Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre | Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Friday, October 3, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Dinner Theatre
$893 weekly minimum - 2025-26 rates
Equity actors for roles in the 1st half of Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre's 2026-27 Season (See breakdown).
Actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, ages, and disabilities are encouraged to audition for all roles. Many plays and musicals are written with binary gender terms. While character descriptions may be limited to binary pronouns, we encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to audition for the roles they most identify with.
Auditions for the rest of the season (ANNIE and 9 TO 5) will be held at a later date.
There are currently no Equity stage managerial positions available.
Please prepare for FATHER OF THE BRIDE: A 1-2 minute monologue in classic comedic style.
For NUNSENSE and BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY: A 1-2 minute cut of a song. Bring sheet music cut in your key. Pianist provided.
For BUDDY also please bring a musical instrument from the show (see breakdown) if you play.
Also, please bring your current headshot and resume stapled together.
Actors' Equity Association - Chicago Member Center
557 W Randolph St
1st Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
Michael Heitzman - (Director) FATHER OF THE BRIDE
E. Faye Butler - (Director) NUNSENSE
Expected to attend:
Matthew Carney - Casting Director/Associate Artistic Director
Carolyn Brady - Audition Music Director
Mitzi Smith - Casting Assistant
Chuck Larkin - Audition Pianist
See breakdown for production specific dates.
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.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
In Person Chicago Callbacks October 9-10, 2025
March 16, 2026 - First Possible Rehearsal
April 8, 2026 - First Preview
April 15, 2026 - Press Opening
May 31, 2026 - Anticipated Closing
All roles will be understudied.
NOTE: Some minor roles will internally understudy principal roles.
STANLEY BANKS: 45 to 50 years old; The father. A middle-aged businessman with a strong sense of order, control, and propriety. Stanley prides himself on being the stable anchor of his household, but beneath that confidence is an anxiety about aging, money, and being left behind by his children’s changing lives. His humor often masks his vulnerability. He feels both proud and terrified at the thought of giving his daughter away. Quick-tempered in stressful moments, he is also deeply tender, sometimes against his own better judgment.
MRS. BANKS: 45 to 50 years old; The mother. Gracious, empathetic, and practical, Mrs. Banks has a natural ability to smooth over conflicts that arise in the family. She is quietly the emotional glue of the household, balancing Stanley’s outbursts with a calm, steady optimism. Though she plays the role of mediator, she also has her own private worries: about losing her daughter to another family, about aging herself, and about maintaining dignity amidst the chaos of wedding preparations.
KAY BANKS: 18 to 26 years old; The daughter/bride. Intelligent, idealistic, and romantic, Kay is at once independent-minded and deeply attached to her family. She wants her marriage to feel like an act of personal choice, not just a social expectation, and she resents being treated like a child. Still, she’s torn between her new adult identity and the comfort of her family home. She has flashes of impatience and rebellion, but they are rooted in love — her fear of disappointing her parents and her excitement about her future.
BUCKLEY DUNSTAN: 21 to 28 years old; The groom. A straightforward, earnest young man, Buckley embodies the postwar ideal of ambition tempered by responsibility. He is well-mannered, serious about his work and future, but still slightly awkward in navigating the Banks family’s dynamics. His love for Kay is genuine and steady, but he sometimes underestimates the enormity of what marriage means to her (and her family). His composure contrasts with Stanley’s nervous energy.
BEN BANKS: 18 to 24 years old; The Older Brother. Reliable, athletic, and somewhat reserved, Ben is the archetypal older son: dependable, but not one to seek the spotlight. He respects his father and quietly looks up to him, though he sometimes disagrees with Stanley’s temper and rigidity. He serves as a quiet counterbalance to Tommy’s antics, often bridging the gap between his younger brother’s teasing and his parents’ stress.
TOMMY BANKS: 14 to 16 years old; The Younger Brother. Sharp, mischievous, and irreverent, Tommy often cuts through the tension of family drama with jokes or sarcastic remarks. He is on the cusp of adolescence and feels torn between wanting to be included in the adult conversations and enjoying the freedom of being the “kid brother.” Beneath his humor, though, lies a sensitivity about being overlooked in the whirlwind of Kay’s wedding.
MR. MASSOULA: 45 to 55 years old; The Caterer/Planner. Suave, confident, and faintly theatrical, Mr. Massoula is a man of the world who thrives on grand occasions. In his late 40s or early 50s, he has an instinct for reading clients’ tastes and adjusting accordingly — though always with a touch of flair that reflects his own ego. He is both charming and exasperating, especially to Stanley, who resents both his costs and his air of superiority.
