Key dates
- Callbacks
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Rehearsals start
- Monday, April 13, 2026
- Show opens
- Friday, June 12, 2026
- Show closes
- Sunday, June 28, 2026
About
Auditions for State Fair at The Keeton Theatre. Set against the colorful backdrop of an American heartland tradition in 1945, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons, while their young adult children Margy and Wayne find romance and heartbreak on the midway. Set to the magical strains of an Academy Award-winning score and augmented by other titles from the Rodgers & Hammerstein songbook, State Fair is the kind of warm-hearted family entertainment only Rodgers & Hammerstein could deliver! This is a volunteer opportunity. We encourage diverse casting and welcome all ethnicities. We need a multi-generational cast. All roles are available.
Roles available
Margy Frake
The Frake's daughter and Wayne's younger sister. Daydreamer, naïve and sweet. Dance ability. (Note: Due to the character of Pat being an adult, we will be keeping the character of Margy 18 or older.)
Wayne Frake
The Frake's son and Margy's older brother. Romantic, kind and stubborn. Moves well.
Emily Arden
A touring jazz singer who performs at the fair. Wayne appeals to her softer side, but there's a secret she's keeping. Dancer.
Pat Gilbert
A newspaper reporter with ambition, but Margy's small town sweetness manages to steal his heart. Dancer.
Abel Frake
A farmer, dad and good husband. He's folksy and competitive. Mover.
Melissa Frake
A kind, modest woman, but she has a competitive side. A loving wife to Abel and mother of Wayne and Margy. Mover.
Gus
The Frake's hired man
Dave Miller
The local storekeeper
Eleanor
Wayne's girlfriend
Harry
Margy's boyfriend
The Fair Announcer
The Hoopla Barker
The Astounding Stralenko
Vivian
A cooch dancer
Jeanne
A cooch dancer
Charlie
A newspaper photographer
Lem
A farmer
Clay
A farmer
Hank Munson
A farmer
The Chief of Police
Violet
The Chief of Police's 11 year old daughter
The Fairtones
Jazz singers, dancing required
Judge Heppenstahl
Mrs. Edwin Metcalf of Pottsville
Roustabouts
Ensemble
The singing-dancing ensemble consisting of Barkers, Vendors, Judges, and Fairgoers. Supporting roles will come from the ensemble.
How to audition
- Format:
- in-person
- Materials needed
- 32 measures of a song in the style of the show (tracks or sheet music, no a cappella)
- Instructions
- Please sign up for the night you want to audition here. Prepare 32 measures of a song in the style of the show (tracks or sheet music, no a cappella). Everyone will learn a short dance combination, and those who tap will do a short tap combo. Cold readings from the script will be provided.
- Contact:
- dylnak@gmail.com