Countdown To Opening Night!

DREAMGIRLS AUDITION INFORMATION

All those cast in DREAMGIRLS are required to become a KVTA general member ($30) for the 2026-2027 Season by the initial cast meeting/read-thru. One parent/guardian being a member of KVTA does cover the membership requirement for all family members 17 and under. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the cast member being removed from the production.

 

Kankakee Valley Theater Association is committed to authentic and respectful storytelling. Our upcoming production of DREAMGIRLS will be cast in accordance with the cultural context from the original Broadway production — a story rooted in the African-American experience of the 1960s/1970s music industry.

​

We warmly welcome all members of our community and region to audition and participate in this production in the many roles — both onstage and off — that reflect the full diversity of the cast. We hope our audiences will walk away from this production with an understanding that the music from these artists was born not only from joy and creativity, but from resilience in the face of systemic racial injustice that sought to silence their voices while profiting from them.

​

We believe that honoring the cultural integrity of this work is essential to telling it truthfully and with the dignity it deserves. There is always more to learn and more to do, and we prioritize our continuous education, reflection, and action.

​

Director: Tyler McMahon

Assistant Director: Aubrey LaLuna

Vocal Director: Barbi Brewer-Watson

Choreographer: Danielle Shoven

​

​​​​PERFORMANCE DATES / LOCATION:

September 18, 19, and 20, 2026

Lincoln Cultural Center  240 Warren Ave  Kankakee, IL 60901

​

AUDITION AND CALLBACK DATES / LOCATION:

AUDITIONS: Friday, June 5 time slots beginning at 6:00 pm / Saturday, June 6 time slots beginning at 12:00 pm

CALLBACKS: Sunday, June 7 starting at 2:00 pm

LOCATION: KVTA Studios  1 Stuart Dr  Kankakee IL 60901

​

Questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting, may be emailed to the Director, Tyler McMahon, at: dreamgirls@kvta.org​​

​

All auditioners must be 16 and older by the first performance on September 18, 2026. Proof of age may be requested. and actors of any ethnicity / race are encouraged to audition for any part. All auditioners must complete an audition form, a conflict calendar, and sign KVTA's policy acknowledgement form. Cast members are required to provide the following personal items: shoes, socks, and stage makeup. In addition, cast members may be asked to supply other items such as: leotards, tights, etc. Optional expenses include: a digital download from the production, a picture CD, apparel items, production party attendance, cast/staff chill times, etc. PLEASE NOTE: Child care is not available during rehearsals and performances. Cast and staff members are not permitted to bring their children, or any additional family members, to rehearsals. ​All rehearsals are closed to the public unless otherwise stated. All KVTA facilities are smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free. Anyone found to be in violation of these policies may be removed from the production.​​​​​​​​

​​

If you have already signed a policy acknowledgement form during our 2025-2026 Season, you do not need to sign this form again.

KVTA Policies: PDF

KVTA Policy Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF

All participants, on-stage or off-stage, will be required to sign KVTA's Social Media, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies. If said participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will sign for the participant. Any parent or guardian signing for their auditioner agrees to instruct and provide information to their auditioner regarding KVTA's policies. An Emergency Card and Waiver of Liability must also be completed and signed in order to participate. These forms will be distributed when you first volunteer with KVTA. If you have any questions please email: kvta@kvta.org

​​​​

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Please sign up for an audition time HERE.
-  Time slots are currently limited to 10 auditioners per time slot. 

-  Additional time slots may be added and/or the number of auditioners per time slot may be increased, if needed.

-  If you cannot attend any of these audition time slots, please email the Director at dreamgirls@kvta.org and we will come up with a suitable option for everyone involved.

​

Audition Form can be downloaded here: Microsoft Word    PDF

​

Conflict Calendar can be downloaded HERE.

​

ANTICIPATED REHEARSAL TIMES:​​

Rehearsals will start the week of June 8, 2026. During June, individual cast members can expect to have rehearsal no more than three times per week. During July and August, individual cast members can expect to have rehearsal up to four times per week. While we are learning vocals, choreography/movement, and blocking, not all actors will be needed at all rehearsals. Once we begin running the acts, rehearsals may be full cast.

 

Please list all conflicts that you have June 8 through September 20 on the conflict calendar you will turn in at auditions. Conflicts will not preclude you from being cast; they are needed for us to develop a rehearsal schedule, which will be based on cast and staff availability. Attendance for the Sitzprobe (to be determined) and during Tech Week (September 14-17) is mandatory.

​

Rehearsal dates are subject to change. We want to have all of the cast at ALL of our final tech rehearsals, so please be open and honest when completing your conflict calendar. Please be sure to list all of your conflicts from the audition date through the final performance date. If you have any questions about the information provided here, please email the Director, Tyler McMahon, at dreamgirls@kvta.org.

