Casting
We do not have a resident or repertory company of actors and are always looking for new talent for our stages. We cast for the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre, in addition to various readings, workshops, and special events. Most of our work is based in Los Angeles, but occasionally we have projects that are based in New York or elsewhere.
EQUITY PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
Thursday, May 23 from 10am–6pm
Center Theatre Group—Ahmanson Theatre/Mark Taper Forum/Kirk Douglas Theatre
Artistic Director, Snehal Desai
Managing Director/CEO, Meghan Pressman
Producing Director, Douglas C. Baker
AUDITION DETAILS:
Thursday, May 23
10am–1pm
(1-2pm LUNCH)
2pm–6pm
ASL Interpreters will be present from 2-4pm
Audition Location: Music Center Annex, 601 W. Temple Street, LA, CA 90012
Preparation: 3 minutes total – strict time limit
2 short (1 min) contrasting monologues or 1 (2 min) monologue, preferable from a published play.
16 bars of music – pop/rock musical piece preferred. Accompanist will be provided.
MUST bring picture and resume, stapled together.
AEA/EPA rules are in effect.
Submissions for AMERICAN IDIOT appointments must be made via Breakdownservices.com.
Click below to drop down to audition details:
MARK TAPER FORUM
LORT A - Min Salary: $1318
PRODUCTIONS:
Green Day’s American Idiot
Center Theatre Group
Produced in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre
Director: Snehal Desai
Choreographer: TBD
Music Director: David O
Deaf West Artistic Director: DJ Kurs
CTG Associate Artistic Director: Lindsay Allbaugh
Casting Director: Beth Lipari
August 27–November 10, 2024
Reh: August 27, 2024
Tech: September 24
Prev: October 2
Open: October 9
Close: November 10
We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role, please submit qualified performers, without regard to disability, race, age, color, national origin, ethnic origin or any other basis prohibited by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.
If anyone auditioning has a preferred preference of accessibility or need, please don’t hesitate to let us know. ASL interpreters will be on-site and provided (2-4pm)
American Idiot will be a multilingual production integrating American Sign Language, English, and a rich visual language. The process will include a mixed creative team and an inclusive space of Deaf/hearing. This production will channel the raw energy and rebellious spirit of Green Day’s American Idiot, while introducing the unique and inclusive artistry of Deaf performers and sign language. At the heart of our approach is a layered exploration of staging that invites audiences to contemplate the intricate dynamics between performers and their characters. Through thoughtful portrayals, we aim to challenge stereotypes and illuminate the lived experiences of Deaf individuals—a community often overlooked and misunderstood. This narrative of self-discovery and empowerment aligns seamlessly with the core themes of American Idiot, emphasizing the universal search for identity and authenticity in a world dominated by conformity. Our production will draw upon current social and political tensions to reflect contemporary issues of authority and dissent.
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
The cast will be a mix of Deaf and hearing actors in the roles. All roles will have a combination of ASL and/or sung and spoken English. Some hearing actors will be asked to learn and perform ASL for their roles as well. Cast configurations will be determined at a later date.
Johnny – 20's (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
The self-proclaimed "Jesus of Suburbia." Bored of his do-nothing, go-nowhere existence, he takes off for the city to get a new lease on life. He wages an inner war between a budding love for Whatsername and growing dependency on St. Jimmy and drugs.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Versatile Rock Tenor or Bari-Tenor, B2-B4. Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. Ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
Tunny – 20's (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
The guy who goes to the city and the Middle East. Johnny's friend who follows him to the city and eventually enlists in the army. He travels to the Middle East. A lost dreamer who is easily swayed, first by Johnny's ideas and then by patriotism and the American Dream. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Versatile Rock Tenor, D3-B4. Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
Will - 20’s (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
The guy that stays home in suburbia. Johnny's friend. He ends up staying in Suburbia with his pregnant girlfriend Heather. The more he stays on the couch, the more he becomes slowly disconnected from the world and his own relationships.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Versatile Rock Bari-Tenor, C#3-A4. Note: Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities.
