Casting & Auditions
The Western Stage is committed to inclusive casting practices. We believe in the value that diverse voices bring to telling a story, and the importance of casting that pushes against historical systems. Artists of all ethnicities, genders, and abilities are encouraged to audition.
To submit a 2026 video audition,
click HERE
SPRING AUDITIONS
Callback Materials
Please submit the appropriate materials.
FOR TRAILER PARK:
JEANNIE
Owner of my Heart (Jeannie) - Song Cut
NORBERT
Owner of my Heart (Norbert) - Song Cut
PIPPI
The Buck Stops Here - Song Cut
BETTY
This Side of the Tracks - Song Cut
2026 Character Breakdowns
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
by David Nehls & Betsy Kelso
Mainstage Theater
An irreverent musical comedy set at Armadillo Acres trailer park, where a stripper on the run disrupts the lives of residents including an agoraphobe and her drifting husband, sparking chaos and unexpected connections among the colorful trailer park tenants.
FIRST REHEARSAL- Sept. 15
TECH - Oct. 16
PERFORMANCES - Oct. 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS - Oct. 30, Nov. 6 & 13
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JEANNIE GARSTECKI - Female (35-45) Mezzo, Low F-High Db - Agorophobic; Married her high school sweetheart, Norbert, at 17. She hasn’t left her trailer in nearly 20 years.
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NORBERT GARSTECKI - Male (35-45) High Bari, A-Eb - Former high school football star with a job as a highway toll collector who’s fed up with his agoraphobic wife. Sparks fly when he meets Pippi, a stripper at a local club, The Litterbox Show Palace.
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PIPPI - Female (28-35) Belt, Low F-High F - Armadillo Acres’ newest resident, she’s a stripper on the run from her ex. She’s trying not to make bad choices.
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BETTY - Female (mid 40's-mid 50's) Growl Belt, Low F-Db - Greek chorus-like trio that guides the narrative, playing various characters and genders while breaking the fourth wall at whim to air their own dirty laundry.
2027 General Auditions
September 12, 2026
10am-1pm
Mainstage Theater
For plays, prepare two contrasting monologues, totaling no more than 1.5 minutes.
For musicals, prepare 1 monologue and two contrasting musical selections, totaling no more than 2 minutes. No accompanist - bluetooth speaker provided. No acapella please. Come prepared to move/dance.
**YOUTH AUDITIONS for Finding Neverland will take place at a later date.
Email TWSCasting@gmail.com for appt.
To submit a 2027 video audition,
click HERE
Casting California residents or those with local housing only for the 2027 season
2027 Character Breakdowns
The Spitfire Grill
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
The Spitfire Grill depicts the journey of a young woman just released from prison who yearns for a fresh start and follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, only to find a small, gritty town whose residents have their own aching hearts full of longing and regret. Discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity for rebirth, forgiveness and hope. Set to a melodic folk-inspired score, The Spitfire Grill is a joyous celebration of human kindness.
FIRST REHEARSAL
May 25
TECH
July 2
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES
July 10 - Aug. 1
(July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, Aug 1)
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS
July 16, 23, 30
The Spitfire Grill has an Indie-Folk sound and we are looking for actors/singers who are able to sing in this style.
PERCY TALBOTT – Early 20s. Pretty, if a bit rough-edged, her face declares the strength of her youth and a sadness beyond her years. Her accent has a southern Appalachian cadence. Strong folk/country belt to D, some head voice required.
HANNAH FERGUSON – About 70. A tough-skinned and flinty old bird with a short, no-nonsense manner borderng on the bitter. Mezzo/alto chest range.
SHELBY THORPE – Mid-30s. A plain, soft-faced creature with a shy, almost ethereal manner. Shimmering folk soprano with strong high belt to D.
CALEB THORPE – Early 40s. Out-of-work foreman of the stone quarry. Frustrated working man clinging to the past. Solid folk/rock voice with an edge (Top G).
SHERIFF JOE SUTTER – Mid-late 20s. A young small-town policeman with an appealing intensity and a restless nature. Strong folk tenor to a G (touches an A).
EFFY KRAYNECK – 50s. Postmistress and busybody, a woman with narrow eyes and a sour tongue. Solid singer in mezzo/alto chest range.
THE VISITOR – Mid-40s. A mysterious figure who never speaks. An actor with powerful eyes and a very strong sense of his body.
