Author Archives: robbucher

X*ACT is thrilled to announce auditions for our next show, CHURCH AND STATE

Auditions: Tuesday February 25th and Wednesday February 26th, 2025 at 7pm

Please email and questions to Director Mike Taint at mhtaint@gmail.com.

AUDITIONS will be readings from the script excerpts contained in the audition package available on our website here.

Memorization not required. Auditions with be held in the XACT Lobby.

THE STORY: Three days before his bid for reelection, in the wake of a school shooting in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, a Republican U.S. senator makes an off-the-cuff comment to a blogger that gets leaked on “the Twitter,” calling into question the senator’s stance on guns and God. As his devoutly Christian wife and liberal Jewish campaign manager try to contain the damage, this look at how religion influences politics and how politics has become a religion is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting.

“[CHURCH & STATE] is surprisingly subtle and gripping entertainment…a sophisticated dialectic that presents both sides of the gun debate…Williams avoids demonizing his conservative Southerners, who are winning, strikingly intelligent, and above all, sincere in their beliefs.” —Los Angeles Times.

“A crackling script. Feels very of the moment. An enjoyable, thought-provoking and, I promise, humorous piece of theatre. I wish every member of Congress would see it!” —NPR.
“This is a powerful, often humorous, and highly contemporary piece…The play has several surprises, four fascinating characters, and so many lines that resonate.” —Huffington Post.

CASTING
Character descriptions. Ages shown are “playable” ages. Color blind casting.

• Senator Charles Whitmore (R/NC) – Male. 40s-50s “Born and raised in North Carolina, he is the junior US Senator up for reelection. He’s a rare honest politician and gifted public speaker. A family man who loves his wife, sons, and constituents.
• Sara Whitmore – Female. 30s-50s “Charlie’s wife. Also born and raised in North Carolina. She loves her family, Jesus, and the Bible. A tough Southern woman who is nonetheless sweet, charming, and likable.
• Alex – Female. 30s-40s. Charlie’s campaign manager. A fast-talking, no-nonsense liberal from New York whose star is on the rise as a go-to campaign manager. She’s a professional at the top of her game, but she knows her career is on the line if this election goes badly.
• Tom – Male/Female. 20s – 30s. A paid intern, he/she is simple with a good heart. An NC State grad, he/she is devoted to Carolina and to Charlie.
• Marshall – Male/Female. 20s – 30s. A blogger with Christian values but not much journalistic experience.

Directed by Mike Taint, performances run April 18-27.