The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum | Topanga, CA
Audition Call Type: EPA
1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290-4275
Friday, March 13, 2026 — Auditions held on mainstage. Park in lot and follow signs to the theatre.
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
$19.50 per rehearsal hour
$112.00 per performance (LOA to LORT, Periodic Performance)
Rain Date (if necessary): Friday, March 20, 2026
Invited callbacks: March 20–21, 2026 (rain date March 27, 2026) — Same location.
Equity actors for roles in The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's 2026 Summer Season (see breakdown). Los Angeles–based actors are encouraged to audition. Actors of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to audition.
EPA procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided.
For your audition, please prepare up to four minutes of material of two contrasting monologues, one of which must be Shakespeare. Prepare according to your interest in our season. Please bring one copy of your headshot and resume. Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
If we are running behind at any point, we may ask for just the Shakespeare.
by William Shakespeare
Rehearsals begin April 7. Student matinee performances begin April 29. Repertory opening June 7.
Theseus – Late 20s and older, role presents as male. The haughty figure of Greek myth and proud king of Athens, betrothed to Hippolyta in a union born of equal parts political convenience and mutual respect. Strong stage combat experience desirable.
Hippolyta – Late 20s and older, role presents as female. The fiery queen of the conquered Amazons, betrothed to Theseus. Strong stage combat experience desirable.
Egeus – 40s and older, role traditionally presents male, but open to performers of any gender. A noble of Athens, and disappointed parent of Hermia.
Hermia – 20s–30s, role presents as female, must be of a shorter stature than the actor playing Helena. A young noblewoman of Athens, daughter of Egeus. In love with Lysander, betrothed by law to Demetrius. Though she be but little she is fierce.
Lysander – 20s–30s, role presents as male. A young nobleman of Athens. In love with Hermia. Impulsive, reckless, and deeply romantic.
Demetrius – 20s–30s, role presents as male. A young nobleman of Athens. In love with (and betrothed to) Hermia, but has a romantic history with Helena. Competitive, brash, and not afraid to fight for what he believes he deserves.
Helena – 20s–30s, role presents as female. A young noblewoman of Athens. Hermia’s oldest friend, hopelessly in love with Demetrius. Quick-witted and wracked with a lack of confidence, which can manifest as a victim complex. High-level comedy skills and command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry are particularly essential for this role.
Oberon – 40s and older, role presents as male. The scheming and powerful King of the Faeries, a tenebrous manipulator of the highest order. All at once a jealous lover and quite literal force of nature. High-level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry is particularly essential for this role.
Titania – 40s and older, role presents as female. The ephemeral Queen of the Faeries. Abundance and sumptuousness personified, the very breath of spring itself. High-level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry is particularly essential for this role.
Puck – 20s–30s, role presents as male, open to interpretations of all genders. Strong movement abilities are essential. A wisecracking, arrogant trickster spirit, and footman to Oberon. All at once a friendly narrator and devious troublemaker. High-level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry required.
Nick Bottom – 30s and older, role presents as male. A weaver. Presents the part of Pyramus. A self-styled titan of community theater, who wouldn’t find it the least bit odd that a fairy queen would instantly fall in love with him. Strong comedy chops essential.
Peter Quince – 30s and older, role presents as male, but open to interpretations of all genders. A carpenter and aspiring director, with a control-freak streak a mile wide. Most cognizant of Theseus’ right to behead the Mechanicals, should their performance fail to please. Strong comedy chops essential.
Frances Flute – 20s–30s, role presents as male. A boyish, bellows-mender. Semi-reluctantly presents the part of Thisbe, amid protests of a forthcoming beard. Maybe actually the best actor of the group. Strong comedy chops essential.
Tom Snout – 20s–30s, role presents as male. A tinker. Presents the part of Wall, and just happy to be included.
Snug – 20s–30s, role presents as male. An earnest joiner of modest academic intelligence. Presents the part of Lion, safe in the knowledge that his one line is a roar.
Robin Starveling – 40s and older, role presents as male. A tailor and dog lover. Presents the part of Moonshine, and does not respond well to the court’s boorish heckling. Performer must be comfortable with a canine companion.
Philostrate – Any age, role presents as male. Adjutant to Theseus and master of revels, trying his best to avoid an evening of poor entertainment.
First Faerie – Any age, role presents as female. An adoring, ethereal servant of Titania. Strong movement and vocal background desirable.
Ensemble – Various ensemble members to understudy and/or play Lords, Amazons, Faeries, etc. Amazons and Lords will need stage combat experience; Faeries will need vocal and dance experience.
by William Shakespeare
This production is set in Gilded Age New York.
