Steamworks the Musical: Understudies

Annoyance Productions is currently casting understudies for this summer’s production of Steamworks: the Musical. Set in the legendary gay bathhouse, the show follows Al, a recently-out Chicago newbie as he follows a mysterious dreamboy into Steamworks hoping they’ll fall in love. But he has no idea what sexy, thrilling, disgusting, and dangerous events await him as he falls further and further down the rabbit/glory-hole. The steaming hot musical event of the summer is looking for strong singers and comedic actors familiar with bathhouse culture to breathe new life into this hit show.

Audition Dates:

General- Saturday 4/26, 12-3 PM, Annoyance - BlackBox Theater

Time Commitment:

Rehearsals: Now through June 5, Sat/Sun (afternoon) Mon/Wed (evenings) at or near the Annoyance Theatre 

Performances: Fridays at 7:30P & Saturdays at 10P @ Annoyance Theatre (Cabaret), June 6 through August 2, 2025

*all understudies are guaranteed AT LEAST one performance during this run

Available Roles:

AL - young, naive, recent newcomer to Chicago, just wants to find love in the big city and has no idea what he’s getting himself into.

TWINKIE DEE & DUM - Two charismatic twinks who practically share a brain–they’re Al’s main guides through his bathhouse odyssey.

KING OF STEAM - the terrifying dom top of Steamworks, wields power with a sexy iron fist, becomes increasingly tyrannical as Al gets closer to his most prized possession.

STEPHEN STEFAN - the sexiest boy on Halsted who falls for Al while trapped in a relationship with the villainous King.

MAX- circuit queen party monster with a surprisingly positive message about acceptance in hookup culture. Note: the actor playing this role must be comfortable portraying and speaking about HIV-positivity.

Audition Info:

Sign up for a time slot HERE.

If you have any questions, please email director Jayson Brooks at jayson@theannoyance.com with the subject “Steamworks25 Audition”.

Please bring a headshot and resume, and plan on arriving early enough to fill out an audition form. Prepare a brief 30 second/16 bar selection of a musical theatre-style song a capella. We’ll provide sides for you in the room.

Pay:

You’ll receive a rehearsal stipend of $75 per role, and will be paid $30 per performance. 

Note on Rehearsal 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 identifications, fetish/kink cultures, and ability statuses with a connection to this topic to audition.

Scan this QR code to get to the SignUpGenius site for audition times:

Steamworks: the Musical