Farmers Alley Theatre 2026-27 Season Equity Principal Actors - Farmers Alley Theatre Auditions

FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE 2026-27 SEASON - CHICAGO EPA

Farmers Alley Theatre | Kalamazoo, MI

Notice: Audition
Call Type: EPA
REVISED - Updated

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AUDITION DATE

Thursday, August 27, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

CONTRACT

SPT
$496 weekly minimum (SPT 4) - until 1/3/27
$511 weekly minimum (SPT 4) - after 1/4/27

Housing and travel provided for out-of-town talent.

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Farmers Alley Theatre's 2026-27 Season (See

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Farmers Alley Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

PREPARATION

Please prepare two short pieces: either two contrasting songs (approximately 1-minute in length), OR two contrasting monologues (1-minute in length) OR one short song and one short monologue. Bring music that is legible and clearly marked. An accompanist will be provided. If you are unable to attend these in-person auditions, you may submit a video audition as an unlisted YouTube link to the following email address:
submissions@farmersalleytheatre.com. Please include your headshot and resume.

LOCATION

Actors' Equity Association - Chicago Member Center
557 W Randolph St
1st Fl
Chicago, IL 60661

PERSONNEL

Expected to attend:

• Managing Artistic Director & Casting Director: Jeremy Koch
• Kathy Mulay: Director of COME FROM AWAY
• Brendan Vincent: Resident Music Director

See

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PERSONNEL

OTHER DATES

See

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We rehearse 30 hours per week. Typical schedule is Tues-Fri 5-10pm, Sat & Sun 12-5pm or 1-6pm with Mondays off.

Standard performance schedule is five (5) performances per week: (Thurs, Fri & Sat nights at 7:30pm as well as Sat & Sun at 2pm). There also are occasional weeknight performances and/or Sunday evening shows too.

OTHER

www.farmersalleytheatre.com

Pursuant to the terms of a concession made to this employer's agreement, the employer has agreed that any Equity member who attends this audition will have an opportunity to be seen.

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Equity's

CONTRACT

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

MY MOTHER AND THE MICHIGAN/OHIO WAR

Written By Paul Stroili

Rehearsals: 8/24/26 - 9/16/26
Performances: 9/17/26 - 10/4/26

SEEKING:

ISABELLE (IZZY) CAVANAUGH: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Female, 64, Any ethnicity, but same ethnicity as Carey. Recently widowed, born and raised in Flint, Michigan but a suburbanite for nearly forty years. She'd refer to herself as a no-nonsense broad but her friend Mildred says that's offensive.

CAREY CAVANAUGH: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Female, 30s, Any ethnicity, but same ethnicity as Isabelle. Izzy's tightly-wound daughter. Truly wants what's best for her Mom. Always there to help, even if her help is discouraged or flat out refused.

JOSH CAVANAUGH: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Male, 30s, Any ethnicity. Izzy's adopted son. A former athlete with a touch of OCD. Loves his Mom and sister even though he rarely invites them to his house. Well, there was that one time, but they don't like to talk about it.

COME FROM AWAY

Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Rehearsals: 10/12/26 - 11/4/26
Performances: 11/5/26 - 12/6/26
Possible holdovers thru 12/13/26 and 12/20/26

THIS IS A RE-MOUNT OF OUR 2025 PRODUCTION AND WE ARE BRINGING THE ORIGINAL COMPANY BACK, SO ALL ROLES ARE CAST:

BEVERLY & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. First female AA pilot, 50s. (Vocal range: A3-F5. Easy mixed or belted C#)

BEULAH & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Head of the Gander Legion, 40-60s. (Vocal range: B3-D5. Mezzo soprano with strong belt to B)

HANNAH & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Mother of NY firefighter, 40-60s. (Vocal range: A3-D5. Contemporary soprano with strong pop belt and mix to E)

JANICE & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Eager new local TV reporter, 20. (Vocal range: B3-E5. Mezzo soprano with strong pop belt and mix to D)

BONNIE & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. No-nonsense mother of 3, head of the Gander SPCA, 30-40s. (Vocal range: G3-B4. Strong belt to B)

OZ & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Quirky Gander police constable, 30-50s. (Vocal range: G2-A4. Contemporary tenor with high A falsetto)

KEVIN T & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Head of environmental energy company in LA, on vacation with boyfriend who is also secretary, 30-50s. (Vocal range: A2-F#4. High tenor with easy A)

KEVIN J & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. KEVIN T's boyfriend and secretary, sarcastic and unhappy, 30-50s, Middle Eastern. Doubles as ALI, a Muslim, Iranian passenger. (Vocal range: strong contemporary bari-tenor up to high G.)

