Auditions

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The production team for Disney’s The Lion King Jr. is committed to celebrating individuals’ talents and consciously creating equal and inclusive opportunities for performers. As such, performers of any and all races, nationalities, gender identities, sexual orientations, body types, religious affiliations, and performers with mental or physical disabilities are strongly encouraged to audition. If you are in need of special accommodations to support your audition and/or involvement in the production, please email Stage Manager Isa Foltz at isa@youngstownplayhouse.org before your audition so we can arrange for those accommodations to be met.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Based on the 1994 Disney animated feature film of the same name and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Disney’s The Lion King Jr. is the story of Simba, an adventurous and energetic lion cub who is next in line to be king of the Pride Lands, a thriving and beautiful region in the African savanna. When Simba’s father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar, though, Simba is led to believe that his father’s death is his fault, and he is encouraged to run away forever. Scar seizes power and with his already unstable mind deteriorating, the Pride Lands experiences a darkness and desolation from which only Simba can save the animals of the kingdom. Featuring classic songs from the film such as “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” Disney’s The Lion King Jr. is a story and a spectacle about identity, family, and responsibility that is enjoyed worldwide by people of all ages.

AUDITION DATES / TIMES

Friday, December 11, 2026 6:00pm

Saturday, December 12, 2026 12:00pm

Dance & Principal Callbacks (by invitation only) – Sunday, December 13, 2026 12:00pm – 4:00m

All Auditions and Callbacks will take place at THE PLAYHOUSE DOWNTOWN (220 W. Boardman St. Youngstown, OH) (This is NOT the main Playhouse Building on Glenwood Avenue). Free parking available in the lot directly next to the building – look for Youngstown Playhouse event parking sign. Auditions will take place on the third floor of the building – an elevator is available.

REHEARSALS

Monday, December 28th – First Rehearsal
       Rehearsals will be held Mondays-Fridays from 6pm-9pm
       *Full Cast will not be called at all rehearsals*

Sunday, February 14th – First Technical Rehearsal (No conflicts permitted past this date)

PERFORMANCES

All performances take place on the Main Stage of The Youngstown Playhouse (600 Playhouse Lane Youngstown, OH)

Performances:
Friday February 19th – 7:30pm
Saturday February 20th  – 7:30pm
Sunday February 21st – 2:30pm

*There will be Daytime School performances held on Thursday February 18th and Friday February 19th. Times are TBD. Expecting as many as four daytime performances. Daytime performance schedule will be communicated to cast and parents as soon as they are confirmed*

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Director Sindy Hanna is looking for a cast of 25 actors, singers and dancers ages 5-18. All skill levels are welcome, no previous stage experience needed.
Auditionees should prepare approximately 1 minute of a musical theater song. It may be a song from the show. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring clearly marked sheet music in the correct key. Auditionees may also provide their own track, our team requests that it be “karaoke style” and contains no vocals. A bluetooth speaker will be provided.
Auditionees will also be asked to perform a short cold reading in their audition. The readings will be provided by our team on the day of auditions.
Dance callbacks and principal callbacks will be by invitation only and held on Sunday, December 13th at 12pm.

*No Appointments Necessary*

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Rafiki – a wise mandrill who acts as a healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos and leads the African chants throughout the show, so we’re seeking a confident performer with a strong singing voice who can convey both the character’s wisdom and humor.

Mufasa – the strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Seeking a mature actor who can convincingly portray the authority of a king. 

Zazu – Mufasa’s anxious yet loyal assistant who is always busy trying to serve the king. Bound by an unfailing sense of duty, Zazu appears uptight but never wavers in trying to protect Young Simba. Seeking an actor with good diction and comic timing to help convey Zazu’s worried, rule-following nature in contrast to the more playful cubs.

Scar – the antagonist of the show, overcome with jealously of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Seeking a mature performer who can bring out this villain’s dark side while handling Scar’s sarcastic sense of humor.

Young Simba – the protagonist of the story, he is an adventurous and endearing cub who can’t wait to be king of the Pridelands. Young Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa’s death, he struggles with shame and questions his destiny. Seeking a confident singer and a dynamic, high-energy performer for this role.

Young Nala – a courageous lion and Young Simba’s best friend who is not afraid to speak her mind. Seeking a strong, spunky performer who can portray this confident cub. 

Simba – having grown from a cub to lion, he is carefree on the surface while wrestling with guilt over his past. Seeking a mature actor who can portray the complex moments as Simba reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and finds the strength to confront Scar. 

Nala – a brave, empowered lioness who is fiercely protective over her pride and homeland. Seeking a strong actress and singer who can embody Nala’s courageous, determined nature. 

Timon – an outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with his best friend Pumbaa. This anxious mammal pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo but is actually afraid of their own shadow. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and we are seeking a charismatic actor who understands comic timing.

Pumbaa – a kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Seeking an actor who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.

Sarabi – Mufasa’s partner, and Simba’s mother. Seeking an actor who can deliver Sarabi’s speaking lines with warmth and command of a queen.

Banzai – a slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. Banzai is the closest thing this lazy group has to a leader, so we’re seeking an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. 

Shenzi – one of Scar’s hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the most brazen one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.

Ed – the third member of Scar’s trio of lackeys. Ed’s loud, cackling laugh is this hyena’s only form of communication, so we’re seeking an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words.

Ensemble – various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures. They even become part of the environmental landscape, portraying the swaying grasslands and leafy jungle.