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.
2025 Season Auditions
To make an audition appointment, email TWScasting@gmail.com.
Nov 9 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Hartnell - King City Ed. Center
117 N. 2nd St
King City
Nov 12 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Oscar's Playground
685 Cannery Row, 3rd Floor
Monterey
Nov 13 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hartnell - Choral Room (K125)
411 Central Ave
Salinas
Spring 2025
Youth Audtions (Age 10-17)
Character Descriptions
Outside Mullingar
by John Patrick Shanley
May 17 - June 8, 2025
Studio Theater
Two introverted, eccentric misfits straddling 40 find love and companionship while navigating the long-standing disagreement between their families. A very Irish story with poetic passion that is heartbreaking, devilishly funny and deeply moving. Outside Mullingar is a compassionate, delightful work about how it's never too late to take a chance on love.
Anthony Reilly - Age 40’s, a man who has lived on a cattle farm in rural Ireland his whole life. He is introverted, self-doubting, and has difficulty responding to the attentions of his neighbor, Rosemary.
Rosemary Muldoon - Age 30’s-40’s, a woman who lives next door to Anthony and is determined to have him. She is highly attractive and tries to break through Anthony's diffidence and fear of his own feelings.
Tony Reilly- Age 70’s, a “wily old Irishman.” Tony is a widower, Anthony’s father, and a farmer. He is a loveable, but stubborn old man.
Aoife Muldoon- Age 70, Rosemary’s mother; in bad health, short of breath, walking with a cane, [and] a bit ravaged with grief.” She is the widow of Chris Muldoon, who has just passed away at the top of the play.
NOTE: All characters have an Irish accent.
HONK!
Music by George Styles
Book & Lyrics by Anthony Drewe
June 21 - July 13, 2025
Mainstage Theater
A musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling, as story about the rejection faced by someone who is the wrong shape and color compared to others. HONK! opened in England in 1993 and won the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special.
(Doubling possible based on availability)
Ugly- 18+, Tenor (Bb2-Ab4); The “ugly duckling of the family,” sets out on a journey to find himself
Cat- Young Adult, Baritone (C3-B4); a conniving and sly feline who will do anything to hunt down his next meal.
Ida- Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (F3-F5); the doting mother of Ugly and her other four ducklings who does not care that Ugly is different
Drake- Adult, Baritone (A2-G4); the father of Ugly; suspicious of Ugly’s “egg”; loves to be center of attention
Bullfrog- Adult, Baritone (A2-Gb4); a confident and kind frog who teaches Ugly about the importance of loving yourself
Greylag- Adult, Baritone (A2-G4); a military style goose who leads his squadron of geese to help Ugly find his way home
Maureen- Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (Ab3-F5), another mother duck who is outspoken and speaks her mind to anyone
Lowbutt- Young Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (Ab3-F5), a domesticated hen living in a cottage alongside her best cat pal Queenie
Queenie- Young Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (Ab3-F5); a domesticated cat living in a cottage alongside her best hen pal Lowbutt
Dot- Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (A3- F#5); the wife of goose squadron leader Greylag who truly loves and looks out for her husband
Penny- 18+, Mezzo-Soprano (C4-F5); a beautiful young swan who Ugly meets along his journey
Turkey- Adult, Baritone (A2-Gb4); the Headmaster of the school on Ugly’s home farm who is terrified of Thanksgiving - for obvious reasons
Grace- Mature Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (A3- F#5); the most well established duck on the lake; also the school’s governor
Mother Swan- Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (Ab3- F5); Penny's sweet and kind mother who comforts Ida
Father Swan- Adult, Baritone (A2-Gb4), Penny's kind and compassionate father who also comforts Ida
Jay Bird- Young Adult, Non-singing role; larger than life TV personality
Henrietta- Young Adult, Mezzo-Soprano (C4-F5); another hen on the farm who tends to be a busy body
Farmer and Old Woman (Voice Only)
Ensemble (Ages 10+): Ducklings, Froglets, Fish, other farm animals, humans (boy and girl - voices)
Humble Boy
by Charlotte Jones
July 19 - Aug 10, 2025
Studio Theater
Thirty-five year old Felix Humble is a Cambridge astro-physicist in search of a unified field theory. "In Humble Boy, the elaborate parallels to Hamlet are hard to miss. What might be just a labored parody of a classic play becomes instead, in Jones's hands, a theoretical tour-de-force, filled with witty repartee, passionate confrontations, and otherworldly encounters-just like the original." Audience Guide by Martin Andrucki
Felix Humble- Mid-30’s, a theoretical astrophysicist from Cambridge. He is the main character and is noticeable for his nervous stutter
Flora Humble - Mature Adult; beautiful and self-centered, Flora is the mother of Felix. Her need for absolute power contributes to problems in relationships with the people around her.
George Pye- Mature Adult; confident, well-built, modern, and a fan of big band music. George is the complete opposite of James Humble, the deceased father of Felix. He plans to marry Flora.
