Pete the Cat · Understudy
Playing age: 20s-30s
Voice: tenor
A rockstar, relaxed and unbothered. He’s an outdoor cat confident in his life’s philosophy: go with the flow. Used to traveling around in his VW van, he’s forced to become a housecat.
Pete the Cat
Young People's Theatre of Chicago
Audition
- Roles
- Pete the Cat (understudy) · 20s-30s; Jimmy Biddle (understudy) · 20s
- Pay
- Rehearsals and tech: $275/week; performances: $35/performance; understudy rate: $400 stipend plus $35/show performed. Full terms
- Auditions
- Audition date not listed
- Commitment
- Check the full schedule below
Who they’re looking for
Seeking non-AEA strong actors and singers to play and understudy all 5 roles. We strongly encourage actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sizes, and abilities to submit.
Jimmy Biddle · Understudy
Playing age: 20s
Voice: tenor
A very put-together second grader. Perhaps neurotic. Overly prepared for everything, and now he’s reckoning with what it means to go with the flow.
Olive Biddle · Understudy
Playing age: 20s
Voice: mezzo
Jimmy's rambunctious little sister in pre-k. Bold, hasn’t quite learned about boundaries yet. She has a one-track mind when it comes to her obsession with the family’s new kitty, to whom she is very allergic. Also to play CAT-CATCHER, ELOISE (a student), and an ASTRONAUT!
Mom · Understudy
Playing age: 20’s-30s to play 30s
Voice: soprano
Jimmy's nervous mom; excited and open to the family’s new challenge. Also to play MRS. CREECH, a quirky second-grade teacher who definitely has some old band tees in her closet from her younger days. Will also play Pete’s freewheeling band member GRUMPY TOAD, and the MONA LISA!
Dad · Understudy
Playing age: 20’s-30’s to play 30s
Voice: baritone / tenor
Jimmy's nervous dad; excited and open to the family’s new challenge. Will also play Pete’s freewheeling band member GUS THE PLATYPUS, BARNABY (a student), and a SHARK!
Playing age, Equity, understudy… what do these mean?
Playing age is how old a character appears, which may differ from your own age. Equity is the actors’ union; check each theatre’s eligibility rules. An understudy learns a role to perform when the main actor is unavailable.
What does it pay?
Rehearsals and tech: $275/week; performances: $35/performance; understudy rate: $400 stipend plus $35/show performed.
Contract: Non-Equity
Dates & location
The full schedule hasn’t been listed. Check rehearsal and performance dates with the theatre before committing.
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What to prepare
Help with headshots, résumés, and self-tapes
A headshot is a clear photo of you. An acting résumé lists your performance experience and training. A self-tape is a recorded audition video. Sides are the short script excerpts the theatre asks you to perform. Follow this theatre’s specific instructions.
How to apply
Fill out the form to submit the audition. Prepare the 2 sides and 1 song for the character. Callbacks will be held in the evening of Monday, November 2nd (possibly also in the evening of Tuesday, November 3rd).
Open application form →Opens another website. You’ll complete your application with the theatre.
Contact: Graybill Partington, graybill@yptchi.org
Before you apply
- The notice states “FEB 6 – FEB 28, 2026,” while the performance schedule states “Saturday, Feb 6th - Sunday, March 1st” without a year. The submission deadline is October 25, 2026, after the dates in the notice headline. The rehearsal, tech, callback, and body schedule dates do not specify a year.
Production & casting team
- Producing company
- Young People's Theatre of Chicago
- Production
- Pete the Cat
- Director
- Sam Shankman
- Choreographer
- Emily Ann Brooks
Listed contact: Graybill Partington, graybill@yptchi.org
Full posting and updates
The notice seeks non-AEA actors and singers to play and understudy all five roles. Prepare two sides and one song for the character. Rehearsals and performances are at Greenhouse Theater Center.
We last checked the posting on Oct 15, 2026. The theatre may have updated it since.