Tag Archives: Dayton Playhouse

Audition Dates:

• March 16 & 17, 2026 at 7pm

Auditions will include:

• Singing
• Dancing
• Possibly cold readings from the script

Music Preparation:

• Prepare 16–32 bars of a pop/rock-style song
• Bluetooth speaker and accompanist provided

Dance Requirements: Standard

Cast Type: BIPOC roles encouraged and welcomed

IMPORTANT CONTENT NOTICE:
This production includes partial male nudity and adult themes. Performers cast in principal male roles must be comfortable with nudity as part of the storytelling. Nudity will be staged respectfully and professionally.

GOOD NEWS:
There are many fun, high-energy Ensemble roles available that do NOT require nudity!

PERFORMANCE DATES
May 15–31, 2026
(Weekend performances)

PRINCIPAL ROLES AVAILABLE

Jerry Lukowski
Male | 30–40
Vocal Range: B2–Db5
An unemployed mill worker fighting to maintain his pride and custody of his son. An all-American jock—spontaneous, prideful, and deeply human.

Pam Lukowski
Female | 25–35
Vocal Range: Eb4–Ab4
Jerry’s estranged wife and high school sweetheart. Strong, compassionate, and determined to do what’s best for her son.

Dave Bukatinsky
Male | 30–40
Vocal Range: B2–Db5
Jerry’s loyal best friend. A sidekick with a big heart, deep insecurities, and unwavering pride.

Georgie Bukatinsky
Female | 30–40
Vocal Range: G3–D5
Dave’s wife. Loud, brash, loving, and the confident leader of her friend group.

Harold Nichols
Male | 35–45
Vocal Range: B2–Ab4
Former mill supervisor and Hot Metal’s choreographer. Measures his worth by providing for his wife.

Vicki Nichols
Female | 30–40
Vocal Range: G3–D5
Harold’s stylish, loving wife—supportive and devoted no matter what.

Malcolm Macgregor
Male | 25–35
Vocal Range: C#3–E5
Awkward, anxious, and fragile. Finds unexpected comfort and connection with Ethan.

Ethan Girard
Male | 25–35
Vocal Range: B2–Ab4
Quiet confidence and relentless determination. Loyal, earnest, and deeply human.

Noah “Horse” T. Simmons
Male | 50–60
Vocal Range: C#3–Bb4
A retired mill worker with explosive dance moves, a grumpy exterior, and a big heart.

Jeanette Burmeister
Female | 65–75
Vocal Range: F3–Bb4
A seasoned piano player and showbiz pro—sassy, quick-witted, and larger than life.

Whether you’re ready to bare it all or prefer to keep the layers on, there’s a place for you in this show.
Come be part of a body-positive, consent-forward production that celebrates courage, community, and confidence.
We can’t wait to see you at auditions!

Facebook event |

Performances: March 13–22, 2026 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)

Auditions: January 19 & 20, 2026, 7pm.

• Attend one or both nights.
• Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script.
• Please bring a current photo and résumé, if available.
• Please arrive by 6:45 to complete the audition form.

Rehearsals: Beginning January 26, 2026. Typically Monday–Thursday evenings and some weekends. Please bring a complete list of conflicts between January 26 and March 22, 2026. A sample rehearsal schedule can be found here (tentative and subject to change).

About: A story of love, longing, and fragile dreams, this American classic follows the Wingfield family as they navigate hope and heartbreak. When Amanda pressures her son, Tom, to find a suitor for his shy sister, Laura, their carefully built illusions begin to shatter.

Style: While the design will be expressionistic, performances should feel real, honest, and complex. Characters are big and bold but never caricatures (think White Lotus). This is a contemporary take: funny, dark, emotionally grounded, and sharp. Find the humor. Avoid the melodrama.

Roles available: 2 men, 2 women. All roles are open to actors of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, body type, and ability. Actors of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to audition.

Please note: Light intimacy required for Laura and Jim.

Character breakdown:

• TOM (He/him; 20s–30s)
  Queer; closeted, but thinly veiled. Sarcastic, restless, and too smart for the life he’s stuck in. Funny and guarded. Desperate to escape his dead-end day job and toxic relationship with his mother, but haunted by the cost of doing so.
• AMANDA (She/her; late 40s–early 50s)
  Larger-than-life, faded Southern belle. Controlling but charming; fierce but fragile. An aging single mother trying her best. Vain, narcissistic, and deeply in denial, she clings to the shreds of the life she dreamed of, unable to face the truth of what remains.
• LAURA (She/her; 20s)
  Strong, capable, and tender, but treated like glass. Introverted and intensely anxious, Laura escapes into vinyl records and fragile fantasies. We strongly encourage actors with visible or invisible disabilities to audition. Please do not make any disability-related acting choice if you are able-bodied.
• JIM (He/him; 20s)
  Golden retriever energy. Charming, flirty, handsome, genuine, bright, and warm. A former jock who peaked in high school and is coasting on natural charisma. Confident, light, and easy.

Production Team:

• Director: Matt Meier
• Producer: Brandon Shockney
• Stage Manager: Emma Allington
• Set Designer: Rachel Robinson
• Costume Designer: Kate LaFollette
• Light Designer: Michael Lee
• Sound Designer: David Sherman
• Props/Carpentry: Tommy Baudendistel
• Movement/Intimacy: Kayla Graham