Auditions: Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen

Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Steven Levenson

Director and Choreographer: Ann Bergeron

Music Director: Kyle Picha

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GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION

Auditions will be held in person at the NorShor Theatre Rehearsal Studios located at 211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802. Please enter through the “Lights on Duluth” door located next to the Box Office. Duluth Playhouse is committed to inclusive, color-conscious casting. Actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are highly encouraged to audition. 

AUDITION DETAILS  

• Auditions will be held October 24th
  
  • Auditions begin at 12 pm - Actors must click HERE to sign up for a 5 minute audition time slot. This timeframe will be expanded if all available slots fill up. 
  • Actors must fill out the audition form HERE.
  • Please prepare 32 bars of a contemporary Musical Theatre selection.
    
    • Accompanist Provided
    • Bring your book, you may be asked to sing a second song
  • Please also prepare a 30 - 60 second contemporary monologue. A simple, honest communication with another person. 
  • We will be casting performers that can represent ages 15 and above

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

• Headshot: or an up-to-date picture of yourself
• Resume: listing recent performance credits

VIDEO SUBMISSION 

• If you cannot attend auditions, please send in a video submission to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org no later than Sunday, October 18th. 
• Video submissions must include: 
  
  • Please prepare two 32 bar cuts of contemporary Musical Theatre in the style of the show. (Feel free to sing material from the show)
  • Please also prepare a 30 - 60 second contemporary monologue. A simple, honest communication with another person. 
  • Dance Reel: Submit a dance or movement reel 
  • Headshot and Resume: Please email a resume and picture of yourself. 
  • Audition Form: Please fill out the audition form HERE.

• Some examples of how to share video submissions: 
  
  • Upload your video to Google Drive or Dropbox. Create a shareable link, copy and paste it to your email message. 
  • Create a YouTube video with a viewable link 
  • There are other ways to also share videos, these are just some examples 

CALLBACK DETAILS  

• Callbacks will be held on Sunday, October 25th at 12 pm. Actors who are called back will receive an email sometime after auditions on October 24th.
  
  • Callbacks will consist of reading sides from the script, singing from the show and a dance call for some tracks. 

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ABOUT DEAR EVAN HANSEN

Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply moving, contemporary musical about connection, isolation, and the universal desire to be seen. When a misunderstood letter falls into the wrong hands, Evan Hansen finds himself at the center of a story he never meant to tell—one that spirals into something far bigger than he imagined. Featuring a powerful, Tony Award-winning score including “Waving Through a Window” and “You Will Be Found,” this emotional and thought-provoking musical explores the complexities of mental health, social media, and what it means to belong. Both intimate and expansive, Dear Evan Hansen resonates long after the final note.

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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

CHARACTERS:

Evan Hansen – A high school senior with severe social anxiety who struggles to connect with others. His therapist has him write letters to himself about why each day will be good, one of which accidentally falls into the hands of Connor Murphy. After Connor's death, Evan becomes entangled in a lie that allows him to find the sense of purpose and belonging he has always longed for. 

Heidi Hansen – Evan's hardworking, single mother who works as a nurse's aide and attends night school. She loves her son fiercely but struggles to connect with him due to their busy lives and his anxiety. 

Zoe Murphy – Connor's younger sister and Evan's longtime crush. She had a strained relationship with her brother but turns to Evan for comfort after his death, wanting to know more about the brother she wishes she could have known better. 

Connor Murphy – A high school senior and fellow social outcast with a troubled reputation for aggression and drug use. His suicide sets the musical's plot in motion. An imaginary version of Connor, created by Evan's fabrications, appears to Evan throughout the show. 

Larry Murphy - Connor and Zoe's busy, emotionally distant father. He works hard to provide for his family but finds it difficult to connect with his own children. He sees Evan as the son he never had after Connor's death. 

Cynthia Murphy – Connor and Zoe's stay-at-home mother, who desperately tries to keep her fragile family from falling apart. She clings to the memory of Connor, which strains her relationship with her husband and daughter. 

Jared Kleinman – A high school classmate who is a sarcastic and insensitive "family friend" of Evan's. He helps Evan fabricate emails from Connor, but their relationship becomes strained as Evan's entanglement with the Murphys grows. 

Alana Beck – A high school classmate who, like Evan, feels isolated despite her overachieving nature. She is constantly seeking academic and extracurricular opportunities to improve her college chances. She helps Evan organize "The Connor Project". 

Ensemble: The adult ensemble will play a major role in bringing this show to life. We are seeking a diverse group to fill various roles

All actors will be considered for all roles, regardless of gender identity/expression, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, ability, etc.

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REHEARSAL INFORMATION

Rehearsal Dates & Times:

February 1, 2026 - February 26 , 2026

Rehearsals are currently scheduled

Mon-Fri from 6 pm– 10 pm. 

Final schedule and times may vary.

Tech Rehearsals:
March 1 - March 12, 2026

Tech Rehearsals are currently scheduled

Mon-Fri from 5:30 pm–11:00 pm with Cue to Cue tech rehearsal on March 6. 

Final schedule and times may vary.

Where: 

NorShor Theatre and Rehearsal Studios

211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802

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PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES

March 10 at 7:30 p.m. Community Preview

March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsor Night

March 12 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night

March 13 at 2 p.m.

March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

March 14 at 2 p.m.

March 17 at 7:30 p.m. (Potential additional performance)

March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

March 20 at 2 p.m.

March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

March 21 at 2 p.m.

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Questions?

Additional questions should be directed to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org