Directed by Scott Spence. Music Direction by Sarah Nelson. Choreography by Caitlin Reilly Miller. Production Stage Manager: Libby White. Music by Jacob Yandura, Book and Lyrics by Rebekah Greer Melocik. Based on Alexandra Shiva's 2015 documentary film. REGIONAL PREMIERE — one of the very first productions since its 2023/2024 Broadway run.
By appointment only — call Beck Center Patron Services at (216) 521-2540 during regular business hours to schedule your slot.
- ·Sunday, September 20
- ·Monday, September 21
October 3–4. Performers chosen for callbacks will be notified by email following the open call.
Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
- ·One musical theatre selection not to exceed 2 minutes
- ·Bring sheet music in your key — accompanist provided
- ·A cappella auditions permitted if needed
- ·2 Equity contracts available (one male, one female)
- ·All non-Equity actors 18+ receive a stipend
- ·One Male and one Female Swing/Understudy will also be cast
Begin on or around October 24, 2026.
December 4, 2026 – January 3, 2027 on the Senney Main Stage
- ·Added performances: Saturdays Dec 5 & 12 at 2:30pm only
- ·Thursdays Dec 10 & 17 at 7:30pm
- ·Saturday Dec 19 at 2:30pm AND 7:30pm
- ·Sunday Dec 27 at 2:30pm AND 7:30pm
- ·Saturday Jan 2 at 2:30pm only
- ·Full 6-day break surrounding Christmas holidays
Includes loud music, loud sounds, bright lights, and flashing lights. Themes of anxiety, independence, and social stress. Sound-limiting headphones available at customer service.
How to Dance in Ohio follows a group of teens with autism as they prepare for a spring formal dance, navigating friendships, family dynamics, and first love. Beck Center is seeking performers who identify as being on the Autism spectrum for the 7 autistic character roles (ages 16–24). The remaining 7 roles are for performers not necessarily on the spectrum.
AUTISTIC CHARACTERS (Beck Center is specifically seeking performers who identify as being on the Autism spectrum for these roles):
- ·DREW (he/him, 18) — Formal, craves structure, looking for deeper connections. Possibly romantic. On track for dream college. Mid-range tenor.
- ·MARIDETH (she/her, 18) — Raised by single dad, loves facts, hates shoelaces, dislikes being touched, anxious in new social settings. Alto with strong mix.
- ·CAROLINE (she/her, 19) — Perky and positive, goes to community college, best friends with Jessica, obsessed with her boyfriend. Soprano with strong mix.
- ·JESSICA (she/her, 20) — Wants to live independently, loves fantasy but is surprisingly practical, has a flair for drama. Full-voiced mezzo-soprano.
- ·MEL (she/he/they, 24) — Oldest group member, natural leader, into self-help and mindfulness, works at a pet shop. Alto/tenor.
- ·REMY (he/she/they, 16) — Loves cosplay, wants a career in the arts, makes costume/makeup tutorial videos online. Tenor/alto.
- ·TOMMY (he/him, 22) — Funny, self-conscious, earnest, wants to get his driver's license for independence. Mid-to-high baritone.
- ·DR. EMILIO AMIGO (he/him, 40s–50s) — Cuban-American founder of Amigo Family Counseling. Charismatic, empathetic clinical psychologist recovering from divorce. High baritone.
- ·ASHLEY AMIGO (she/her, 22) — Cuban-American, Dr. Amigo's daughter. Driven but at a crossroads, empathetic, a dancer recovering from injury. Mezzo with strong mix.
- ·JOHANNA (she/her, 40s–50s) — Caroline's mother. Perky and positive, artsy mom vibes. Powerful mezzo-soprano.
- ·TERRY (she/her, 40s–50s) — Jessica's mother. Patient, gives her daughter space, flair for drama, cool mom vibes. Powerful mezzo-soprano.
- ·MICHAEL (he/him, 40s–50s) — Marideth's father. Blue-collar, doing his best as a single dad, anxious in new social settings. Mid-to-high tenor.
- ·AMY (she/her, 40s–50s) — Drew's mother. Refined housewife with a master's degree, adept at managing her family. Soprano.
- ·KURT (he/him, 40s–50s) — Drew's father. White-collar, conservative, high expectations for Drew. Mid-to-high baritone.
SWING/UNDERSTUDY: One male and one female — not required to identify as on the spectrum.
Questions: Scott Spence at scotts@beckcenter.org or scottdavidspence@gmail.com, or call (216) 521-2540.