NBC’s special “Hairspray Live!” is holding an online casting call to fill the lead role of Tracy.
NBC is bringing the musical “Hairspray” to the small screen. NBC is creating a live television special from the Broadway musical “Hairspray.” The network has produced a televised version of other musicals for the past few years and this year will be no exception. NBC announced earlier this year that the 2016 show would be “Hairspray Live!” and is a nationwide talent search to find an actress to take on the lead role of Tracy. Previous productions have included “The Wiz Live” and “Peter Pan Live.”
Telsey + Company, the show’s casting directors, recently held an open casting call in the New York City area and have now opened the auditions up to talent nationwide. The company has setup an online process where interested actresses can upload their video auditions for consideration. The show is looking for a bubbly, vibrant and heavy set actress to take on the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, a lovable, spirited, high school teen who really loves to dance. The show is hoping to find a triple threat with a strong pop belt.
“Hairspray” is set in Baltimore in 1962 and follows Tracy Turnblad, an avid dancer and fan of “The Corny Collins Show,” an “American Bandstand” type show that she would love to appear on and eventually does. Tracy becomes inspired by the events of the 60?s including the Civil Rights movement and becomes a heroine in the story. “Hairspray Live!” will be based on John Waters’ original 1988 film titled “Hairspray” which starred Ricki Lake as Tracy.
In 2002 a staged musical was produced which ran on on Broadway between 2002 and 2009. In 2007 another ‘Hairspray” movie was produced which starred Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes and Queen Latifah. According to Variety, much of the original stage production’s creative team will return for NBC’s live televised special.
STUDIO/NETWORK: NBC
DIRECTOR: Kenny Leon
CASTING DIRECTOR: Telsey + Company / Bernie Telsey & Abbie Brady-Dalton
SHOOTING LOCATION: Los Angeles
SEEKING ACTOR TO PLAY HIGH SCHOOL AGE. MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY A HEAVYSET FEMALE. OUTGOING, UNSTOPPABLE, GOOD-HEARTED WITH A VIBRANT, LOVABLE, SPIRITED PERSONALITY. LOVES TO DANCE. BECOMES A TEEN HEROINE. STRONG POP BELT SINGER AND GREAT MOVER.
MUST BE 18 YEARS-OLD OR OLDER
Talent interested in auditioning may upload their video auditions on their web page.