This is how the audition went. We think there were about 75 girls or so. The broke them up into 3 groups and taught them a ballet combo and a tap combo. After each group danced they made some cuts. Then all those that were left learned a jazz combo and then they all sang and did some reading. After that they brought all the girls back into the room and made some more cuts. At that point we think there were maybe 20-25 girls that were asked to come back on Monday or Tuesday to learn another dance. In talking with some of the moms there, some of the girls that came back were from previous auditions so they werent part of the 20-25. So really dont know how many came back that Monday or Tuesday. They didnt make cuts that day and said they would call within a couple weeks if they wanted you to come back. This is all new to us so it is very interesting how it all works.

What day were you in Chicago? I was there on Monday.

When we arrived on Monday morning, there were approx 25 girls there. They danced from 10-2, ballet , jazz and tap and cuts were made. Then those who stayed danced from 3-almost 6 pm where they learned a different routine from the show. Some were asked to stay and sing one at a time and read lines. It was my understanding that some of the girls there were from previous auditions, not just from the weekend open call. All of the kids already knew the choreography for the audition pieces, except my daughter. I have to say that it was a great experience and handled very professionally. The casting director and her assistant were so kind and helpful. It's not always that friendly for the bigger shows.

We went back on Tuesday.

iltsdad and denisemm, your chicago experience sounds very much the same as the July auditions in NY, with the exception being that none of the NY girls, even the 30 left at the end of the second callback, had the opportunity to sing, since they ran out of time.

Did any of your girls have to read for the part of Debbie? My daughter's final group of maybe 14 girls were told that they would now about the final callback by October 1st...a date would be given for the callback to dance and sing in front of the directors,choregrapher etc. They were told rehearsals would start in late December and the show was opening in March. Good luck to all!!

Denisemm - I asked my daughter last night what she actually did when she read and she said it was Debbie but don't really know for certain. We were told about the same thing at our last callback about when we would find out if we had to go and were told that about Oct 8 would be the callback for the the director choreographer, etc. So pretty consistent information so that is good! Keep us posted!!!

iltsdad and Denisemm, I invited you to a private topic. Check you private messaging inbox.

My dd had Debbie only callback in Chicago on Wednesday the 16th. Haven't heard a thing.

Bessie - congrats to your DD. Like I said this is all new to us so it is very exciting and very nervewracking!! LOL

They are having auditions in NY this weekend too. Will there be just 1 callback that combines those they liked from Chicago and NY from these past couple of weeks? Will these only be for the tour or the Broadway production too? I found 2 audition notices that said different things, one said tour, the other said Brodaway replacements.

All good questions as i have been wondering many of the same things! Wish I knew the answers!!

I think a lot of us are in the same boat, I guess that's what agents are for, maybe they have some of these. Unfortunately we don't have one, so we're going blind. I was also wondering if once the Chicago cast is picked, will they train in Chicago or NY with the Broadway cast and its replacements. Has anyone heard when they start rehearsals for the Chicago opening? I guess when then happens then the callbacks are done, lol.

Denisemm, I was just curious how the other girls already knew the audition choreography.
Thanks.

There were open calls in Chicago in August for Ballet Girls and for Debbie. DD didn't go to the dance call, onl Debbie, but maybe there were enough girls that returned from August who remembered the choreography.