​​​​​

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (ages listed are stage ages):
​

EFFIE WHITE – (African-American woman, 20-30.) Vibrant young woman who is as oversized in talent as she is in person. Effie is the true powerhouse in the group, a soaring singer whose voice overpowers and transcends Deena’s and Lorrell’s. She is smitten with Curtis from the start and is overcome with anger and jealousy when she senses his growing attraction to Deena. Effie should be full-figured, and her size carries with it a true sense of sexuality. Must have a huge gospel belt voice. Must move very well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Etta James, Mavis Staples, Roberta Flack 

 

DEENA JONES – (African-American woman, 20-30.) The young, thin, beautiful member of the dreams. Happy singing backup to Effie until Curtis puts her in the lead and grooms her as star of the group. Mezzo, big full belt. Must move very well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tammi Terrell, Thelma Houston, Natalie Cole

 

LORRELL ROBINSON – (African-American woman, 20-30.) The third member of The Dreams. Sexy, flirtatious girl from the projects of Detroit who has been singing with her best friends Effie and Deena for years. Carries on an affair with Jimmy Early, who refuses to leave his wife for her. Soprano, on top of most triad harmony, big full belt. Must move very well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, Martha Reeves, Paulette McWilliams, Maxie Brown

 

CURTIS TAYLOR, JR. – (African-American man, 30-40.) Handsome, and very sexy. Slick car salesman who becomes the Dreams’ manager. Has an appreciation of R & B music and a sense of what it sells. Motivated by dreams, he takes over the management of Jimmy Early’s career and also oversees the rise to stardom of The Dreams. Initially warm and approachable he becomes hardened by wealth and power and the need to control everything and everyone. Baritone. Must move well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Sam Cooke, Ike Turner, David Ruffin, Otis Redding, Johnny Mathis, Harry Belafonte

 

JAMES “THUNDER” EARLY – (African-American man, 30-40.) James Brown-like R & B star. The Dreamettes become his backup singers. Has an affair with Lorrell. Charismatic, sexy, high energy. Rock and R&B tenor. Must move well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: James Brown, Little Richard, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson

 

C.C. WHITE – (African-American man, 18-30.) Effie’s songwriter brother who writes all the Dreams’ hit songs. Endearing and soft-spoken, he tries to do what’s best but slowly gives up his ideals to Curtis’ controlling vision. High baritone. Must move well. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Lamont Dozier, Isaac Hayes

 

MICHELE MORRIS – (African-American woman, 20s.) Effie’s replacement in the dreams. Thin and beautiful, she sings bottom in the harmonies. Mezzo soprano, big belt. Must move well.

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Jean Terrell, Marlena Shaw, Gloria Gaynor, Phyllis Hyman, Pointer Sisters

 

MARTY – (African-American man, 30-45) A street savvy, long-time manager who oversaw Jimmy’s career and rise to R & B stardom. Represents an earlier age of black entertainment. At odds with Curtis and his ideas and schemes. Later oversees Effie’s comeback. Baritone. Should move. 

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Fats Domino

 

DAVE AND THE SWEETHEARTS - 1 Caucasian male and 2 Caucasian females - Strong singers who move well. They sing the all American pop version of “Cadillac Car”. Will play other ensemble roles such as reporters, press agents, etc.

MUSIC ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: DAVE: Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Frankie Avalon

SWEETHEARTS: Lennon Sisters, Chordettes, McGuire Sisters

 

ENSEMBLE - African-American males and Females. Strong Singers & Dancers. Will cover roles such as Little Albert, Tony Joe, Wayne, Reporters, Managers, Party-Goers, Other music groups.

​​​

INITIAL AUDITION FORMAT:

At the initial audition, everyone will sing a song of their choice, and each auditioner will perform the audition dance. The dance will not be taught at the auditions; you must learn it beforehand. A dance workshop with the Choreographer will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the KVTA Studios at 5:00 pm.

​

Please prepare at least 32 bars of a song in the style of Dreamgirls that best shows your vocal range and talent. Please bring sheet music in the correct key for the accompanist, who will be provided. A speaker with an auxiliary cable will be available if you have a recorded music track on a device that the auditioner is responsible for.  Please be sure to have the music downloaded and not streamed live from a digital streaming platform. Some song choices are below for those considering auditioning.

​

This is not the Dreamgirls movie, so please be familiar with the music and characters from the Broadway Musical. Do not sing a song from the movie. Remember the interpretation of characters from the movie, are not the same from the Broadway show.

​

Being familiar with the songs from the show will be helpful for individuals who will be called back.

​

We are looking for soulful singers who can show vulnerability, power - both vocally and in characterization, harmony proficiency, rhythmic accuracy, stamina, clear diction, and vocal flexibility. For more information or questions please contact vocal director Barbi Brewer-Watson via email at barbi6713@gmail.com. 

​

The song selection ideas below are just suggestions. Each auditioner can choose their own song but should choose songs that are in the style of the music from Dreamgirls. The suggestions below are not mandatory.   

