Ride the Cyclone Audition Info
Overview:
In this hilarious and highly original musical written by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond, teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir meet an unexpected end in a roller coaster accident. Upon awakening in limbo, they encounter the Amazing Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller who invites them to participate in a high-stakes game of life and death. Much like the different stages of grief, each character in this story is distinct and complex in their own way. However, they are all compelled to unite and collaborate to achieve their ultimate goal. Ride the Cyclone has become a viral sensation, offering a humorous yet poignant exploration of what makes a life well-lived.
Directed by: Krystyna Hubbard hubbardkrystyna@google.com
Music Direction by: Emily Chant
Choreography by: Kelsey Hoban
Producer/Stage Manager: Caitlyn Sloan
There is a $60 participation fee at registration. Registration will be taken at auditions and call backs.
Performances:
Friday, November 14th & 15th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Manchester Township High School
101 Hawks Way, Manchester, NJ 08759
Auditions:
Monday, September 8th, 2025 6-8 pm
Auditions will be held at Manchester High School in the auditorium.
*Please Note: while the characters in “Ride The Cyclone” are teens, this production is geared toward adult performers due to content and complexity, mature themes, language and emotional material. All auditioning performers must be 18 years or older and have graduated high school by the date of audition.
Roles:
THE AMAZING KARNAK (Any gender; non-singing role) – A mechanized fortune-telling machine who narrates the story. A rumbling voice with a steady, measured, calm inflection that exudes gravitas, but it is never pushed to comedic extremes. There is no archness in the voice. Think an ominous mechanical Santa Claus or God or Hal 3000.
OCEAN O’CONNELL ROSENBERG (Female-presenting, Alto/Soprano belter) – Type-A perfectionist. Overachiever. Self-proclaimed leader of the choir. Bright, peppy, and obnoxiously self-important.
MISCHA BACHINSKI (Male-presenting, Baritenor, rapper/folksinger) – Adopted Ukrainian bad boy with a soft heart, obsessed with rap music and autotune. Can rap and sing Ukrainian folk music.
NOEL GRUBER (Male-presenting, Tenor, smooth cabaret voice) – Hopeless romantic obsessed with French cinema. The only gay kid in town. Witty, cynical, and brooding.
RICKY POTTS (Male-presenting, Baritone, rock voice) – Dreamer of the group, formerly mute, has gained new abilities in the afterlife. Alternates between meek and heroic.
CONSTANCE BLACKWOOD (Female-presenting, Alto, rock voice) – The “Nice girl” and Ocean’s best friend, diminutive, hides a sense of rebelliousness.
JANE DOE (Female-presenting, Classical Soprano, operatic voice) – An unidentified student searching for her identity. Marked by replacing her decapitated head with that of her dolly’s. Eerie, haunting, and doll-like.
TALIA (Female-presenting, Dancer / Non-speaking role) – Mischa’s love interest
ENSEMBLE: Members of the Canadian Choir, dance and solo features throughout the solo numbers.
Audition Specifications:
Because this is an ensemble show with larger than- life- characters, please be prepared to PLAY! Live group dynamics are essential to determining named roles in addition to strong singing and dancing skills.
Live auditions will consist of singing, dancing, monologue (provided here) and improv-based acting activities provided at auditions. Although not required for auditions, the following accents will be workshopped at the audition: Ukrainian, French, North American/Canadian.
Vocal Audition: please prepare a brief song selection of a contemporary musical theatre or pop/rock song. Please bring an instrumental track of your song cued to the starting point. A bluetooth speaker will be provided.
Songs from the show are welcomed.
*Those auditioning for Karnak need not sing
Dance Audition: please be prepared to move by wearing comfortably-fitting clothing and footwear.
*Those auditioning for Karnak need not sing
Acting: monologues for each character can be found here and will be provided at auditions, in addition to improv games and scenes from the show.
Rehearsal Commitment:
Mondays and Tuesdays beginning September 9th until November 11th
6-8:30 pm.
There will be 2 additional rehearsals on Wednesday, Nov. 12th with a Final Dress Rehearsal on Nov. 13th from 6-8:30 pm.
Please note that this is an ensemble-driven piece which primarily requires all to be present at rehearsals. Please plan accordingly and communicate known conflicts at the time of auditions, or as they arise, to Krystyna or Cait either at rehearsal, at auditions, or via email.
We look forward to meeting you at auditions on September 8th!
Manchester Recreation Adult Theatre Division