Tag Archives: CenterStage Players of Ohio

Auditions Announced for RIDE THE CYCLONE at CenterStage Players

CenterStage Players announces auditions for RIDE THE CYCLONE by Jacob Richmond and Brooke MaxwellDirected by John and Carissa Sloan and produced by Mark Culp

Synopsis: In a dilapidated warehouse at an abandoned amusement park, an aging mechanical fortune-teller called The Amazing Karnak comes to life, and brings with him a ghostly choir of five deceased high-schoolers – all members of the Saint Cassian Chamber Choir, who were tragically killed on the park’s Cyclone roller coaster. Now, Karnak has the power to return one of these youths to life – but they must all decide among themselves who is the most worthy of a second chance to “ride the cyclone” that is life.

Auditions will be held at Lockland High School (249 W Forrer, Cincinnati, OH 45215)

Auditions will be held on Sunday, October 11 from 1:00-5:00 pm and Monday, October 12 from 7:00-9:30 pm

Call-backs (if needed) will be held on Wednesday, October 14 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.

Performances will be held at Lockland High School – February 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 27.

Please sign up for an audition time here: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C094DA8AF29A1F85…

Walk-ins will also be accepted – However, preference will be given to auditionees that sign up in advance.
For your audition, please prepare a song of your choice – 16-32 bars that best showcases your range and storytelling abilities. You may also be asked to read from the script. A dance call will be included so please dress appropriately in order to be able to move. Come prepared to showcase your best efforts and show us how you can bring these unique characters to life. Your current resume and headshot will also be appreciated.
 
If you cannot attend in person but would still like to audition, please don’t hesitate to submit a virtual audition to Director John Sloan (rbunthorne2180@yahoo.com), or Producer Mark Culp (markcandjanec@gmail.com). If you are submitting a virtual audition, please include a 16-32 bar section of a song that best showcases your range and storytelling abilities. Also please include a monologue no longer than one minute in length as well as your resume and headshot. Virtual auditions must be received no later than 6:00 PM on Monday, October 12.
 
Cast of Characters:
No roles have been pre-cast. We are seeking to assemble a very diverse cast of individuals. You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your audition.
 
Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg: Female/Soprano (Vocal Range B3-E5) – Ocean is the overachieving, self-assured, and somewhat egotistical leader of the choir. She is highly competitive and hides her vulnerability beneath a confident exterior. She has big dreams and an intense need to be the best. Strong comedic and vocal skills required.
 
Noel Gruber: Male/Baritone or Tenor (Vocal Range G2-G4) – The only gay kid in his small town, Noel is theatrical, dark, and dreamy. He longs to be a tragic French chanteuse and has a taste for the macabre. Must have a strong sense of irony and dark humor.
 
Mischa Bachinski: Male/Baritone (Vocal Range A2-G4) – Ukrainian-born bad boy with a romantic side, Mischa presents himself as tough and stoic, but underneath is a passionate dreamer. He is devoted to his fiancée and often raps in his musical numbers. Strong vocal skills with the ability to rap are essential.
 
Constance Blackwood: Female/Mezzo-Soprano (Vocal Range G3-E5) – Constance is the sweetest and most optimistic of the group. Known as the “nicest girl in town”, she is overlooked but secretly longs to be noticed and to express her true self. Requires warmth and vulnerability, with a comedic touch.
 
Ricky Potts: Male/Tenor (Vocal Range A2-A4) – Ricky is shy and withdrawn, living in his own world due to a physical disability However, in his imagination, he transforms into a futuristic superhero. Must transition from quiet and introverted to confident and expressive. Strong acting and vocal skills required.
 
Jane Doe: Female/Soprano (Vocal Range C4-E5) – Mysterious and eerie, Jane is the unknown, unspeaking girl who died in the accident. She has no memory of her past and sings in a hauntingly beautiful, ethereal style. Requires strong classical vocals and the ability to convey emotion through movement and voice.

Karnak: Male/Non-Singing Role – This character is an animatronic fortune telling machine (similar to Zoltar in the film ‘Big’)

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Call for Directors for 2027-2028 Season at CenterStage Players

CenterStage Players is now accepting applications for Directors for our 2027-28 season!

We are searching for creative and talented directors, both experienced and new, who aren’t afraid to take a risk. We are open to comedy, drama, farce, and musical submissions and are particulary interested in rarely performed shows, original works, and “edgy” scipts. You can see the list of our previous productions on our website – http://www.centerstageplayersinc.com
We are planning to produce three to four shows next season. All shows will be performed at Lockland High School, which should help you plan for the potential shows you may be interested in directing.
Interested applicants should send the information shown below to Mark Culp and Rebecca Coots, Vice-Presidents of Production, before the deadline of September 30, 2026. Director interviews will take place in late November or early December.
Please respond to this notice by e-mail to markcandjanec@gmail.com or by snail mail to:
Mark Culp
4 Alidrew Drive
Cold Spring, KY 41076
Please include the following in your submission:
Director Information:
  • Contact Information (name, phone number, email)
  • Current resume
Show Information:
  • Title of Show
  • Playwright
  • Please include a copy of the script, if possible, or ensure that it is a show that will have an easily accessible copy.
  • Please include a short summary of the show.
Production Information:
  • What about the show appeals to you as a director?
  • Please list any technical crew that you work with on a regular basis or would like to involve in this production.
  • What technical issues (if any) does the show present and how would you plan to resolve these?
  • Are there any anticipated casting difficulties and how would you overcome them?
  • Are there any budgeting issues or exceptional costs associated with this production?
  • If your show is selected, are there any schedule restrictions that might assist us in building our season (i.e., can only direct in the fall)?
NOTE: If considering multiple shows, we ask that you limit your submissions to two (2). Individual director interviews will be limited to 30 minutes, regardless of the the number of shows pitched.

