Monthly Archives: August 2025

DAD’S PLACE – A Farce World Premiere Kicks Off Year 40 at the Human Race

Fathers and sons, downsizing, and imposter syndrome? Right at home in Jake Lockwood’s world premiere Dad’s Place – A Farce starting the 40th Season at The Human Race Theatre Company.

Paul briefly steps away from a lucrative writing career in LA to help his father, Karl, go through an apartment that’s overrun with “stuff”. Paul seeks to use this time away from corporate clients to write something more meaningful, but the distractions of Karl’s life prove to be more than Paul’s creative inspiration can overcome. In the end, Paul finds he has just as much “stuff” to work through.

This new work by Jake Lockwood is a two-actor farce that dives into complex parent-adult child relationships, an artist wrestling with his creativity, and wraps them into a love letter to the artistic process.

“Jake started writing this play in 2022 as a 5-minute scene in The Playwright’s Race, one of our new play initiatives,” notes Emily N. Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race Theatre Company. “A farce that is so full of heart, family connection, and local talent feels like a great way to start our 40th Season.”

Resident Artist Joe Deer directs area favorites Jason Podplesky (Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help) as Paul and resident artist Bruce Cromer (Shipwrecked: An Entertainment) in a quick change extravaganza as Terry, Karl, Mortimer, and others.

The full production team: Richard Block, Scenic Design; Matthew P. Benjamin, Lighting Design; Molly Walz, Costume Design; Kaitlin Barnett Proctor, Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props; Ruth E. Kramer, Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager.

Dad’s Place – A Farce will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, September 3-14, 2025.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft:  

  • Pay What You CAN
    Tuesday, September 2, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank
  • Inside Track Thursday, September 4, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
  • While We’re On The Subject
    Sunday, September 7, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • $10/Sawbuck Sunday Sunday, September 7, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
  • While We’re On The Subject
    Sunday, September 14, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • Parent’s Day Out
    Sunday, September 14, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability Sponsors:  Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation. Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation.

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Auditions Announced for ANGEL STREET (GASLIGHT) at Xenia Area Community Theatre

AUDITION NOTICE – ANGEL STREET (GASLIGHT) by Patrick Hamilton

Presented by Xenia Area Community Theater
Directed by Onyx Davis

Do you love a good psychological thriller filled with Victorian drama, eerie suspense, and secrets that flicker like a dim gaslight?

Join us at X*ACT as we bring to life Angel Street (Gaslight) – a chilling mystery that explores deception, control, and a woman’s journey to reclaim her reality in a world that’s trying to dim her light.

Audition Dates:

  • Tuesday, August 19th & Wednesday August 20th at 7:00 PM

Xenia Area Community Theater
45 E 2nd St, Xenia, OH 45385

About the Show:
Set in foggy 19th-century London, Angel Street tells the story of Bella Manningham, a woman tormented by her husband’s subtle manipulations—made to believe she’s losing her mind. But when a sharp-witted detective enters their lives, long-buried secrets begin to surface, and Bella must decide what’s real… and what’s madness.

Roles Available (ages are flexible and will be cast based on chemistry and performance):

  • Mr. Jack Manningham – Charming on the surface, sinister underneath; calculating and dangerous.
  • Mrs. Bella Manningham – Sensitive, intelligent, and emotionally unraveling under pressure.
  • Inspector Rough – A clever and determined detective with a sharp tongue and a compassionate streak.
  • Elizabeth – The loyal, mature housekeeper who quietly watches everything unfold.
  • Nancy – Young, bold, and flirtatious maid with ambition and attitude.

Audition Details:
Cold readings from the script – no monologue required.
British accents are encouraged but not required.
Please arrive early to complete an audition form and be ready to stay for the full audition window if needed.

Rehearsals Begin: Late August

Performance Dates:
October 17–19 and October 24–26 at X*ACT
Friday & Saturday shows are at 7PM with a call time of 6PM
Sunday shows are a matinee at 3PM with a call time of 2PM

Questions?
Email the director, Onyx Davis, at ofox180065@gmail.com.