St. Jimmy/Ensemble 20’s -30’s - (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
A city badass. Johnny’s alter ego (androgynous/non-binary). Known as the city badass. An enigmatic and charismatic enabler who gets Johnny addicted to drugs and grows jealous of his relationship with Whatsername.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Heroic Lead Tenor in the vein of Freddie Mercury or similar, D3-B4, ideally falsetto to F#5
The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Heather/Ensemble - 20’s (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
A girl in suburbia. Will’s girlfriend. She discovers she is pregnant but has difficulty telling her boyfriend the news. Once she settles down with him, she struggles to maintain their relationship with his despondency and eventually leaves him.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Rock Mezzo or Soprano, A3-E5, versatile head/blend as well as belt. Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Whatsername/Ensemble - 20’s (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
A girl in the city. A rebel activist--fierce, strong, and capable--who falls for Johnny. She fights to have him embrace their authentic relationship rather than pursue his addiction.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Rock Alto/Belter, F#3-D#5 (belt). Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Extraordinary Girl/Ensemble - 20’s (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors for this role)
A girl in the Middle East who appears as a hallucination to injured Tunny. Attractive and mysterious, she later appears as his nurse and accompanies him home after the war.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Wide-range Rock Mezzo, Bb3-E5 (belt. Note: Note: All singers must be excellent rock vocalists with no vibrato. The ability to play musical instrument/s is a plus but not necessary.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Ensemble (Please submit Deaf and Hearing actors):
Various vocal ranges, strong rock singers who can hold their own harmonies and sing featured solos.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Fake it Until You Make It
By Larissa FastHorse
Directed by Michael John Garcés
Co-production with Arena Stage
January 2–March 9, 2025
Reh: Jan 2, 2025
Tech: Jan 24
Prev: Jan 29
Open: Feb 5
Close: Mar 9
A bold world premiere comedy from Los Angeles-based playwright, Larissa FastHorse, about being whoever you want to be, even when it’s not who you are. FastHorse is a critically acclaimed writer who focuses her keen sense of satire to examine Native American perspectives on contemporary life and will be the first Native American writer to have a mainstage production on the Mark Taper Forum stage. A member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, and author of the Broadway comedy, The Thanksgiving Play, FastHorse’s new work shines a hilarious light on ‘shifters’ who exist in a world of self-determined identity. This thought-provoking comic play asks what happens when you don’t believe you are the race you want to be? Change it! Fake It Until You Make It takes an absurd look at what defines who we are, and the lengths some people will go through to change it.
Wynona - Native American - Female Identifying - 20-30's, young enough to still be convinced of her absolute rightness but getting old enough to start to wonder if it's possible that she's wrong. Mixed heritage but identifies culturally and racially as an enrolled member of her Native American tribe. Passionate to be heard, especially about eradicating the invasive Butterfly Bush.
River - White - Female Identifying - 40's but in that LA, stylish, "40's are the new 20's" way. She has always been listened to and therefore knows how to make herself both commanding and non-threatening at the same time. Founder of an organization that does a lot of good for Native American people.
Krys - Indigenous (to anywhere)- Gender fluid and Identifies however the fuck they want from moment to moment - 20's but has seen more than most folks in their 50's. Fighting hard for American visibility of culturally Two Spirit folks.
Grace - Native American - Female - 30-40's, not from money. She has an activist martyr vibe, always doing too many things and letting you know it. She's not been taken seriously a lot of her life and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about it, but she's blossoming into her moment. Proponent of race shifting.
Theo - White - Male Identifying - 20's-30's, Wynona's partner. He's the calm supporter to her passion, but a true believer in their cause. Totally in love and willing to do whatever it takes to try to overcome the one thing he can't change, not being Native American. Biologist activist whose heroes are eco terrorists, but he's never been brave enough to be one. Yet.