ENSEMBLE - 16-99+
Note: All characters (besides Percy) speak in “standard Midwestern” speech, without “countrified” intonations.
Eurydice
By Sarah Ruhl
Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. “Rhapsodically beautiful... an inexpressibly moving theatrical fable about love, loss and the pleasures and pains of memory.” – The New York Times
FIRST REHEARSAL
June 22
TECH
July 23
STUDIO PERFORMANCES
July 31 - Aug. 22
(July 31, Aug 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22)
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS
July 16, 23, 30
We are seeking playful actors for this production.
EURYDICE - 20’s-30’s, Very in love, likes adventure
ORPHEUS- 20’s-30’s, Very talented musician, and deeply in love with Euridyce
EURYDICE’S FATHER - 40’s+, Has been in the underworld and knows the ins and outs.
MAN/LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD- Mysterious and immoral
CHORUS OF STONES: BIG STONE, LITTLE STONE, LOUD STONE - Any Age, Any Gender
The Old Man and The Old Moon
Book, Music, and Lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co.
The Old Man has kept his post as the sole caretaker of the moon for as long as he (or his wife, the Old Woman) can remember. When she is drawn away by a mysterious melody that sparks memories of their shared past, the Old Man must decide between duty (and routine) and love (and adventure). Luckily for audiences everywhere, he chooses the latter, and what follows is an imaginative sea-faring epic, encompassing apocalyptic storms, civil wars, leviathans of the deep, cantankerous ghosts and the fiercest obstacle of all: change.
FIRST REHEARSAL
July 20
TECH
Aug. 27
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCES
September 4 - 26
(Sept. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26)
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS
Sept. 10, 17, 24
The Old Man and the Old Moon is a play with music, which leans heavily into the Celtic sound and was originally performed by the 7 members (all male) of the U.K.’s PigPen Theatre Company. TWS’ production will expand the cast but may still allow for some doubling. We are seeking actors/singers/musicians who can lean heavily into physical characterization and who are willing to learn puppetry of different styles. Actors will be asked to manipulate plain and everyday objects (rope, muslin, etc) to create waves, storms, flying & sailing vessels in plain sight of the audience. Many roles may be male or female.
THE OLD MAN – An old man whose job it is to fill the moon with liquid light. His journey in pursuit of his missing wife forces him out of his complacent lifestyle.
THE OLD WOMAN – An old woman who’s growing tired of her life filling the moon with her husband. She leaves her home in search of a forgotten memory.
MATHESON – The first mate of the ship and the narrator of the tale. Matheson loves telling stories so much that he commands the attention of the audience and the respect of his sailors.
LLEWELLYN – The youngest, somewhat naïve, spirited sailor whom the Old Man mentors and takes on as an apprentice towards the end of his journey.
MABELU – A sailor who has a good sense of humor and the best of intentions. He lost his precious dog years ago.
CALLAHAN – An ardent sailor. Never loses a fight.
COOKIE – An unhinged cook. Might be afraid of fire.
CAPTAIN – A fearless leader and most eloquent speaker.
PERRY – A legendary hero of the imperial fleet. First Naval Lieutenant Pericles Llewellyn McWallander was thrown overboard by his mutinous crew. He now spends his days inside the belly of a “prison fish.”
Ensemble Characters- 16+, Included roles
CLERK – Overwhelmed and unenthused each and every day at the boat shop
MICKEY – The clerk’s young assistant. Wears his grandfather’s hat to work.
SOLOMON – A witty aeronautical engineer. Sibling of Bartley.
BARTLEY – A witty aeronautical engineer. Sibling of Solomon.
DOG – Her name is Lucy. Mabelu lost her years ago.
BARTENDER – Goes by Bill but that’s not his real name.
PATRON – Plays the piano but doesn’t take requests.
FINE LADY – She lives in town. Has a secret.
REBEL ONE – Rebel captain. Trying to avoid a fight.
REBEL TWO – Rebel soldier. Trying to start a fight.
BOATSWAIN ONE – A master boatswain.
BOATSWAIN TWO – A boatswain’s apprentice.
BEN – He has a store in town, but they’re currently sold out of everything.
GHOST SINGER – A dead sailor with a penchant for cabaret.
THE YOUNG WOMAN – The Old Woman, a long time ago.
