Casting

Please note that the cast members in your production of Hairspray must accurately reflect the character descriptions contained in the script. The use of make-up to portray Black characters in your production (e.g., blackface) is not permitted under this Production Contract.

Tracy Turnblad is a young lady with big hair and an even bigger personality! She is the hero of our story and she is sweet but also strong in her convictions. She is bigger in size than the other girls, but she isn't shy about it - she can still dance with the best of them! Make sure to cast an excellent singer, dancer and actor, but most importantly, cast a young lady who has wonderful stage presence and can easily capture the audience's hearts. Tracy should be played by a white actress.

Corny Collins, the host of "The Corny Collins Show," is a Baltimore celebrity. Foremost, Corny is a charmer, so be sure to cast a young performer with great energy and who is unafraid of being in the center spotlight. Corny should be both an experienced singer and actor. Corny should be played by a white actor.

Edna Turnblad is Tracy's loving mother who doesn't spend much time outside the house. She works days and nights as a laundress in her home, and her lack of social interaction has made her a bundle of nerves. This is a fantastic role for a young white lady with great acting chops who can transform into an older character. Edna should be a proficient singer and be willing to sell it with strong character choices.

Wilbur Turnblad is Edna's loving husband and Tracy's supportive father who just wants the best for his girls. This is a good role for a new performer. Make sure the actor playing Wilbur complements Edna. It can be fun to cast a Wilbur who is significantly smaller in stature than Edna for some great physical comedy! Wilbur should be played by a white actor.

Penny Pingleton is Tracy's fun and sheltered sidekick. She is a young lady caught between her mother's very strict rules and her own wants and desires to be just another teenage girl. This is a good role for an actress with a sweet voice and great comedic instincts. Penny should be played by a white actress.

Prudy Pingleton is a fun role for a performer who can really jump headfirst into a character role. She is Penny's eccentric but loving mother, who wants the best for her daughter but is extreme in her means. Prudy should be a good actress, capable of capturing the conflict of being a caring mother who can't help but be overprotective. Prudy should be played by a white actress.

Amber Vontussle is a prom queen nightmare! She is definitely "The Corny Collins Show" favorite, but she is competitive and has a bad attitude. Amber is a great performer, so cast a young lady who can do it all. Amber should be played by a white actress.

Velma Von Tussle is a carbon copy of Amber - just twenty years older and meaner! She is most concerned with making sure her daughter wins Miss Teenage Baltimore. Cast a white actress who is unafraid of being a little bit evil and who can make bold acting choices.

Link Larkin is Baltimore's biggest heartthrob, and Tracy's dream guy. Link is considered the best performer in town, so cast a young man who is a triple threat - a great actor, singer and dancer. He should have a lot of charisma and a sparkle in his eye. Think of any teenage idol who is able to reduce girls to tears - there's your guy! Link should be played by a white actor.

Seaweed J. Stubbs is the object of Penny's affections, and together, they are determined to defy the segregation laws of the 1960s. Seaweed can do it all! This is a great role for an experienced young Black performer who can sing, dance and act well.

Little Inez Stubbs is Seaweed's little sister and a great breakout role for a Black actress. Little Inez gets her moment in the spotlight, so be sure to cast a young lady who is a great singer and dancer. Cast an actress with a quiet exterior who can and will be bold when the opportunity comes.

Motormouth Maybelle is a soulful part for a Black performer who can play an older age. In this story, she is the face of the Civil Rights Movement and sings the beautiful anthem, "I Know Where I've Been." Cast a performer with a great voice and more importantly, someone who has strong stage presence.

The Dynamites (Judine, Kamilah and Shayna) are a dynamic musical trio, iconic of the Motown era and the 1960s. Think the Supremes. Cast three young women who are advanced singers and dancers who complement each other. They don't need to look alike, but cast a group that can be synchronous in their music and dance.

Mr. Pinky owns a ladies' clothing shop and is a salesperson inside and out - he is always the first to give a compliment. This is a perfect character role for a young person who may be new to the stage but has wonderful energy and acting potential.

Brad, Tammy, Fender, Sketch, Shelley, IQ, Brenda and Lou Ann are the famed teenage performers on "The Corny Collins Show." This is a great opportunity to feature your best singers and dancers, as they'll have to emulate some of the most famous dance moves from the 1960s. Find kids with a lot of personality, and encourage them to be bold in their characterizations of each teenage performer.

Other standout ensemble roles include:Gym Teacher, Cindy Watkins, Matron, Principal, Lorraine, Gilbert, Thad, Duane, Stooie, Beatnik Chick, Male Guard, Guard, Newscaster and Council Members. These roles give more texture to the lively world of 1960s Baltimore. This is truly a story about communities intersecting, so be sure to remind all of your actors that each role matters.