"A Very Steamworks Christmas" Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for "A Very Steamworks Christmas"!

After a sold out run last year, we are thrilled to be bringing this incredibly gay and jolly show back to the stage! 

Written by Connor James Hirsch, Noah Lanos, Nathan Wetter, and Ryan Brown, this show is a queer take on the classic holiday story A Christmas Carol. Your favorite steamy entourage navigates Steamworks' past, present, and future, all while trying to save the building from being destroyed by an evil Grinch!

We will be casting understudies for nearly every part, and one main cast role, Twinkie Dum. All individuals who are cast as alternates will have one guaranteed performance for each character they understudy.  

Here is a list of characters we are looking to cast!

MAIN CAST:

Twinkie Dum - The counterpart to Twinkie Dee. Fiery, a little bit vapid, and doesn't take life too seriously.

ALTERNATES/UNDERSTUDIES:

Elliot Splooge - The Scrooge figure of our tale, and a conceited, grumpy gay who hates Christmas due to his past. He goes on a journey to discover what Christmas in a bathhouse is really about. 

Charlie Marley - The ghost of Elliot's former best friend, who visits Elliot on Christmas Eve with a warning. This role also doubles as Tiny Twink's Mom and the Ghost of Christmas Future. An ensemble track requiring an adaptable performer. 

Twinkie Dee  - Twinkie Dee is the HTIC (Head Twink in Charge). An employee of Steamworks, he takes it upon himself to try to save the bathhouse from closing. Spunky and driven, but easily frustrated with the rest of the crew as they don't take his mission as seriously as him.

Chester - Chester has too much love to give. He falls in love quickly and hard, but has a strong head on his shoulders (until he doesn't). Quirky and full of heart. This role also doubles as the Ghost of Steamworks Present, who is a jolly, Christmas-loving ghost.

Cheryl Grinch - The villain of the tale, and a businesswoman that means business. She has plans to shut down Steamworks for good, but a big secret could foil her evil plans. 

Tiny Twink - The newest employee at Steamworks. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and very eager to join the crew. 

Carol - The Queen of Northalsted. A confident, straight ally to all those around her. 

Max - The bathhouse's resident party girl. A circuit queen type with a lot of Christmas spirit. 

Auditions will be held from 12 pm - 4 pm on Saturday, 9/6, and Sunday, 9/7. Sign up for a slot here. If you are unable to attend, we will accept video submissions, due at noon on 9/7. Please email Connor (connorjameswho@gmail.com) with what part(s) you are interested in, and more details about the video submission will be provided.

Please also fill out this form, so we can get to know you a little better!

For auditions, please prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theater song or a Christmas carol of your choice. Be prepared to sing a cappella, as accompaniment will not be provided. If you are auditioning for Twinkie Dum, please prepare a cut of "Santa Baby" (the lyrics are in the sides folder). Feel free to sing in any key that sounds best with your voice. Here is a video of the song for reference (:35-1:20)

We will also ask you to read sides for the characters you are interested in (SIDES HERE). 

Connor James Hirsch is directing, with Nathan Wetter and Noah Lanos as creative directors. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to connorjameswho@gmail.com.

Note on Rehearsal/Show Process:

Due to the subject matter, actors seeking a role must be comfortable performing shirtless for most of the show. Some roles involve performing comedic, simulated sex acts. All intimacy coordination will take place in accordance with the Chicago Theatre Standards, and regular consent check-ins will take place before rehearsals and performances.

Additionally, as the conversation around inclusion in gay spaces like Steamworks evolves, we want our show to reflect the evolution of that conversation. We strongly encourage actors of all gender expressions, racial/ethnic identities, fetish/kink cultures, and ability statuses with a connection to this topic to audition. We also encourage drag performers to audition. Let us know in the box below if you see yourself performing in drag for the show (and no need to come to the audition in drag!)