Maria 

Playing age: 18 - 25

Latin American

Voice: Soprano 

A Puerto Rican girl, who has recently migrated to America. Despite her outwardly youthful innocence, she has confidence, industriousness and agency. Does not support the violence or hatred that her brother Bernardo feels towards the Jets.

Tony

Playing age: 18 - 25 

Caucasian or European

Voice: Tenor 

Dance: Confident mover, stage fighting

A former member of the Jets, Tony seeks transformation, away from his violent past with the Jets. He falls in love with Maria instantly, giving him newfound hope.

Riff

Playing age: 18 - 30 

Any ethnicity

Voice: Baritone 

Dance: Strong dancer, stage fighting

The influential leader of the Jets. Persuasive, tenacious and dangerous. Has led a tough childhood and seeks control over the little he has left to defend in a gentrified neighbourhood.

Anita

Playing age: 25 - 40 

Latin American

Voice: Mezzo with strong mix / belt Dance: usually performed by a strong dancer, but this can be tailored to the right actress/singer

Puerto Rican. Marias best friend, and partner to Bernardo, who has lived in America for several years. Witty and vibrant, she lights up the room, but if crossed can be unforgiving. Content Warning: Anitas final scene depicts her being attacked by a gang of men. This will be safely and considerately staged.

Bernardo

Playing age: 25 - 40 

Latin American

Voice: Baritone 

Dance: usually performed by a strong dancer, but this can be tailored to the right actor, stage fighting

Puerto Rican leader of the Sharks. Driven to take back control for his community who have struggled against systemic racism and violence in America.

Doc

Playing age: Over 50 

Any ethnicity

Strong actor / singer. Will be given some featured singing in Somewhere.

A veteran of the neighbourhood and objector of violence, he sees hope in Tony and takes him under his wing. Often pressured into difficult situations to keep the peace.

Anybodys

Playing age: 18 - 25 

Any ethnicity

Voice: Ensemble singing only Strong acting 

Dance: Confident mover, stage fighting

Longing to be accepted as a member of the Jets, and constantly having to prove themselves. The script suggests that Anybodys was assigned female sex at birth but does not identify with female gender stereotypes / is possibly non-binary. Trans / non-binary / female performers all welcome to audition.

Officer Krupke

Playing age: Over 30 

Any ethnicity

Voice: Ensemble singing only 

No dance requirements, stage fighting

Lt. Shrank

Playing age: Over 30 

Any ethnicity

Voice: Ensemble singing only 

No dance requirements, stage fighting

Senior officer ordered to end local gang violence. Will use unscrupulous methods to catch out the Jets & Sharks.

Chino

Playing age: 18 - 25 

Latin American

Voice: Ensemble singing only 

Dance: Confident mover, stage fighting

Young, impressionable Puerto Rican man. Loves Bernardo as a brother. He entertains the possibility of marrying Maria at Bernardos request. Seeks revenge on Tony, after Bernardo is killed.

The JETS

Playing ages: 15 - 30 

Various ethnicities throughout the group. Do not need to identify as Caucasian or European.

Voice: Variety of voice types 

Dance: Strong movers + experienced dancers (all levels welcome) stage fighting 

6 of these have significant supporting roles and script.

A conglomerate of young Americans from all walks of life. Angry and hard done by, ready to fight to the death to hold onto what little they can control.

The SHARKS

Playing ages: 15+ 

All Latino

Voice: Variety of voice types. 

Two characters will have some dialogue. 

Scenes contain a lot of physical movement, including dance and simulated violence.

A gang of Puerto Ricans, worn down by the struggles of migrating to America. Angry and hard done by, ready to fight to the death to hold onto what little they can control.

Ensemble women - Latino

Playing ages: 15+ 

All Latina

Voice: Variety of voice types 

Dance: All levels of experience welcome

Strong-willed, resilient community of women. As a collective they are stoic and are filled with humour. Partners of several of the Sharks and caught up in the gang violence.

Ensemble Women - Jets

Playing ages: 15 - 30 

Various ethnicities throughout the group. Do not need to identify as Caucasian or European.

Voice: Variety of voice types 

All must be strong dancers with expressive acting skills.

Girlfriends of some of the Jets members. Equally caught up in the gang violence of the Jets and Sharks.