Orange Community players holds auditions for each production. For our larger productions, we will ask participants to sign up for an audition time and complete audition forms ahead of time.
Anything Goes Summer 2026
Orange Community Players is a community theater dedicated to providing quality non-professional theatrical performances in Orange County. As an all-volunteer organization we could not make these shows happen without YOUR help and we appreciate your interest in auditioning.
Anything Goes follows the journey of an ocean liner, the S.S. American, on its 1934 journey from New York to England. Its passengers include Reno Sweeney, an evangelist-turned-nightclub singer, and the recently unemployed Billy Crocker, her longtime friend. In their search for love, the characters find themselves involved in deception, confusion, and even the activities of “Moonface” Martin, a gangster known as “Public Enemy 13.” With fantastic music by Cole Porter, Anything Goes is a fun and exciting production for any audience!
Performances will be July 23-26 at Orange High School in Hillsborough and tickets go on sale in June.
OCP strives to bring together casts, crews, and production teams that reflect the rich diversity of our community. To promote an inclusive environment and provide opportunities for a wider array of people, casting decisions may include non-traditional choices in terms of gender, race, or other attributes.
Auditions will be May 4 and 5 at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center, located at 1020 US 70 West in Hillsborough. To audition, please reserve a slot on our Sign Up Genius and complete the audition forms.
Please contact orangecommunityplayersnc@gmail.com for more information or with any questions.
Audition Team
Director: Bob Sharpe
Musical Director: Jessica Schmitt
Choreographer: Merilee Nixon
Producer: Megan Hughes
Stage Manager: Roman Underwood
Character Descriptions
Reno Sweney: Former Evangelist turned Night Club singer. She is confident, worldly and smart. She’s a singer who moves well (tap would be nice but not required). She’s late 30’s to mid 50’s
Billy Crocker: The optimistic, enthusiastic & clever assistant to wealthy Wall Street mogul Eily Whitney and in love with Hope. He sings and moves well. He’s late 20’s to late 30’s
Hope Harcourt: Young debutante (engaged to Lord Eveyln Oakleigh, to save her mother from poverty), but in love with Billy. She sings and moves well. She’s 18 to late 20’s.
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh: Wealthy Englishman, intrigued by American slang (which he doesn’t really understand). He sings and will need to move (but it can/will be comical). He’s late 30’s to late 40’s.
Moon Face Martin: A gangster (Public Enemy # 13) disguised as a Priest to evade the police. Tries to present himself as a ‘tough guy’ but he isn’t. He can carry a tune & moves fairly well. He is late 30’s to 60ish.
Erma: The sidekick to Moon Face. A sassy, flirty, streetwise female. Sings and moves well. She’s 20 to 40.
Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt: Hope’s mother. American aristocrat, widow & now penniless, due to the death of her husband after the Wall St crash of 1929. Comic support who can carry a tune. She’s 50 to 70ish.
Eliy Whitney: Wealthy Wall Street mogul & Billy’s boss. Knows Mrs. Harcourt from their youth & would like to reconnect. He can’t see without his glasses. Comic support who can carry a tune. He’s 50 to 70ish.
The Angels: 4 to 6 Ladies that are Reno’s backup dancers. They tap & if they can also sing, it’s a plus. They are 18ish to 30ish.
Sailors Quartet: 4 guys that sing together in harmony for 3 different numbers in the show. They also double as part of the Chorus. Age 16 to 40
Ship Captain & Purser: Featured speaking roles. Ages 45-65 and 20-35 respectively.
Luke & (Sarah or John): A pair of ‘religious converts’ traveling with a Missionary to England, but they are actually a pair of con-artist looking to scam the wealthy travelers. Could be ages 15 to 30+.
There is also a Chorus of Adults, teens & kids (families traveling on the cruise ship) Reporters, FBI agents & some additional Sailors. These cast members are included in many scenes and 5- 6 songs during the show.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are auditions?
Auditions will be May 4 and 5 at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center, located at 1020 US 70 West in Hillsborough, NC.