BOB & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Hardened New Yorker, suspicious and prone to conspiracy theories, 20-40s, Black. Doubles as MUHUMUZA, an African passenger who, despite a language barrier, finds common ground with a local bus driver. (Vocal range: G2-F4. Contemporary baritone)

CLAUDE & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Gregarious, well-liked mayor of Gander, loves his work, his people and his routine. 40-60s. (Vocal range: G2-F4. Gruff, natural sounding baritone)

NICK & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. English oil engineer who is very focused on work, 50s. (Vocal range: B2- F#4. Warm, natural baritenor with easy E)

DIANE & OTHERS: THIS ROLE IS CAST. Traditional divorcee from Texas, 50s. (Vocal range: A3-D5. Contemporary soprano with strong mix to D)

ACCOMPLICE

Written by Rupert Holmes

Rehearsals: 1/4/27 - 1/27/27
Performances: 1/28/27 - 2/7/27
Possible holdover thru 2/14/27

NOTE: Accents (British/Cockney) will be used throughout the show and are requested at auditions

SEEKING:

DEREK: Male, 40-55: A wealthy, sophisticated, and stuffy English businessman. He is affluent and ostensibly the cuckolded husband at the center of the initial murder plot.

JANET: Female, 30-50 strong and manipulative; Derek's free-spirited, attractive, and woefully frustrated wife. She is outwardly alluring but ultimately proves to be a devious and intelligent mastermind.

JON: Male, 30-50 suavely handsome. Often taking on different personas to serve the ever-changing narrative, such as the business partner, a harried director, or an affected English actor

MELINDA: Female, 25-35 a trophy wife. Another central female character initially involved in a tangled web of business and romantic affairs alongside the Taylors. Note: Nudity is required for one brief scene in which the character is topless, facing upstage.

LOST IN YONKERS

Written by Neil Simon

Rehearsals: 2/22/27 - 3/17/27
Performances: 3/18/27 - 4/4/27
Possible holdover thru 4/11/27

SEEKING:

JAY KURNITZ: The 15-year-old protagonist. Forced into a sudden forced maturity following his mother's death, Jay feels deeply responsible for his younger brother and serves as a pragmatic observer of the eccentric and dangerous adults around him.

ARTY KURNITZ: Jay's 13-year-old brother. Less academic and more sports-inclined than Jay, Arty's relative immaturity allows him to be cheeky and speak his mind without fully weighing the consequences.

GRANDMA KURNITZ: The imposing, 70-something family matriarch. A German immigrant who walks with a limp, she runs her household and candy shop with iron discipline. Having survived severe personal and historical trauma, she has hardened herself to avoid feeling the pain of losing more loved ones.

BELLA KURNITZ: Grandma's 35-year-old daughter. She has an intellectual disability and acts much younger than her age, but she possesses a massive capacity for love. Much of the story revolves around her struggle to assert independence from her oppressive mother and build a life of her own.

UNCLE LOUIS: Eddie and Bella's flamboyant brother. He is in his late 30s, works as a bag-man for the mafia, and has come to the apartment to hide out from local mobsters. Despite his criminal lifestyle, he acts as a temporary male role model for the boys and shows a deep protective streak

EDDIE KURNITZ: Jay and Arty's father. Grieving his wife's death and financially strapped, he is forced to leave his boys with his terrifying mother while he travels for work selling scrap iron to pay off his debts.

AUNT GERT: Another of Grandma's children. She suffers from a peculiar speech affliction where she has to inhale deeply in the middle of a sentence whenever she says the name Kurnitz.

