Powerhouse announces auditions for '1776' the musical

LACONIA ― Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, the resident theater company of the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, announces auditions for "1776" the musical, which will be performed June 27 at the Colonial in collaboration with 20 members of the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

"1776" won the Tony Award for best musical in 1969 and concerns the events leading up to signing of the Declaration of Independence as John Adams fights to convince the Continental Congress to vote for independence from England. The musical looks at the compromises required to get all 13 states on board to sign Thomas Jefferson’s historic document, leading up to the powerful final vote.

Auditions will be by video only and require a one-minute song of your choosing that showcases your vocal range and acting ability and an audition side provided at powerhousenh.org/auditions. Registration and video are due by Sunday, March 29.

Most rehearsals for "1776" will take place in May on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays in Laconia. There will be a few additional rehearsals in June and mandatory rehearsals on Tuesday, June 23, and Friday, June 26. There will be 2 and 7 p.m. performances at the Colonial on June 27.

Powerhouse is looking for talented actors who sing well as the show contains a lot of dialogue, and only a few group musical numbers. Auditioners should be self motivated, and able to practice at home, as while this is a concert version with minimal staging, the play will be fully memorized and performed without scripts in hand. The staging will be directed by Bryan Halperin, with music direction and conducting by Laura Iwaskiewicz, and costumes by Emily Nelson. This is Powerhouse’s first collaboration with the Symphony.

“We wanted to do something to commemorate this historic moment in American history despite the admittedly polarized time we find ourselves in," said Bryan Halperin. "'1776' is a powerful reminder about the way our Founding Fathers found common ground and a common mission to achieve independence and we hope community members can come together and be reminded of our common history as Americans.”

Tickets for "1776" are already on sale at coloniallaconia.com and powerhousenh.org/1776. Buyers should make sure they are only buying tickets from the correct links, as third-party sites inflate the ticket prices. This special event is sponsored by Friedman and Bresaw, PLLC.

For all the details on Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, auditions, and other events in the 2026 season, check out powerhousenh.org or email info@powerhousenh.org.