Rehearsals begin April 13. Student matinee performances begin May 7. Repertory opening June 6.
Romeo – 18+ to play 14–16. Role presents as male. Impulsive, prone to bouts of melancholy, and deeply in love. Scion of a proud working-class family in turn-of-the-century New York.
Juliet – 18+ to play 14–16. Role presents as female. Sheltered, fanciful, and deeply in love. Daughter of marriageable age to a new-money family seeking advantage in turn-of-the-century New York.
Mercutio – 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. The smart-aleck mover and shaker. A bon vivant compatriot of Romeo but of good enough stock to be gladly welcomed anywhere.
Tybalt – 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. Juliet’s cousin and a volatile firebrand. Arrogant as anything, but with the privilege and skill to back it up. Extensive stage combat experience preferred.
Benvolio – 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. Romeo’s cousin and an eternal optimist. Disdainful of the ever-present feud between the two primary families, hoping we can all just get along. The only young person to survive the play.
Paris – 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. A handsome, connected, wealthy scion of extraordinarily privileged status. A good, old-money match for Juliet.
Prince – 40s and up. Role presents as male. The (unofficial) Duke of New York. Slick, connected, beloved by all quarters, and fed up with the violence in the streets.
Nurse – 50s and up. Role presents as female. Maidservant in the Callahan (Capulet) household, and Juliet’s caretaker since birth. A clever, feisty woman who has seen much of the world.
Father Laurence – 40s and up. Role presents as male. A pastor, amateur herbalist, and spiritual guide to the neighborhood. Close to Romeo, whom he has known since boyhood. Tends to ignore his better instincts, which leads to catastrophe.
Mr. Callahan (Capulet) – 40s and up. Role presents as male. Juliet’s father, a ruthless, social-climbing member of the nouveau riche seeking to cement his family’s stature through advantageous marriage.
Mrs. Callahan (Lady Capulet) – 40s and up. Role presents as female. Juliet’s mother, who bears the brunt of consecutive emotional losses. Initially eager for Juliet’s adulthood, her world collapses due to the arrogance and anger of men.
Mr. Mazarro (Montague) – 40s and up. Role presents as male. Romeo’s father, who fiercely loves his family. A leader among the working men of New York, who pleads clemency for his son after Tybalt’s death.
Mrs. Mazarro (Lady Montague) – 40s and up. Role presents as female. Romeo’s mother. A thoughtful, sensible woman who restrains her husband from violence early in the play. Dies of grief upon hearing of Romeo’s passing.
Ensemble – Various ensemble members of all ages to play chorus, watchmen, and extended members of the feuding families.
Adapted by Ellen Geer, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson
Rehearsals begin May 26. Repertory opening June 20.
Stage combat and theatrical movement experience is desirable for all roles.
Jim Hawkins – 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. The strapping, starry-eyed hero of the archetypal swashbuckling adventure. He seeks adventure and experience in the wider world.
Long John Silver – 40s and up. Role presents as male. The rakish cook aboard the Hispaniola, and secret leader of the deadly pirate band.
Dr. Livesey – 30s and up. Role presents as male. The intelligent, moral, and courageous doctor aboard the Hispaniola. A practical man possessed of good sense.
Squire Trelawney – Mid-30s and up. Role presents as male. The wealthy noble who finances the treasure hunt, far too trusting of his crew.
Captain Smollett / Villager – 30s and up. Roles present as male. Captain Smollett is the capable, professional man at the head of the Hispaniola. Villager appears in one scene. Seeking one actor for both roles.
Mother / Jen Gunn – 30s and up. Roles present as female. Jim Hawkins’ mother, a proud but simple landlady of the Admiral Benbow Inn. Jen Gunn is a marooned member of the original pirate crew, touched by the madness of isolation. Seeking one actor for both roles.
Black Dog / Morgan – 30s and up. Roles present as male. Black Dog is an imposing member of Silver’s crew who arrives at the Admiral Benbow Inn to take the treasure map from Bones. Morgan is a member of Silver’s crew who ends the story marooned on the island. Seeking one actor for both roles.
Billy Bones / Job Anderson – 40s and up. Roles present as male. Billy Bones is a besotted old salt who lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn at the start of the story, in possession of the map that sets the adventure into motion. Anderson is a mutinous pirate. Seeking one actor for both roles.
Pew / George Merry – Any adult age. Roles present as male. Pew is a...
Abraham Gray – 20s and up. Role presents as male. A member of the Hispaniola’s crew, not involved with the mutiny. A young man trying to figure out who he will be.
Hunter – Any adult age. Role presents as male. A manservant in Trelawney’s employ, meets his end in a battle between sailors and pirates.
