Rough Age Range: 20 - 30

Vocal Type: Tenor

 A musician/singer-songwriter who is a recovering drug addict living with HIV. Roger has mourned members of his community and is grieving the loss of his deceased former girlfriend. Roger longs for connection and meaning through his music. He is roommates with Mark in an abandoned loft space. He is reminiscent of a young Kurt Cobain and/or Lenny Kravitz in his musical styling.

Rough Age Range: 20 - 30

Vocal Type: Tenor

A filmmaker and video artist who constantly seeks validation. He connects deeply with his roommate Roger and longs for the days when his group of friends were closer. In his struggles to find his place in the world, he often finds himself on the outside looking in. Mark comes from privilege but desires to understand his responsibility to himself and his community. His musical sound is akin to that of Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting of Police, and/or Bono of U2.

Rough Age Range: 25 - 35

Vocal Type: Bass/Baritone

A professor of technology at NYU that is grounded in anarchy and liberation, Tom Collins is smart, caring, and the backbone of his friend group. His chosen family is lifted by his positive and nurturing spirit. His warmth and empathic presence allows him to invite his friends to examine personal accountability. Tom used to be a roommate in the loft with Mark and Roger. He is also living with HIV. Musically speaking Tom’s voice is rooted in gospel and soul genres, think Sam Cooke, Berry White, and/or Issac Hayes.

Rough Age Range: 25 - 35

Vocal Type: Baritone/Tenor

Mark and Roger's landlord and former roommate. A proud black man, Benny struggles to find connection with his former chosen family. He is constantly battling being a friend while pleasing his new white in-laws. In spite of being seen as a sell out, Benny longs to know who he is and where he fits in his community. Musically Benny has a freedom to his voice similar to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and/or Lionel Richie.

Rough Age Range: 25 - 40

Vocal Type: Soprano Belt

A public interest lawyer who always fights for the underdog, Joanne comes from a conservative upper-class family. As an out and proud lesbian, she demands her own liberation. She is smart, purposeful, and grounded. She is dating Maureen Johnson. Joanne’s connection to Maureen brings her into an established chosen family where she discovers the power of being celebrated in your own community. Joanne has a grounded and soulful voice filled with experience and action ala Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker, and/or Mavis Staples.

Rough Age Range: 20 - 35

Vocal Type: Tenor

A vibrant street musician who radiates light! Angel moves through the world as a gendernonconforming human who is also living with HIV. Angel has an incredible spirit with a gift for inspiring human connection all while being a street fashion icon. Angel is magnetic and rooted in living for the moment. Angel meets and swiftly becomes Tom Collins’ partner, a connection that brings Angel into the chosen family group. Angel is the heart of the piece. Angel’s musicality is rooted in their connection and love for rhythm, movement and storytelling. Angel’s artistry is akin to the artistic qualities of Prince, a young RuPaul, and/or Grace Jones.

Rough Age Range: 18 - 25

Vocal Type: Alto

A dancer, Mimi is a proud Latina woman determined to live in the moment. She is a drug addict who is living with HIV. A young woman on a journey to find who she is and what she is fighting for. Mimi’s addiction and intentions are often at odds. She desperately tries to make the best of life in whatever way she can. Living in the same building as Roger and Mark, Mimi meets the friend group through her unexpected romantic connection to Roger and is forever changed by this chosen family. Her artistry is connected to her body and movement. Her voice is rooted firmly in expression of spirit similar to that of Selena, and/or a young Paula Abdul.

Rough Age Range: 18 - 35

Vocal Type: Soprano Belt

A performance artist who is constantly raging and ready to fight. Maureen is full of wellintended passion and anarchist energies of which she pours into her art no matter the medium. She’s a former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins and Benny. She completes the chosen family rounding out the space with intoxicating energy dripping with sexualized vigor. Maureen is queer and openly dating Joanne after recently breaking up with Mark. Bursting with confidence and a vivacious spirit, Maureen navigates how to be a less self-centered human that is accountable for their actions. Artistically speaking she is a radical and unexpected arts advocate. She has a blue eye-ed soul grit to her voice which is also balanced with an iconic lesbian artistic flair, think a mixture of Janis Joplin, Ani Difranco and Sinead O’Connor. 

Rough Age Range: 40 - 60

Vocal Type: Mezzo Soprano

She is heard as a disembodied voice on an answering machine, calling to check in on her son. Warm, but out of touch.

Rough Age Range: 25 - 45

Vocal Type: Alto

The high energy, opportunistic executive of a tabloid-style TV show, “Buzzline.” She communicates with Mark through phone messages.

Rough Age Range: 25 - 35

Vocal Type: Baritone/Tenor

Comic street character who appears cleaning windshields. His cameo reflects the hustle in living life on the margins.

Rough Age Range: 40 - 60

Vocal Type: Soprano & Baritone

The wealthy parents of Joanne Jefferson, they leave her well-meaning voicemails.

Rough Age Range: 16+

Vocal Type: All

The Ensemble of this world is incredibly valuable and provides the foundation and full structure that holds and supports the stories RENT has to share. Some roles may be more movement/dance forward. Soul, Rock, and R&B vocal stylings of the late 80s/early 90s are encouraged.