MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET External Understudies

Walnut Street Theatre is currently seeking local non-union actors & actor/musicians for External Understudies for ALL roles in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET this fall to open our 2025-2026 Season. Fran Prisco is directing. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on September 9 with performances running from September 30 – November 2.

SEEKING:

ELVIS PRESLEY U/S– 20s; male; Singer/guitar player. Elvis in his 20s at the beginning of his career toward becoming the undisputed "King of Rock 'n' Roll". Must be familiar with his music and be able to play guitar.

DYANNE U/S – 20s; female. Elvis’ sexy and smart girlfriend. A great rock belt and great singer with a wide range. She was an aspiring singer.

JERRY LEE LEWIS U/S – 20s; male; singer/pianist; he was rock & roll’s legendary piano prodigy and celebrated “Last Man Standing.” A superb piano player, able to play like Jerry Lee Lewis; fun, energetic; comic skills a plus.

CARL PERKINS U/S – mid 20s; male; singer/guitar player (lead guitar); he was the American pioneer of rockabilly music and best known for his song “Blue Suede Shoes”; An excellent lead guitarist.

JOHNNY CASH U/S– late 20s; male; singer/guitar player. Johnny cash at the dawn of his epic career. Must be familiar with his music and be able to play guitar; tall.

SAM PHILLIPS U/S– Late 30’s+; male. “Father of Rock’n’Roll” and founder of Sun Records who discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and many others including Roy Orbison and B.B. King; a towering and charismatic figure in American music. *DOES NOT need to be a singer*

BROTHER JAY U/S – mid 20s; male- Upright Bass player, brother of Carl Perkins. Strong musician that plays the bass for the show.

FLUKE U/S – mid 20s; male –Rock drummer. Strong musician that plays the drum set for the show.

Artists who are unfamiliar with Non-Union Understudies from within the Walnut Street Theatre School’s education performance program, details are provided below.

UNDERSTUDIES:

• Are “On Call” for a specific role in the cast and must be in town for the duration of the run of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET – Sept 9 – Nov 2
• Learn/observe as much of the rehearsal process as you’d like on your own.
• Attend Final Dress Rehearsal– September 28
• 6 required understudy rehearsals during the show’s run –10/2, 10/3, 10/7, 10/9, 10/14, & 10/17- usually 12:30-5:30
• Receive an expense stipend of $280 to cover any expenses in participating (parking for a day, etc.)
  • Additional Rate: $70 per show if you are called on to perform as an understudy.
  • Scholarship for a free class at the Walnut Street Theatre School.

For consideration, please email a headshot, a current resume, and any musician video clips (if appropriate) to [email protected]

(Subject Line : MDQ Understudies-Last Name)

Auditions will occur by invitation only in July.

Walnut Street Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. As such, we encourage performers of al ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.