Tuesday, June 24, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
To schedule an audition appointment please
email casting@brtstage.org. Please include the day and time that you would like to be seen and we will do our very best to accommodate you. Walk-ins are acceptable, and we will squeeze you in as we have availability, but appointments are strongly encouraged.
LOA
$557 weekly minimum (Ref. to LORT)
Equity actors for roles in Bristol Riverside Theatre's 2025-26 Season (See breakdown). No roles will be understudied.
Please prepare a monologue and/or a song that best shows off what you can do. An accompanist will be provided. Also, please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Bristol Riverside Theatre Rehearsal Studio
201 Cedar Street
Bristol, PA 19007
Expected to attend:
Amy Kaissar - Co-Producing Director
Ken Kaissar - Co-Producing Director
Teayra Bowden - Producing Assistant
See breakdown for production specific personnel.
See breakdown for production specific dates.
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
Bristol Riverside Theatre 2025-26 Season
Bristol Riverside Theatre is a mid-sized regional theatre whose mission is to engage audiences and artists alike with exceptional performances, inspired writing, and superior productions that motivate us to think harder, to feel more deeply, to laugh more joyfully, and to reflect on ourselves and the world in which we live. Located in the historic district of Bristol Borough, the theatre has a full-time staff of 13 employees, with most senior staff having been with the organization for a minimum of 10 years.
By: Christopher Durang
Director: Ken Kaissar
First Rehearsal: August 25, 2025
Opening: September 18, 2025
Closing: October 5, 2025
Vanya – 50-60s, male, any ethnicity. Living in Bucks County, resigned to his life more or less, at least compared to Sonia.
Sonia – Early 50s-60s, female, any ethnicity. Vanya’s adopted sister living with him in Bucks County. Discontent, upset, regretful.
Masha – 50s-60s, female, any ethnicity. A glamorous and successful actress who travels around the world.
Spike – Late 20s, male, any ethnicity. An aspiring actor and Masha’s new romantic companion. He is obsessed with working out. Self-absorbed, but otherwise outgoing and friendly.
Nina – Early 20s, female, any ethnicity. Earnest and wide-eyed, a would-be actress visiting her aunt and uncle next door.
Cassandra – Any age, female, any ethnicity. Cleaning lady and soothsayer. A competent cleaning lady who is enraptured by visions.
Book and Lyrics: Pheobe Kreutz
Music: Gary Adler
Directed by: Alan Muraoka
First Rehearsal: November 17, 2025
Opening: December 11, 2025
Closing: December 28, 2025
Raisin - female, any ethnicity, any age, a grumpy, no-nonsense elf whose gruff exterior hides an ooey-gooey heart of gold (alto with some mezzo thrown in).
Gumdrop - female, any ethnicity, any age, an eager-to-please elf who is easily carried away by her wild enthusiasm for all things Christmas. She could learn to chill out a little. (mezzo/soprano with strong belt/mix)
Santa - male, any ethnicity, any age, he's Santa Claus - jolly beyond measure but perhaps a tad out of touch. Sitcom dad energy. (baritone)
Chestnut - THIS ROLE HAS BEEN PRECAST. male, any ethnicity, a bumbling type-A elf with big dreams and a rapidly growing ego. His desperation to impress Santa can lead him to questionable choices. (tenor)
Fruitcake - THIS ROLE HAS BEEN PRECAST. male, any ethnicity, any age, a teamster elf with a Jersey accent, he's maybe not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. (baritone/tenor)
Cookie - THIS ROLE HAS BEEN PRECAST. female, any ethnicity, any age, a cowpoke elf with a strong western accent, she's rootin' tootin' all the way (alto/mezzo)
Marzipan - THIS ROLE HAS BEEN PRECAST. male, any ethnicity, any age, a fashionista elf, he's got a flair for the dramatic and takes deep pride in designing only the finest toys every season (high tenor)
By: Erin Mallon
Directed by: Amy Kaissar
First Rehearsal: January 12, 2025
Opening: February 2, 2026
Closing: February 22, 2026
Bernard – THIS ROLE IS PRECAST. 70s, male, any ethnicity. Hardened by misfortune, he just wants to sit by himself, on the roof, and drink a beer. Unfortunately, he lives next door to a pipsqueak 9-year-old who wants to talk.
