About the Show

Kung Fu Cowgirl The Musical follows Xiao Xue, a young kung fu student from Kung Fu Village who dreams of becoming a true cowgirl. When she journeys to Harmony Junction to reclaim her village’s stolen silver ribbon, she enters a world of rodeos, teahouses, rhythm battles, language rules, cowboy swagger, and unexpected friendship.

At its heart, the show is about identity, courage, cultural pride, and learning that true strength is not just speed, volume, or force. It is breath, rhythm, connection, and the courage to become fully yourself.

The story features martial arts-inspired movement, Western and country dance energy, bilingual and cross-cultural humor, ensemble storytelling, and a bold East-meets-West theatrical world. The script includes characters Kung Fu Girl/Xiao Xue, Cowboy Cody, Master Hao, Madam Babel, Harmony Junction townspeople, vendors, disciples, henchmen, and a chorus of performers who help create the world of the show.

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Auditions

• Auditions will be held by appointment on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 6-9:30PM at the Dougherty Arts Center.

• Details will be shared with selected auditionees after registration.

• Please register here: https://forms.gle/PkuQFQCpXgzwU4rBA

We Are Seeking

We are seeking actors, singers, dancers, movers, martial artists, Chinese dancers, musical theater performers, physical comedians, ensemble performers, and creative collaborators with strong stage presence.

Performers of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, body types, and abilities are encouraged to audition.

Experience in Chinese culture, martial arts, dance, or Mandarin is welcome, but not required for all roles.

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What to Prepare

• A short song selection, approximately 60 to 90 seconds. Musical theater, pop, folk, country, or another style that shows your voice is fine.

• Cold reading from the script. Sides will be provided at the audition - no need to prepare text.

• Optional movement or special skill demonstration. This may include dance, martial arts, rope/whip movement, acrobatics, puppetry, comedy, instruments, Chinese dance, Western/country movement, or another relevant skill.

Things to Consider Before You Audition

• Rehearsal and production schedule details will be shared as the production calendar is finalized.

• The production is planned for September 1 - 13, 2026 at Zilker Hillside Theater in Austin, TX.

• Please be prepared to list any known September 2026 conflicts on the audition form.

• Because this is a movement-forward musical, performers should be open to physical staging, ensemble work, music, choreography, and stylized theatrical storytelling.

 

Character Breakdown

 

Kung Fu Girl / Xiao Xue / Kung Fu Cowgirl

The heroine of the story. A spirited young woman from Kung Fu Village who dreams of becoming a true cowgirl. She is bold, funny, impulsive, brave, and full of heart. At first, she thinks strength means being loud, fast, and impressive. Through her journey, she learns that real power comes from breath, rhythm, patience, and staying connected to who she is.

Seeking: Strong actor/singer/mover. Martial arts, dance, or strong physical storytelling experience is a plus.

Character qualities: Energetic, earnest, rebellious, warm, courageous, emotionally expressive.

Role demands: Singing, movement, comedy, emotional scenes, possible martial arts-inspired choreography.

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Cowboy Cody

A charming young cowboy from Harmony Junction. Cody is funny, confident, street-smart, and full of Western flair, but he also carries guilt and conflict underneath the surface. He becomes Xiao Xue’s partner, betrays her under pressure, then must choose what kind of cowboy and person he truly wants to be.

Seeking: Strong actor/singer/mover with comic timing and emotional range. Dance, country movement, physical comedy, or stage combat experience is a plus.

Character qualities: Charismatic, playful, conflicted, funny, ultimately loyal.

Role demands: Singing, movement, comedy, partner scenes, emotional confession, possible lasso/cowboy-inspired choreography.

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Madam Babel

The main antagonist. Madam Babel is the ruler of Harmony Junction and the owner of the Silver Serpent Revolver. She controls the town through order, language, rhythm, tone, and fear. Elegant, powerful, precise, and theatrical, she believes that control equals strength. Her conflict with Xiao Xue is not just physical, but philosophical: control versus freedom, perfection versus real expression.

Seeking: Commanding actor/singer/mover with strong presence. Dance, martial arts-inspired movement, fan/ribbon work, or stylized villain performance is a plus.

Character qualities: Elegant, intimidating, precise, controlling, wounded, charismatic.

Role demands: Singing, movement, stylized villain scenes, combat/movement sequences, strong vocal and physical authority.

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Master Hao

Xiao Xue’s kung fu master. Wise, strict, funny, calm, and deeply rooted in tradition. He teaches that kung fu is not only about fists and feet, but virtue, heart, breath, and discipline. He carries history with Madam Babel and the lost ribbons.

Seeking: Actor with warmth, authority, comic timing, and grounded stage presence. Movement or martial arts experience is a plus but not required.

Character qualities: Wise, strict, dry humor, patient, protective, traditional.

Role demands: Acting, possible singing or musical moments, stylized movement, mentor scenes.

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Harmony Junction Vendors / Townspeople

The comic and cultural heart of Harmony Junction. These characters include steamed bun vendors, bartenders, tea vendors, market sellers, waiters, and townspeople who bring the world to life. They help create the show’s East-meets-West marketplace, full of food, arguments, rhythm, comedy, and community.

Seeking: Ensemble actors, singers, dancers, comedians, movers, and performers with strong personality.

Character qualities: Funny, expressive, lively, bold, community-oriented.

Role demands: Ensemble singing, movement, comedy, possible featured lines and small roles.

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Kung Fu Disciples

Students of Kung Fu Village who train under Master Hao. They provide humor, movement, ensemble energy, and contrast to Xiao Xue’s cowgirl dreams.

Seeking: Actors/movers/dancers with strong ensemble instincts. Martial arts, dance, or physical theater experience is a plus.

Character qualities: Disciplined, playful, reactive, funny, energetic.

Role demands: Ensemble movement, comedy, possible martial arts-inspired choreography.

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Madam Babel’s Henchmen / Rhythm Enforcers

Stylized followers of Madam Babel. They move in robotic, synchronized, glitchy patterns and help enforce her world of order, rhythm, and control.

Seeking: Strong movers, dancers, physical theater performers, martial artists, or performers comfortable with stylized ensemble movement.

Character qualities: Precise, rhythmic, controlled, intimidating.

Role demands: Movement, ensemble combat/choreography, mask or stylized performance work.

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Chorus / Featured Ensemble

The ensemble is central to the world of the show. They become villagers, townspeople, market vendors, teahouse staff, rodeo spectators, henchmen, dancers, and a living chorus that helps shape the rhythm, humor, and emotional arc of the production.

Seeking: Singers, dancers, actors, movers, comedians, martial artists, and creative ensemble performers.

Role demands: Singing, dancing/movement, scene transitions, world-building, featured moments, possible understudy opportunities.

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Special Skills We’re Excited About!

• Singing

• Dance

• Musical theater

• Martial arts

• Chinese dance

• Tai Chi

• Stage combat

• Rope, whip, lasso, or prop work

• Physical comedy

• Puppetry or object work

• Acrobatics

• Instrumentalists

• Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Chinese dialects

• Country/western dance

• Hip hop, jazz, contemporary, folk, or fusion dance

• Bilingual or cross-cultural performance

 

None of these are required for every role. We are looking for performers who are expressive, collaborative, and open to building an original theatrical world together.

 

Registration

Please complete the audition form here:

https://forms.gle/PkuQFQCpXgzwU4rBA

You may upload a headshot, resume, or performance video if available. These are helpful, but not required.

Questions? Contact: business@kungfucowgirl.com