SIMPLY SIMONE Equity Principal Actors - Portland Playhouse Auditions

SIMPLY SIMONE - Portland, OR EPA

Portland Playhouse | Portland, OR

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION

Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Portland Playhouse
602 NE Prescott St
3:00 PM - 10:00 PM (P)
Portland, OR 97211-3966
Break 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sanctuary Space.

APPOINTMENTS

PERSONNEL

To sign up for an audition, please email us at:
casting@portlandplayhouse.org. Audition time slots will be in 5-10 minute increments. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.

Written by: Robert Neblett and Davis Grapes
Musical and Vocal Arrangements by: Vince Dimura
Directed and Choreographed by: Patdro Harris
Expected to attend:

• Brian Weaver: Artistic Director
• Charles Grant: Producing Director
• Patdro Harris: Director and Choreographer
• Brenda Hankins: Music Director

CONTRACT

SPT: $718 weekly minimum (SPT 7)

OTHER DATES

First Rehearsal: March 23rd, 2027
First Preview: April 28th, 2027
Opening: May 1st, 2027
Closing: June 6th, 2027
Possible extension through June 27th, 2027

Portland Playhouse does not discriminate against any employee, volunteer, or customer on the basis of race, color, cultural heritage, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, size, mental or physical dis/ability or appearance, genetic status, marital status, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status or any other status protected under local, state, or federal law. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

PREPARATION

Please prepare one song of your choosing - it can be any song - no more than 32-bars please. We will also ask you to prepare a song in the style of Nina Simone (I Love You Porgy) and sheet music will be provided to you when you schedule an audition. An accompanist will be present, so please bring sheet music for the song of your choosing. Also, please bring a physical copy of your headshot and resume with you to your audition. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

SIMPLY SIMONE

A note about casting (adopted from language with consent originally created by Kevin Kantor and Emily Traquin of Actors Theatre of Louisville): Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following character descriptions. However, limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.

All of the characters are African-American women. This is an ensemble piece, and no one role is more important. They all come together to tell this amazing story.

SEEKING:

• NINA 1 - 16-20 years old. The Child. Innocent and energetic, she is always hopeful for a brighter future. She is also the constant reminder of an idyllic past. High soprano voice.
• NINA 2 - 20-30 years old. The Singer. She is on the verge of success, optimistic yet cautious. She’s been burned and is a little gun shy. She finds her deepest pleasure in music.
• NINA 3 - 30-40 years old. The Activist. She is angry and ready to buck the system. As racial turmoil increases in the country, she becomes more personally involved. But as that mood of protest increases, she also becomes more psychologically vulnerable. A powerful soul singer.
• NINA 4 - 40-50 years old. The Exile. She is wise yet jaded. She has seen the way of the world and chosen to reject it, rather than continue to live amongst hypocrisy and hatred. She speaks her mind bluntly and doesn’t care who takes offense. Rich alto voice.