Arena Stage 2024-25 Season, NYC
About the project
Joseph Pinzon, artistic assoc.-casting; Chris Kong, accompanist. See breakdown for production specific personnel.
Casting Equity actors for roles in Arena Stage 2024-25 Season. Season includes: "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" (Jocelyn Bioh, playwright; Whitney White, dir.; Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, a co-production with; Madison Wells Live and LaChanze, in association with. Rehearsals begin Aug. 6; runs Sept. 12-Oct. 6 at Kreeger Theatre, Washington, DC); "The Other Americans" (John Leguizamo, playwright; Ruben Santiago-Hudson, dir.; The Public Theater, produced in association with. Rehearsals begin Sept. 17; runs Nov. 1-24 at Fichandler Stage, Washington, DC); "Data" (Matthew Libby, playwright; Tyne Rafaeli, dir. Rehearsals begin Oct. 1; runs Nov. 7-Dec. 15 at Kogod Theatre, Washington, DC); "Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile" (Ken Ludwig, adapted for the stage by; Hana S. Sharif, dir. Rehearsals begin Oct. 22; runs Dec. 5-29 at Fichandler Stage, Washington, DC); "The Age of Innocence" (Edith Wharton, playwright; Karen Zacarias, adapted for the stage by; Hana S. Sharif, dir. Rehearsals begin Jan. 28, 2025; runs Mar. 6-30 at Fichandler Stage, Washington, DC); "Fake It Until You Make It" (Larissa FastHorse, playwright; Michael John Garcés, dir.; Center Theatre Group, produced in association with. Rehearsals begin N/A; runs Apr. 10-May 4, 2025 at Kreeger Theatre, Washington, DC); "Untitled Terell Alvin McCraney Play" (Terell Alvin McCraney, playwright. Rehearsals begin Apr. 15, 2025; runs May 22-June 15, 2025 at Fichandler Stage, Washington, DC); "A Wrinkle in Time" (Lauren Yee, book; Heather Christian, music and lyrics; Madeline L’Engle, based on the novel written by; Lee Sunday Evans, dir.; Plate Spinner Productions and Diana DiMenna, Aaron Glick, and Charlotte Jones Voiklis, by special arrangement with. Rehearsals begin Apr. 29, 2025; runs June 26-July 20, 2025 at Kreeger Theatre, Washington, DC).
Dates & Locations
See breakdown for production specific dates.
Compensation & Contract
Key Details
- Jun 3, 2024: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Prepare
one short song and one short monologue or two contrasting short
monologues. Auditions may not exceed 3 minutes total. An accompanist
will be provided. Have the talent's headshot and resume on the talent's
phone ready to upload to an online form. Also, bring a hard copy of the
talent's headshot and resume stapled together. Note: All roles will be
understudied. The character breakdowns within this document include
gender specifications that reflect the identity of the characters as
written by the playwrights. However, we strongly encourage performers
with any gender expression and/or gender identity to audition for any
role. Equity Performers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender
identities and expressions, and performers living with disabilities are
encouraged to audition. EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided. Always bring your Equity Membership
card to auditions.
Performance Venues: Fichandler Stage, Kreeger
Theatre, and Kogod Cradle. Arena Stage will provide reasonable
accommodations to individuals who request them in advance. Accommodation
requests may include but are not limited to: Large Print Materials,
Social Narratives, and ASL Interpretation. Please call 202-554-9066 with
any questions.
For more info, visit https://www.arenastage.org/.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to
diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of
equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of
inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities,
gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to
attend every audition.
Additional Materials
'Jaja’s African Hair Braiding' (Kreeger Theatre, LORT B)
Synopsis:
Step into the vibrant world of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, direct
from Broadway. Set in the pulsating heart of Harlem, this comedic gem
unravels the complexities of cultural identity, assimilation, and the
pursuit of the American Dream within the African immigrant community.