Whether you’re a returning performer or looking for your first mysterious role, we’d love to see you at auditions. Step into the gaslit world where nothing is quite what it seems…

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Auditions Announced for ZANNA DON’T! at Loveland Stage Company

Loveland Stage Company is proud to announce auditions for our winter musical, ZANNA, DON’T! – a heartwarming, hilarious musical that flips traditional love stories on their head and celebrates love in all its forms.

PLEASE NOTE: Auditions will take place at Epiphany United Methodist Church (6635 Loveland-Miamiville Rd) NOT Loveland Stage Company.

Audition Dates: September 2nd and 3rd from 6:30-9:30PM

Location: Epiphany UMC

Full Details and Sign-up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C0E4BA9AD2DABFBC34…

What to Prepare:
Please bring a prepared piece of at least 32 bars (about 90 seconds) to sing. There will be an accompanist available and a Bluetooth speaker system. If you plan to bring sheet music, please make sure the cuts are clearly marked. For tracks, please make sure your track is an instrumental. The song should showcase the best parts of your voice and your range.

Auditions will also consist of cold readings from the script.

Callbacks:
If needed, callbacks will be held on Tuesday, September 9th at 6:30PM.

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will begin in early October and will be four times per week. Not all roles may be called to every rehearsal.

Performances:
January 16-25, 2026 at Loveland Stage Company

Production Team:

  • Director: Nick Huitger
  • Choreographer: Michael Yarick
  • Producer: Kiya Fix
  • Music Director: George Drewyor
  • Stage Manager: Matt Campbell

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Production Roles Available for LEGALLY BLONDE ’26 at Rivertown Players, Inc.

Join Our Production Team for LEGALLY BLONDE

Hey friends! We’re officially in the early stages of bringing Legally Blonde: The Musical to the stage next summer and we’re looking for talented individuals to join our production team! As with all of our productions, these are volunteer positions, and we couldn’t do it without the amazing support of people like you.

KEY DETAILS
Performances: All shows will be held at Lawrenceburg High School across two weekends: July 17-19, 2026 and July 24-26, 2026.

Rehearsals: Rehearsals will be at Hamline Chapel in Lawrenceburg. The schedule is flexible and will be determined by the production team once all key roles are filled.

OPEN POSITIONS

  • Director
  • Vocal Director
  • Artistic Director
  • Choreographer
  • Conductor
  • Producer
  • Stage Manager
  • Hair and Makeup
  • Costuming
  • Lighting Design / Execution
  • Sound Design / Execution

HOW TO APPLY
If you’re interested in one or more of these roles and want to help us create a spectacular show, please email us at rtpboard@gmail.com.

To ensure we can track all applicants efficiently, please use the following format for your subject line: 2026 LEGALLY BLONDE – [Your Desired Role(s)].

We can’t wait to hear from you and look forward to building an incredible team!

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Auditions Announced for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Footlighters, Inc.

The Footlighters, Inc. announce auditions for our production of Tennessee Williams; A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.

Directed by Jerry Wiesenhahn
Produced by Kristen Vincenty and Robert Workley

Audition Dates/Times:

  • Sunday, September 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Monday, September 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Callbacks, if Needed:
Tuesday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Signup:

Please sign up for an audition time slot here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AEAE2BABFC1-57759467-footlighters#/

Location:
Footlighters’ The Stained Glass Theatre – 802 York Street, Newport, KY 41071

Audition Requirements:

  • Audition slots will be 1 hour each. 
  • Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. You will be asked to read with those in your same time slot.
  • Please bring a list of conflicts between December 2025 and January 2026.
  • Print a copy of your theatrical resume. Headshots are not required but are very much appreciated.
  • Please contact director Jerry Wiesenhahn with questions about the script or audition process at wiezj@icloud.com.

Production Dates: January 29 – February 15, 2026

Rehearsal Times:

Rehearsals will begin in December and run through opening. Rehearsals will be held roughly three to four times per week, scheduled around cast availability. A meet-and-greet/read-through/headshot session will take place prior to January, potentially in November or December, depending on cast availability. No conflicts are permitted during tech week January 25 – 28.

