MACT

ROLES IN HAIRSPRAY
Tracy Turnblad (female 15-20ish) Vocal Range – Top A4, Bottom D3
Our story’s unsuspecting protagonist, she is large and in charge. Confident, talented, and incredibly determined. A romantic with a
good heart and desire to cut up the dance floor. Always on top of the latest trends. This role should be played by a white actress.
Corny Collins (male 25-25ish) Vocal Range – Top A4, Bottom D3
Charismatic host of the Corny Collins’ Show. Good looking and smooth talking, he is a genuinely nice guy both on and off camera.
Corny should be played by a white actor.
Edna Turnblad (male 30-50ish) Vocal Range – Top G5, Bottom F3
Tracy’s big and blonde mother. She is a working housewife who has lost her confidence and dream to be a plus-size clothing designer.
Boisterous and commanding. Often played by a male in drag. This role should be played by a white performer.
Penny Pingleton (female 15-20ish) Vocal Range – Top G5, Bottom A3
Tracy’s best friend and dorky sidekick. Not the brightest girl, but she has good intentions. Bursting to get free of her mother’s
dominating control, she falls for Seaweed with childlike curiosity. This role should be played by a white actress.
Velma Von Tussle (female 45-55ish) Vocal Range – Top E5, Bottom G3
Amber’s mother and the director of Corny Collin’s show. She is a devious taskmaster & snobby racist. The former Miss Baltimore
Crabs will go to any length to ensure her daughter is the next big thing. This role should be played by a white actress.
Amber Von Tussle (female 15-20ish) Vocal Range – Top F5, Bottom A3
Link’s girlfriend and Tracy’s nemesis. She is pretty, thin, shallow, snobby, and racist. Can’t dance but is expected to win Miss
Baltimore Hairspray. Always feels the need to be the center of attention. This role should be played by a white actress.
Link Larkin (male 15-20ish) Vocal Range – Top A5, Bottom G3
Star heartthrob on Corny Collins’ show. He is extremely attractive and talented. Hoping to get his big break with a recording contract,
he unexpectedly falls for Tracy. This role should be played by a white actor.
Seaweed J. Stubbs (male 15-20ish) Vocal Range – Top D5, Bottom F3
Tracy’s classmate and friend, who is discriminated against due to his skin color. He is cocky but surprisingly lovable. Talented in song
and dance. He falls for Penny. Seaweed should be played by a Black actor.
Motormouth Maybelle (female 40-50ish) Vocal Range – Top E5, Bottom F3
Seaweed and Little Inez’s mother, she also appears as the Guest DJ on the Corny Collin’s Negro Day show. Big, blonde, beautiful and
proud of it. She is sassy and confident. This role should be played by a Black actress.
Wilbur Turnblad (male 55-65ish) Vocal Range – Top A5, Bottom A3
Tracy’s simpleminded and kind father. He owns a joke shop and supports his daughter in spite of everything else. He also loves his
wife, Edna, very much. This role should be played by a white actor.

Prudy Pingleton (female 40-50ish) Vocal Range – Top A4, Bottom D3
Penny’s strict mother. Very conservative, controlling, and closed minded. This role should be played by a white actress.
Little Inez (female 12-13ish)
Seaweed’s little sister. Little Inez should be played by a Black actress.
Ensemble Roles include the following:
The Dynamites
Corny Collins’ Kids (Tammy, Brad, Fender, Brenda, Sketch, Shelley, etc.)
Various Students (Gilbert, Stooie, Lorraine, Duane, Thad, Cindy Watkins, etc.)
Mr. Pinky
Harriman F. Spritzer
Gym Teacher
Matron