Audition Notice
CHESS THE MUSICAL: IN CONCERT

All auditions will take place in 5-minute slots. You will be asked to perform 1 song from a musical (preferably in the style of the show), note you may not be asked to sing the entire piece but come prepared. The song should demonstrate your vocal range and abilities as an actor.

You can use a pre-recorded instrumental track or sing it acapella (no tracks with lead vocals). No speaker is available, so please bring your own and have it connected before entering the room.

You might be asked to do a cold read from a part of the script that will be given to you in the room.

Feel free to bring your acting CV and Headshot with you (not required).

Callbacks

Sunday October 5, 2025 from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm (mandatory dance call from 10:30 am – 11:30 am).

Character Information 

*Note: Be prepared that most leads will also be asked to sing in various chorus numbers.

**We do not discriminate casting based on age, gender, race, age, etc. Descriptions listed below are how they present on-stage but not how the actor identifies off the stage.

FLORENCE VASSY: (Mezzo-Soprano – Belter to F) Our protagonist. Taken from Hungary when Russia invaded in retaliation to the nationwide revolution in 1956. Freddie’s lover and falls for Anatoly. Strong and Vulnerable. (Playing age 25 – 40). Requires hugging and kissing 2 digerent actors on-stage.

FREDERICK (FREDDIE) TRUMPER: (Rock tenor low Bb to High C) American Grandmaster and World Champion (At the beginning). A rock star of the chess world. Antagonistic, egotistic, 80s playboy. He has a hard exterior to cover the damage inside. His one moment of vulnerability is ‘Pity the Child’. (Playing age 25-40) Requires hugging and kissing on-stage.

ANATOLY SERGIEVSKY: (Baritone to B4) Russian Grandmaster and World Champion by the end. The showpiece of the Soviet dream. Hard working, committed, oppressed, suppressed and controlled by the soviet government. Wins and defects to the east to release the grip of Soviet Control. Falls in love with Florence even though he’s married. (25-40) Requires hugging and kissing on-stage.

WALTER DE COURCEY: (Lyrical Baritone – Low G# to High G). head of the American delegation; links to the CIA, television producer. (playing age 25 – 60)

ALEXANDER MOLOKOV (Bass/Baritone – Low F2 to High G) Head of the Russian delegation and a KGB career man. Drives forward a lot of political angles and non-chess-based strategies. (playing age 25-60)

ARBITER: (Baritone-Tenor, will change song key for female presenting performer) President of the chess world federation. Smooth with a quick temper. Sassy and forthright. Strong commanding stage presence (Playing age mid-20’s – 50’s, good mover, M/F).

SVETLANA SERGIEVSKAYA: (Mezzo – Belt to F) Pinup of the Soviet Machine. She is the female face that all Soviet women aspire to be. Married to a successful man, popular children, when the reality of the situation is that she is a device used by the government. She will be given the solo “Someone Else’s Story” in Act two. WILL BE DOUBLED IN THE ENSEMBLE IN ACT 1 (Playing age 25-40)

ENSEMBLE (Miscellaneous vocal ranges and voice types) – 8

The ensemble plays a crucial role in the story andsuccess of the show and will be heavily depended upon to bring strong characters and voices to the stage. Everyone will have microphones and equal stage time.

All ensemble members appear in the following ensemble groups: American and Russian delegations, Merchandisers, Civil Servants, Cronies, Bangkok Residents, Merano Residents, Reporters, and not to mention chess pieces (just kidding…or am I?).

All chorus appear in the following songs: “the Story of Chess”, “Merano”, “Diplomats”, “Merchandisers”, “The Arbiter”, “Nobody’s Side”, “Der Kleine Franz”, “Embassy Lament”, “Anatoly and the Press”, “One Night in Bangkok”, “The Soviet Machine”, “Endgame”, “Hymn to Chess”, “1956 Budapest is Rising” , “Anthem (reprise)”

Spoken chorus characters include – Viigand, TV Presenter, solo reporters (1 thru 7), Russian, Compute voice, Mayor, and Civil servant 1 and 2. Most chorus numbers also include solo lines that will be evenly distributed throughout the ensemble.