Auditions and Rehearsals

OUR TOWN  
CAST LIST

Hello everyone,

Thanks to everyone who auditioned!

As we you heard me say at auditions, we had more than 50 people audition for this show and we EASILY could have 5 completely different casts that would be equally strong.  Thank you all for bringing your talents to the stage and for making these choices so difficult.  I enjoyed working with each of you at auditions and look forward to future opportunities to work with you either in classes or productions. 

If you have been cast you MUSTenroll in THA M10A-D by 8/14/2026 (THAT’S THIS COMING MONDAY) or you risk losing your role. The CRNs for the classes for the Fall production are THA M10A - 71462, THA M10B - 71918, THA M10C - 71910, THA M10D - 71913.   This takes time so the sooner we get that paperwork going, the better.  If you are not enrolled by Monday, you will need an add code. 

Rehearsals begin Monday 8/14 @ 6:00pm on the main stage for our first read-through.  I will have a rehearsal schedule for you on Monday and a syllabus for the class. 

If you were not cast, we have auditions for the One Acts NEXT WEEK, and we still have many technical roles that need to be filled in the TTHA M11A-D classes.  You are all valued members of the Theatre Arts program and we WANT YOU TO BE INVOLVED!!

Thanks again,

John, Lauren, Josh and Addy

• Auditions will be the 8/17, 8/18, 8/19

• The main audition days are the first two days of auditions with callbacks on the last day of auditions.

• If you are unable to make the first two days of auditions, feel free to come the last day of auditions.

• If you can't make any of the audition days but would still like to be considered, please pick a side and email a self-tape to sfagan@vcccd.edu.

• Sides (a small section of the script actors are given before an audition for either a play, film or television show) will be posted on this website closer to the dates of auditions.

• Pick a side or two that interests you and bring it to the auditions.

• There will be a sign in sheet at the auditions.

• You do not have to stay for the whole duration of the audition time but you are free to stay and watch.

• You do not have to come right when the audition starts.

• If cast, you will enroll in the production class that is 3 units.

• The show runs from Wednesday December 2nd-Saturday December 5th.

• Rehearsals will begin Monday, August 24th

• Rehearsals will be MTWTH 3:30-5:45

• If you are a supporting character, you will not be called to all of those rehearsals but you are free to stay and watch

To Lay Me Down by Noah Cohen

Director: Noah Cohen

Assistant Director: Caitlyn Flores

More than 30 years ago, Jim Obergefell and John Arthur fell in love. When John developed ALS, Jim began the fight to have their partnership legally recognized before his husband’s inevitable end. To Lay Me Down chronicles how one man, against overwhelming odds, fulfilled a promise to his dying husband and helped bring about the most important gay rights case in U.S. history. 

Character Breakdown

Jim Obergefell: “The type of guy to wear a sweater vest to the club.” Jim graduated from Sandusky High School in 1984 and went on to attend the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a degree in secondary education and German. He attended graduate school at Bowling Green State University. Out of college, he was a high school German teacher. In his mid-twenties, Obergefell came out, first to his eldest sister. His mother's death preceded his coming out, but the rest of his family were largely "unsurprised and unperturbed”. While his father was not always supportive, Obergefell found a strong relationship with his aunt Paulette. 

What I’m looking for: 

• Someone sensitive and empathetic 
• Nervous and unsure at first, later becomes emboldened by the desire to improve circumstances he’s in for, not only his husband, but the lives of same-sex couples around the country. 
• Initially insecure about his feelings. By the end he is strong willed and independent. 
• Chemistry between him and John should be clear from the start, and John brings out the fun-loving and positive side of Jim’s personality. 
• Throughout the show, he holds back his tears despite everything he goes through. Until the end. He lets the weight of it all hit him at the end, staring at the empty bed his husband had spent his final, agonizing days in. We should feel that alongside him. 
• Loves dance music, absolutely cannot dance to save his life lol. 

