The Pirates of Penzance
By W. S. Gilbert
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Directed by: Christi Sears
Auditions: Jan. 26-28
Performances:
Apr. 17, 18, 19(m), 24, 25(cc), 26(m, cc);
May 1, 2, 3(m), 7, 8, 9
Shows start at 7:30pm in the evenings, 2:30pm for matinees.
*(m) matinee performances
*(cc) Closed Captioning available by Cue Captions
Sponsored By:
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Grab your seats now for The Pirates of Penzance and
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About the Show
The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera being performed in a steampunk style. Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice, falls head-over-heels in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Frederic is due to be released from his apprenticeship on his 21st birthday, but there’s a snag. Born on 29 February, Frederic discovers that he is technically still a youngster. Although very much in love, his dedication to duty is unshakeable. Can he find a way to live happily-ever-after with Mabel?
Cast of Characters
Major-General Stanley
Mature adult, male presenting.
The Pirate King
Mature adult, male presenting.
Samuel
Mature adult, male presenting.
Frederic
Young adult, male presenting.
Sergeant of Police
Mature adult, male presenting.
Mabel
Young adult, female presenting.
Edith
Youthful to mature adult, female presenting.
Kate
Youthful to mature adult, female presenting.
Ruth
Mature adult, female presenting.
Pirate Crew
Police
General Stanley’s Daughters
Auditions
Open auditions for The Pirates of Penzance will be held at Albany Civic Theater on Monday, January 26th and Tuesday, January 27th. Doors open at 6:15 PM, auditions will begin promptly at 7 PM. Auditioners should plan to attend both Monday and Tuesday. Callbacks will be held by invitation-only if needed on Wednesday, January 28th.
Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form that will be provided at the theater. You are also welcome to download and print the form below, complete it in advance, and bring it with you. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required, but always appreciated.
Rehearsals are generally 7-9 PM, Mondays-Thursdays, until the run of full acts the week prior to opening night. Please keep this in mind when providing your list of conflicts, including the list of important dates listed below. Bring a full list of your conflicts from January 29-May 10, 2026 (weekends included).
Important dates:
Take Stage: March 22, 2026
Retreat: April 4, 2026
Set Strike: May 10, 2026
Tech week: April 13 - 16, 2026
Audition info/welcome letter: https://tinyurl.com/ACTPiratesOfPenz-Wel-Letter
Audition form: https://tinyurl.com/ACTPiratesOfPenz-Aud-Form2
What to prepare/expect:
MONDAY: Vocal and dance auditions.
Please prepare to sing a song that accentuates your vocal ability. Do not pick a song from The Pirates of Penzance; sing a song from a different show in a similar style. Bring your sheet music with you as there will be an accompanist at auditions. If you have dance shoes, please bring them as well. Be ready to learn and perform a basic dance routine. Please come dressed to move and wear comfortable shoes.
You will warm up as a group. You will be called up to sing on stage. Hand your sheet music to the pianist. You will not be singing the entire song; plan to sing between thirty seconds to one minute of your song (depending on the number of auditioners, it may be less than that). After your song, you will work with the vocal director on scales. Move into the lobby for the dance portion of the audition process. You are welcome to leave after doing your vocal and dance audition and returning the next day for script readings.TUESDAY: Script readings.
This is when you’ll be called to read lines from the show with others. Since most of this show is sung, you possibly will be given the words of a song to read with others.WEDNESDAY: Callbacks by invitation only, if needed.
If we decide on Tuesday that we are able to cast this show, there will be no callbacks. If we need callbacks, we will let you know at the end of Tuesday evening.
2026:
Apr. 17, 18, 19(m), 24, 25(cc), 26(m, cc);
May 1, 2, 3(m), 7, 8, 9
Shows start at 7:30pm in the evenings, 2:30pm for matinees.
*(m) matinee performances
*(cc) Closed Captioning available by Cue Captions
Performances
Christi E. Sears has a string of hit musicals and plays to her credit, including: The Prom, Something Rotten!, Clue, Altogether Now (Special Event), The Secret of Chimneys: ACT Radio Play, Mamma Mia, The Addams Family, Annie, Big Fish, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Steel Magnolias, The Producers, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!, The Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bell, Book and Candle, Auntie Mame, and Greater Tuna at ACT. Christi also directed at ACT: Dial M For Murder, Cinderella, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. A long-time administrative member at ACT, Christi has served four terms as president and two terms as treasurer. She currently serves on the ACT Board as Production Manager. Christi resides in Albany and has worked for over 30 years as the Accounting/Payroll Manager at Palm Harbor Homes.
Christi Sears, Director
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Yes! Our Box Office opens 45 minutes before each performance, and occasionally additional seats are made available last minute.
Thursday nights also offer Rush tickets for $5.00 when purchased in person! -
We love our volunteers at ACT, and an easy way to get involved is to sign up as an usher! Ushering is also a great way to get to see a show for free.
Please see our Get Involved page above for more details, or reach out to our Volunteer Manager.