Penumbra Theatre 2026-27 Season Equity Principal Actors - Penumbra Theatre Auditions

PENUMBRA THEATRE 2026-27 SEASON - ST. PAUL, MN EPA

Penumbra Theatre | Saint Paul, MN

NOTICE: AUDITION CALL TYPE: EPA

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION

Monday, June 1, 2026
Penumbra Theatre
270 Kent St
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (C)
Saint Paul, MN 55102-1744

Lunch: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

PERSONNEL

Expected to attend:
Sarah Bellamy – President of Penumbra
Antonio De La Vega – Production Manager
Dylan Nicole Martin – Production Manager
Lou Bellamy – Director - BLACK NATIVITY & BUT BEAUTIFUL
Candis Jones – Director - MOTHERSHIP
Austene Van – Director - ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS

CONTRACT

$885 weekly minimum (SPT 9) - until 1/3/27
$911 weekly minimum (SPT 9) - after 1/4/27

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Penumbra Theatre's 2026-27 Season (See breakdown).

PREPARATION

An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Please prepare 2 contrasting monologues, preferably from the Black-American theatre canon. Under 2-minutes for each monologue would be preferable. 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.

BREAKDOWN

PENUMBRA THEATRE 2026-27 SEASON

MOTHERSHIP

by Kristen Adele Calhoun & Resmaa Menakem
Directed by Candis Jones
First Rehearsal: August 3, 2026
Performances: September 8-13, September 16-20, September 23-27, September 30-October 4

SEEKING:

The Ship: (ageless, gender-full) The A.I. (Ancestral Intelligence) heart and brain of the voyage; contains the fullness of Black and indigenous brilliance (thanks to HBCUs that fed it all necessary information in preparation for this moment); Learns more as we learn more; Over time steps into the fullness of their role as ancestral guide.
Captain Connor Medley: (30s, MALE) Tasked to lead this band of misfits. By the book, secretly feels in waaay over his head. Uses rules and control as a means of protection (for himself and those under his care). Suppresses anything pleasurable in the name of leadership. Very resistant to change but quietly yearns for a transformation. Loves whiteness until he doesn't. From London.
Harper Atwell: (20s, FEMALE) Hard, queer, hood, has no idea how she got selected to be in this pod with these people. Highly alert, tolerates no bullshit. Dismissed by the others because of her rough exterior but she should not be underestimated. Born and raised in the Bronx. Lived there her whole life.
Bishop Evander Worthington: (50s, MALE) Conservative. Demands fidelity to a narrow doctrine (The Bible is the only way). Assigned to this pod as the spiritual leader but is most in need of healing. Hiding a secret. Obsessed with The Church until he's not. Born and raised in Midnight, Mississippi. Been living in Atlanta for 30+ years.
Amina Gladwin: (7, FEMALE) Seen too much and carrying a lot but still full of light. A truth-teller. From St. Paul, Minnesota.
Aunty Nikki: (a seasoned elder, FEMALE) wild in the eyes, to others she appears to have early-stage dementia but she might be the most tapped in of all; born in Jamaica but has lived everywhere and done it all.
The Glitchster: (beyond time and gender) An energy. Lives in the AI and the Real World. Discontent with the status quo. Always poking at something or someone. Always shifting. Just when the others think they have captured it - it morphs. From another time and place.

BLACK NATIVITY

by Langston Hughes
Directed by Lou Bellamy
First Rehearsal: November 1, 2026
Performances: December 1-6, December 9-13, December 15-20, December 22-24

SEEKING:

Character 1: CAST. 30s+, black man.
Character 2: CAST. 30s+, black woman.
Dancer 1: CAST. 20s+, black man.
Dancer 2: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Narrator: CAST. 30s+, gender expansive.
Choir 1: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Choir 2: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Choir 3: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Choir 4: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Choir 5: CAST. 20s+, black woman.
Choir 6: CAST. 20s+, black woman.

ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS

by Pearl Cleage
Directed by Austene Van
First Rehearsal: January 10, 2027
Performances: February 16-21, February 24-28, March 3-7, March 10-14

SEEKING:

Betty Samson: a 65-year-old African American woman; manager/agent; looking for a home.
Anna Campbell: a 65-year-old African American woman; actress and performance artist; looking for a future.
Kate Hughes: a 45-year-old African American woman; producer; looking for a hit.
Precious “Pete” Watson: CAST. a 25-year-old African American woman; burlesque artist; looking for a change.

BUT BEAUTIFUL

by Harrison David Rivers
Directed by Lou Bellamy
First Rehearsal: April 11, 2027
Performances: May 18-23, May 26-30, June 2-6, June 9-13

SEEKING:

Man: CAST. 50+, black man.
Doctor/Voice/Lieutenant: 30s, white man.
Ernie: 30s, black man.
Lester/Harry: 50s, black man.
Monk/Duke: 30s, black man.
Little Girl/Woman: 20s, black woman.