Follow the uproarious escapades of Maria, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, Ndidi,
Jaja, and others as they navigate life and laughter in Jaja's bustling
hair braiding salon. With humor as rich as its characters, this
five-time Tony Award-nominated production weaves hilarious moments with
profound insights, celebrating the indomitable spirit and
interconnectedness that define us all. Note from author: All characters
are of Black American and/or West African Descent.
Seeking:
[JAJA]
– She/her, 40s+, Senegalese. Owner of the shop. The backbone and/or
saving grace of everyone in the shop. Getting married today in City Hall
to Steven – the landlord of the building.
[MARIE] – She/her. 18.
Jaja’s daughter who runs the shop for her mother. Has a lot of weight
on her young shoulders because of her circumstances. Secretly wants to
be a writer; has a fun and silly side but is firm and assertive when
needed – especially with the women in the shop.
[BEA (pronounced
BEE)] – She/her, 40s, Ghanian. Has been at the shop the longest. The
neighborhood gossip with an unpredictable attitude. She seems addicted
to causing drama but is rarely ever wrong.
[MIRIAM] – She/her,
early to mid-20s, Sierra Leonean. Very kind and seemingly quiet on the
surface but has a fierce spirit underneath her shell. Loves the idea of
love and is the epitome of an optimist.
[AMINATA] – She/her, 30s
Senegalese. Fun, sexy, and charming. She loves her job and is good at
it but also loves to hang out at the shop, as well. The shop is both her
job and her favorite place to be social. Has a tumultuous and
passionate marriage. Bea’s sidekick in gossip and drama when necessary.
[NDIDI
(pronounced IN-Dee-Dee)] – She/her, late 20s-early 30s, Nigerian. The
young spitfire. She dresses the youngest and braids the fastest.
Everyone at the shop knows that she makes the most money, and that
doesn’t always go over well with everyone – namely Bea.
[JENNIFER]
– She/her, 20s, Black American. Aspiring journalist. Comes to the shop
wanting to get micro braids and is in the shop all day. Incredibly
patient and caring.
[VANESSA/SHEILA/RADIA] - VANESSA – She/her,
30s. Super rude customer that no one wants to deal with. SHEILA –
She/her, 30s. The friendly but lout talking businesswoman. She enjoys a
little gossip like the next person. RADIA (pronounced like Nadia) –
She/her, 18ish. One of Marie’s former classmates.
[MICHELLE/CHRISSY/LANIECE]
- MICHELLE – She/her, 20s. The nervous client who doesn’t want trouble
and just wants to get her hair done peacefully. CHRISSY – She/her, 30s.
Really wants braids that will “make her look like Beyonce.” LANIECE –
She/her, 20s. A regular at the shop. Works as a DJ, so she always gets
funky braid styles. She like to have a good time and loves a good meal.
[JAMES/FRANKLIN,
THE SOCK MAN/OLU, THE JEWELRY MAN/ERIC, THE DVD MAN] - JAMES – He/him,
30s, Ghanaian. Aminata’s on-again/off-again husband who clearly takes
advantage of her. FRANKLIN, THE SOCK MAN – He/him, 30s, Black American.
Quick talking and friendly neighborhood salesman just trying to make a
living. OLU, THE JEWELRY MAN – He/him, 30s, Nigerian. A shy, honest man
just trying to make a living. Has a bit of a crush on Ndidi. ERIC, THE
DVD MAN – He/him, 30s, Senegalese. The caring DVD man who looks out for
his friends.
'The Other Americans' (Fichandler Stage, LORT B+)
SYNOPSIS:
In Forest Hills, Queens, Nelson Castro, a Colombian American laundromat
owner, grapples with a failing business and buried secrets. When his
son Nick returns from a mental wellness facility after a traumatic
incident, Nelson's world unravels. Committed to protecting his family
and business, he tackles racial and identity challenges to achieve his
dream, proving his success. In this gripping tale of resilience, Nelson
must navigate morality's murky waters to salvage his future. Will he
emerge victorious, or will his past consume everything he holds dear?