BUZZ TAYLOR: 14 to 16 years old; Tommy’s partner-in-mischief: restless, funny, and just starting to test adult boundaries. He idolizes older boys (Ben, Buckley) and pokes at Stanley’s authority, but he’s loyal to Kay and quick to pitch in when things go sideways. Think kinetic teen energy that keeps scenes buoyant. Will understudy Tommy Banks.
PEGGY SWIFT: 18 to 26 years old; Ben’s steady, socially savvy girlfriend. Peggy’s the calmest “kid” in the room — observant, tactful, and quietly protective of Kay. She bridges teen and adult worlds, smoothing frictions and offering grounded advice without stealing focus. Will understudy Kay Banks.
MISS BELLAMY: 38 to 45 years old; Mr. Banks’s orderly, harried, hyper-competent secretary — the human firewall for phones, lists, and last-minute crises. She’s crisp and unflappable until the guest list explodes. Doubles as Mrs. Pultizki and will understudy Mrs. Banks.
JOE: 24 to 34 years old; Buckingham’s “circulation expert” — a logistics bulldog with a blunt streak. Joe clocks the house in one sweep and barks practical fixes. She’s the blunt instrument that makes Massoula’s grand plans physically real. Will understudy Peggy & Mrs. Bellamy.
RED: 40 to 55 years old; Furniture mover. A straight-shooter who treats the Banks living room like a load-in. Physical comedy lives here: grunt work, near-misses with heirlooms, and deadpan zingers as he “just does the job.” Will understudy Mr. Banks.
PETE: 18 to 26 years old; Red’s furniture mover counterpart. He’s green at this job which stresses Red out. Will understudy Buckley Dunstan, Ben Banks, Buzz Taylor, and Joe.
TIM'S MAN: 30 to 55 years old; He’s here to deliver the flowers and is frustrated by the movers being behind schedule. Will understudy Mr. Massoula, Red, and Pete.
Callback Dates - TBD
May 18, 2026 - First Possible Rehearsal
June 10, 2026 - First Preview
June 17, 2026 - Press Opening
August 2, 2026 - Anticipated Closing
SISTER MARY REGINA (MOTHER SUPERIOR) - Feisty Sophie Tucker-type who can't resist the spotlight.
SISTER MARY HUBERT, MISTRESS OF NOVICES - Second in command, she is always competing with Mother Superior.
SISTER ROBERT ANNE - A streetwise touch character from Brooklyn. A constant source of aggravation for the Mother Superior.
SISTER MARY AMNESIA - This nun lost her memory after a crucifix fell on her head. She is very sweet.
SISTER MARY LEO - The novice, who has entered the convent with the firm desire to become the first nun ballerina.
(8 person, 2 Act version)
Callback Dates - TBD
July 27, 2026 - First Possible Rehearsal
August 19, 2026 - First Preview
August 26, 2026 - Press Opening
October 18, 2026 - Anticipated Closing
BUDDY HOLLY: 18-25, dynamic, and charismatic with excellent guitar skills and the desire to lead the company and thrill audiences as the world’s first rock & roller.
JOE MAULDIN: 18-25, serious and talented bass player.
JERRY ALLISON: 18-25, cheeky, fun, has excellent drumming skills.
NIKI SULLIVAN/RITCHIE VALENS: 18-22, Niki is one of the Crickets. Ritchie Valens – Mexican American, a whirlwind of energy, and young. Sings “La Bamba”. An excellent guitar player.
VI PETTY/MARIA ELENA SANTIAGO: 20-30, Vi – wife of Norman Petty. Good ‘ol down-home wife who makes the coffee and looks after Norman and the recording artists. Kind, enthusiastic, and humorous. Contributes on piano to many songs.
Maria – Puerto Rican, classy, and intelligent with a subtle sense of humor. Strong vocalist and mover.
HIPOCKETS DUNCAN/DECCA PRODUCER/NORMAN PETTY/APOLLO DJ/MURRAY DEUTCH/BIG BOPPER: 28-38, the narrator of Buddy’s story.
Hipockets – Buddy’s 1st manager and family friend, old-school country & western DJ who doesn’t understand rock & roll. Warm, big hearted enthusiasm for Buddy.
Norman Petty – keen businessman with an ear for the next big thing.
Big Bopper – larger than life, irrepressible, warm and engaging. Sings featured song “Chantilly Lace”. Excellent sax/brass instrument and/or piano playing ability a plus.
ENGINEER/TYRONE JONES/JACKDAW-CLEAR LAKE MC: 20-35, Black. Tyrone - A regular star of the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Sharp, engaging with great comic timing. Featured song “Shout”. Ability to play brass instrument a plus.
MARLENA MADISON/SNOWBIRD: 20-35, Black. Marlena – A regular star of the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Sharp, engaging with great comic timing. Featured song “Shout”. Ability to play brass instrument a plus.
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