KIMBERLY AKIMBO

Written by Jeanine Tesori & David Lindsay-Abaire

Rehearsals: 4/26/27 - 5/19/27
Performances: 5/20/27 - 6/6/27
Possible holdover thru 6/13/26

SEEKING:

KIMBERLY LEVACO: Female. Kimberly is sixteen but appears much older (55-65 years old) because of a rare (fictional) ageing disorder. She's intelligent, perceptive, and often wiser than the adults around her. She longs for normal teenage experiences: friends, romance, and a sense of belonging, but she's also aware that her time is limited. She struggles to find happiness in a chaotic family where nobody understands her. Sharp-witted & resilient, she yearns for a normal life while dealing with family & a new town. Strong comic chops & contemporary musical theatre/pop singer. Able to express both the physical presence of an older woman and the emotional energy of a teenager. (Intimacy Moment: This character shares a brief on-stage kiss with Seth. Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano (G3 – D5 or G5 optional).

BUDDY LEVACO: Male, 35-45. Kimberly's father. A man with a gentle heart and a weak backbone. He drinks too much and uses humor to hide his sense of failure. Buddy is not cruel, but he's unreliable and emotionally lost. He wants to do right by his family but lacks the maturity or stability to make lasting change. His love for Kimberly is genuine, but his inability to take responsibility often undermines it. Tenor, Baritone (Ab2 - G4 and D5 falsetto).

PATTIE LEVACO: Female, 35-45. Kimberly's mother: High-strung, self-centered, and constantly overwhelmed, Pattie has a hard time accepting reality. She masks her fear and guilt with sarcasm and self-pity. There's love beneath her chaos, but she doesn't know how to show it. This role requires solid comedic timing. Pattie is 8 months pregnant throughout the duration of the show. She has bandages wrapping up both hands and walks with crutches for several scenes. An overbearing hypochondriac. She is well-meaning but often preoccupied, leading her to neglect Kimberly's needs. Mezzo-Soprano (E3 – C#5 / F5 optional).

DEBRA: Female, 30-40. Pattie's sister and Kimberly's aunt. Debra is unapologetically herself — bold, funny, and always scheming for her next move. An ex (and possibly future) con. Beneath her chaotic energy is a deep need for connection and belonging. She's both comic relief and a surprising source of heart. A daredevil con artist prone to getting mixed up in schemes and causing trouble. Strong comic chops & contemporary musical theatre/pop singer. Mezzo-Soprano with a huge, amazing belt (A3 – G5).

SETH: Male, 18+ to play high school student. Endearingly loveably and quirky. A classmate of Kimberly's. A warm and loveable nerd. An endearing, lovable oddball & nerd with a heart of gold. Strong comic chops & contemporary musical theatre/pop singer. Jeff is intelligent, quirky, and endearingly awkward. A lover of D&D and the puzzleistic arts. He shares Kimberly's sense of humor and becomes her closest friend and potential love interest. His presence gives her a glimpse of a normal teenage experience. Ability to play Tuba is an asset. Strong comedian and vocalist. Tenor (C3 – G4). (Intimacy Moment: This character shares a brief on-stage kiss with Kimberly.)

AARON: Male, 18+ to play high school student. Deeply wants to be included but struggles to find his place with a morose sense of humor. Strong mover, comedian, and vocalist. Bari-tenor (Bb2 - Bb4).

MARTIN: Male, 18+ to play high school student. Bright and funny, sly and creative. Strong mover, comedian, and vocalist. Tenor (Bb2 – C5).

DELIA: Female, 18+ to play high school student. An overachieving Type-A student. Strong mover, comedian, and vocalist. Soprano/mix/belt (G3 - G5).

TERESA: Female, 18+ to play high school student. Overly nice student who catches on late. Strong mover, comedian, and vocalist. Soprano/mix/belt (G3 - G5).