Mark - Native - Male Identifying - any age - attractive and identifies as two spirit. Sincere, good guy
4 OFFSTAGE COVERS TO UNDERSTUDY ROLES ABOVE
HAMLET by William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert O’Hara
Casting Director: TBD
April 29-July 6, 2025
Reh: April 29, 2025
Tech: May 23
Prev: May 28
Open: June 4
Close: July 6, 2025
Tony-nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, director of the landmark hit “Slave Play,” returns to stage one of the most famous tales ever told.
“So … once more… tell me about this Ghost.” That’s how the legendary story begins. But Ghosts are tricky things. Especially in a world of madness, murder and mayhem. A rich entitled Prince goes on a ferocious rampage that will lead to a massacre in the living room. Is he a tragic hero as we’ve often been told? Or a royal blooded serial killer? In this new adaptation, we will step into a Shakespearian Noir through a forensic investigation of the ultimate crimes of passion.
“I’m diving deep into my love of Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, Salvador Dali and Perry Mason to tell this story. I like my Shakespeare tragedies lean, brisk and intense. There will be blood.” - Robert O’Hara
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN TO ALL GENDERS AND RACES AND CREEDS.
ALL ROLES will be playing Multiple Roles.
Hamlet (as cast)
Hamlet is the son of Gertude and Old Hamlet. His father has just died and his uncle has become king.
Claudius (as cast)
Claudis is the newly crowned King of Denmark and husband to Gertrude. He is Hamlet’s uncle.
Gertrude (as cast)
Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and the queen. She married Claudius shortly after her husband died.
Polonius (as cast)
Polonius is a counsellor to the new king and queen. He is Ophelia and Laertes’ father.
Laertes (as cast)
Laertes is the only son of Polonius and brother of Ophelia. He leaves Denmark to study in Paris.
Ophelia (as cast)
Ophelia is Polonius’ daughter and Laertes’ sister. She has been in a relationship with Hamlet.
The Ghost (as cast)
The specter of Hamlet’s recently deceased father.
Horatio (as cast)
Horatio is an old and trusted friend of Hamlet’s. They met as students in Wittenberg.
Player(as cast)
Player is the leader of an Acting troupe touring Denmark.
Rosencrantz (as cast)
Rosencrantz is a childhood friend of Hamlet and is employed by Claudius, along with Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet.
Guildenstern (as cast)
Guildenstern is a childhood friend of Hamlet and is employed by Claudius, along with Rosencrantz, to spy on Hamlet.
Osric (as cast)
The foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes.
UNDERSTUDIES
8 Off stage covers to Understudy various roles above.
AHMANSON THEATRE
Ahmanson LORT-A – min salary $1840
PRODUCTIONS:
STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Devised by Cameron Mackintosh
Musical Staging and Direction by Matthew Bourne
Side by Side with Julia McKenzie
Choreography Stephen Mear
January 6–March 9, 2025
Reh: January 8, 2025 (on or about, in NY)
Tech: January 30 (LA)
Prev: February 8
Open: February 13
Close: March 9
ACTOR 1 -2: PLEASE NOTE THESE ROLES ARE CAST. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
ACTOR 3 - 7: PLEASE NOTE THESE ROLES ARE ON OFFER. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
ACTOR 8: PLEASE NOTE THIS ROLE IS ON OFFER. Female-presenting actors in their 40s-60s. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
ACTOR 9, 10: PLEASE NOTE THESE ROLES ARE ON OFFER. Male-presenting actors in their late 30s-50s. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
ACTOR 11, 12, 13: PLEASE NOTE THESE ROLES ARE ON OFFER. Male-presenting actors in their 20s-early 30s. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
ACTOR 14, 15: Female-presenting actors in their 20s-early 30s. Strong singers & actors to perform songs from the Stephen Sondheim catalogue.
4 OFFSTAGE COVERS TO UNDERSTUDY SELECT ROLES FROM ABOVE
Casting FAQ
Find answers to your questions and more information about our casting process.