OCTET — Principal Actors Auditions
Third Rail Repertory Theatre
OCTET - PORTLAND, OR EPA
Third Rail Repertory Theatre | Portland, OR
Notice: Audition
AUDITION DATE
Sunday, September 20, 2026
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
APPOINTMENTS
To schedule an audition appointment please email Michelle Kashinsky, Associate Producer at:
michelle@thirdrailrep.org. Please include your audition availability (dates/times) and the role you are interested in auditioning for. An audition appointment is required.
CONTRACT
CONTRACT
Independent Theatre
CONTRACT
$582 weekly minimum
SEEKING
Equity actors for roles in OCTET (See
BREAKDOWN
). Local Portland, OR actors are encouraged to audition.Third Rail seeks diversity on our stage, and we encourage actors of all identities, ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, as well as actors with disabilities, to audition.
PREPARATION
Please prepare a 2-minute (maximum) contemporary monologue and a short contemporary acapella song in the style of the show (no accompanist will be present).
LOCATION
Third Rail Repertory Theatre
2259 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR 97210
Street Parking
PERSONNEL
Written by Dave Malloy
Managing Artistic Director: Maureen Porter
Associate Producer: Michelle Kashinsky
Expected to attend:
Director: Rebecca Lingafelter
Music Director: Merideth Kaye Clark
OTHER DATES
Callbacks: 9/26/27, by invitation only
1st Rehearsal: 4/20/27-5/18/27
Paid Previews: 5/19/27 & 5/20/27
Opening: 5/21/27
Closing: 6/13/27
4-week run, 5 shows/week, 8-week
CONTRACT
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity's
CONTRACT
s 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.
SYNOPSIS
On a rainy night, an octet of strangers gather in a church basement to share their stories — no phones allowed. We are at a support group meeting for internet addicts, where the participants will plumb the highs and lows of their online dependency, collectively charting a course through internet addled nihilism into the potential of connection and hope. Featuring a stunning a cappella musical score written by Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), Octet is a strikingly modern and refreshingly honest musical about the contemporary human condition unlike anything you've seen — or heard — before.
Octet is an acapella chamber and an original libretto inspired by internet comment boards, scientific debates, religious texts, and Sufi poetry, the play explores addiction and nihilism within the messy context of 21st century technology. Each musical number in Octet is inspired by a particular Tarot Card. Below is a description of the card most closely associated with each character's solo and archetype. We've also included notes on vocal range.
NOTE: Must be comfortable with extremely difficult harmony, close harmonies, one voice to a part. Experience with a cappella singing a plus.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
JESSICA (30s-40s) - The Hierophant: Represents institutionalized belief systems and conformity. This archetype links to her obsession with public perception, social networking platforms, and online cancel culture. (Soprano 1)
HENRY (20s-30s) - The Hermit: Corresponds to isolation and searching for inner guidance. This mirrors his solitary addiction to casual, repetitive smartphone games like Candy Crush. (Bass 1)
TOBY (20s-30s) - The Magician: Represents manifestation, willpower, and resourcefulness. It reflects his internet comment-board arguments where he weaponizes information, mistakenly believing his wisdom is limitless. (Tenor 1)
PAULA (50s-60s) - The High Priestess: Signifies secret knowledge, intuition, and stillness. As the group leader, she struggles to maintain an offline sanctuary while dealing with hidden domestic tech tension. (Alto 2)
KARLY (30s) - The Lovers: Represents the struggle to move from the heart rather than convenience - reflects Karly's role as a frustrated Tinder user trapped in endless swiping and digital romance/duality. (Alto 1)
ED (20s - 30s) - The Death Card: The self-described loneliest man on the internet, representing painful isolation, endings, and unhealthy attachments to the void. (Bass 2)
MARVIN (40s) - THIS ROLE IS CAST - The Hanged Man: Tied to self-sacrifice, spiritual suspension, and gaining a new perspective. This captures his neurochemical fascination with simulation theory and finding spiritual miracles in virtual environments. (Tenor 2)
VELMA (20s - 30s) - The Fool: Represents pure potential, spontaneity, and a new journey. As the newest member, her song marks a raw attempt to step away from internet rabbit holes and reconnect with real-world wonder. (Soprano 2)