 

General Song Selection Ideas

“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” – Barry White

“Just My Imagination” – The Temptations

“I’m Every Woman” – Chaka Khan

“Lean on Me” – Bill Withers

“All the King’s Horses” – Aretha Franklin

"Chain of Fools"  - Aretha Franklin

"Think" - Aretha Franklin  

"Georgia on My Mind" - Ray Charles

"Hit the Road Jack" - Ray Charles

"Walk on By" - Isaac Hayes

"Blueberry Hill" - Fats Domino

"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor

"I'm So Excited" - Pointer Sisters 

"Jump (For My Love)" - Pointer Sisters

"Reflections" - Cindy Birdsong

"Baby Love" - Mary Wilson

"Dancing in the Street" - Martha Reeves

"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" - Natalie Cole 

"Love Letters in the Sand" - Pat Boone

“Ain’t That A Shame” - Pat Boone

“Venus” - Frankie Avalon

“Just Ask Your Heart” - Frankie Avalon

“Dede Dinah” - Frankie Avalon

"Mr. Sandman" - The Chordettes

"Lollipop" - The Chordettes

"Sincerely" - The McGuire Sisters

“Tonight You Belong To Me” - The Lennon Sisters

      

Character Song Selection Ideas

James Thunder Early

“My Girl” – Ain’t Too Proud/The Temptations

“Never Can Say Goodbye” – The Jackson 5

"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" - James Brown

"I Got You (I Feel Good)" - James Brown

"It's a Man's Man's Man's World."  - James Brown

"What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye 

"Let's Get It On" - Marvin Gaye 

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye

"Tutti Frutti" - Little Richard

"Long Tall Sally" - Little Richard 

 

Effie Melody White

“A Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin

“Respect” - Aretha Franklin 

“Angel” – Aretha Franklin

"At Last" - Etta James

"I'd Rather Go Blind" - Etta James

"Tell Mama" - Etta James

"I'll Take You There" - Mavis Staples

"Killing Me Softly with His Song" - Roberta Flack

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" - Roberta Flack

 

Deena Jones

“Last Dance” – Donna Summer

“One Moment in Time” – Whitney Houston

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross 

"Upside Down" - Diana Ross

"Don't Leave Me This Way" - Thelma Houston

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell

 

Curtis Taylor, Jr.

“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers 

"A Change Is Gonna Come" - Sam Cooke

"You Send Me" - Sam Cooke  

"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding 

"Try a Little Tenderness" - Otis Redding 

"Respect" - Otis Redding

"Rocket 88" - Ike Turner

"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" - Harry Belafonte

"Chances Are" - Johnny Mathis 

"Misty" - Johnny Mathis   

 

C.C. White

“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder

"The Tracks of My Tears" - Smokey Robinson 

"Cruisin'" - Smokey Robinson 

"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" - Smokey Robinson

"Superstition" - Stevie Wonder

"Sir Duke" - Stevie Wonder 

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" - Stevie Wonder

"Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder

"Move on Up" - Curtis Mayfield 

"Superfly" - Curtis Mayfield 

"People Get Ready" - Curtis Mayfield

​

DANCE:

All auditioners will perform the audition dance. The audition dance has been recorded for the auditioners to learn on their own before the auditions. There is a front view of the dance and a back view of the dance. We will not teach the dance at the auditions. All auditioners are expected to learn their audition dance before the audition and perform their dance without instruction at auditions. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to move in, as well as appropriate shoes for dancing.

 

Dance videos can be accessed HERE.

 

CALLBACKS:

Sunday, June 7, 2026, starting at 2:00 pm
• For anyone new to the audition process, callbacks are only for select auditioners that the show staff members (i.e. Director, Assistant Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer) would like to see again. If you are not called back, this does NOT mean that you will not be cast in the show.

• We will post a callback list on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Saturday, June 6, after all initial auditions have been completed, so it will be late in the evening. Your patience is greatly appreciated! 
• If for any reason you cannot make this callback date, PLEASE email the Director before your audition, or tell the board member working the check-in table at auditions. 
• If you are called back, it is highly encouraged that you make every effort to attend the callbacks. 

​

Callback materials will be made available after auditions.

 

CAST LIST:
The cast list will be posted on the KVTA website at http://www.kvta.org and on the KVTA Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/kankakeetheatre on Sunday, June 7, after all callbacks have been completed, so it could be very late in the evening. Thank you in advance for your patience as we will have many difficult decisions to make! 
 

For those cast in the show, our CAST MEETING and READ THRU will be held in June at the KVTA Studios. The exact date will be determined based upon conflicts.

​​​​​​​​

Further questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting may be emailed to the Director, Sharla Ronchetto, at: dreamgirls@kvta.org  Please include Dreamgirls Auditions in the subject line.

​​​​

Break a leg!

​​​​

Sincerely,

The Staff of Dreamgirls​