History Theatre is holding general auditions for our 2024-25 SEASON. Seeking actors and singing actors of all types and adult ages; seeking AEA and non-union performers. Our season includes both musicals and dramas. History Theatre’s Artistic Director Richard D. Thompson and New Works and Producing Associate Laura Leffler will attend.
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SEASON
In addition to our 2024-2025 main stage shows, we are also casting for workshops, both internal and in our Raw Stages Festival (line up to be announced summer 2024). More information about the shows can be found on the History Theatre website here.
BEHIND THE SUN
by Stanley Kipper and Laura Drake
Directed by Richard D. Thompson
First rehearsal: 8/20/2024, Opening: 9/21/2024, Closing: 10/13/2024
Obie Kipper: 30-40s, Black, Masculine Presenting
father to Tyler, husband to Mary, friend to Abe, WWII veteran, strong family man, works hard at the post office and a hardware store
Mary Kipper: 30-40s, Black, Feminine Presenting
mother to Tyler, wife to Obie, intelligent, loving
Tyler Kipper: 14 years old, Black, Masculine Presenting
son to Mary & Obe, only child, all-American 1950s boy
Abe Kaplan: 30s-40s, White, Jewish, Masculine Presenting
Husband to Angela, friend to Obie, from the East coast, WWII veteran, works at the post office
Angela Kaplan: 20s-30s, White, not Jewish, Feminine Presenting
From small town Minnesota, naïve but a bit of a rebel
Sister Emily: doubles with Angela Kaplan
Nun, tightly wound school teacher
Sister Bonifacious: 50s-70s, White, Feminine Presenting
Mother Superior, traditional, has a drinking problem
Merle Swanson: 40s-60s, White, Masculine Presenting
Straight laced, works as a real estate agent, of Swedish heritage, stereotypical
I AM BETTY
Book and co-lyrics by Cristina Luzaárraga
Music and lyrics by Denise Prosek
Directed by Maija García
Choreography by Renee Guitar
The original 2023 company will be returning. Auditioners may be considered for understudy roles, as those roles become available.
First rehearsal: 10/29/2024, Opening: 11/23/2024, Closing: 12/29/2024
THE ROOTBEER LADY
by Kim Schultz
Remount directed by Jess Yates
Based on the original direction by Addie Gorlin-Han
The original 2023 company will be returning.
SECRET WARRIORS
by Rick Shiomi
Director TBA
First rehearsal: 2/18/2025, Opening: 3/29/2025, Closing: 4/19/2025
Koji Kimura: 20s, Japanese American, Masculine Presenting
Nisei solider in the US Army during WWII, from San Luis Obispo
Tamio Takahashi: 20s, Japanese American, Masculine Presenting
Nisei solider in the US Army during WWII, from Seattle
Natsuko Nishi: 20s, Japanese American, Feminine Presenting
Nisei, from Fresno, studying at Macalester College
Denise Williams: 20s, White, Feminine Presenting
Studying nursing at St. Kate’s
Actor 5: 20-30s, White, Masculine Presenting
Plays multiple roles, Lt. Jeff Nelson, Private Webber, Lt. Huber, Captain Peterson
Actor 6: 20-30s, Japanese American, Masculine Presenting
Plays multiple roles, John Aiso – an instructor at Camp Savage, Capt. Isamu Iwata
Actor 7: 20-30s, Japanese American, Masculine Presenting
Plays multiple roles, Masa Matsui – a Nisei soldier from Hawaii, Masahiro Noda – a Japanese solider, Okaya – a Japanese soldier
Actor 8: 20-30s, Japanese American, Masculine Presenting
Plays multiple roles, Isamu Oikawa – a Nisei soldier from Los Angeles, Sato – a Japanese soldier
Actor 9: 30-40s, White, Masculine Presenting
Plays multiple roles, soldier, Sgt. Willis, Corp. Rizzo, Officer
WHOA NELLIE: THE OUTLAW KING OF THE WILD MIDDLE WEST
book, lyrics, and music by Josef Evans
Directed by Laura Leffler
Choreography by TBD
First rehearsal: 4/8/2025, Opening: 5/17/2025, Closing: 6/8/2025
Nellie King: 20-30s, White, Feminine Presenting, Soprano with belt
An outlaw, a person born with nothing, a star, impulsive, charismatic, relentless, a fighter
Bert Williams: 20-40s, Black, Masculine Presenting, Tenor with belt
Plays multiple roles, Minneapolis Miller, Ceceilia Gonzaga, Fred Conner, Train Conductor, Preacher, GW McCall
John Dunham: 50-60s, White, Masculine Presenting, Baritone/Bass
Plays multiple roles, Sherriff Cherry, Doc Ames, Drunkard, Warden Weatherbee, Dr Rene, George Cole, Nate Salsbury
Roy the Stagehand: 20-30s, White, Male Presenting, Baritone
Plays multiple roles, St. Paul Saint, Eugene Barrett, John King, Officer, Streaker, Robert Beamish, Frank Hann
Aida Walker: 20-30s, Black, Female Presenting, Soprano with belt
