Show: 1776
Theater: Theater To Go and Kelsey Theatre at Mercer
Theater Website: https://kelsey.mccc.edu/auditions.shtml
Theater Phone: (609) 570-3333
Start date of auditions: 06/28/2026
1776
Music and Lyrics by SHERMAN EDWARDS
Book by PETER STONE
PRESENTED BY THEATER TO GO
DIRECTOR RUTH MARKOE
MUSICAL DIRECTOR SUE DEN OUTER
Theater To Go and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities and abilities.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence… if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.
AUDITION DATES & TIMES:
Sunday June 28 (1-5-pm)
Monday June 29 (6:30-10 pm)
Callbacks by invitation if needed. Wednesday July 1, 7-10pm
SIGN UP LINK
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Performances at Kelsey Theatre
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 8pm
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 2pm
Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, November 8 & 15, 2026 at 2pm
Possible Daytime Performance Thursday, November 12 at 10am
Location:
Auditions will be held on the Mercer County Community College West Windsor Campus. Check the Kelsey Theatre signboard for a room location on the day of your audition.
MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor NJ 08550
PREPARE: Please prepare the following:
2-minute monologue
Please prepare to sing 32 measures of a Broadway song in the style of the show.Bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided.
Photo
Resume
All current conflict dates.
PHOTO, RESUME, AND ATTACHED AUDITION FORM MAY BE EMAILED IN ADVANCE TO info@TheaterToGo.com
REHEARSALS:
REHEARSALS WILL BEGIN IN LATE AUGUST. Rehearsal times will be determined by cast conflicts, however, expect one weekend day (usually Sunday) and 2 weekday evenings (TBD)
CHARACTERS:
Below is a break-down of characters appearing in 1776. The number listed in parentheses next to the character’s name is the approximate age of the character.
Auditions are open to all races/ethnicities, genders/gender identities, disabilities, and sexual orientations who or 18 years and older. The genders in the er descriptions refer to the gender of the character, not necessarily the actor, however actors will be portraying the gender of the character in appropriate costumes.
All roles are Non-Equity, unpaid.
JOHN ADAMS: (Male, 35-50). LEAD. Delegate from Massachusetts. John is a dutiful husband. Opinionated, passionate, and a bit boisterous, he wears his age with pride. Starving for independence from England. Vocal range: F#4 – C3
JOHN DICKINSON: (Male, 35-55) LEAD. A delegate from Pennsylvania. Staunchly against independence for America. He is highly intelligent, passionate and articulate. A steely man with no interest in compromise. Vocal range top: E4- A2
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: . (Male, Late 50s +) LEAD. Delegate from Pennsylvania. Franklin is intelligent, well-traveled, and pleasantly cunning. A jolly and admirable fellow with whom one would desire to have a friendship. Vocal range top: Eb4-Ab2
THOMAS JEFFERSON: (Male, 30’s-Mid 40’s) LEAD. From Virginia. A skilled writer. Quiet and intellectual, but steadfast. Reluctant author of the Declaration. Jefferson is mild-mannered and sweet. Along with being a well read man, he is very much in love with his wife. Vocal range top: G4-C3
ABIGAIL ADAMS (Female, 30’s-40’s): John’s wife. Passionate, capable, funny & smart. Loving wife to John Adams. Intelligent, quick-witted, and talented with a pen, Abigail is a radiant and shapely beauty. Every bit as bright as her husband. Vocal range top: F5- Db4
REV. JONATHAN WITHERSPOON (Male, 40s): From New Jersey. Argues for the inclusion of Supreme Being in the declaration.
MARTHA JEFFERSON (Female, 20’s-30’s): Beautiful, charming and a bit quirky. Thomas Jefferson’s very-much-in-love wife. Her looks are striking, her dancing delightful, and her humor appealing. She doesn’t shy away from a good time. Joy radiates from her. Vocal range top: D5-Bb3
CAESAR RODNEY (Male, 40’s up): From Delaware. Steadfast, but ailing from skin cancer.
RICHARD HENRY LEE: (Male, 30s-40s) From Virginia. A bombastic, confident, larger than life man. Makes the argument for independence to the Congress. His flamboyancy is intoxicating and borderline infuriating. Vocal range top: G4- C3
COL. THOMAS MCKEAN: (Male, 40s-50s) Delegate from Delaware. McKean is florid and likable with a charming, yet commanding, Scottish Brogue. Vocal range top: Eb4-C3
COURIER: (Male, 16-21) A message runner in the throes of battle. Has seen more than someone his age should. The message runner between General Washington’s army and the Continental Congress. He has witnessed the hardships of war firsthand, although his innocent disposition and appearance may imply otherwise. Vocal range top: Db4-C3
EDWARD RUTLEDGE: (Male, 25-35. Delegate from South Carolina. Despite his good looks, Rutledge is haunting and somewhat ominous as the youngest member of the Continental Congress. There is a serpent-like quality to him. Vocal range top: A4-C3
STEPHEN HOPKINS: (Male, Late 50s+) Delegate from Rhode Island. Hopkins’ drinking has led to an appearance befitting of the 2nd oldest in the Continental Congress. He has a dirty old man playfulness about him. Vocal range top: Eb4- C3
ROBERT LIVINGSTON: (Male, 30s-40s) Delegate from New York. Recently a father, Livingston’s disposition has become one of humility and graciousness. He has changed considerably over the years. Vocal range top: F4- Bb2
ROGER SHERMAN: (Male, 30s-40s) Delegate from Connecticut. A coffee drinker with a penchant for hyperactivity, Sherman is a simple cobbler. Vocal range top: Bb4- C3
CHARLES THOMSON: (Male, 30s-40s) Congressional Secretary. Responsible for all the announcements and votes in congress. Has a strong speaking voice. Good with language
ANDREW MCNAIR: (Male, Late 20’s-40’s) Congressional custodian. Beleaguered and put upon. Low status.
JOHN HANCOCK: (Male, 40’s-50’s). President of the second continental congress.
SAMUEL CHASE: (Male, Late 30s-40s) From Maryland. Always eating. Initially sides with Dickinson.
JOSIAH BARTLETT: (Male, Late 30’s-50s) From New Hampshire. Well spoken, moral & in favor of independence.
DR LYMAN HALL: (Male, 40’s) From Georgia. Initially sides with Dickinson. A considered, intelligent, moral man.
JOSEPH HEWES: (Male, 30’s-40’s). From New Jersey. A staunch defender of American rights.
JUDGE JAMES WILSON: (Male, 30s-40s) From Pennsylvania. Under Dickinson’s thumb and easily influenced. Ultimately casts deciding vote for independence.
GEORGE READ: (Male, 30s-40s) From Delaware. Opposed to independence and sides with Dickinson
For More information: info@TheaterToGo.com
