AUDITIONS

Note: RVCO is a non-union, non-paying community theater organization. We encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to audition.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Stage Director: Chris Fitting

Musical Director: Florrie Marks

When: Thursday October 2 at 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Sunday October 5 at 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. If needed, callbacks are Thursday October 9, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Where: Roosevelt Community Center, 464 S. Old Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063

Sign Up: https://tinyurl.com/bdyynrd3 or email auditions@rvco.org for an audition time. Please provide your name and phone number.

Rehearsal dates and times tentatively set to start early January 2025 on Sundays 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. at the Roosevelt Community Center, 464 S. Old Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063.

Tech week dates and times:

    Sitzprobe: Saturday April 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Tech: Sunday April 12, 1:00 - 10:00 p.m.
    Tech run-throughs: Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday April 13-15, 2026, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Show dates and times: (Currently date are tentative)

    April 18, 19, 25, & 26 at 2:00 p.m.
    April 18, 22, & 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Performance Site: Strath Haven Middle School, 200 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086

Audition Information

  • To receive the audition material, email auditions@rvco.org.  Use "Request for audition material" as the subject.  
  • To audition for a role, you must sing and read the selections provided — readers and a pianist are provided to read with you and play for you. 
  • If time allows, you may audition for up to two roles. 
  • Email your audition form to auditions@rvco.org and bring a copy to your audition.
  • The day of your audition, if you cannot make your scheduled time or need to cancel, please call 484 981-9108. 
    • Additional Information
  • If you are cast in a minor role, you will also be part of the ensemble and perform in ensemble numbers wherever possible. 
  • A chorus call will be sent late Autumn for those who wish to join the ensemble. 
  • Cast members are required to pay a $25 membership fee. 

    • Character Descriptions

    Character/Description/Voice Range
    Audition Music & Readings
    If you are auditioning for J. Pierrepont Finch or Bud Frump, sing one of the following:
    • I Believe in You : pick-up to C through 7 measures after E (or 2 measures before F)
    • Brotherhood of Man : 2 measures before C to G
    If you are auditioning for J. B. Biggley, Bratt, Mr. Twimble, or Wally Womper, sing one of the following:
    • Grand Old Ivy : measure 9 to 1 measure before E
    • Brotherhood of Man : 2 measures before C to G
    If you are auditioning for Rosemary, Smitty, or Hedy, sing one of the following:
    • Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm : pick-up to E to the end
    • Paris Original : E to 5 measures after I
    If you are auditioning for Miss Jones sing:
      Brotherhood of Man: Q to S
    If you are auditioning for Twimble/Womper or Gatch you will be doing the readings for J. B. Bigley.

    J. Pierrepont Finch   Our story's protagonist. An irrepressible, clear-eyed, almost puckish hero, he is a window washer who applies for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company and attempts to climb the 'ladder of success.'

    - Gender: Male Age: 18 to 25

    - Vocal range: C3 to top: G4

    Gatch   A sleazy executive with a penchant for the ladies.

    - Gender: Male Age: 40 to 60

    Smitty   A secretary with a painfully dry sense of humor. She is a cynical, working woman who is on the lookout for a man.

    - Gender: Female Age: 30 to 40

    Mr. Twimble   He is a fussy, old-fashioned, yet loyal employee at the company. Supervisor of the mailroom, he believes his success is due to his lack of ambition and ability to remain unnoticed.

    - Gender: Male Age: 60 to 75

    - Vocal range: C#3 to E4

    J.B. Biggley   The stuffed-shirt, philandering President of World Wide Wicket. Beneath his ruthless exterior, he is a college lad at heart with a passion for knitting.

    - Gender: Male Age: 50 to 65

    - Vocal range: C3 to A4

    Bud Frump   Biggely's nephew and scheming employee. He is an arrogant sycophant who tries to advance his career by exploiting his family connections.

    - Gender: Male Age: 18 to 21

    - Vocal range: C3 to F4

    Wally Womper   The company's Chief Executive Officer and a former window-washer.

    - Gender: Male Age: 55 to 70

    - Vocal range: D3 to E4

    Rosemary   A secretary at the company who is more interested in finding a man than advancing her career. She becomes Finch's love interest.

    - Gender: Female Age: 20 to 30

    Vocal range: A3 to B4

    Miss Jones   J.B.'s stuffy secretary who is abrupt and tough, but soft and kind to those who are good to her.

    - Gender: Female Age: 55 to 65

    - Vocal range: B♭3 to G♭5

    Hedy   A voluptuous, sexually-charged woman adored by all of the men. She may appear dim-witted, but she knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants.

    Gender: Female Age: 25 to 35

    Vocal range: C4 to E♭5

    Show Synopsis

    The Tony Award-winning musical, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a handbook called 'How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying' to climb the corporate ladder from window washer to high-powered executive, tackling familiar but potent dangers such as the aggressively compliant "company man", the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and of course, true love.

    The standout score by Frank Loesser features such classics as the surreal and funny "Coffee Break", the rousing "Brotherhood of Man", and the melodious tongue-in-cheek ballad "I Believe In You", while the book by Burrows, Weinstock, and Gilbert, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1962.