Rory – 9 years old, female, any ethnicity. A spunky kid with an adult vocabulary (including some cursing). She’s alone a lot but hides her loneliness well. Loves tap dancing, sparkly leotards, and talking.
Book By: George C. Wolfe
Lyrics By: Susan Birkenhead
Directed by: Tyrone L. Robinson
Music Director: Victoria Theodore
First Rehearsal: March 2, 2026
Opening: April 2, 2026
Closing: April 26, 2026
Jelly Roll Morton – Baritone or Tenor, male, Creole, 30-40s. The self-proclaimed “Inventor of Jazz.” Seeking a strong singer who can take us on a journey. Charming, commanding presence. Tap ability is a major plus. Strong pianist also a plus but not required.
Chimney Man – Baritone, male, African American, 40+. Ageless, elegant, and otherworldly. Wise, presides over the evening, a commanding all-knowing presence with a strong command of language.
Young Jelly – Tenor, male, Creole, 18-22. Portrays Jelly Roll Morton as a teenager and will also be a part of the male ensemble. Strong rhythm tap dance experience. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
Anita – Mezzo-Soprano, female, African American, 30-40s. Club owner and entertainer. She’s strong and savvy when it comes to business. Soft and vulnerable when it comes to Jelly. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
Jack – Tenor, male, African American, 30-40s. Jelly Roll Morton’s best friend. Seeking a strong singer for this role that journeys from youthful excitement and come-what-may attitude to life-hardened truth-teller. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
Male Ensemble – Male, African American, 20-40s. All shapes and sizes to play denizens of New Orleans as well as various characters along Jelly’s journey. Seeking strong singers who act and dance. Tap ability is a major plus. Comfortable with contemporary musical theatre and jazz vocal styles. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
Female Ensemble – Female, African American, 20-50s. All shapes and sizes to play denizens of New Orleans as well as various characters along Jelly’s journey. Seeking strong singers who can act and dance. Tap ability is a major plus. Comfortable with contemporary musical theatre and jazz vocal styles. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
Ensemble Man – Male, 20-50s, White. Comedic singer to play various characters along Jelly’s journey. Tap or Irish Step Dance ability is a major plus but not required. Please note if you play any of the following instruments with proficiency as this production will utilize actor-musicians is a major plus: trumpet, clarinet, trombone, djembe, flute, cello, oboe, or alto sax. Ability to play an instrument is not required.
By: Josefina Lopez
Director: TBD
First Rehearsal: May 4, 2026
Opening: May 28, 2026
Closing: June 14, 2026
Ana – 18, female, Latino/Hispanic, bilingual. Younger sister to Estela and daughter of Carmen and born in the US. She is a recent high school grad who journals about her experience working in her family’s small garment factory.
Estela – Mid 20s, female, Latino/Hispanic, bilingual. Ana’s older sister and Carmen’s daughter. She owns the garment factory and struggling to keep it open puts her under a tremendous amount of stress. She was born in Mexico, raised in LA, has not applied for amnesty out of distrust of the system, and is worried about being deported.
Carmen – 40s–50s, female, Hispanic/Latino, bilingual. Estela and Ana’s mother who works for Estela. A recently declared US resident. Immigrated from Mexico.
Pancha – Late 20s–30s, female, Latino/Hispanic, bilingual. A traditional, Catholic woman recently turned US resident. Immigrated from Mexico.
Rosali – Late 20s–30s, female, Latino/Hispanic, bilingual. Sweet woman who is on a weight loss journey and recently turned US resident. Immigrated from Mexico.
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