Thunderclap Productions
CALLBACKS
Congratulations! You've been invited to callbacks for the world premiere of the new musical Everybody's Son!
Callbacks have been schedule for:
Sept. 26-27, 2026
When & Where
Callbacks will be on September 26-27, 2026, at Victory Mt. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 11427 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77093. Some GPS systems list it as 11427 IH-69 S, Houston, TX 77093.
Sept. 26: The first day of callbacks will be by role. If you are called back for multiple roles, you may have more than one time slot. You'll be asked to sing the prepared musical excerpt(s) listed below and may be asked to read one of the listed sides.
Sept. 27: Selected actors will be brought back to read and sing with other performers.
Please note that we will be filming the callbacks, in case we need to later review the footage. The footage will not be shared with anyone outside of the production team without your permission.
Sides & Songs to Prepare (by Role)
Anton
Please prepare the "How Living Feels" Excerpt and Side 1 for Sept. 26th.
You may be invited back to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th. If you are, please prepare the "Sorry" Excerpt and "Baby Boy - Reprise" Excerpt, as well as Sides 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Please also read this scene in advance of the callbacks and be prepared to discuss it with us on Sept. 26th. The scene contains police brutality, and we want to ensure that actors are prepared for this disturbing moment in the story.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“How Living Feels” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
When Anton learns that his mother never wanted to give him up but was manipulated by his adoptive father, Anton flees his life in politics and reunites with Carine, his college girlfriend, to process everything. Feeling at peace for the first time in years, Carine's life of quiet domesticity makes him rethink everything about who and what he wants to be.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Sorry” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton grew up believing that his birth mother abandoned him and feeling like he owed everything to his adoptive father. When the truth comes out, Anton calls his father and confronts him. In this trio section, Anton and Dee (his adoptive mother) express their anger at David's manipulation, even as David refuses to apologize.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Baby Boy - Reprise” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Having fled his life in politics for a couple of days, Anton reunites with his college girlfriend, Carine's now happily married with a son, Shay. Anton finds himself drawn in by their peaceful family life and he stays an extra day to watch Shay in his school play. That night, Anton and Carine tuck Shay in and sing him a lullaby (a reprise of the song Anton's own mother sang to close Act II).
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Brad
Please prepare the "Crisis Mode I" Excerpt and Sides 5 & 6 for Sept. 26th. You may be invited back on Sept. 27th to read sides with another actor.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“Crisis Mode I” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Brad, Anton's best friend and roommate at Harvard, plays racquetball with Anton. Anton and his girlfriend, Carine, had a fight after a fiasco of a meet-the-parents dinner. Carine drops the mic when she exits, telling Anton she can't tell if he's the blackest white man or whitest Black man she's ever met. That throws Anton for a loop, and Brad tries to talk him into breaking up with Carine. Anton is floored by Brad's unexpected racism, causing him to stumble and lose the game.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Carine
Please prepare the "Carine's Poem" Excerpt and Side 7 for Sept. 26th. You may be asked to read one or more sides alone.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, please prepare the "When You Brought Him Home" Excerpt and "Baby Boy - Reprise" Excerpt, along with Sides 2 & 7. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“Carine's Poem” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
We flash forward from Anton as a 12 year old to him being 20 and in college. Brad, Anton's best friend, drags him to a club one night where Carine, a brilliant and revolutionary Black poet, is performing. Anton is immediately drawn in by her fierceness and beauty.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A writer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a writer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“When You Brought Him Home” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton realizes he has to return to the campaign trail and, while arguing with David by phone in the car, he gets pulled over by a racist cop. The traffic stop turns dangerous and, while Anton is handcuffed and thrown to the ground, David frantically reaches out to the Georgia governor to try to save him. While Anton’s life hangs in the balance, the three women in Anton’s life – Juanita, Dee, and Carine – celebrate him reconnecting with his birth mom.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Baby Boy - Reprise” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Having fled his life in politics for a couple of days, Anton reunites with his college girlfriend, Carine's now happily married with a son, Shay. Anton finds himself drawn in by their peaceful family life and he stays an extra day to watch Shay in his school play. That night, Anton and Carine tuck Shay in and sing him a lullaby (a reprise of the song Anton's own mother sang to close Act II).
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Connor/Pappy/Cop/Ensemble
Please prepare Sides 3, 7, & 9 for Callbacks on Sept. 26th. You may be asked to read one or more sides alone.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, you'll be asked to read one or more of the same sides with other performers.
Sides do not need to be memorized.
