AUDITIONS
Audition Information
HONK!
Honk! is a musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story, The Ugly Duckling, book and lyrics are by Anthony Drewe and music is by George Stiles.
All Roles Open, Non-Union, Non-Paid
Thespians Ages 6 – 18
Audition Dates & Times:
- Saturday, April 26 (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
- Sunday, April 27 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
- Monday, April 28 (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
In-Person Auditions: Please prepare/bring:
- A recent picture or headshot
- Theater resume or show history
- ALL KNOWN conflicts (Conflicts for Tech Week or show dates will not be accepted)
Be prepared to:
- Sing about 30 seconds of a song in the style of the show
- Learn and perform a short prepared dance
- Read sides from the play
Online Auditions:
- Complete online audition form
- Provide current photo and show history
- List ALL KNOWN conflicts
Send recordings of:
- You singing about 30 seconds of a song in the style of the show
- You performing the audition dance
- You reading the 2 sides provided
Audition Forms & Rehearsal Details
- Click here to fill out the Online Audition Form.
- Or you can download the printed Artistic Synergy of Baltimore Audition Form
Rehearsals:
Beginning Monday, May 12th or Tuesday, May 13th
Held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday evenings, and/or Saturday mornings – not called unless needed – 6pm – 8pm. Rehearsals may run longer closer to the show.
Tech Week*:
One cast option – August 2nd – 7th
Two cast option – July 25th – August 7th
Exact timing subject to finalized cast availability.

DIRECTOR: Melissa Broy Fortson
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Sterling Gray
STAGE MANAGER: Brooke Jacobs
CHOREOGRAPHER: Madison Wise
Show Dates & Times:
- August 8 @ 8:00pm
- August 9 @ 8:00pm
- August 10 @ 3:00pm
- August 15 @ 8:00pm
- August 16 @ 8:00pm
- August 17 @ 3:00pm
(Possible extension through the 24th, depending on auditions and cast size)
Location:
Artistic Synergy of Baltimore @Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
8212 Philadelphia Road (Basement) Rosedale, MD 21237
Auditioners should park in the back parking lot. Look for signage to the audition sign-in table.
Synopsis
HONK! is a musical comedy version of the classic story – but much more fun, creative, and smart than any re-telling you’ve ever heard. HONK! focuses around the story of Ugly, a chick who just doesn’t look like his brothers and sisters. While Ugly’s loving mother Ida warms up to him and embraces him for his differences, the other farmyard fowl ridicule him, leaving him driven into the arms of the Cat, who hopes to enjoy Ugly as a lunchtime snack. As Ugly runs from the cat, he loses his home. As Ugly searches for his home, he encounters some incredibly fun characters – a pompous military goose, a domesticated hen and her feline companion, a cheery bullfrog, and a young swan – who all teach him different lessons which begin to help Ugly see who he is on the inside, and why what his outward appearance is doesn’t matter.
In an age where everybody wants to be a “star,” HONK! is a fun, bright, whimsical musical that helps us remember that who we are on the inside is so much more important than what color our feathers are. The show explores self-acceptance, personal growth, and tolerance in a way that is truly enjoyable for all ages. The book is smart and witty, and the songs are high-energy and beautiful. The show teaches us to “Hold Your Head Up High,” because ultimately, “Someone’s Gonna Love Ya, Warts and All!”
CHARACTERS LIST
All Roles Open, Non-Union, Non-Paid
Thespians should be ages 6-18
Leads:
Ugly – Male Presenting – Lead – Tenor – the main character, innocent, easily confused and very impressionable. He is the heart and soul of the show.
Cat – Any Gender – Lead – Baritone – The sly, cunning villain of the show, manipulative, cunning, witty and above all, HUNGRY, should bring a sense of fun to the character and have a good sense of comic timing.
Ida – Female Presenting – Lead – Alto – Ugly’s mom, extremely protective of her son and committed to his safety, sweet but feisty, and knows how to handle her husband, Drake.
Drake – Male Presenting – Supporting – Baritone – Ugly’s father, detests Ugly, good comic timing.
Bullfrog – Any Gender – Supporting – Baritone – laidback, self-confident, Optimistic and funny, he/she is a stand-up comedian type of character well suited to someone with good improvisational sills and comic timing
Ensemble:
Greylag – Male Presenting – Supporting – Baritone
Maureen – Female Presenting – Supporting – Alto
Lowbutt – Female Presenting – Supporting – Mezzo-Soprano
Dot – Female Presenting – Supporting – Mezzo-Soprano
Penny – Female Presenting – Supporting – Mezzo-Soprano – ballet/ballroom dancer
Queenie – Female Presenting – Supporting – Mezzo-Soprano
Turkey – Male Presenting – Supporting – Baritone
Grace – Female Presenting – Featured – Mezzo-Soprano
Mother Swan – Female Presenting – Featured – Mezzo-Soprano
Jay Bird or Maggie Pie – Any Gender – Featured – Non-singer
Father Swan – Male Presenting – Featured – Baritone
Henrietta – Female Presenting – Featured – Mezzo-Soprano
Ducklings – Either Gender – Ensemble
Geese – Any Gender – Ensemble – Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Baritone, Tenor, Bass
Ensemble – Any Gender – Ensemble – Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Bass, Baritone, Tenor
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Please Note (Intimacy & Caution Warning):
Some stage kissing and light physical touch, always fully-clothed, may be requested between characters in couples. Please indicate if you are unable to accept such a role, keeping in mind all information in the posting pertaining to the casting of these characters.
Some well-timed dodging-of-thrown-objects and other physical comedy moments may be requested of certain characters. Please indicate if you are unable to accept such an “active” role.
Artistic Synergy of Baltimore is a consent-based and trauma-informed organization and all ensemble members will be led through intimacy- and consent-based practices to choreograph and block all movements of the show. If you have questions regarding details or want more information about these practices, please email us at ArtisticSynergyBaltimore@gmail.com.