Tag Archives: Dayton Theatre Guild

Auditions Announced for A RAISIN IN THE SUN at Dayton Theatre Guild

Open audition notice for A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorraine Hansberry

Auditions will be held Tue & Wed, Jun 10 & 11, 2025
*possible call backs: Thu, Jun 12
Starting at 6:30 pm each night.
Production dates: Aug 22-Sep 7, 2025

The Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philip TheatreScape
430 Wayne Ave, Dayton OH, 45410
937-278-5993 — www.daytontheatreguild.org

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron
Produced by Rick Flynn

The Dayton Theatre Guild is thrilled to announce auditions for our upcoming production of Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. This powerful drama explores themes of racial identity, family struggles, and the pursuit of dreams, making it one of the most essential works in American theatre.

Casting Requirements:

  • Prepare a monologue of your choice or a selected scene from the script (sides will be provided)
  • A résumé and headshot are not required but are appreciated.
  • Please provide a list of all known conflicts between Jun 13 and Sep 7, 2025

We are looking for a talented and diverse cast to bring this poignant story to life. All roles are open, and we encourage actors of all experience levels to audition.

  • Walter Lee Younger – African American male 30-40. The protagonist, a passionate dreamer who wants to invest in a liquor store to improve his family’s financial situation.
  • Beneatha Younger – African American female 20 -25. Walter’s younger sister, an intellectual college student who dreams of becoming a doctor and struggles with her identity.
  • Lena Younger (Mama) – African American female 50-60. The matriarch of the family, deeply religious and determined to use her late husband’s insurance money to buy a house.
  • Ruth Younger – African American female 30-40. Walter’s wife, a practical and emotionally strong woman who hopes for a better future for her family.
  • Travis Younger – African American male 10-12. Walter and Ruth’s young son, eager and full of energy.
  • Joseph Asagai – African Male 20-25. A Nigerian student who is in love with Beneatha and encourages her to embrace her African heritage.
  • George Murchison – White male 40-50. The only white character in the play, who tries to persuade the Youngers not to move into his neighborhood.
  • Bobo – African American male 30-40. Walter’s friend and business partner in the liquor store scheme
  • Mrs. Johnson – African American female 50-60. The Youngers’ nosy neighbor, who warns them about the dangers of moving into a white neighborhood.

For more information, please contact Rick Flynn at RickF413@gmail.com.

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BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Runs May 23-June 8

BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
Dayton Theatre Guild
May 23-June 8
[Dayton]

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron

Cast: Franklin Johnson as Pops, Shaun Diggs as Junior, S. Francis Livisay as Oswaldo, Ronda Ogletree as Lulu, TBA as Church Lady, Karen Righter as Detective O’Connor & TBA as Lt. Caro

Retired cop Pops Washington struggles to hold on to one of the last great rent-stabilized apartments on Riverside Drive. Fresh grief, old wounds, and sketchy new houseguests collide in a final ultimatum.

  • Fri-Sat, May 23-24 at 8pm
  • Sun, May 25 at 3pm
  • Fri, May 30 at 8pm
  • Sat, May 31 at 5pm
  • Sun, June 1 at 3pm
  • Fri, June 6 at 8pm
  • Sat, June 7 at 5pm
  • Sun, June 8 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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Cast Announced for BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Dayton Theatre Guild

Dayton Theatre Guild is pleased to announce the cast of BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY
by Stephen Adly Guirgis

The cast includes:
  • Franklin Johnson as Pops
  • Shaun Diggs as Junior
  • S. Francis Livisay as Oswaldo
  • Ronda Ogletree as Lulu
  • *The role of Church Lady is To Be Announced
  • Karen Righter as Detective O’Connor
  • *The role of Lt. Caro is To Be Announced
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

WE ARE STILL IN SEARCH OF ACTORS FOR THESE TWO ROLES:
  • Church Lady: 30-40’s An enigmatic and spiritual figure who visits Pops. Her presence in the play adds an unexpected and surreal twist.
  • Lieutenant Caro: 40-50’s A current NYPD officer and friend of Pops. He brings tension into the story as he tries to navigate loyalty and duty.
Those interested should contact Rick Flynn at RickF413@gmail.com.