John Arthur: “A hit of pain behind the smirk.” It was always clear that John was gay. John had a turbulent childhood that had given way to an unsteady life and a string of dead-end jobs and late nights dressed in black at Cincinnati’s gay bars. Jim and John met in one of these bars, and John briefly introduced himself to Jim, before turning away to challenge the woman next to Jim to a drinking contest. He was charming, well-spoken, and when he laughed, Jim felt the world around him slip away. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and passed away in October 2013. 

What I’m looking for: 

• Someone who immediately attracts the eye with just their presence. 
• Positive attitude despite it all. 
• Feels a deep sense of pain and fear about his life and situation but never shows it outwardly. 
• The two men were together for two decades before John’s ALS developed fully. I want to see an arc of their relationship in the short time they’re together. 
• Hates how his disease has affected his husband and feels like a burden to him. The mental back and forth of needing so much help and feeling helpless wearing him down but keeping that positive energy til the end. And he LOVES to dance. :D 

Sides

Big Iron by Finn Schwartz

Director: Finn Schwartz

Assistant Director: Evelyn Adams

In the small western town of Agua Fria lives its citizens, there also lives a reckless outlaw whose evil shadow looms over the poor town. Until one day a stranger shows up to take care of business with the big iron on his hip.

Character Breakdown

The Stranger: An Arizona Ranger. Menacing, focused, formidable. On his hip he carries what everyone assumes is a gun… it’s not… It is a tire iron. An enormous, comically large tire iron. He also keeps, somewhere on his person, a gun so long, so incredibly long. He treats both with total seriousness.

Texas Red: A vicious outlaw, 24 years old, twenty notches on his pistol, and an enormous ego to match. Surprisingly sensitive about the notches.

The Sheriff: Nervous, deeply unqualified intermediary between the law and the lawless. 

The Bartender: A weary observer in Agua Fria who has seen everything and is exhausted by all of it.

Citizen 1: Extremely dramatic. Treats every event like it is the end of the world.

Citizen 2: Agrees with everything Citizen 1 says, but slightly, wrong each time.

Narrator: Offstage or at the edge of the stage or on the catwalk. Sings adapted verses of "Big Iron" at moments.

Sides

Springtime with the Smiths by Artimis Ott

Director: Faye Diaz

Assistant Director: Lauren Ptolemy

While caring for her family and a newborn a mother struggles to maintain her sanity and sense of self as she navigates this new time in her life.

Character Breakdown

Mom: F, 30s, The loving mother of the household who is always trying her best.

Frank: M, 40s, The breadwinner and husband who tries, but certainly not hard enough.

Henry: M, 12, The pre-teen son of the family, who is in the stage of life where he is a complete and total asshole.

Allie: F, 16, The teenage daughter of the family, in her rebellious stage, feels like she doesn't fit in with them.

Disclaimer

Springtime With the Smiths contains depictions of misogyny, suicidal ideation, death of a child, and postpartum depression.  This show contains imagery and subject matter that some may deem disturbing.  In particular, there will be a baby doll representing a baby that is decapitated.

This information is given freely so that actors auditioning for the one acts can decide if this dramatic piece is a good fit for you.  Feel free to inquire further if you need more information or to politely decline a callback or a role for this play should one be offered to you.

Sides

Between Floors by Shannon Alvarez

Director: Emilee Kenney

Assistant Director: Dalana Green

Between Floors, written by Shannon Alvarez, tells the compelling story of a young woman, Maya, and her journey of self-discovery, exploring her past, eventually coming to terms with who she is.

Character Breakdown

Maya: Mid-Twenties, main character; Lives in an apartment building where CARMEN, her love interest, works. Awkward and down to earth. She is a closeted homosexual who is apprehensive to come to terms with who she is.

Carmen: Mid-Twenties, works at the apartment where MAYA lives. She is dating Valentina, her girlfriend of 3 years. Laid-back, humorous, and kind.

Valentina: Mid-Twenties, girlfriend of CARMEN for 3 years.