We can’t wait to hear your ideas for the 2027-28 season!

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FIREBRINGER at CenterStage Players Runs Sept. 18-26

FIREBRINGER
CenterStage Players
Sept. 18-26
CASA [Avondale]

Directed by Ellis Quinne
Produced by Jane Culp

Cast: Erica Beimesche as Jamila, Lauren Davidson as Zazzalil, Caroline Conard as Emberly, Jun Holubeck as Grunt, Christine Gallagher as Molag, Anna Wesselman as Keeri, Zoë Peterson as Swoopsie, Joanna Glispie as Chorn, Allison Kalfas as Tiblyn, ames Hummeldorf as Smelly Balls, John Sloan as Ducker & Jessica Rychlik as Spark
Ensemble: Jodi Zerbe & Molly Leonard

At the dawn of humanity, one tribe of cave-people survives the many trials of prehistoric life under the wise leadership of Jemilla, The Peacemaker. Jemilla taught her people to express themselves, rather than bashing each others’ heads with rocks and eating each others’ babies. But one member of the tribe doesn’t seem to fit in: Zazzalil. She’s always trying to invent things to make life easier… for herself. While out hatching her latest scheme, Zazzalil stumbles upon the most important discovery in history. One that will pit her tribe against wooly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and change the world forever. She’ll travel from omega to alpha, and become… the Firebringer!

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 18-19* at 7:30pm (*understudy performance)
  • Sun, Sept. 20 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Sept. 24-26 at 7:30pm

Official page |

 

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Auditions Announced for ABIGAIL, FOR NOW at CenterStage Players

CenterStage Players announces auditions for ABIGAIL, FOR NOW by Jackie Martin.
Directed by Faith VonHandorf and produced by Mark and Jane Culp.

‘Abigail, For Now’ grapples with feeling like an outsider, and for good reason – she claims she is from another galaxy, here only to study human behavior. After her behavior intensifies, her parents place her in a psychiatric facility for adolescents. Despite her best efforts to isolate herself, Abigail forms a connection with another patient which leads her on a journey of self-discovery. As Abigail begins to listen and share, she gains powerful insights about belonging and the complexities of being human. The show is a poignant and surprising exploration of mental health, identity, and the search for connection in a world that often feels unfamiliar.

Auditions will be held at Lockland High School (249 W Forrer, Cincinnati, OH  45215)

  • Auditions will be held on Sunday, July 12 from 1:00-4:30 pm and Monday, July 13 from 7:00-9:30 pm
  • Call-backs (if needed) will be held on Tuesday, July 14 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.

If you cannot attend in person but would still like to audition, please don’t hesitate to submit a virtual audition to Director Faith VonHandorf (faithvonhandorf@gmail.com) or Producer Mark Culp (markcandjanec@gmail.com).  If you are submitting a virtual audition, please provide a monologue no longer than two minutes in length of your choosing.  Virtual auditions must be received no later than 6:00 PM on Monday, July 13.

Performances will be held at Lockland High School – November 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, and 21.

Please sign up for an audition time here: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA8AF29A1F85-64453745-abigail

Walk-ins will also be accepted – However, preference will be given to auditionees that sign up in advance.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script.  Come prepared to showcase your best efforts and show us how you can bring these characters to life. 

Cast of Characters:

No roles have been pre-cast.  We are seeking to assemble a very diverse cast of individuals.  You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your audition.

  • Abigail – Teens*, Female Presenting – A young girl who insists she is from another planet.  Very blunt and matter-of-fact.  Not in touch with her emotions.
  • Austin – Teens*, Male Presenting – A young man grappling with issues at home.  A bit quiet with his head always in a book.  Very understanding and kind.
  • Marta – 30s+, Female Presenting – A counselor at the hospital.  Kind and nurturing, almost maternal.  In an implied relationship with Dr. Baylor.
  • Dr. Baylor – Late 30s+, Female Presenting – A doctor at the mental hospital.  Pragmatic but kind.  In an implied relationship with Marta.
  • Jay – 40s+, Male Presenting – Abigail’s Father, loving but concerned for his daughter’s well-being.  Relatively even-tempered.
  • Ronnie – 40s+, Female Presenting – Abigail’s Mother, Loving but concerned for her daughter’s well-being.  More spirited than her husband.
  • Jen – Teens*, Female Presenting – A young girl who struggles with self harm due to familial issues.  Mean at first but eventually shows a softer side.  Friends with Naomi
  • Naomi – Teens*, Female Presenting – A young girl struggling with her mental health.  She is a bit of a bully at first. Friends with Jen.
  • Shawn – Teens*, Male Presenting – A young man struggling with depression.  Your stereotypical teenage boy.

*While the roles are written as teenagers they will be played by older actors in their 20s

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2026-2027 Season Announced by CenterStage Players

FIREBRINGER
Directed by Ellis Quinne
Sept. 18-26, 2026

ABIGAIL FOR NOW 
Directed by Faith Van Handorf
Nov. 13-21, 2026

RIDE THE CYCLONE
Directed by John & Carissa Sloan
Feb. 19-27, 2027

THREE BAGS FULL
Directed by Victoria Covarrubias
April 30-May 8, 2027

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