David
Please prepare the "If You Love Him" Excerpt and Side 8 for Sept. 26th. You may be asked to read one or more sides alone.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, please prepare the "Sorry" Excerpt and the "Coleman Boys" Excerpt, along with Sides 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 13. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“If You Love Him” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Afraid of losing another son, David manipulates Juanita, Anton's birth mother, into giving up parental rights, so he can adopt Anton.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Sorry” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton grew up believing that his birth mother abandoned him and feeling like he owed everything to his adoptive father. When the truth comes out, Anton calls his father and confronts him. In this trio section, Anton and Dee (his adoptive mother) express their anger at David's manipulation, even as David refuses to apologize.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Coleman Boys” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Out of loyalty to his mother, Young Anton resists bonding with David for months, until one night when David helps him push past his fear and learn to ski.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Dee
Please prepare the "James" Excerpt and Side 10 for Sept. 26th. You may be asked to read one or more sides alone.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, please prepare the "Sorry" Excerpt and the "When You Brought Him Home" Excerpt, as well as Sides 7, 10, & 13. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“James” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Young Anton comes to the Coleman home and meets David's wife, Dee. David feels an immediate connection with Young Anton, but Dee, while kind, is still mourning the death of their son in a car wreck and doesn't feel ready to open her home or heart to another child.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Sorry” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton grew up believing that his birth mother abandoned him and feeling like he owed everything to his adoptive father. When the truth comes out, Anton calls his father and confronts him. In this trio section, Anton and Dee (his adoptive mother) express their anger at David's manipulation, even as David refuses to apologize.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“When You Brought Him Home” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton realizes he has to return to the campaign trail and, while arguing with David by phone in the car, he gets pulled over by a racist cop. The traffic stop turns dangerous and, while Anton is handcuffed and thrown to the ground, David frantically reaches out to the Georgia governor to try to save him. While Anton’s life hangs in the balance, the three women in Anton’s life – Juanita, Dee, and Carine – celebrate him reconnecting with his birth mom.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Juanita
Please prepare the "Baby Boy" Excerpt and both "Over and Over" Excerpts for Sept. 26th.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, please prepare the "When You Brought Him Home" Excerpt, along with Sides 4 & 11. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
“Baby Boy” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
One night, while responding to voters’ letters following a national magazine profile, Anton discovers a letter from Juanita, his birth mother. In it, she says he was smart to pick the Colemans over her, and that single statement upends Anton’s entire life story.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Over and Over” Excerpts
Dramatic Context
Anton reunites with his birth mother, Juanita, and they come to realize that David manipulated them both, kept their letters from one another, and raised Anton with a false story of his life. Anton also learns the reason his mother never came home when he was nine.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Excerpt 1
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt 1 Demo
A composer mockup of Excerpt 1 sung over the accompaniment.Excerpt 2
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt 2 Demo
A composer mockup of Excerpt 2 sung over the accompaniment.Full Song
Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear both excerpts in context.“When You Brought Him Home” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Anton realizes he has to return to the campaign trail and, while arguing with David by phone in the car, he gets pulled over by a racist cop. The traffic stop turns dangerous and, while Anton is handcuffed and thrown to the ground, David frantically reaches out to the Georgia governor to try to save him. While Anton’s life hangs in the balance, the three women in Anton’s life – Juanita, Dee, and Carine – celebrate him reconnecting with his birth mom.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.Young Anton/Shay
Please prepare the "Waitin' for You" Excerpt and Side 12 for Sept. 26th. You may be asked to read one or more sides alone.
If invited to second round callbacks on Sept. 27th, please prepare the "Coleman Boys" Excerpt, along with Sides 12 & 13. You'll be asked to sing and read with other performers.
Sides and songs do not need to be memorized.
Since both youth and adults are auditioning for these roles, there will be registral differences. Here's how you should sing these tracks. (When in doubt, sing what feels most natural to you and we can make any needed corrections in the callbacks.)
For unchanged voices, "Waitin' for You" would be an octave higher than the recording, but "Coleman Boys" would match the recording. The rehearsal tracks have the piano playing your melody where you'd sing it for "Waitin' for You," but an octave higher for "Coleman Boys."
For adult/post-pubescent voices, both demos are as you would sing them. The rehearsal tracks play the melody an octave above where you'd sing them, as is customary.
“Waitin' for You" Excerpt
Dramatic Context
The show opens on Young Anton, a nine-year-old Black boy whose mother is in jail. David Coleman, a middle-aged white man, talks to Anton about fostering him and offers to take down what he's saying in a letter to Anton's mother, Juanita. As Anton sings and David writes, we see Juanita being processed and pleading at her arraignment. The song ends with Juanita being led by a court officer offstage in one direction, as Young Anton is led off the other by David.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.“Coleman Boys” Excerpt
Dramatic Context
Out of loyalty to his mother, Young Anton resists bonding with David for months, until one night when David helps him push past his fear and learn to ski.
