Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent School Edition follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

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**Disclaimer: This show contains themes of sexuality, death, AIDS, violence(including police violence), language, self harm and use of drugs and alcohol. If you have any questions, please contact producer@dmyat.org**

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Auditions *Auditions will be 90 minutes

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May 16 9am-6:30pm

May 17 9am-12:30pm

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Callbacks May 17 6:00 pm

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DMYAT Rehearsal Space

3200 Grand Ave, Bldg 3380

Des Moines, IA 50312

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Please complete BOTH forms below prior to audition (in-person or video).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video submissions will be accepted- email your video to producer@dmyat.org by MAY 14 at 12:00 PM to be considered for casting. 

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Character descriptions: ​

Mark Cohen

Filmmaker and video artist. Knee deep in his own soul-searching, Mark is the typical young artist. He and Roger are roommates in the loft. A bit of a nerd.

Gender: Male

Vocal range top: G#4

Vocal range bottom: C3

 

Roger Davis

A struggling musician and former drug addict. He is reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. Roommates with Mark in the loft and battles with being HIV-positive.

Gender: Male

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: F#2

 

Tom Collins

A computer genius and liberal professor. He is a nurturer with a smooth and relaxed disposition. Used to be a roommate in the loft and is HIV-positive.

Gender: Male

Vocal range top: A4

Vocal range bottom: F#2

 

Benjamin Coffin III

The landlord of Mark and Roger's apartment building. A former roommate in the loft, Benny traded in his personal morals for power and wealth.

Gender: Male

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: D3

 

Joanne Jefferson

A public interest lawyer and headstrong lesbian. She is smart and purposeful in all her decisions. Carries on a tumultuous relationship with Maureen.

Gender: Female

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Angel Dumott Schunard

The eccentric HIV-positive street drummer. A drag queen with an incredible gift of dance and a magnetic personality. He becomes Tom's lover.

Gender: Male

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: C3

 

Mimi Marquez

An HIV-positive stripper with drug addictions. Slender and sickly, she conceals it all at her job in the local strip club. She lives in the same building as the loft.

Gender: Female

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: F#3

 

Maureen Johnson

An unpredictably zany performance artist. Maureen oozes sexuality and used to live in the loft. She has recently dumped Mark for Joanne.

Gender: Female

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: G3

 

Ensemble

Cops; Vendors; Support Group (Paul, Steve, Gordon, Pam, Ali, Sue); Homeless People (Squeegieman, Blanket Person); Junkies; Parents (Mrs. Cohen, Mr. And Mrs. Jefferson, Roger's Mom, Mimi's Mother); "Leap Of Faith" Backups; Bohemians

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