Ragtime: The Musical
Character Breakdown
Character Breakdown
RAGTIME:
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing... and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together – that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair... and what it means to live in America.
SEEKING:
Coalhouse
A proud and talented pianist. A Black man who believes that he can take part in the new America and will be treated fairly.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: A4 - G2
Sarah
Washwoman. Sarah is a young Black woman, beautiful and filled with a strong will to live, fueled by an innocent spirit. Falls deeply in love with Coalhouse after much resistance.
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: F5 - G3
Mother
The consummate wife and mother. A kind woman with incredible moral fiber. Refined, intelligent, graceful and open minded.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: E5-G3
Father
Mother's professionally successful husband. Fancies himself an amateur explorer, he is commanding and attractive. Enjoys being the family breadwinner, a traditionalist.
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range: F5- A3
Younger Brother
Mother's younger brother. He is an erratic and passionate soul, a firework waiting to be lit. Influenced greatly by Goldman's teachings.
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range: F5-B3
Little Boy
Mother and Father's son. He is open-hearted and curious with inexplicable clairvoyance. Never passes judgement on others.
Age: 8 to 12
Vocal range: D5-E4
Grandfather
Mother's patrician father. He is a retired professor, and easily irritated by nearly everything.
Age: 50 to 65
Tateh
A Latvian immigrant. He wears the trials and tribulations of his past on his sleeve, but remains optimistic that he will be successful. Full of genuine drive and heart. He lives for his little daughter.
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range: F5-A3
Little Girl
Tateh's daughter. A vulnerable child in a brand-new home, she has lost her mother and is guarded and shy. She clings to her father.
Age: 7 to 10
Vocal range : D5-C4
Booker T. Washington
Brilliant Black social activist. He is an eloquent and articulate gentleman with no patience for Black Americans leading less than exemplary lives.
Age: 45 to 55
Vocal range: Eb4-D3
Emma Goldman
Social activist. Originally from Russia, she is a leader, a fearless advocate for the oppressed.
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range: D5-B3
Evelyn Nesbit
the beautiful vaudeville performer, famous for the murder of her high profile lover by her rich husband
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: D5-B3
Henry Ford
an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range: F5-D4
Harry Houdini
The famous magician, originally from Hungary. With notable physical ability, he stands as a symbol of the 'American Dream.'
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: G5-C4
J.P. Morgan
The rich, famous financier.
Age: 60 to 65
Sarah's Friend
A friend of Sarah's who attends her funeral
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: D5-D3
Willie Conklin
A racist volunteer fireman who destroys Coalhouse's car
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range: F5-D4
Ensemble
Baseball Fans; Coalhouse Supporters; Firemen; Immigrants To America; New Rochelle Citizens; Reporters; Vacationers.
Played by Black actors: Coalhouse's Lawyer, Harlem Citizens, Henson
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing... and anything is possible. Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, three distinctly American tales are woven together – that of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – united by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future. Together, they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair... and what it means to live in America.
SEEKING:
Coalhouse
A proud and talented pianist. A Black man who believes that he can take part in the new America and will be treated fairly.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: A4 - G2
Sarah
Washwoman. Sarah is a young Black woman, beautiful and filled with a strong will to live, fueled by an innocent spirit. Falls deeply in love with Coalhouse after much resistance.
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: F5 - G3
Mother
The consummate wife and mother. A kind woman with incredible moral fiber. Refined, intelligent, graceful and open minded.
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: E5-G3
Father
Mother's professionally successful husband. Fancies himself an amateur explorer, he is commanding and attractive. Enjoys being the family breadwinner, a traditionalist.
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range: F5- A3
Younger Brother
Mother's younger brother. He is an erratic and passionate soul, a firework waiting to be lit. Influenced greatly by Goldman's teachings.
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range: F5-B3
Little Boy
Mother and Father's son. He is open-hearted and curious with inexplicable clairvoyance. Never passes judgement on others.
Age: 8 to 12
Vocal range: D5-E4
Grandfather
Mother's patrician father. He is a retired professor, and easily irritated by nearly everything.
Age: 50 to 65
Tateh
A Latvian immigrant. He wears the trials and tribulations of his past on his sleeve, but remains optimistic that he will be successful. Full of genuine drive and heart. He lives for his little daughter.
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range: F5-A3
Little Girl
Tateh's daughter. A vulnerable child in a brand-new home, she has lost her mother and is guarded and shy. She clings to her father.
Age: 7 to 10
Vocal range : D5-C4
Booker T. Washington
Brilliant Black social activist. He is an eloquent and articulate gentleman with no patience for Black Americans leading less than exemplary lives.
Age: 45 to 55
Vocal range: Eb4-D3
Emma Goldman
Social activist. Originally from Russia, she is a leader, a fearless advocate for the oppressed.
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range: D5-B3
Evelyn Nesbit
the beautiful vaudeville performer, famous for the murder of her high profile lover by her rich husband
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: D5-B3
Henry Ford
an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range: F5-D4
Harry Houdini
The famous magician, originally from Hungary. With notable physical ability, he stands as a symbol of the 'American Dream.'
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range: G5-C4
J.P. Morgan
The rich, famous financier.
Age: 60 to 65
Sarah's Friend
A friend of Sarah's who attends her funeral
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: D5-D3
Willie Conklin
A racist volunteer fireman who destroys Coalhouse's car
Age: 25 to 40
Vocal range: F5-D4
Ensemble
Baseball Fans; Coalhouse Supporters; Firemen; Immigrants To America; New Rochelle Citizens; Reporters; Vacationers.
Played by Black actors: Coalhouse's Lawyer, Harlem Citizens, Henson
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS:
We are always looking for talent! If you are interested in being considered for upcoming projects and were unable to attend one of our open casting calls, please feel free to submit a video audition to: [email protected]
Please include a YouTube link in your email.
We are always looking for talent! If you are interested in being considered for upcoming projects and were unable to attend one of our open casting calls, please feel free to submit a video audition to: [email protected]
Please include a YouTube link in your email.
