Open audition notice for BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidle
We are looking for six actors for this upcoming production
Auditions will be held Mon & Tue, Jul 6 & 7, 2026, starting at 7:00 pm both nights.
Production dates: Aug 21-Sep 6, 2026
The Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philip TheatreScape
430 Wayne Ave, Dayton OH, 45410
937-278-5993 — www.daytontheatreguild.org
Directed by Jared Mola
Produced by Rick Flynn
Ernestine Ashworth spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, an infinity of dreams, and one cake baked over a century. This sweet, poignant, and funny play takes you through the extraordinary moments that make up one woman’s ordinary life.
BIRTHDAY CANDLES is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Casting Requirements:
- Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
- A résumé and headshot are not required but are appreciated.
- Please provide a list of all known conflicts between Jul 8 & Sep 7, 2026
A note on ages: The actors in this production will portray either multiple characters of various ages or one character across an entire lifetime. As such, the apparent age of the actor is less important than their ability to play the age of the characters truthfully — not realistically and not ridiculously.
-) Ernestine Ashworth:
Travels from Age 17-107
-) Alice/Madeline/Ernie:
Alice – 40. Ernestine’s Mother
Madeline – 21-30. Ernestine and Matt’s daughter
Ernie- 15. Alex’s Daughter, Ernestine’s great-granddaughter
-) Kenneth:
18-90s. Ernestine’s neighbor and admirer
-) Matt/William:
Matt – 18-72. Ernestine’s boyfriend, then Husband
William – 13. Alex’s Son, Ernestine’s great-grandson
-) Billy/John:
Billy – 17-70s. Ernestine and Matt’s son
John – A man woken up in the middle of the night. Beth’s partner
-) Joan/Alex/Beth:
Joan – Billy’s wife
Alex – 17-43. Billy and Joan’s daughter, Ernestine’s granddaughter
Beth – John’s partner
For more information please contact Jared Mola at jared.mola@daytontheatreguild.org
Dayton Theatre Guild is a community theatre that values community representation, and we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion on and off stage. People of all ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are welcome and encouraged to participate and will be given full consideration in casting and all volunteer opportunities. Unless explicitly specified by the playwright in the text of the play, all roles will be open to all performers.
The show runs weekends Aug 21-Sep 6, 2026
First Weekend: Friday 8pm, Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3pm
Second & Third Weekend: Friday 8pm, Saturday 5pm, Sunday 3pm
*Children under seven will not be admitted
Individual tickets on sale now
Adult: $25
Senior (60 or older): $23
Student: $18
To purchase:
– https://daytontheatreguild.thundertix.com/
– or call 937-278-5993
– or at the box office day of the show
* All individual tickets purchased in advance via our on-line ticket system or by telephone will also include a $1 convenience fee.
for more information, including auditions, see http://www.daytontheatreguild.org/
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