Plays multiple roles, Ida Dorsey, Freddy Fleischfresser, Bartender, Lady Jailbird, Chorus
Julian Eltinge: 30-40s, White, Male Presenting, vocal range open
Plays multiple roles, Old Man Johnson, Robert Smith, MacPherson, Suitor, Julianne, George Burke, FW Hudson, Emcee, Colorado Judge
Nellie Bly: 30-40s, White, Any Gender, vocal range open
Plays multiple roles, St. Paulite, Reporter, Leon Belmont, Roustabout, John LaFontisse, Rocky Mountain Reporter
Annie Oakley: 30-40s, White, Feminine Presenting, vocal range open
Plays multiple roles, Colonel Clement, Della Wise, Neighbor, Ole Hansen, Chorus, Roustabout, William Webber, Florence Low
The Child: 12-14 years old, White, Feminine Presenting, vocal range open
Plays multiple roles, Young Nellie, The Boy
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SALARY
History Theatre’s mainstage operates under a SPT Contract (Tier 6) agreement AEA (minimum $576/wk.) NON-AEA actors will be paid a minimum of $15/hour or an equivalent rate.
What to prepare?
All actors please prepare one contemporary comedic monologue and one contemporary dramatic monologue. Together, the monologues should be no longer than two minutes total. If you are a singer, please also prepare 16 – 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre number. Please bring your own music; an accompanist will be provided on the dates indicated below.
HOW TO AUDITION
Auditions are being held in person. Masking is no longer required. If you feel unwell, please stay home.
Mon 5/13, 2024, 10:30 – 6:30pm (non-union performers), an accompanist will play
Tues 5/14, 2024, 1:00 – 9:00pm (union performers), an accompanist will play
Wed 5/15, 2024, 1:00 – 9:00pm (union performers), an accompanist will play
Thurs 5/16, 2024, 1:00 – 6:00pm (non-union performers) (non-singers day)
Union performers may sign up for any day. Non-union performers, please only sign up for non-union days.
Location: rehearsal room at History Theatre, 30 E 10th St. in downtown St. Paul. Once inside the building take the stairs or elevators to the lower level and check in with the stage manager. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your assigned time. There is lobby seating available on the main level and on the lower level for your convenience; please wait in one of those areas after checking in with stage management.
Parking: The best ramp parking is in the 7A ramp at 13 W Exchange Street under the Gallery Professional Building. On-street metered parking is also available. There is a light rail stop immediately outside the building on the Green Line.
Accessibility: The History Theatre is accessible by exterior stairs at the main entrance, or via a ground level entrance on the southeast side of the building on Cedar Street. The rehearsal room is accessible via stairs or elevator. The backstage spaces at the History Theatre are only accessible via stairs.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
- Fill out an audition form and upload your headshot and resume here:
History Theatre General Auditions 2024-2025 - Airtable - Sign up for a time slot on Sign Up Genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A9AE2CA1F8C25-49264706-history
SAVE A TREE
You do NOT need bring a hard copy of your headshot and resume. The digital copies of your materials will suffice.
CALLBACKS
Dates for callbacks are TBD and will be held throughout the season.
NEED HELP?
If you need help or have any questions, contact us here: [email protected].
COVID-19 GUIDELINES
The safety of our performers, technicians, staff, and audiences is of primary importance. History Theatre will follow all up-to-date City, State, and Federal guidelines related to COVID-19, as well as guidelines set forth by Actors Equity Association for fully-vaccinated company members.
ABOUT HISTORY THEATRE:
In the local and national theatre community, History Theatre has a unique mission, and it comes with great responsibility as we commission and produce new work that reflects the diverse voices and experiences that make up our shared history as a region and country. We strive to provide a forum to uncover and learn from history, to launch important conversations and spark dialogue around difficult topics, to celebrate the people of our region, and to do it with the highest level of artistic excellence. History Theatre is committed to becoming a more anti-racist and equitable organization, onstage and off.