WAITRESS

Written by Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson

Rehearsals: 6/21/27 - 7/14/27
Performances: 7/15/27 - 8/1/27
Possible holdover thru 8/8/27

SEEKING:

JENNA – Female; 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. A waitress at Joe's Diner. A woman stuck in her life: unhappily married and unexpectedly pregnant. Finds some joy and expression through her meticulous baking of pies and her friendships with coworkers, Becky and Dawn. Lives life paycheck-to-paycheck, day by day, and wants to get away and start fresh, unbeknownst to her abusive husband, Earl. Mezzo-soprano F#3-F5. Note: This role engages in multiple scenes of staged intimacy including close proximity, kissing, embracing, and simulated sexual activity. No nudity. This role is on the receiving end of staged violence: grabbing, shoving.

BECKY – Female; 35-50. Any ethnicity. A waitress at Joe's Diner. She is irreverent, snarky, been there, made it back, and somehow kept her sense of humor. She is honest and loyal to her gals at the diner. Vocal range: Eb3-E5. Note: This role engages in a scene of staged intimacy involving close proximity, kissing, and simulated sexual activity. No nudity or undress.

DAWN – Female; 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. A waitress at Joe's Diner. Endearing and genuine. She is eccentric, wonderfully unusual, and a bit of a nerd who has spent too much time alone watching The History Channel. She sets the tables, painstakingly ensuring each salt and pepper-shaker is equidistant from the napkin holder. Vocal range: G3-E5. Note: This role engages in a moment of staged intimacy involving close proximity and simulated sexual activity as well as moments of kissing and embracing. No nudity or undress.

CAL – Male; 40s. Any ethnicity. A chef at the diner. A Salt of the earth guy's guy surrounded by gals. Brash, impatient, unsentimental, but somehow charming. Vocal range: D3-F4. Note: This role engages in a scene of staged intimacy involving close proximity, kissing, and simulated sexual activity. No nudity or undress.

JOE – Male; 60s-70s. Any ethnicity. The owner of the diner where Jenna, Dawn, Becky, and Cal work. A seemingly old, curmudgeonly man who has a soft spot for Jenna (and her pie): he wants her to succeed in life and be happy. Gruff exterior but warm at heart. Joe is a sarcastic and no-nonsense guy with a keen ability to read people. Vocal range: B2-G#4.

EARL – Male; 20s-30s. Caucasian. Jenna's husband. Earl is an almost talented musician who peaked in high school. He's handsome in a gruff way, but that face is clouded with broken dreams, drowned in cheap beer. Publicly, Earl turns on the charm but privately he is a nightmare narcissist, exploding into unexpected anger one second and turning into a sobbing mess the next. And Jenna bears the brunt of his unhappiness. Guitar playing a plus. Vocal range: Eb3-G4. Note: This role engages in staged intimacy including kissing and embracing. This role also initiates physical violence: grabbing, shoving.

DR. POMATTER – Male; 30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Jenna's gynecologist turned lover. He's endearing, genuine, and awkward. He is clumsy in manner and a bit neurotic, with a quirky sense of humor and a big heart. Vocal range: Bb2-Bb4. Note: This role engages in multiple scenes of staged intimacy including close proximity, kissing, embracing, and simulated sexual activity. No nudity.

OGIE – Male; 20s-30s. Any ethnicity. Absolutely smitten with Dawn after a 5-minute date, he will do anything in his power to win her over including showing up to the diner unannounced and making up poems on the spot. Extremely quirky (amateur magician, competitive clog dancer, only eats white food on Wednesdays), incredibly persistent, yet always kind. Excellent comedian and fantastic tenor. Vocal range: C3-Bb4. Note: This role engages in a moment of staged intimacy involving close proximity and simulated sexual activity as well as moments of kissing and embracing. No nudity or undress.

LULU – Female child actor to appear 4-5 years old. Daughter of Jenna and Earl. A sweet, carefree child who appears in the last scene of the show, she is the essence of childhood joy and freedom.

ENSEMBLE – All genders, all ethnicities, ages 20s to 60s. Essential to the storytelling of the production, the ensemble are Jenna's muses, Joe's Diner Customers, a trio of pregnant women, Nurse Norma, Francine Pomatter and more. Some Ensemble members will also understudy principal roles. As characters comprising the community in which the story takes place, ensemble members should be strong movers who excel at storytelling choreography.