Tom Redruth – 60s and up. Role presents as male. Trelawney’s gamekeeper, an elder member of the noble’s household staff. Shot in the back by a mutineer.
Lil’ Runt – Youth performer. Role presents as male. A cabin boy.
Tim – Any adult age. Role presents as male. An honest sailor, killed by Silver for not joining the mutiny.
Israel Hands – 40s and up. Role presents as male. Former pirate gunner who tries to murder Jim Hawkins. Will double as a villager.
O’Brien – Any adult age. Role presents as male. A mutinous pirate whose life ends in a drunken brawl. Will double as a villager.
Dirk Darby – Youth performer (teens)–20s. Role presents as male. A young, religious pirate given to mutiny. Will double as a villager.
Ben – Any adult age. Role presents as male. A pirate formerly in the employ of Captain Flint. Will double as a villager.
by Noel Coward
Rehearsals begin June 23. Repertory opening July 11.
Unless otherwise marked, all roles noted are former actresses in a retirement home. Some ages are specifically stipulated and casting will be based on the playwright's stated intention.
May Davenport – An authentic star in her day specializing in Shakespeare and restoration comedies, now in her mid-seventies. Her movements are slow and immensely dignified.
Cora Clarke – A very brightly made-up woman in her late sixties. Leans on self-deprecation. She likes to know what is going on and has been a great community member for some time.
Bonita Belgrave – A gay bright woman in her late sixties with a strongly developed theatrical sense of humor. Was popular in supporting parts. She worked for ENSA during WWI.
Maudie Melrose – A diminutive soubrette around seventy who carries a vast bag for cigarettes and matches. In the years before WWI, she had success with musical comedies. Vivacity was her strong suit. (Piano skills a plus.)
Deirdre O’Malley – A strong and spry white-haired lady of eighty-two. Speaks in a strong Irish brogue.
Almina Clare – In her mid-eighties. She has been on the stage her entire life, but true stardom has eluded her.
Estelle Craven – Mid-seventies and permanently wistful. She has been on the stage all her life. Played leading roles only from time to time.
Perry Lascoe – A young man somewhere between thirty-eight and forty who works at “The Wings”. He had some success as a young juvenile in musical comedy but gave it up and is now adored by the “inmates” because he jokes and jollies with them. Fundamentally kind. (Singing ability a plus.)
Miss Archie – Resident superintendent of “The Wings”. A woman of about fifty. Her gruff and rather masculine manner conceals a vulnerable heart and an amiable manner. Worked diligently for ENSA during WWII and retired with the rank of Colonel. This is her greatest pride.
Osgood Meeker – Elderly gentleman, sweet, loyal and kind.
Lotta Bainbridge – A well-preserved woman in her early seventies. An authentic star with a very accomplished lifelong stage career. Grounded, calm and cheerful.
Dora – Lotta’s faithful dresser. Loyal and true.
Doreen – An untidy girl of twenty-three. The live-in maid at “The Wings”.
Sarita Myrtle – A wispy lady in her seventies.
Zelda Fenwick – A woman in her mid-thirties. A journalist looking for a story.
Doctor Jevons – A pleasant young man in his thirties.
Alan Bennet – In his late forties, neatly dressed but with an undefinable quality of failure about him. His manner is nervous.
Topsy Baskerville – A retired stage actress in her late sixties.
by Bernardo Cubría
Rehearsals begin July 14. Repertory opening August 1.
Carlos Cabrera (40s) – Mexican writer who feels deep shame about his success and privilege. He needs to be liked and uses humor to obtain it. He wonders how to return to who he used to be or at least the story he tells himself he used to be.
Vera Schein (40s) – Jewish editor. She has recently found a lot of joy in her community and it’s giving her a sense of purpose again. Her kids are priority number one; now this community is number two. She wishes her husband could find joy in her joy.
Juniper Williams (40s) – White female. Native Topangan and proud of it. A blast to be around — nonjudgmental, gregarious, and naive about certain things in a way that comes from a good place.
Ryan (40s) – White male. Grew up in Topanga. Has tried many careers that have failed and is starting to feel like he’s failed himself and his family. He’s in recovery; his existential sadness makes things hard, but he’s loyal and dependable.
Mel Rose (40s) – Former actress, now into “functional health.” Gorgeous, confident, but desperate to be the queen of any kingdom she enters. She doesn’t respond to invites because she makes the plans.
Kevin Callaghan (40s) – Finance professional. Feels constrained in what he can say. Claims to be a classic liberal but his behavior suggests otherwise. He has a temper and is exceedingly private and concerned with “the markets.”
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