Written by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Dario
Audition Dates
• Monday, December 1, 2025 and Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (You only need to attend one of these sessions)
• Sign in begins at 6:30 pm. Auditions begin at 7:00 pm
• Callbacks will be by invite only and will be held on Thursday, December 4th at 7:00 pm
Audition Location
• SLOC Musical Theater, Education Building
• 418 Liberty St., Schenectady, NY 12305
• Auditions are NOT in the main theater building. If you're not familiar with our campus, be sure to use the address above in your GPS and don't just enter "SLOC"
• Free parking is available in the city-owned lot across the street.
Production Staff
• Director: Amy Sarah LaMena
• Music Director: Maria Elmer
• Choreographer: Betsy Foust
• Producers: John Meglino & Debbie Paniccia
• Stage Manager: Amanda Trombly
Performance Dates
• March 13-15 & 19-22, 2025
• Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm
• SLOC Mainstage, 427 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
What to Expect at Auditions
• Please prepare 16 to 32 bars of music from a Broadway show - ideally in a style similar to the show. Singing from the show is welcome, but not required.
• An accompanist will be provided – please bring your own sheet music.
• Readings from the script will be provided.
• Prepare for a dance audition by wearing or bringing comfortable clothing, appropriate shoes, and a water bottle.
• Please bring a list of all rehearsal conflicts.
Rehearsal Dates
• Rehearsals will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings (7-10 pm), and on Sunday afternoons (1-4 pm). This is subject to change based on cast/crew availability.
• There will be a full cast read through on Monday, December 8, 2025. We will distribute scripts, meet the cast and crew, sign organizational paperwork, and then begin a table read of the script.
• Some rehearsals will occur in December with a break for the Holidays. Regular rehearsals will begin on January 2, 2026.
Rehearsal Attendance
The following rehearsal dates are mandatory for all cast and crew:
• Photo Shoot Day (TBD)
• Theater Clean-Up Day (Friday, March 6, 2026)
• Tech Week (Sunday, March 8 – Thursday, March 12, 2026)
• All Performances
• Strike (Sunday, March 22, 2026, immediately following the final performance)
About the Show
Man of La Mancha, based on Cervantes’ epic 17th-century novel, Don Quixote, is a remarkable, poignant, moving musical that was one of the first shows to musicalize a piece of historical literature. Set in the context of the Spanish Inquisition, Man of La Mancha is presented as a play-within-a-play. We encounter historical author Miguel de Cervantes in prison, awaiting trial by the Inquisition. When his fellow prisoners try to take Cervantes’ belongings from him, including his manuscript, Cervantes proposes a trial in which he proves the merit of the manuscript through a reenactment, enlisting his fellow prisoners as characters in his play. Together, they tell the story of the aged Alonso Quijana who believes himself to be a knight errant, names himself Don Quixote, and pursues an obsessive quest to attain an impossible dream. Against all odds, Quixote and his trusty squire Sancho Panza take to the road in a quest to chivalry and seek out the good and innocent in a world filled with darkness and despair. Through the story, all the prisoners – at least for a moment – are transformed. The mad Don Quixote may think a windmill to be a giant and a tavern to be a castle, but along the way he also transforms a wretched woman into a beautiful lady – and proves that an old man’s belief can truly make him a knight.
At SLOC Musical Theater, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment that truly reflects the vibrant Schenectady community. We actively encourage actors from all backgrounds, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and individuals of all gender identities, to audition for every role. Your unique voice and perspective enrich our productions, and we invite you to be a part of our theater family. Join us in building a theater where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued!
Roles
All roles are open to performers of any age (18+), race, ethnicity, or gender identity.
• Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote / Alonso Quijana: (Baritone). Cervantes is an actor, playwright, and tax collector. Quijana is an aging gentleman who believes himself to be Don Quixote. Quixote is a would-be knight errant, a romantic, and a madman.
• Cervantes’ Man Servant / Sancho Panza: (Tenor) Quixote’s loyal squire and sidekick. Funny, pragmatic. “A little bag stuffed with proverbs.”
• Aldonza / Dulcinea: (Soprano / Belt) A servant and part-time prostitute. Jaded, defiant, a survivor. Her rough exterior masks a gentle heart. Quixote imagines her to be his lady, Dulcinea.
• Padre: (Tenor) A kindly cleric. Thoughtful, sympathetic to Don Quixote, but conflicted.
• Innkeeper / The Governor: (Bass) The Innkeeper is kind and sympathetic to Don Quixote until his inn is threatened. Married to María. The Governor is the imposing leader of the inmates.
• Dr. Sanson Carrasco / The Duke / The Knight of the Mirrors: (Baritone) Dr. Carrasco is haughty, controlling, and engaged to Don Quixote’s niece, Antonia. The Duke is a disillusioned prisoner who dislikes Cervantes and his stories.
• María: (Mezzo) No-nonsense, exasperated, and pessimistic. Married to the Innkeeper.
• Antonia: (Soprano) Sweet but self-centered. Niece to Alonso Quijana and engaged to Dr. Carrasco.
• Fermina: A servant girl.
• Housekeeper: (Mezzo) Strong, religious, holds tightly to her convictions. Works as a housekeeper for Alonso Quijana. Possible double with the Barber.
• Pedro: (Baritone) The leader of the muleteers. Rough and ruthless. Guitar skills are a plus.
• Anselmo: (Tenor) A rough and sturdy muleteer. Beautiful voice. Guitar skills are a plus.
• Tenorio / Captain of the Inquisition: As Tenorio, another muleteer. As the Captain, a cruel and imposing leader of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
• Paco / Monk: As Paco, a rough and sturdy muleteer, but perhaps the youngest of the group. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
• Juan / Barber / Monk: (Tenor) As Juan, a rough and sturdy muleteer. As Barber, a traveling barber. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
• José: Featured role
• Guitar Player: Featured role
• Ensemble: Prisoners, muleteers, soldiers, and other inhabitants of the inn, who also play characters in Don Quixote's story within the play. The ensemble actors double as various townspeople and travelers, contributing to the overall bustling atmosphere and narrative of the play.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email either the Director or the Producers.
• Director Amy Sarah LaMena:
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• Producer John Meglino:
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• Producer Debbie Paniccia:
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Man of La Mancha is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
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