Hairspray 2026 Cast Announced!
We seem to say this every year, but this year's auditions were truly our biggest and most competitive to date! As we began the process of crafting our 10th production - to be staged in 2026, our 5th Anniversary - MTDXB was absolutely inundated with applications to audition for a spot on-stage in HAIRSPRAY!
After over 125 forms submitted, with close to 100 hopeful auditionees knocking our socks off over two grueling days of singing, acting and dancing auditions, our Production Team had the unenviable task of whittling down the numbers to finally settle on our biggest cast ever, with over 60 talented performers booking roles in this iconic show!
MTDXB wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who auditioned and shared their raw talent, energy and enthusiasm! We know from personal experience that the auditions process can be overwhelming, and to those who didn't make the final cast list, please don't let this deter you from coming along to future auditions and workshops, or treading the boards with any of the other many outstanding theatre groups in Dubai. If we had the space on stage, we would have cast every single one of you, and you really didn't make our panel's job an easy task - there've been arguments, delays, tears and sleepless nights in the days that followed and it's never taken us this long to agree on our final cast!
Eventually though, we have our selection and MTDXB is thrilled to announce our HAIRSPRAY cast who will be bringing this infectious musical with purpose to audiences of Dubai in May at Sunmarke School. Buckle-up, it's a long one!
Tracy Turnblad: Arden Armstrong
Edna Turnblad: Claire Bennett
Wilbur Turnblad: Brian Fletcher
Corny Collins: Daithi Moore
Velma Von Tussle: Bethanie Mitchinson
Amber Von Tussle: Morgan Nossiter
Link Larkin: Adrian Alvarez
Penny Pingleton: Jade Frances Law
Prudy Pingleton: Abby Brewer
Seaweed J. Stubbs: To be Announced
Motormouth Maybelle: Sophie Worrell
Little Inez Stubbs: Deanna Byron
Tracy Turnblad (Understudy): Emma Jane Dunne
Harriman F. Spritzer: Glenn Atkinson
Mr Pinky: Jack Bruce
Matron: Laura Marino
Principal: Nickie Willoughby
Gym Teacher: Heather Lowe
Prison Guard 1: Nour Kaddour
Prison Guard 2: Noura Sulaiman
Joining this stellar cast of returning MTDXB performers and a number of super-exciting newbies are:
The Dynamites: Shanté Liburd, Margaret Patterson & Pamela Yoli-Lambert
The Corny Collins Council: Rachel Cahill, Claire Clarke, Aidan Godwin, Teresa Greeff, Beverly Keller, Katie Keyes, Lindsey Larkin, Amy McArdle, Lauryn McLeod, Niamh Moore, Seb Murphy, Kerry-Lee Jeffrey, Julia Reshetnikova, Stephen Rixon, Monica Segato, Ruben Serna, Grace Stech & Shona Wills
The Record Store Crew: Johann Adjovi, Chris Asignar, Lauren Collins, Srishti Jain, Ajay Khari, Rafiq Maged, Kimberley Mosley & Alina Zuberi
The Denizens of Baltimore: Alice Bidder, James Casaki, Victoria Curtis, Sarah Debono, Jacqui McGuire, Aimee McMenamin, Lauren Noble, Kristina Novykova, Ann-Katrin Reusch, Laura Skelton, Jonathan Thomas, Isabelle Tonnesen & Alexandra White
A huge well done to everyone joining our HAIRSPRAY cast - we can't wait for January to arrive and to get started with you all!
And of course, a huge thank you and congratulations to our amazing HAIRSPRAY Production Team - what a difficult job you all had in selecting our final cast! We know this show is in very safe and capable hands!
Director: Angela Annese
Musical Director: Emilie Rochford
Choreographer: Danielle Romero
Assistant Director: Julia-Ann Joy
Assistant Musical Director: Toby Nelms
Assistant Choreographer: Beverly Keller
Creative Producer: Tracey Bishop
Production Coordinator: Razel Trinos-Galang
Dance Captains: Rachel Cahill, Srishti Jain & Laura Marino
Vocal Coach: Kristina Novykova
American Accent Coach: Abby Brewer
Thank you again to everyone for bringing your A-Game to our auditions.
Team MTDXB