Broadway babies and Harry Potter super-fans, listen here: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” auditions are happening. In New York. Next week.
That’s right, according to a listing on Backstage, tryouts for J.K. Rowling’s play picking up where the final book’s epilogue left off, will be held from Feb. 20 until Feb. 22, 2017. Those who make the cut will probably come as close to receiving a Hogwarts acceptance letter as a muggle could possibly dream of.
The memo itemizes all the roles under consideration, along with short descriptions of the characters. Luckily, most of us already know the parts quite intimately. Harry Potter, for example, is described as “Father of James, Albus and Lily. Married to Ginny. Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.” The actor who takes on the role should be no taller than 5’10” and between the ages of 37 and 40.
The casting call notes, as well, that every role, all ethnicities are welcome.
Those familiar with the London run of play might recall that Hermione Granger was played by black actress, Noma Dumezweni. Despite the fact that Rowling described Granger in the books as having brown eyes and bushy brown hair, with no mention of her being white, the casting decision was met by some with outrage, outrage Rowling dutifully called out as straight-up racist.
Thus, it’s exciting to see that Rowling and the “Cursed Child” team have continued the tradition of colorblind casting. Given the author’s glorious skewering of the bigoted Twitter trolls in her mentions, it’s not too surprising that she is using her platform to spread a message of diversity and inclusion.
Head to the listing itself to see if you have what it takes to play Harry, Ginny, Moaning Myrtle or Professor McGonagall. The pay, if you’re curious, is $1,974 a week. If you have talent, or a lightning-shaped scar on your forehead, please apply.