Rosie Pye – Adult; daughter of George and former girlfriend of Felix. She is a nurse and also has a 7-year-old daughter that she believes to be Felix's.
Jim – Mature Adult; the gardener of the estate; virtually ignored by everyone in the play until the end. He is the only person in whom Felix can truly confide.
Mercy Lott - Adult; friend (although seemingly an underling) of Flora, she is kind but doesn't seem to be all there; has a secret crush on George Pye.
NOTE: All characters speak with an English accent.
Bright Star
Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell
Aug 23 - Sept 14, 2025
Mainstage Theater
Inspired by a true story and featuring a Tony nominated score, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s & 40s. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that hold you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.
Alice Murphy- Mezzo-Soprano (F3-C5); 30-40 (plays 16-17 and 36-37), the wild young girl growing up in the remote Blue Ridge Mountains, and also, 20 years later, the successful woman running The Asheville Southern Journal with a firm hand and a dry wit
Billy Cane- 20’s; Tenor (C3-A4); fresh from WWII, returns home a hero and ready to make his mark on the world
Daddy Ca ne- 60’s, Tenor (C3-A4); Billy's father - a gentle, sweet man, who loves Billy very much
Margo Crawford- Early 20’s, Soprano (B3-F#5); long time friend of Billy's who has romantic feelings for him
Jimmy Ray Dobbs- 20’s-30’s, Tenor (C3-A4); the local heartthrob of Zebulon who has a love affair with Alice
Mayor Josiah Dobbs- 50’sBaritone (A2-G4); Jimmy’s father who wants glory for his family and will not anyone take it from him
Mama Murphy- 50's, Mezzo-Soprano (G3-C5); Alice’s strict mother who worries about her constantly
Daddy Murphy- Early 60's, Baritone (A2-G4); Alice’s father, strict christian man, hard on Alice
Daryl- 20’s; Baritone/Tenor (C3-E4); Friend of Alice who works with her at the Asheville Journal, wants to be a writer, close friends with Lucy
Lucy- 20’s, Soprano (A3-D5); Friend of Alice who works with her at the Asheville Journal, bit of a flirt, close friends with Daryl
Stanford Ames- 40’s-50’s, Baritone (E3-D4); lawyer and loyal assistant to Mayor Dobbs
Florence- 20’s; Mezzo-Soprano (A3- G4); Margo’s friend who works with her at the bookstore, a romantic who gets caught up in her dreams
Edna- 20’s; Mezzo-Soprano (C4-C5); Florence and Margo’s friend who works with them at the bookstore, energetic and hardworking
Max- Early 20’s; Non-singing role; has an unrequited crush on Margo
Dr. Norquist- Non-singing role; town doctor who tries to preserve Zebulon’s traditional ways
Ensemble- play various roles such as townspeople (Government Clerk, Well Dressed Woman and Dr. Norquist can come from this group
An Enemy of the Pueblo
by Josefina López
Studio Theater Aug 23 - Sept 14, 2025
A Latinx-focused adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People dramatizes the tension Between the harsh realities of modernity and traditional knowledge and ways of life. In An Enemy of the Pueblo, a Curandera warns people in her border town of Milagros that their water is being poisoned, but few want to believe her because their economic futures depend on the spring attracting the gringos back to the town.
MAGDALENA “MAGDA” DEL RIO- 50s - 60s, Mexican of Apache descent, a Curandera (shaman) and Midwife, co-owner of the land where the springs are located who feels responsible for warning the town about what her psychic dream told her about the poisoning of the spring water and how that will affect everyone. Magda has psychic dreams and wisdom, but sometimes she refuses to see the obvious. She is mourning her dead husband and regrets her evil deed which eats away at her. She is close to becoming an alcoholic who might lose her sanity and knows it.
PEDRO DEL RIO- Magdalena’s younger brother, Mayor of the town, co-owner with Magda of the land where the springs are located who refuses to let Magdalena speak publicly about the truth because he has a lot to lose and wants to prove to the pueblo that he is better than his older sister. He has a leg that is crooked and struggles with being taken seriously as a successful man.
PETRA DEL RIO- Magda’s daughter, early 30s, responsible, hard working. She has a daughter who has inherited the psychic gift who she worries about. She worries too much and is losing her hair because she feels so guilty about getting raped and setting off the tragic chain of events.
EUGENIO/GHOST OF EUGENIO- Eugenio is a courageous and proud man who lets his male pride get in the way which sets off a horrible chain of events that has left a mess for Magda and Petra. He is ashamed and his soul can not rest.
GHOST OF EL ZAPO- The head of a drug cartel, a criminal who has been cursed by Magda for killing her husband and raping her daughter.
O’CONNOR- 50s, A “gringo” Mexican of Irish descent who lives on both sides of the border, who buys pottery in Milagros and takes it to sell in the U.S. He helps Magda’s clients collect the bones of their dead relatives who die in the desert trying to cross the border. He has a crush on Magda and wishes to have a relationship with her. He also helps to smuggle people across the border when needed.