How do I sign up for an audition?
What ages can audition?
Kids age 8 and older are welcome to audition, as well as all adults. We try to accommodate rehearsal schedules to let younger kids leave earlier, but during tech week rehearsals often go until 10:00 pm, which can be difficult for younger cast members.
This is my first audition. How can I prepare?
We love to have people who are new to musical theatre join our productions! Please do not feel intimidated by the audition process, especially the music.
You should expect:
- To be asked to read lines from the musical
- To dance, wear clothes and shoes you are comfortable moving in (Tap is NOT required for this show but you will be asked if you can/are willing to learn)
- Certain improvisational prompts
You should prepare:
- 16 Bars of music (roughly 30 sec of song) to perform acapella or with a track. This can be any song, even “Happy Birthday”
- Have a list of ALL conflicts from Monday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday starting in May ending in July (no conflicts allowed July 12-26)
- Any other skills or previous experience.
- Have filled out the Touch and Intimacy Disclosure (will be provided at the audition)
Please email orangecommunityplayersnc@gmail.com with any questions.
Who will be in the room for my audition?
When you arrive at auditions the people who will be assessing your skills and talents will be:
Director: Bob Sharpe
Musical Director: Jessica Schmitt
Choreographer: Merilee Nixon
Stage Manager: Roman Underwood
Producer: Megan Hughes
And we welcome all ages from 8 years old and upwards with no experience needed!
I’d like to audition but have a conflict with the dates. What should I do?
Please email orangecommunityplayersnc@gmail.com and we will find a way to accommodate your schedule. In addition, we will take walk-in auditions at each audition time.
When will I hear back about auditions?
You will hear back from the Production Team the afternoon of May 9th on the OCP facebook page and the OCP website linked here
How much does it cost to participate?
A $35 Participation Fee is required for cast members in this show. This fee includes one (1) comp ticket to the opening performance. The maximum fee any family will pay is $70.00 ( i.e., One Family Member: Fee: $35 / Two Family Members: Fee $70.00 / More than two family members $70.00). This fee will be due at the first Cast Meeting.
Cast members age 13 and older and parents of cast members ages under age 12 are also required to sign up for at least 8 hours of volunteer work, in addition to Load In and Strike. Non-participation may result in the cast member being cut from the cast. Cast members and/or parents who take a leadership role on a committee will be refunded their cast participation fee.
Where will rehearsals be?
Rehearsals will be May 12-July 18. Most rehearsals will be at the Eno River Academy, located at 1212 North Carolina Hwy 57 N Hillsborough, NC 27278. However, some rehearsals will be at other locations and all updates will be shared on the rehearsal calendar and through Discord. After load in, all rehearsals will be at our performance location, Orange High School.
When will rehearsals begin?
There will be a cast meeting at 6:30 on Monday, May 11 at the Eno River Academy. The cast meeting is mandatory unless you list the conflict at auditions. Parents/family members can attend in lieu of a cast member as needed.
Rehearsals will begin May 13, and cast members will receive a full rehearsal calendar at the cast meeting. The rehearsal calendar will also be posted on a password protected page on our website.
When are rehearsals?
A full rehearsal calendar will be shared at the cast meeting, but rehearsals are typically Monday-Thursday, from 6:30-9:00pm, Saturdays, XXX and Sundays from 2-5pm. Rehearsals are usually later during tech week. Not all cast members will be called for every rehearsal, and you will receive regular updates about which cast members and scenes will be called at each rehearsal to plan your time.
Where and when will the shows be performed?
The show performances will be at Orange High School, 500 Orange High School Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Performances will be July 23-26. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows will be at 7pm; the Sunday show will be at 3pm and followed by mandatory strike for all cast members and parents. There will also be a cast party the evening of July 26th.
What if I have conflicts with rehearsal dates?
Conflicts are not allowed after July 12th, but any known conflicts should be listed on your audition form. If you have other conflicts arise, please contact the stage manager as soon as possible.