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Welcome
to the Audition Process
“Whether it’s your very first audition or you’ve been performing on stage for years, we’re excited to welcome YOU!”
Performances: Jan 2, 3
2026
with possible additional performances on January 4th
The Local Archive is thrilled to announce auditions for an immersive reimagining of RENT (with licensing permissions from MTI), directed by Amber Reid with choreography by Jacob Covey.
We are seeking a diverse cast of performers of ALL races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, body types, and abilities. RENT is a story about chosen family, resilience, and living authentically, and we believe its power comes from casting artists who reflect the real vibrancy of our communities today.
All performers are encouraged to audition, whether this is your first time on stage or you are a seasoned artist. We especially welcome performers whose lived experiences connect to the themes of RENT: love, loss, survival, justice, and joy.
This production will be immersive, breaking the traditional boundaries between audience and performer to create a raw, honest, and deeply human experience. We are looking for bold storytellers who are ready to bring their whole selves into the work.
About the show.
Set in New York City’s East Village during the 1990s, RENT tells the powerful story of a group of young artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams while facing challenges of poverty, love, loss, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Loosely based on Puccini’s opera La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking rock musical captures the spirit of a generation with its raw emotion, unforgettable music, and message of resilience.
With songs like “Seasons of Love,” RENT reminds us to measure our lives in love and celebrates the beauty of community, chosen family, and living life authentically... "No day but today!"
Character Breakdown
Age: 20–35
Vocal range: F2–A4
Roger Davis
A struggling musician and recovering addict living with HIV. Roger carries deep grief from losing friends and his former girlfriend, and channels that pain into his music. He’s raw, searching for meaning, and longing for connection. Think edgy indie rocker energy — vulnerable but magnetic.
Age: 20–35
Vocal range: A2–G4
Mark Cohen
A filmmaker and video storyteller who’s always observing life through a lens. Mark is caught between privilege and purpose, longing for closeness with his community while struggling to find his own place in it. He’s witty, thoughtful, and a little restless — the “outsider looking in.”
Age: 25–35
Vocal range: F#2–A4
Tom Collins
A brilliant professor and activist, Collins is a grounded and compassionate Black man whose warmth makes him the backbone of the group. He brings both radical politics and deep empathy, reminding everyone of love, accountability, and chosen family. Living with HIV, he faces life with hope and generosity.
Age: 25–35
Vocal range: F#2–A4
Tom Collins
A brilliant professor and activist, Collins is a grounded and compassionate Black man whose warmth makes him the backbone of the group. He brings both radical politics and deep empathy, reminding everyone of love, accountability, and chosen family. Living with HIV, he faces life with hope and generosity.
Age: 29–40
Vocal range: Bb2–F#4
Benjamin Coffin III (“Benny”)
Once part of the loft crew, now their landlord. Benny wrestles between loyalty to his old friends and the pressures of assimilation and wealth from his new marriage into privilege. He often appears as the “sellout,” but underneath is a man still searching for belonging and self-definition.
Age: 25–40
Vocal range: G3–E5
Joanne Jefferson
A sharp, driven lawyer with a big heart and a bigger sense of justice. Coming from a conservative, upper-class Black family, Joanne fights for the underdog and lives proudly as an out lesbian. Dating Maureen forces her to navigate love, chaos, and what it means to be truly celebrated for who you are.
Age: 20–30
Vocal range: C3–A4
Angel Dumott Schunard
A radiant, gender-nonconforming street performer who lights up every room. Angel’s artistry blends music, fashion, rhythm, and dance into pure joy, even while living with HIV. Angel is playful, magnetic, and deeply human — the spirit of hope and connection in the group. Think Prince meets Grace Jones meets your most fabulous friend.
Age: 20–25
Vocal range: C4–F5
Mimi Marquez
A fiery Afro-Latinx dancer determined to live boldly despite her struggles with addiction and HIV. Mimi is sensual, spontaneous, and aching for freedom, but also vulnerable and searching for love and stability. She meets Roger by chance, sparking a relationship that intertwines her with the chosen family.
Age: 20–25
Vocal range: C4–F5
Maureen Johnson
A chaotic, passionate, and unapologetic performance artist who thrives on disruption. Maureen is queer, wildly charismatic, and constantly challenging the world through her art and activism. Once with Mark, now dating Joanne, she’s learning how to balance her confidence with accountability to those she loves.
Ensemble
The ensemble brings the vibrancy of New York City to life — its artists, activists, neighbors, and dreamers. Ensemble members embody multiple characters, from parents to activists to street voices, adding movement, energy, and heart to the storytelling.
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Tracks may include: Mark’s Mom, Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson, Alexi Darling, soloists in Seasons of Love, street performers, waiters, and others.
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Age: 20–50
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Note: Some tracks are more dance-forward, while others focus on vocals or acting versatility.
Rent Audition Registration
September 14th
Notes on what to Prepare for Your Audition:
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We want to see YOU: your individuality, your artistry, and what makes you unique. Please prepare the following:
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Vocal Audition
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Prepare 30 seconds of a song that best represents YOU. Your voice, your style, and your personality.
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This does not need to be from Rent or even a musical; choose something that lets you shine and feel confident.
Dance Audition
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A choreographed video will be sent out in advance for you to learn prior to auditions.
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During the audition, you’ll first perform your prepared vocal section individually, followed by a group dance call where the choreographed selection will be reviewed and then you will audition together in your group.
Reminder: We are not looking for perfection. Treat your audition like a performance. Show up prepared and professional. We are looking for authenticity, commitment, and how you bring yourself into the work.