This play won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2015 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play, the 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and the 2015 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play. It closed on Broadway in Feb 2023. Walter “Pops” Washington is a retired NYC policeman, and he has had enough. He has been pursuing a discrimination suit against the Police Department, because he, a black police officer, was accidentally shot by another (white) police officer. Meanwhile, his landlord won’t leave him alone, his wife recently passed away, and the liquor store can’t keep up with his thirst. Pops’ last living relative, his son Junior, has recently gotten out of jail and moved back to Pops’ house with his girlfriend, Lulu, and his newly sober buddy, Oswaldo. With his heels dug into the floor of his rent-controlled Riverside Drive apartment, Pops holds onto old wounds, both physical and emotional. Pressure reaches a boiling point when an ultimatum comes from an unlikely source, pinning Pops squarely “between Riverside and crazy.” This Tony Award-nominated Pulitzer Prize-winning play, is passionate, contemporary, and bracingly funny.

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron
Produced by Rick Flynn and Christina Tomazinis

The show runs weekends May 23-June 8, 2025.

For more information visit www.daytontheatreguild.org.

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Auditions Announced for BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Dayton Theatre Guild

Open audition notice for BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY by Stephen Adly Guirgis

Auditions will be held Mon & Tue, March 31 & April 1, 2025, starting at 7:00 pm both nights.

Production dates: May 23-June 8, 2025

The Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philip TheatreScape
430 Wayne Ave, Dayton OH, 45410
937-278-5993 — www.daytontheatreguild.org

Directed by Robert Wayne Waldron
Produced by Christina Tomazinas-McQuinn & Rick Flynn

Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY delivers a raw, darkly comedic look at urban life through the lens of Walter “Pops” Washington and his son, Junior. Set in a rent-stabilized New York City apartment, the play explores themes of family, redemption, and the struggle to navigate a complex world.

Pops, a former cop battling the NYPD in a lawsuit, clings to his home as a sanctuary, while Junior, recently paroled, seeks a fresh start. Their lives intertwine with eccentric houseguests, revealing past traumas and present-day challenges. The play masterfully blends humor with poignant drama, exposing the characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities.

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 Apr 2 & June 8, 2025

Roles Available:

  • Walter “Pops” Washington:
    50-60’s A retired black NYPD officer who is central to the story. He’s a complex character, filled with anger, wit, and vulnerability, as he struggles with his past, his identity, and his ongoing legal battle with the police department.
  • Junior:
    20-30’s Pops’ son, who has recently moved back in with him. He’s trying to turn his life around but is also tangled in questionable activities and relationships.
  • Oswaldo:
    20-30’s A recovering addict and one of Junior’s friends. He’s staying with Pops and has moments of both humor and poignancy as he works on his sobriety.
  • Lulu:
    20-30’s Junior’s girlfriend, who is cheerful but perhaps a bit naïve. She often provides comic relief while also revealing deeper emotional layers.
  • Church Lady:
    30-40’s An enigmatic and spiritual figure who visits Pops. Her presence in the play adds an unexpected and surreal twist.
  • Lieutenant Caro:
    40-50’s A current NYPD officer and friend of Pops. He brings tension into the story as he tries to navigate loyalty and duty.
  • Detective O’Connor:
    40-50’s, is Pops’ former partner on the NYPD. She is a layered character, torn between her personal loyalty to Pops and her professional responsibilities.

For more information, please contact Rick Flynn at RickF413@gmail.com

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CHANCERS Runs March 28-April 13

CHANCERS
Dayton Theatre Guild
March 28-April 13
[Dayton]

Directed by Marjorie Strader
Produced by K.L.Storer

Cast: Dustin Schwab as Aiden, Carly Risenhoover-Peterson as Dee, Jack O’Conner as J.P. & Cheryl Mellen as Gertie

Set in Ireland, about the lengths we will go to when our backs are against the wall. Aiden and Dee are on the verge of losing it all. They’ve had to rent out their home to a fellow from Dublin (who was previously Dee’s boyfriend), and move with their two young sons into the back of their nearly bankrupt convenience store. And now Dee is out at a job interview (which doesn’t go well). Aiden never thought their situation would come to this. But salvation may have arrived in the form of local battleaxe, Gertie Graham. She literally has their ticket out of the poorhouse — they just need to get their hands on it without her knowing

  • Fri-Sat, March 28-29 at 8pm
  • Sun, March 30 at 3pm
  • Fri, April 4 at 8pm
  • Sat, April 5 at 5pm
  • Sun, April 6 at 3pm
  • Fri, April 11 at 8pm
  • Sat, April 12 at 5pm
  • Sun, April 13 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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