Casting Teen Performers for "Footloose" The Musical

Baritone Reverend Moore is good man who has shut himself off from those who love him. When his son died in a car accident, the Reverend immediately tried to “solve the problem,” because that’s what ministers do. He wanted to make sure that no other teenagers suffered his son’s fate, so he outlawed dancing in the town of Bomont. This law that made dancing and partying illegal became all important and all consuming for the Reverend.

Mezzo-Soprano Ariel is the Reverend’s daughter, and at first glance, is a wild, rebellious teenager. She dates the wrong boys, stays out late, lies to her parents, and loves to dance. However, Ariel is good at heart. Many of the wild things she does are aimed at getting her parents’ (particularly her father’s) attention, and throughout the show, she proves herself to be smart, intelligent, and caring as well.

Tenor Ren is a teenage boy from Chicago whose father recently deserted him and his mother, leaving them high and dry. The two of them move to the small town of Bomont, and Ren finds himself constantly butting heads with those in authority, particularly the Reverend Moore.

Tenor Chuck is a “bad boy.” He has been arrested multiple times, and is extremely egotistical, demanding, manipulative, and jealous. He wants to feel important, and bullies those around him in order to feel so. He has a gang of friends who follows him around, hangs on every word, and does what he says.

Soprano Rusty is Ariel’s best friend and talks a mile a minute. She can read Ariel like a book and is instantly aware of Ariel’s attraction to Ren. Rusty doesn’t particularly like school or studying, but she is outgoing, and charismatic, has a great sense of humor, and makes friends easily.

Tenor Willard is a redneck hick who loves to fight and will do so at almost any provocation. He has a good heart and becomes Ren’s best friend after they almost fight on the first day of school. Willard is loyal and will defend anyone’s honor. He’s interested in Rusty but is pretty shy around girls, and he doesn’t know how to dance.

Mezzo-Soprano Vi Moore is the Reverend’s wife and Ariel’s mother. She is supportive of her husband, but understanding of her rebellious daughter as well. Because of this, she often finds herself in the middle of arguments between the two, and at times, struggles to balance both relationships.

Mezzo-Soprano Ethel is Ren’s single mother, whose husband recently abandoned her and her son. Unable to support them both, she decides they are going to move to Bomont where they will live with her sister and her husband.

Spoken Ren’s aunt/his mother’s sister. She is supportive of her sister, outspoken, and believes the gossip about Ren.

Spoken He is a good man, and supportive of his family, including Ren and his mother. Wes is, however, also loyal to the Reverend. He finds himself torn between the two, and eventually chooses the middle ground.

Spoken Roger Dunbar is the high school coach, and is loyal to Reverend Moore. He has favorite students, and bullies those he does not like, including Ren.

Spoken The Town Council President, and wife of Coach Dunbar. She is obviously a puppet of Reverend Moore, but does her best to seem in control during the town council meeting.

Tenor One of Chuck’s friends. He basically does whatever Chuck tells him to.

Spoken Betty is the owner of the diner Ren works at. She is ornery (in a good way), individual, and courageous. She sees the good in Ren and supports him as he tries to make dancing legal again. She also stands up to the immature teenagers who try to fight at her diner. And finally, she skates, even though she’s technically too old to.

Spoken A strict principal who lays down the law at every opportunity.

Tenor Jeter is one of Ren’s friends, and supports him as he tries to make dancing legal.

Tenor Bickle is one of Ren’s friends, and supports him as he tries to make dancing legal.

Baritone Garvin is one of Ren’s friends, and supports him as he tries to make dancing legal.

Mezzo-Soprano A band that sings at the Bar-B-Que, a Country/Western Dance Hall.

Spoken A cowboy who invites Rusty to dance at the Bar-B-Que. Willard becomes quite jealous because of this.

Non-singer This cop manipulates the power of his office. He stops Ren and gives him a ticket because he can, and because Chuck is a friend of his.

Soprano Urleen is part of Ariel’s group of friends. She tries to give advice and is a little boy-crazy.

Mezzo-Soprano Wendy Jo is part of Ariel’s group of friends. She tends to say what Urleen tells her to, and is also boy-crazy.

Tenor One of Chuck’s friends. He basically does whatever Chuck tells him to.