Hairspray JR.

Hairspray JR.
Hairspray JR. is unavailable for licensing at this time. MTI and the Authors are refurbishing the materials, please check back for updates.

The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! Hairspray JR. is the family-friendly musical piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.  Adapted from the Broadway production that won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Hairspray JR. is a show that will celebrate your students' diversity and bring audiences to their feet with its positive message and uproarious sense of humor.

It's 1962, and spunky, plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has one big dream — to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When she finally gets her shot, she's transformed from social outcast to sudden star. In balancing her newfound power with her desire for justice, Tracy fights to dethrone the reigning Miss Teen Hairspray, Amber von Tussle, and integrate a TV network in the process. With the help of her outsized mom, Edna, and guest DJ, Motormouth Maybelle, the rhythm of Tracy's new beat just might prove unstoppable.

Hairspray JR. is filled with a host of parts for a wide cross-section of students and an abundance of energetic production numbers.

Hairspray JR. is unavailable while the authors incorporate changes they made to the full-length version of the show in connection with recent revival productions and tours. The authors and MTI are thankful for the feedback we have received from customers and educators. While the re-release date is currently unknown, you may click “Follow” on this page to stay updated on the show’s status. The Corny Collins Show will air again!

IMPORTANT CASTING INFORMATION

Licenses for Hairspray and Hairspray JR. will include a rider with the following language:

MTI receives many inquiries about the casting requirements for Hairspray. At its core, Hairspray is a story about acceptance and inclusion (and rejection and exclusion) during the early days of the civil rights movement. The authors' artistic vision requires that, in order to clearly and appropriately tell that story, the cast members in the show accurately reflect the characters as written. As such, this Production Contract requires that the cast members in your production of Hairspray accurately reflect the character descriptions contained in the script. Note: The use of make-up to portray Black characters in your production (e.g., blackface) is not permitted under this Production Contract. By signing below, you agree to inform the director of your production of the casting requirements and that such use of make-up is strictly prohibited.

In the past, performance licenses for Hairspray did not include this provision. However, the authors have determined that expressly stating this requirement is an important component of ensuring that licensed productions of Hairspray accurately reflect the authors' intent.

HAIRSRPAY JR. IS CURRENTLY UNDER REFURBISHMENT. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE AVAILABILITY OF TITLE.

Concert Selections for Hairspray

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

No concert selections found to match your search. Try modifying your search criteria.

Questions & Answers

April 14, 2018
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Similar to everyone else’s about producing this show with a non-diverse cast.

I absolutely love this show & would possibly like to produce it in a non-diverse school. This is the main reason I have not done this show yet. Would it be possible to send the link to my e-mail about how to do this show with a non-diverse cast?

Thank you! 

~Jennifer 

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I am checking on a submitted contract...

I submitted my contract early Jan and haven't heard back.  I have emailed and tried calling Roseanne George but have not heard back.  Our Jr. play is in April and it is making me nervous. 

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September 23, 2017
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All Hispanic/Latino Cast

Could you please send me the email with suggestions for producing the show with a non-diverse cast?

Thank you!

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June 29, 2017
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How to adapt it to non-diverse cast?
Very similar to other questions, I'm directing this with a non direct show: ideas on how to adapt it? Thanks!
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June 10, 2017
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Non-Diverse Cast
My Middle School students have expressed enthusiasm in doing Hairspray JR. next year. However, unfortunately our school, or cast, does not have a large diverse population. I'm wondering if and how this can be adapted for my students, while still staying true to the story.
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May 17, 2017
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Also lacking diversity in casting, wondering how other people dealt with this?
Hi! Kind of in the same boat as everyone else - I'm directing for a summer camp that's not super ethnically diverse, is there a way to address this without being disrespectful? If anyone has any ideas, please email me at morganingari@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Can our middle school perform Hairspray Jr. with a partially diverse cast?
Our middle school would like to perform Hairspray Jr. Our student population has some diversity, which is multi-racial, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, not many who are black. What are the requirements and can we work around this? Please send me an email with details, to kimschiff45@gmail.com. Also, does Edna have to be a male? Thank you, Kim
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March 15, 2017
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Options for non-diverse Hairspray Jr. production.
My teens have spoken and they want to do Hairspray Jr. I know you have sent some suggestions to others on how to be true to the script without the necessary diversity in our cast members. I would love a copy of those suggestions, debbie@musictheatrewest.org. Thanks!
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December 16, 2016
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Hairspray Jr. casting question
My school is in an area without a lot of ethnic diversity. I'm wondering if there is a possibility to classify a group, not racially, but in some other way to make it work for our community? Please let me know any ideas. Thank you.
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December 15, 2016
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Diversity
Hi, How do you get round casting for a predominantly white cohort? Many thanks,
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