Sarah: Teen (Flashback) MAYA’S childhood crush whom she had an intimate moment with but rejected the idea almost immediately.

Sides

The Right Look by Dan Lisi Jr.

Director: Dan Lisi Jr.

Assistant Director: Rogelio Lara

It is Halloween night and Liz is frantically trying to create a costume last minute that will impress the head of a sorority, and Victor offers to create the ultimate look for her. The only issue is that due to familial strain and difference of options, Victor and Liz have drifted apart. Hopefully now that they're older, Victor and Liz will be able to see through the past and mend their relationship.

Character Breakdown

Victor: 30 something male, who is a somewhat successful makeup artist. He would be a mix of The Dude from The Big Lebowski and a goth. Someone that everybody wants to hang with but can gross everyone out with gore at the same time, very carefree.

Liz: Early 20s female, and Victor's sister. Liz is an engineering major currently working on her BA. Liz is very mathematical and practical. She keeps to her schedule and plans every detail.

Sides

Love and Blood by Lili Lang

Director: Cianna Wilkins

Assistant Director: Lili Lang

Set in gritty modern-day Chicago a notorious serial killer called The Chicago Maniac paces the streets… very loudly complaining. A new killer is in town and taking credit for The Chicago Maniacs work. That just won’t do so in retaliation he does the only rational thing. Hunt down and attempt to kill the head editor responsible for spreading this bad information. But after breaking into the editor's home he finds someone else beat him to it. Enter Bella the butcher, the lovely and heartless psychopath who also refuses to let this misunderstanding continue any longer. Between the two of them sparks fly and blood trickles as they try to answer the question, can two maniacs really fall in love? A thriller meets rom com mashup.

Character Breakdown

The Chicago Maniac: 34-year-old man, long time serial killer and Chicago native. Has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Incredibly egotistical bordering on delusional. Fancies himself a lone wolf but in reality, he’s looking for love.

John Spellinsky: 46-year-old man, Editor in Chief of the Chicago Paper. A divorcee who lives alone. Excellent corpse.

Bella the Butcher: 28-year-old woman, new to town serial killer with something to prove. She’s learned from the best and is as cruel as she is beautiful. She has no time for romance, not when there's bodies to bury.

Sides

Hurry! Ten Minutes to Solve the Murder or a Bomb Explodes! by Artimis Ott

Director: Carter Garcia

Assistant Director: Robin Rebbe

After receiving invitations to an extravagant dinner party, five strangers find themselves connected not only to each other, but to the murder of millionaire Charles Robertson. Now, they only have 10 minutes to figure out ‘whodunnit’ lest a bomb explodes, leading to their untimely doom. Everyone has a motive, but only one can be accused.

NOTE: This show has five different endings. Each character should have a reason for suspicion.

Character Breakdown

Detective Flo Hendrix: Female. A world-famous detective, with the likes of Poirot and Holmes. Firm, a little vain, and works well under pressure. She’s smarter than most and definitely knows it.

Laurence: Female. Butler and personal assistant to murder victim, Charles Roberston. Eerily calm. Deeply protective of those she cares about, to the point of creating a literal Saw Trap. Preferably speaks with an English accent.

Marcus Barrett: Male. Loud, obnoxious, and runs his own right-wing, alpha male podcast. With all that personality, he’s definitely compensating for something. In fact, he just might be harboring a dark secret that threatens to ruin his entire career.

Chelsey Jones: Female. Marcus’ girlfriend. Ready to settle down. Your typical valley girl, but that doesn’t mean she’s an idiot. Can and will use her looks and personality to her advantage.

Sam Gregory: Any gender. A sly journalist whose work toes the line between fiction and fact. Sarcastic. They’re not afraid to resort to desperate measures in order to get what they want.

Larry Key: Male. A Late-Night Talk Show Host. Older, and a little washed-up. He’s been in the business for a very, very long time, and isn’t keen on letting go of the show that made him so successful.

Sides

TBA soon!