Tag Archives: Human Race Theatre Company

Auditions Announced for THE HOT WING KING at Human Race Theatre Company

THE HOT WING KING by Katori Hall

Director: Darnell Pierre Benjamin

WHEN: Sunday, January 18th from 6-8pm
WHERE: 126 N. Main St 2nd Floor, Dayton OH 45402

This is an open audition call, so please prepare two contemporary contrasting monologues. We are encouraging folks that we’ve not seen before (or haven’t seen in a while) to use these time slots.

All roles are paid, and you do not need to be a member of Actors Equity to audition.

You can sign up for an appointment right here:
https://airtable.com/appGaHh6mJGdCiqvc/shrJYWHTRl5MOwOpn

First Rehearsal:  May 11, 2026
Performances:  June 3 – 14, 2026

A Regional Premiere

It’s time for the annual “Hot Wang Festival” in Memphis Tennessee, and Cordell Crutchfield knows he has the wings that’ll make him king. Supported by his beau Dwayne and their culinary clique, The New Wing Order, Cordell is marinating and firing up his frying pan in a bid to reclaim the crispy crown. When Dwayne takes in his troubled nephew, however, it becomes a recipe for disaster. Suddenly a first-place trophy isn’t the only thing Cordell risks losing.

Cordell (40s) — the head chef of the clique. Recently emerged from the closet to co-habitate with Dwayne. In a not so former life, had a wife and 2 kids.

Dwayne (40s) — might not be the head chef but is the head of the household. Holds Cordell and everyone down. Has been a mentor to his struggling nephew for years. Holds resentment towards Cordell for taking so long to legitimize their relationship

Isom (30s) — new friend. Play lists includes gospel and trap and that’s exactly how he talks. Met the duo at church.

Big Charles (40s) — old friend. Met the duo at the barber shop. Observant, laid-back. The Rock.

Everett “EJ” (16) — Dwayne’s nephew. In need of guidance and a new home

TJ (35) — Everett’s father. A long-time dealer who is “about that life” Struggles with teaching his son how to be a man, but unsure if Cordell and Dwayne can be good father figures to his son.

Official page |

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SEASONAL SHORTS Runs Dec. 10-21

SEASONAL SHORTS
Human Race Theatre Company
Dec. 10-21
The Loft Theatre [Dayton]

Directed by Heather Wilson-Bowlby

Playwrights: Kelsey Celek, Chris Leyva, Marley Masterson, Aleah Vassell, Torie Wiggins & Robb Willoughby

Six short plays celebrating seasonal memories, moments and silliness—for adults only! Featuring all the ups and downs of winter, our local playwrights’ original plays will have your sides splitting and leaving the theatre in a festive mood.

  • Wed-Sat, Dec. 10-13 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Dec. 14 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 16-19 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Dec. 20 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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The Human Race Theatre Company Winter Show

SIX SHORT PLAYS.  A WILD WINTER RIDE.

In a riff on their usual seasonal offering, The Human Race Theatre Company is pleased to announce Seasonal Shorts – six short plays celebrating seasonal memories, moments and silliness – for adults only! No kids.  No carols.  Just chaos.

Told by an ensemble of three actors, and inspired by the Human Race Theatre Company’s summer “Playwright’s Race,” our local playwrights’ original plays will split your sides and put you in a festive mood. In the lineup this year are: Greeting Card Holiday Movie by Kelsey Celek, Three Turkeys by Aleah Vassell, Three Wise Guys by Robb Willoughby, Black Elephant by Torie Wiggins, Waiting for the Snow by Marley Masterson, and Cookies for Santa by Chris Leyva.

“While there are only six shorts this season, we hope to build on this first year of plays to create an interchangeable festival of holiday shorts,” says artistic Director Emily N. Wells. “Highlighting the talent that chooses to make this area their home has been a backbone of this organization since its founding.”

Returning to direct, Heather Wilson-Bowlby leads the creative team: Eric Barker, scenic design; Kelsey Gallagher, lighting design; Victoria “Ori” Rancor, costume design; Bailey Olean, sound design; Sarah Gomes, props design; Isabella Myers, stage manager, and Kaitlin Teller, assistant stage manager. The trio of performers are Annie Pesch, Elliot Cromer, and AJ Baldwin.