The River Bride
By Marisela Treviño Orta
Once upon a time, in a fishing village along the Amazon, there lived two sisters struggling to find their “happily ever after.” Helena is dreading her sister Belmira’s wedding. The groom, Duarte, should have been hers. And she knows that her sister only wants to escape their sleepy Brazilian town for an exciting new life in the city. But three days before the wedding, fishermen pull a mysterious stranger out of the river - a man with no past who offers both sisters an alluring, possibly dangerous future. Brazilian folklore and lyric storytelling blend intoa heartrending tale of true love, regret, transformation, and the struggle to stay true to your family while staying true to yourself.
FIRST REHEARSAL
September 17
TECH
August 17
STUDIO PERFORMANCES
Sept. 26 - Oct. 17
(Sept. 25, 26, Oct. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17)
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS
Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 15
This play requires actors to learn/study/create characters and language of the Amazon (Brazil).
HELENA- 18-25, smart and a beauty in her own right, though not as outgoing as her sister Belmira.
BELMIRA- Older 16-22, beautiful, frivolous and a bit vain, but charming and adored by the entire village. She is the bride-to-be and has an appetite for adventure.
MOISES – 20-30, charming, handsome and mysterious. Earnest and sympathetic, he’s been searching for love for a long time. Wears a bandage over his forehead, which he never removes. Dressed like a man of property.
DUARTE – 20-30, a good man from a respected family. He is the groom-to-be.
SR. COSTA – Late 40s. Belmira and Helena's father. A fisherman.
SRA. COSTA - Late 40s. Belmira and Helena's mother.
Finding Neverland
Book by James Graham
Music & Lyrics by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy
Based on the Miramax Motion Picture
written by David Magee
and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan
by Allan Knee
J.M. Barrie, a struggling playwright, encounters a widowed mother, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four sons in Kensington Park. As Barrie befriends the family, he is inspired by their adventures, particularly Peter, who is reluctant to play due to his grief. Barrie helps him to learn to play again and becomes inspired to create a new art form: children's theatre. But who will pay to see a play about children? Who will play these characters? And how will they make Peter Pan fly?
FIRST REHEARSAL
September 14
TECH
Oct. 22
STUDIO PERFORMANCES
Oct. 30 - Sept. 21
(Oct. 30, 31, Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21)
POSSIBLE BRUSH UPS
Nov. 5, 12, 19
Seeking strong actor/singers who move well in addition to a dancing ensemble of 3/3
J.M. BARRIE- 30’s-40’s, A successful Playwright with a rebellious, childlike spirit that is entirely benevolent. He is at odds with the sensible, restrained world around him. Vocal range top: A4 bottom: Ab2
SYLVIA LLEWELYN DAVIES - 30’s-40’s- A recent widow and mother of 4 boys, she encourages her boys to be free thinkers and is one herself. Vocal range top: F5 bottom: F#3
CHARLES FROHMAN - 40’s-50’s, A wealthy American impresario who has stood by Barrie for much of his career. Might double with Hook. Vocal range top: G4 bottom: B2
CAPTAIN HOOK - 40’s-50’s- JM Barrie’s darker, alter-ego with a wicked sense of humor. Might double with Froshman Vocal range top: E4 bottom: C#3
MRS. DU MAURIER - 50’s+- A socialite and mother of Sylvia, She holds social etiquette in high esteem. Wants the best for her family. She has a very dry sense of humor. Vocal range top: E5 bottom: C#4
MARY BARRIE - 30’-40’s Barrie's serious, prim and proper wife. Vocal range top: D5 bottom: E4
GEORGE LLEWELYN DAVIES -14+, He is the oldest of the Davies boys. George is most sensible and mature though still able to play and have fun. Takes charge when he needs to. Vocal range top: E5 bottom: G3
JACK LLEWELYN DAVIES - 14+, He is the second oldest of the boys, He is the naughtiest and most outlandish, but even his cheek comes from a good heart. Vocal range top: Eb5 bottom: A3
ENSEMBLE - 16+ any gender
The Youth- Will consider female youth who can convincingly play boys - may be required cut/style hair
Minimum age: 10
PETER LLEWELYN DAVIES - He is the second youngest of the boys. Peter is buried under the grief of losing his father. Thoughtful and considerate, initially angry and contained, he goes on a journey from 'not believing' to opening up and embracing the world of magic and play that Barrie presents to him. Vocal range top: E5 bottom: Ab3
MICHAEL LLEWELYN DAVIES - He is the youngest of the boys, is also possibly the loudest and most confident in his actions and his statements. Vocal range top: Eb5 bottom: A3