Sheet Music
Download Sheet MusicRehearsal & Audition Tracks
Rehearsal Track
Your melody played over a quiet version of the accompaniment.Accompaniment Track
What you'll sing with in the callback.Music Minus One Track
A composer mockup of the excerpt with the other parts sounding, but your part omitted, so you can practice singing your part in harmony.Excerpt Demo
A composer mockup of the excerpt sung over the accompaniment.Full Demo
Listen to the full song in a composer mockup to hear the excerpt in context.About the Show
Everybody’s Son is a musical adaptation of the celebrated novel by Thrity Umrigar. When nine-year-old Anton, a Black boy from Brooklyn, is picked up by child protective services after his mother disappears, he's taken in by the Colemans, a wealthy white family mourning the loss of their teenage son. Anton's birth mother is found after being held captive by her drug dealer, but the Colemans use their immense power and influence to keep her away and adopt Anton. Years later, Anton, now a Harvard graduate in a tight race for the governorship, unexpectedly receives a letter from his birth mother – a letter that threatens his campaign and risks rewriting his entire life story. A gripping new musical, Everybody's Son takes audiences on a journey through American systems of power, class, race, and privilege, all while telling a deeply moving story of identity and family.
This is a non-equity, paid coproduction between Thunderclap Productions and the Sankofa Collective. The production is slated to run at the MATCH (Matchbox 1) in Houston, Texas from July 29 to August 8, 2027. Rehearsals are expected to primarily take place in June and June 2026.
Available Roles
Consult your callback email to see which of these roles you've been called back for:
| Character(s) | Character Race & Voice Type | Character Age Over the Course of the Show | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anton Vesper Coleman | Black | Tenor | 20-35 | A brilliant and charismatic Black man raised by a wealthy white family since the age of 9. |
| David Coleman | White | Baritenor | 30s-60s | Anton's adoptive father, part of a Democratic political dynasty. |
| Dee Coleman | White | Mezzo | 30s-60s | Anton's adoptive mother, still grieving the loss of her biological son. |
| Carine | Black | Mezzo | 20-35 | Anton's college girlfriend, a fierce revolutionary. |
| Juanita Vesper | Black | Mezzo | Late 20s-Early 50s | Anton's birth mother. Anton is her whole world. |
| Young Anton/Shay | Black | Unchanged male voice or Tenor | 9-12 | Young Anton is a perceptive, resilient boy, Juanita's son, and David and Dee's adopted son. Shay is Carine's son. |
| Brad | White | Baritone | 20-35 | Anton's best friend and campaign manager, a bit toxic in his college years. (Brad also doubles in some ensemble roles.) |
| Pappy/Connor/Cop | White | Non-Singing | Middle-Aged | Pappy is David's father, a good-natured U.S. Democratic senator. Connor is David's best friend, Brad's father, and the prosecutor in Juanita's case. Cop is a racist cop in rural Georgia. (Also doubles in some ensemble roles.) |
Vocal Ranges
Here are the current ranges for the show. Solo songs will be transposed to fit the actor. If there's a solo excerpt listed below that you'd like to sing in another key, email the composer Aaron Alon at aaronalon@gmail.com as soon as possible, so he can prepare that track for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't make the callbacks?
If you're not available on Sept. 26th or 27th, please let us know immediately, so we can try to find a time to meet with you in-person or virtually.
Do I have to follow the music exactly as written?
For solo songs, no! Make it your own and show us what you'd bring to it. For harmony sections, please plan to perform them exactly as written.
Can I try a song in another key?
For solo songs, yes! Email Aaron Alon at aaronalon@gmail.com with any requests for tracks in other keys. Please give as much advance notice as you can (1 week recommended), so he can accommodate. Last-minute requests may not be able to be honored.
For ensemble numbers, please do your best to sing them as written. In the actual show, we may be able to accommodate different keys (or rewrite or swap parts), but we need to make sure they work for all performers.
What's the rehearsal & performance schedule?
The rehearsal schedule has yet to be set, but we anticipate rehearsals throughout June and July 2027. Tech and dress rehearsals will be July 26-28, with an opening preview performance on July 29, 2027. The production is slated to run July 29 to Aug. 8, 2027 at the MATCH in Houston, Texas. See a list of tentative performance dates here.
Can I sing a cappella for my audition?
For in-person auditions, please do not sing a cappella. We'll provide a pianist and a Bluetooth speaker, so bring sheet music or a backing/karaoke track. While we'll accept a cappella video audition submissions, we encourage you to film yourself singing while having a second device play a backing/karaoke track for your audition. Backing/karaoke tracks are available for many songs on YouTube.
Are there roles for actors who don't sing or dance?
No roles are expected to require much choreography. The actor who plays Pappy, Connor, and the Cop will not need to sing. All other roles are singing roles.
Is this paid?
Yes, all cast and crew are paid, though this is a non-union (non-equity) production.
Can minors audition?
There is one role available for a minor. Young Anton/Shay is a Black boy, ages 9-12, so any actor that can reasonably pass for those ages is invited to audition for it.
Will you provide accommodations for non-local performers?
Unfortunately, it's not within our budget to house performers, so we're looking for performers who have local accommodations.
I have a question not answered here.
Email your question to info@thunderclapproductions.com and we'll get back to you!