A play-within-a-play, telling the story of the elderly Alonso Quijana (Don Quixote) who goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world while battling the harsh realities around him.
Director: AMY SARAH LAMENA
Music Director: MARIA ELMER
Choreographer: BETSY FOUST
Producers: JOHN MEGLINO & DEB PANICCIA
Stage Manager: AMANDA TROMBLY
Personal Responsibility Statement: SLOC Musical Theater is proud to present a diverse array of theatrical productions that celebrate creativity, expression, and community engagement. We recognize that not all performances may resonate with or be suitable for every individual or age group. Patrons are strongly encouraged to review show descriptions, themes, and content advisories before purchasing tickets in order to make informed decisions based on personal tastes and sensitivities. Please feel free to contact the box office if you have specific questions or concerns about the content of a production.
Audition Information
Audition Dates
- Monday, December 1, 2025 and Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (You only need to attend
one of these sessions) - Sign in begins at 6:30 pm. Auditions begin at 7:00 pm
- Callbacks will be by invite only and will be held on Thursday, December 4th at 7:00 pm
Location
SLOC Education Building
418 Liberty Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Free parking is available in the city-owned lot across the street.
Please enter through the left front door facing Liberty Street.
Performance Dates
March 13-15 & 19-22, 2026
(Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm)
SLOC Mainstage, 427 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
What to Expect
- Please prepare 16 to 32 bars of music from a Broadway show – ideally in a style similar to the show.
- Singing from the show is welcome, but not required.
- An accompanist will be provided – please bring your own sheet music.
- Readings from the script will be provided.
- Prepare for a dance audition by wearing or bring comfortable clothing, appropriate shoes and a water
bottle. - Please bring a list of all rehearsal conflicts.
- Audition Form can be completed ahead of time or the night of auditions
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 7 pm – 10 pm, and on Sunday afternoons 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Please note rehearsal times are subject to change based on cast/crew availability.
Full cast read-through will take place Monday December 8, 2025. We will distribute scripts, meet the cast and crew, sign organizational paperwork and then begin a table read of the script.
Attendance
The following rehearsal dates are mandatory for all cast and crew:
Photo Shoot Day (TBD based on cast/crew availability)
Theater Clean-Up Day (Friday, March 6, 2026)
Tech Week (Sunday, March 8 – Thursday, March 12, 2026)
All Performances
Strike (Sunday, March 22, 2026, immediately following the final performance)
Health & Safety
Commitment to the health and safety of our performers, staff and audience members is our first priority. Please make a point to review our updated Health and Safety Guidelines at www.sloctheater.org.
About the Show:
Man of La Mancha, based on Cervantes’ epic 17th-century novel, Don Quixote, is a remarkable, poignant, moving musical that was one of the first shows to musicalize a piece of historical literature. Set in the context of the Spanish Inquisition, Man of La Mancha is presented as a play-within-a-play. We encounter historical author Miguel de Cervantes in prison, awaiting trial by the Inquisition. When his fellow prisoners try to take Cervantes’ belongings from him, including his manuscript, Cervantes proposes a trial in which he proves the merit of the manuscript through a reenactment, enlisting his fellow prisoners as characters in his play. Together, they tell the story of the aged Alonso Quijana who believes himself to be a knight errant, names himself Don Quixote, and pursues an obsessive quest to attain an impossible dream. Against all odds, Quixote and his trusty squire Sancho Panza take to the road in a quest to chivalry and seek out the good and innocent in a world filled with darkness and despair.
Through the story, all the prisoners – at least for a moment – are transformed. The mad Don Quixote may think a windmill to be a giant and a tavern to be a castle, but along the way he also transforms a wretched woman into a beautiful lady – and proves that an old man’s belief can truly make him a knight.
Character Breakdown
Please note: Casting will be based on audition and will be age/race/gender blind. All auditioners must be 18 years old or older at the time of audition.
Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote / Alonso Quijana: (Baritone). Cervantes is an actor, playwright, and tax collector. Quijana is an aging gentleman who believes himself to be Don Quixote. Quixote is a would-be knight errant, a romantic, and a madman.
Cervantes’ Man Servant / Sancho Panza: (Tenor) Quixote’s loyal squire and sidekick. Funny, pragmatic. “A little bag stuffed with proverbs.”
Aldonza / Dulcinea: (Soprano / Belt) A servant and part-time prostitute. Jaded, defiant, a survivor. Her rough exterior masks a gentle heart. Quixote imagines her to be his lady,
Dulcinea.
Padre: (Tenor) A kindly cleric. Thoughtful, sympathetic to Don Quixote, but conflicted.
Innkeeper / The Governor: (Bass) The Innkeeper is kind and sympathetic to Don Quixote until his inn is threatened. Married to María. The Governor is the imposing leader of the inmates.
Dr. Sanson Carrasco / The Duke / The Knight of the Mirrors: (Baritone) Dr. Carrasco is haughty, controlling, and engaged to Don Quixote’s niece, Antonia. The Duke is a disillusioned prisoner who dislikes Cervantes and his stories.
María: (Mezzo) No-nonsense, exasperated, and pessimistic. Married to the Innkeeper.
Antonia: (Soprano) Sweet but self-centered. Niece to Alonso Quijana and engaged to Dr. Carrasco.
Fermina: A servant girl.
Housekeeper: (Mezzo) Strong, religious, holds tightly to her convictions. Works as a housekeeper for Alonso Quijana. Possible double with the Barber.
Pedro: (Baritone) The leader of the muleteers. Rough and ruthless. Guitar skills are a plus.
Anselmo: (Tenor) A rough and sturdy muleteer. Beautiful voice. Guitar skills are a plus.
Tenorio / Captain of the Inquisition: As Tenorio, another muleteer. As the Captain, a cruel and imposing leader of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
Paco / Monk: As Paco, a rough and sturdy muleteer, but perhaps the youngest of the group. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
Juan / Barber / Monk: (Tenor) As Juan, a rough and sturdy muleteer. As Barber, a traveling barber. As Monk, a member of the Spanish Inquisition. Guitar skills are a plus.
José: Featured role
Guitar Player: Featured role
Ensemble: Prisoners, muleteers, soldiers, and other inhabitants of the inn, who also play characters in Don Quixote’s story within the play. The ensemble actors double as various townspeople and travelers, contributing to the overall bustling atmosphere and narrative of the play.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email either the Director or the Producers. We hope you’ll join us at auditions!
- Director Amy Sarah LaMena: amylamena@gmail.com (518) 944-5328
- Producer John Meglino: john.meglino@gmail.com (518) 727-7356
- Producer Debbie Paniccia: debpaniccia@gmail.com (518) 466-4478