This production staff is committed to bringing together a diverse group of people who are dedicated to bringing this story to life. We encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, abilities, and body types to audition. No roles have been precast. 

Synopsis:

In Tennessee Williams’ explosive and groundbreaking Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, the seemingly refined Blanche DuBois relocates to the New Orleans home of her sister and brother-in-law, Stella and Stanley Kowalski, where she finds herself instantly at odds with Stanley. Through the course of the play, the Kowalskis’ apartment becomes a pressure cooker of sensuality and class tensions, until ultimately erupting into some of the most iconic dramatic moments seen on the modern stage.

Character Breakdown:

Blanche DuBois: female, stage age 30 to 32
Blanche is Stella’s older sister; she projects herself as a delicate, demure Southern belle. While giving the perception of old-South charm in what sometimes seems to be a fantasy world of her own creation, she’s unable to completely conceal her underlying sensuality. She’s suffered a lot of personal trauma and financial loss, and it’s pushed her to a desperate brink.

Stella Kowalski: female, stage age 25 to 27
Stella is Blanche’s younger sister and Stanley’s wife; she is warm, genuine, and much more practical and rooted in the real world than Blanche; she is completely devoted and passionately attracted to Stanley in spite of his sometimes rough and physically abusive treatment of her—for which she always forgives him.

Stanley Kowalski: male, stage age 28 to 30
Stanley is Stella’s husband; he’s rough, crude, physically strong, has a domineering presence, and is intensely proud of his masculinity and social position. Admired by his friends, he’s used to getting his way and succeeding by a combination of force of will and physical prowess. He loves Stella passionately but deals with frustration and disappointment in the only way he knows how—lashing out physically, often at Stella.

Harold “Mitch” Mitchell: male, stage age 28 to 30
Mitch is Stanley’s best friend; they served together in WW2. He’s single due to a combination of shyness, a lack of confidence, and living with his ailing mother. Affable and friendly, he becomes fascinated with Blanche, seeing her as an exotic, cultured woman compared with everything else in his life and he pursues her romantically.

Eunice Hubbell: female, stage age 40s
Eunice is Stella and Stanley’s upstairs neighbor and landlord, and wife to Steve. Eunice is sturdy and crude enough to keep up with the boys at the bar. She’s a friend to Stella and protective of her when Stanley gets physical, a bond they share due to her suffering similar abuse from Steve.

Steve Hubbell: male, stage age 40s
Steve is Stella and Stanley’s upstairs neighbor and husband to Eunice. He’s Stanley’s friend, bowling teammate, and part of the regular poker game. He is like Stanley in several ways, including taking out his frustrations physically on his wife.

Young Collector: male, stage age 18 to 22
A young man who comes to the Kowalskis’ to collect payment for the newspaper. He is polite, professional, and made uncomfortable by Blanche’s overt flirtations.

Pablo Gonzales: male, stage age 30s
Pablo is a poker buddy of Mitch, Steve, and Stanley. He’s of Hispanic descent, and his easy acceptance in the group points to the growing diversity of New Orleans, and particularly the Kowalskis’ neighborhood.

Strange Woman (Nurse): female, stage age 40s to 60s
She’s the harsh, unsympathetic, and firm nurse who attempts to physically coerce Blanche to accompany her and the Doctor to the sanitarium.

Strange Man (Doctor): male, stage age 50s
The kind, quiet doctor who uses his gentleness and calm demeanor to convince Blanche to accompany him to the sanitarium at the play’s end.

Hispanic Woman: female, stage age 40s to 60s
A Hispanic woman who makes several appearances selling “flores por los muertos,” or “flowers for the dead.”

African American Woman: female, stage age 30s to 50s
A friend of Eunice’s who meets Blanche when she appears on Stella’s doorstep. 

NOTEDirector reserves the right to cast an actor in multiple, smaller roles, pending auditions. No roles are being pre-cast.

For more information, go to our website or sign up for your audition time here.

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