shane Jensen
Choreographer: Andrew Gordon
Production Manager: Lin Whetzel
Stage Manager: Jessica Padgett

Sign-up for an Audition Spot >>

ASGT Audition Policies>>