SEASONAL SHORTS will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, December 10 – 21, 2025.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft:  

  • Inside Track Thursday, December 11, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
  • Parent’s Day Out Sunday, December 14, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)
  • While We’re On The Subject Sunday, December 14, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • $10/Sawbuck Sunday Sunday, December 14, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
  • Parent’s Day Out Sunday, December 21, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)
  • While We’re On The Subject Sunday, December 21, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion

The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Sustainability Sponsors:   Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Charles D. Berry Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation, and Pizza Factory.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation, Oakwood Rotary. 

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Human Race Theatre’s DRACULA Opens Oct. 29

A FRESH BITE OF A CLASSIC TALE

The Human Race Theatre Company throws back to their very first production with a fresh bite of a classic horror tale: Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really by Kate Hamill.

When your survival is at stake…will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. Kate Hamill’s imaginative, gender-bending Dracula is unlike any adaptation you’ve ever seen – exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, disquieting, darkly comic drama. No damsels in distress, no romanticized villains – just a gleeful stake through the heart.

 “We themed our 40th Season around family and knew that we wanted to nod back to the Dracula we produced in 1986. Kate Hamill’s retelling of the classic story through a woman’s lens felt like the right choice,” writes Emily Wells, Artistic Director of The Human Race. “A pregnant Mina Harker attempts to save her dear friend from the throes of the vampire and his wives, and in doing so, puts her family unit at risk.”

Wells directs, with a stellar Miami Valley area cast: Caitlin Larsen as Renfield, Andrew Ian Adams as Jonathan Harker, Angelique Archer as Mina Harker, Greg Mallios as Dracula, Jordan Trovillion as Lucy Westerna, Rico Romalus Parker as Dr. George Seward, and Darlene Spencer as Van Helsing. Two Wright State University students round out the cast as part of the Human Race – WSU Performing Arts Collaboration – Skye Hodgkin and Evelyn Vordtriede.

Providing the spooky atmosphere and designs are Charlie Calvert, Scenic Design; Jessica Drayton, Lighting Design; Ayn Swann, Costume Design; Jay Brunner, Composer & Sound Design; Sarah Gomes, Props Design; Carolyn Fast, Production Stage Manager; Isabella Myers, Assistant Stage Manager

DRACULA will play in the Loft Theatre in downtown Dayton, October 29 – November 9, 2025.  Tickets are on sale through the Dayton Live box office, 937-228-3630, or online at www.humanracetheatre.org

For press ticket requests, please contact Tiffany Countryman, Engagement and Learning Coordinator, at tiffany@humanracetheatre.org

The Human Race Theatre Company continues its commitment to high quality theatre with access points for all with two special ticket initiatives: two sections of $20 seats available at any time through the box office, and ten $10 rush seats available 60 minutes before any performance.

Special Nights at The Loft:  

  • Pay What You CAN – Tuesday, October 28, 2025 7:30 pm to benefit the Dayton Food Bank & Artemis Center
  • Inside Track – Thursday, October 30, 2025 6:45 pm – Pre-show Discussion
  • While We’re On The Subject – Sunday, November 2, 2025 2 pm – Post Show Discussion
  • $10/Sawbuck Sunday – Sunday, November 2, 2025 7:30 pm – $10 tix starting at 6:00 pm
  • Parent’s Day Out – Sunday, November 9, 2025 2 pm – Kids Activities (5-12yo)

The Human Race Theatre Company expresses gratitude for the public and private support which makes these productions possible:  Loft Season Sponsor: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation. Production Sponsor: Charley and Judy Schuerholz.  Special thanks to: Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. Sustainability Sponsors:  Steve and Lou Mason, The Toulmin Fund at The Dayton Foundation.  Additional Season support:  Erma R. Catterton Trust, Funds at The Dayton Foundation, Virginia F. Kettering Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Sam Levin Foundation, and Pizza Factory.  Organizational support:  Culture Works, Montgomery County, Ohio Arts Council. Media Sponsor: WDPR Discover Classical. Pay What You Can Sponsor: Enterprise Holdings Foundation.  Capital Support: The Schiewetz Foundation, The Dayton Foundation, The Toulmin Fund at the The Dayton Foundation, Oakwood Rotary.

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DRACULA: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really Runs Oct. 29-Nov. 9

DRACULA: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really 
Human Race Theatre Company
Oct. 29-Nov. 9
The Loft Theatre [Dayton]

Directed by Emily N. Wells

Bouncing between horror and humor, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel is a thrilling play that questions who the true monsters are. No damsels in distress, no romanticized villains – just a gleeful stake through the heart!

  • Wed-Sat, Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 2 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Tue-Sat, Nov. 4-8 at 7 :30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 9 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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