ARTURO- 30s, Petra’s husband who has returned from Los Angeles, a strong man who is simple and uneducated, only interested in the now and meeting his immediate needs.
JUAN JOSE- late 20s, a journalist who is afraid to return to the city because his life was threatened. He is the founder of the newspaper and believes in fighting for the truth up to a certain point.
LUIS- 20s, a journalist who is also a founder of the newspaper. He is committed to telling the truth and tries to help Magda. He has a huge appetite and when push comes to shove he is a courageous man. He has a crush for Petra and generally has a good and healthy attitude towards a hard life.
CLARITA DEL RIO- 10, Petra’s daughter, Magda’s grand-daughter, who is starting to show signs of having gotten the psychic gift inherited by the female lineage for generations. She gets temporarily possessed by her Great-Grandmother and communicates her messages to Magda on two occasions when she is in a trance.
MAN IN BLACK- 40s, a type of narrator that sings and plays guitar, a spiritual force that is always present. He is a shaman retelling Magda’s story who is responsible for sending Magda home to the light.
ENSEMBLE CHARACTERS
ELVIA- A lady who wants to find out what happened to her husband who has not returned and goes to Magda for psychic help.
LAURA- A lady who gives birth with the assistance of Magda.
LAURA’S HUSBAND- Thanks Magda for helping birth his child.
DOÑA CAMPECHE- A mother who is happy her sons are back in town to stay because now there are jobs in Milagros. She is usually a friend and supporter of Magda until she hears she has to pay a tax to clean the water or shut down the springs; she becomes hostile towards Magda.
PADRE LAZARO- the town priest who drinks too much and gossips about people when he’s drunk. He does not like Magda because people go to her to seek spiritual advice instead of going to him. He talks behind her back and thinks she is a witch instead of a healer.
SEÑOR REYES- 40s, one of the heads of a company in charge of renovating the springs and getting them ready for summer.
WOMAN OF THE PUEBLO- an ignorant woman who voices the fears of the pueblo.
MAN OF THE PUEBLO- an ignorant man who voices the fears of the pueblo.
NOTE: All characters (except O’Connor) are played by LatinX actors.
Bandstand
Book & Lyrics by Robert Taylor & Richard Oberacker
Music by Richard Oberacker
Nov 1 - 23, 2025
Mainstage Theater
Bandstand is an unflinching and honest new musical about the cost of war and finding salvation in the notes of the song. It's 1945. Private First-Class Donny Novitski, singer-songwriter, returns with the hope of rebuilding his life with just the shirt on his back and a dream in his heart. When NBC announces a national competition to find the nation's next swing band sensation, Donny joins forces with a motley group of fellow veterans, and together they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen.
Donny Novitski- Tenor (Bb2-Bb4); just back from war and grieving the loss of his friend, starts a band in order to get back to normal life; plays piano (must be able to play or look convincing) Julia Trojan- Mezzo-Soprano (G3-F#5); lost her husband in the war, realizes Donny has the answers to her husband’s death, is convinced to sing in Donny’s band
Mrs. June Adams- Alto (G3-B4); Julia's mother who wants her to live life instead of hiding behind her grief
Wayne Wright- Bari-tenor (C3-Bb4); a veteran Marine Lt. who developed OCD and struggles to fit back into normal life, his wife and children kick him out when his anxieties begin to impact their lives; plays trombone (must be able to play or look convincing)
Jimmy Campbell- Baritone (C3-Ab4); another veteran, bookish, intelligent and earnest, studying for his law degree; plays saxophone and clarinet (must be able to play or look convincing)
Johnny Simpson- Baritone (B2-Ab4); veteran who suffered back injuries from a war accident, a gentle giant who is kind, simple and honest; plays drums (must be able to play or look convincing)
Davy Zlatic- Baritone (B2-F4); veteran who finds solace in alcohol (but is not an alcoholic), a lovable, kind man who loves to play the clown but fiercely protects his friends; plays bass (must be able to play or look convincing)
Nick Radel- Baritone (B2-F4); veteran who teaches music to make ends meet, brusque, impatient and does not pull any punches; plays trumpet (must be able to play or look convincing)
Jean Ann Ryan- Alto; host of some of the radio programs in Ohio; loves her radio personality; is glamorous and confident, making the most of her airtime
Oliver- a respected nightclub owner who helps Donny and his band to New York for the NBC competition
FEATURED ROLES
Al- another nightclub owner
Jo- female owner of a small jazz club; protective of her musicians
Roger Cohen- corporate businessman in the lower echelon of NBC
Andre Baruch- a national radio personality; suave, debonair and charming James Haupt- director of NBC Radio; slick, professional and business-like Paula- production assistant for NBC Radio
Betty- young fan of the Donny Novitski Band
Video Auditions
Prepare two contrasting songs (uptempo and ballad) and monolouge, along with your headshot and resume to be considered.
Upload your resume and headshot to the form linked below. For videos, first upload your video to a host site, like YouTube or Vimeo, and add the link to the form. Make sure your video is not set to private and is no longer than 3 minutes.
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Submit a video audition HERE.