Producing theatre requires the talent and hard work of many dedicated people on stage and behind the scenes. We can't mount our shows without performers, stage managers, directors, lighting designers, choreographers, and more! Consider joining us at Big Noise Theatre! Opportunities for performers and production staff are listed below.
Auditions
ANNIEIn Person Auditions: June 21 & 22, 2025 (times and more information below). Video Submissions: Due by June 22, 2025 until 12pm. Callbacks: June 26, 2025; starting at 5pm by invitation only. Video submissioners must be available for in person callbacks.

Big Noise Theatre is excited to announce Non-Equity auditions for youth and adult performers for ANNIE. Book by Thomas Meehan. Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Martin Charnin. Based on Little Orphan Annie by permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc. The story that warms hearts with hope, humor, and UNBELIEVABLE charm! With her signature red hair and unstoppable optimism, little orphan Annie charms her way into the heart of a billionaire—and audiences everywhere. Bursting with iconic songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” this timeless musical reminds us all that brighter days are always just around the corner.
Directed and Co-Choreographed by Annie Snow Co-Choreographed by Abby Boegh Music Direction by Aaron Kaplan
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025; 9am-1pm. Youth Auditions: 9am-10:30am. Adult Auditions: 10:30am-1pm. Sunday, June 22, 2025; 1pm-5pm. Youth Auditions: 1pm-2:30pm. Adult Auditions: 2:30pm-5pm. Where: Des Plaines Community Center, 515 E Thacker St, Des Plaines, IL 60016 Pay: $100 Stipend
Callbacks: By invite only. Thursday, June 26, 2025, 5pm-10pm. Where: St Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1095 E Thacker St, Des Plaines, IL 60016
NOTE: While we highly recommend attending in-person, virtual submissions are accepted. Please use digital form for submissions or email to amandad@bignoise.org. Video submissions will be accepted until June 22, 12pm.
Character Breakdown: We urge actors of all races/ethnicities, body types, gender, age, and physical ability to audition.
Annie - A street-wise orphan; she is eventually taken in by Oliver Warbucks. Spunky, friendly, big-voiced.
- Gender: Female presenting
- Age: 10 to 12
Warbucks - A successful businessman with a warm heart. Rich, stiff-collared, bullish.
- Gender: Male presenting
- Age: 40 to 55
Grace Farrell - Faithful secretary to Mr. Oliver Warbucks. Poised, sweet, gentle.
- Gender: Female presenting
- Age: 20 to 35
Orphans - The other girls in the orphanage with Annie. These girls are gritty, neglected and vulnerable, yet basically honest and potentially loveable. Includes Molly, Kate, Tessie, Pepper, July, and Duffy.
- Gender: Female presenting
- Age: 6 to 13
Miss Hannigan - The orphanage matron who hates children but is fond of liquor. Very disillusioned, bitter, and cold.
- Gender: Female presenting
- Age: 35 to 45
Rooster - Miss Hannigan's no-good brother looking for a quick buck. A sleazy, slick con man.
- Gender: Male presenting
- Age: 25 to 35
Lily St. Regis - Rooster's girlfriend, who is also out for a quick buck. She is considered to be a floozy and bimbo.
- Gender: Female presenting
- Age: 20 to 30
Bert Healy - The ultimate radio personality. He helps Annie by broadcasting about the search for her birth parents.
- Gender: Male presenting
- Age: 30 to 45
Roosevelt - The 32nd President of the United States. A Democrat and friend of Warbucks.
- Gender: Male presenting
- Age: 40 to 60
Servants - The servants at the Warbucks mansion. Includes Drake, Mrs. Pugh, Mrs. Greer, Cecille, and Annette.
- Gender: Any
- Age: 20 to 50
Ensemble - Servants (Drake, Mrs. Greer, Mrs. Pugh), Boylan Sisters, Cabinet Members, Hooverville Citizens.
- Gender: Any
Time Commitment: Rehearsals start July 7 for Annie/Orphans (schedule will be determined by cast availability) and July 27 for Adult cast members. Rehearsals will generally be scheduled on Sundays from 5pm-10pm and Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6pm-10pm. All rehearsals will be held in St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Des Plaines. There is plenty of parking and it is walking distance from the Metra.
Tech Week will take place September 19-25. Rehearsal on September 22 may be modified or cancelled due to Rosh Hashanah.
Performances are at Prairie Lakes Theater September 26 through October 12, 2025 on: Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm Sundays at 2pm A Saturday 2pm performance may be added
Materials to Prepare: For in person auditions performers will be seen in individual 5-minute timeslots. All youth will have a dance call at initial auditions. Dance auditions for adults will be at callbacks ONLY.
Please prepare 32 bars or 1 minute of a musical theatre song in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music in a three-ring binder for the accompanist with cuts clearly marked.
Submission Info: Do not submit photo/resume via email for consideration; make an audition appointment and please fill out the digital form. No phone calls, please.
Big Noise Theatre is committed to diversity and equity and encourages all staff to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Big Noise Theatre encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Watch this space for opportunities to work with Big Noise Theatre on stage and off. We're always looking for talented individuals who enjoy collaborating on bringing top-notch entertainment to our stage.