Radical Evolution | Brooklyn, NY
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Break: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Text by Beto O’Byrne. Developed with Galia Backal, Rebecca Martinez, Julian Mesri, Sara Ornelas, and Meropi Peponides.
LOA: $700 weekly minimum (LOA ref. LORT).
Director: Rebecca Martinez
Arranger: Julian Mesri
Producer: Meropi Peponides
Casting Director: Margaret Dunn, CSA
Equity actors for roles in CANCIONES (see breakdown).
CANCIONES, a play with music, is inspired by Linda Ronstadt’s album Canciones de mi Padre. In 1987 Ronstadt released the album, which was pivotal for the Mexican American community. The collection of traditional ranchera and classic mariachi songs immediately became a Grammy-winning global smash hit and remains one of the best-selling non-English language albums in the history of the U.S. music industry. CANCIONES combines music, personal narrative, and broad international histories to explore our current political moment and Mexican Americans’ unique place in the history of this country — from a place of joy, love, and laughter.
This World Premiere is being produced by
Radical Evolution, in partnership with Latinx Playwrights Circle, The Sol Project, and Boundless Theatre Company.
EPA procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided. 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.
Please prepare a short, comedic contemporary monologue. Also be prepared to tell us about any instruments you play and your level of Spanish proficiency, if any — neither is required. Please bring your headshot and resume, stapled together. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
NOTE: We are open to people who enjoy singing and are able to hold pitch, even if they are not trained singers. There is a written score, but much of the mariachi-style music that is featured in this play will be taught in the rehearsal room through rote memorization. Many characters sing in Spanish — spoken fluency is a plus but not required.
MAMA “LA MAESTRA” GUERRERO – She/her, 50s–70s, of Mexican heritage. The matriarch: all hail her gloriousness and don’t you dare cross her. She is also a human that has lost her place in the world. Her home is the last refuge of her authority, but even here it seems everything is now ruled by her daughter Ely (“la reina”). This character is a native Spanish speaker and does a lot of singing in Spanish. This is a singing role.
PRIMO JULIO – He/him, late 30s–mid 40s, Latiné. Ely’s husband and the band leader, and he always has his guitar on him. Super proud to be in the band—probably a little too much. Doesn’t speak Spanish, but sings it really well. Seeking an actor who is a great guitarist—ideally someone familiar with a nylon guitar. Knowledge of mariachi-style music/Mexican folk rhythms (such as huapango) is a huge plus. Would love a singer with throaty vocals and an earthy vibrato. This character sings in Spanish.
PRIMO RICKY, “El TRI” GUERRERO – He/him, late 20s–30s, of Mexican heritage. Band member. Would be a superstar if he ever did something with his life, but he just likes to chill too damn much. He loves the World Cup (Mexico!) and he is the third Richard in his family, hence the nickname. The character is very funny. Specifically seeking actors who play a portable instrument other than guitar (huge plus if it’s the accordion) and are comfortable playing mariachi or folk style. This is a singing role; the character sings in Spanish.
ELY – She/her, late 30s–mid 40s, of Mexican heritage. La Maestra’s eldest daughter. The one who wears the pants in the family. She is the only one who keeps everything running and both loves and resents that. There is a lot of tension between her and her sister Kati. As the de facto host of this family reunion, the actor playing this role will interact a lot with the audience and will need to do a fair amount of improvisation. This is a singing role; the character sings in Spanish.
PRIMA JENN GUERRERO (OFFER OUT) – She/her, late 20s–30s, character has no specific ethnic identifiers. Nicknamed “La Favorita.” She’s the cousin that everyone loves, no matter what—always. She grew up with the rest of the family and eventually married in to become a cousin. She transcended her working-class upbringing and is now a lawyer. She stays connected to the family through playing music. Specifically seeking actors adept at the violin and comfortable with improvisation and learning parts quickly. This is a singing role; the character sings in Spanish.
NINA (OFFER OUT) – She/her, 18–25, high school age and of Mexican heritage. The next coming of Selena, and everyone knows it. Mama’s favorite. About to graduate high school and on the verge of greatness. This is a singing role; the character sings in Spanish.
KATRINA “KATI” GUERRERO (CAST) – She/her, early to late 30s, of Mexican heritage. She is La Maestra’s youngest daughter.
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