Auditions

Seeking non-union actors for two productions of one-act plays, one that will be performed for high school audiences and one for middle school audiences. Both productions are part of Lyric Backstage, an education program introducing young people to design and production career paths and creative processes in the performing arts. 

Most characters are written to be played by actors of any race, orientation, or gender identity (unless otherwise specified) – characters’ pronouns will be updated to reflect the casting. 

Actors must be over the age of 18 but may not be currently enrolled undergraduate students.

Both plays are directed by Director of Community & Artistic Programs Alexandra Smith.

PRODUCTION 1

Senior Year Project by Fabiola Decius

A dramedy about an unlikely friendship between Danny, a gregarious but unfocused student athlete on academic probation, and his tutor, True, a valedictorian-to-be whose overachieving style masks deep insecurity and uncertainty. Will Danny walk across the stage at graduation? Can True embrace a future that’s coming, whether she likes it or not? As they navigate the pressures of senior year, is it possible for Danny and True to form an authentic relationship from such transactional origins? Think classic teen movies of the late 90s/early 00s.

Characters

• Danny: A high school athlete/jock who spent the first three years of high school primarily focused on sports at the expense of academics and now may have to pay the price. Uses charm to avoid discomfort and vulnerability. Male.
• True: A high-achieving, but also high-strung, student who fills every moment of her schedule to avoid confronting the uncertainty of the future. Good hearted underneath it all. The dance studio is the one place where she can truly let loose. Female.
• Reese: True’s fashionable best friend who plans to attend Yale for law school and is already dressing and acting the part. This actor also plays Todd, a guidance counselor who is a chronic oversharer. Any gender.
• Jordan: Danny’s long-time friend. A comic book enthusiast who maaaaaaybe could be persuaded to re-join the school’s Book Club. This actor also plays Pitts, the encouraging school librarian who supports the Book Club. Any gender.

Schedule for Senior Year Project

• Rehearsals: September 21-October 11, 2026 (20 hours per week, generally M-Th between 10am-5pm)
• Tech: Monday, October 12 and Tuesday, October 13 (daytime)
• Performances, all at 10am: October 14, 15, 16, and October 20, 21, 22

PRODUCTION 2

Envy & Hope by Kristen Palmer

A quasi-absurdist piece about a pair of digital workers, Jodi and Tres, who’ve been taught to think that all there is to life is earning “credits.” That is, until a mysterious person delivers a mysterious box, which grants them the opportunity to see the potential beyond.  Will Jodi and Tres give in to the power of their imaginations? Dystopian sci-fi mixed with mythology and some physical comedy.

Characters

• Jodi: A worker trying to make enough “credits” to get by. Curious about what else is out there and asking big questions but unwilling to take the steps needed to find the answers. There’s always new tasks to do, after all. Any gender.
• Tres: A worker trying to make enough “credits” to get by. Curious about what else is out there and asking big questions, but seeking the answers has gotten them in trouble before. Eager and excitable. Any gender.
• EZ: A delivery driver who’s always had a knack for delivering just the right box to just the right place at just the right time but now fears they may be losing their touch. Any gender.
• Zeb: Director of this sector, aka the one in charge around here. Smooth and charming.  Any gender.

Schedule for Envy & Hope

• Rehearsals: December 28, 2026-January 17, 2027  (20 hours per week, generally M-Th between 10am-5pm, except for week 1 which will be M, Tu, W, Sa due to the holiday)
• Tech: Monday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 19 (daytime)
• School Performances, all at 10am: January 20, 21, 22, and January 26, 27, 28

For Both Productions

All rehearsals will be paid at a rate of $22/hr. Performances will be paid a fee of $100 per performance, with time on-site at the theatre estimated at 2.5-4 hours per performance.

Please submit a headshot and resume, summary of any movement/dance experience, and a self-tape of a contemporary monologue via this Google Form by Friday, August 14.  In-person callbacks, if needed, will be held on Monday, August 24. Please reach out to artistic@lyricstage.com with any questions.