Seeking:
[NELSON] ALREADY CAST – Male, 57 years old, Colombian born in Jackson Heights.
[PATTI] – Female, 50s, Puerto Rican. Born in Spanish Harlem.
[TONI] – Female, 28 years old. Older sister to Nick. Nelson and Patti’s daughter.
[NICK] – Male, 24 years old. Younger brother to Toni. Son of Nelson and Patti.
[NORMA] – Female, 47 years old. Nelson’s younger half-sister.
[EDDIE] – Male, 29 years old. Norma’s best employee and her protégé. He is also Toni’s fiancé. He has known the family forever.
[VERONICA] – Female, 49 years old, Latina. Their neighbor. Patti’s best friend.
'Data' (Kogod Theatre, LORT C)
Synopsis:
'Data' is Matthew Libby’s intriguingly suspenseful and relevant new
play that takes you behind the locked doors of Silicon Valley. Its
protagonist is Maneesh, a brilliant entry-level programmer at Athena
Technologies, a data-mining firm. Content to work in the low-stress
environment of User Experience, Maneesh has a crisis of conscience when
he is offered a transfer to the more-central Data Analytics team, and
learns the true nature of Athena’s highly controversial and secretive
work. Torn between idealism and survival, Maneesh is forced to come to
terms with his unique American identity, all while learning the extent
to which Athena is willing to go to hide its secrets.
Seeking:
[MANEESH] — 22. Male. User Experience (UX) team. Indian-American, born in Raleigh, NC.
[JONAH] — 26. Male. UX team. Caucasian-American, born in Syosset, NY.
[RILEY] — 22. Female. Data Analytics team. Caucasian-American, born in Omaha, NE.
[WANG TAO (ALEX)] — 34. Male. Data Analytics team manager. Chinese-Singaporean.
'Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile' (Fichandler Stage, LORT B+)
Synopsis:
In Ken Ludwig’s thrilling adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the
Nile, Hercule Poirot becomes entangled in a web of deceit and desire
aboard a cruise ship on the Nile River. When a murder occurs among the
passengers, Poirot springs into action to unmask a killer who could
strike again at any moment.
Seeking:
[JACQUELINE DE
BELLEFORT] — Female, mid 20s, British. Attractive, original, but of
modest means. Simon’s fiancée and Linnet’s childhood friend.
[SIMON
DOYLE] — Male, British. Charming, confident, but of modest means.
Jacqueline’s fiancé at the beginning of the play, later Linnet’s
husband.
[HERCULE POIROT] — Male, French Speaking Belgian. A famous detective.
[MELTON
PRAED] — Curator of the British Museum’s Egyptian Collection. A wiry,
eccentric scholar full of bonhomie and a love of beauty.
[RAMSES
PRAED] — Melton’s son. A medical student. Awkward and lacking
confidence, but nice looking and likable. Lives in his father’s shadow.
[SALOME OTTERBOURNE] — Female, 50s. An eccentric serial hobbyist who’s recently taken up acting.
[ROSALIE OTTERBOURNE] — Salome’s daughter. Attractive and good humored. A teacher.
[SIR SEPTIMUS TROY] — Male, older than 50. A famous Shakespearean actor. Worldly, playful, and has recently gotten a facelift.
[LINNET
RIDGEWAY] — Female, 20s. Strikingly beautiful, poised, and glamorous.
Recently inherited her family fortune, making her the richest woman in
England. Jacqueline’s childhood friend and later Simon’s wife.
[ARTHUR HASTINGS] — Male, early 40s. Poirot’s close friend. An unfailingly pleasant, good-hearted man-about-town.
[ANNABELLE PENNINGTON] — Female, 30s, Canadian. Linnet’s rather dumpy and scattered lawyer.
'The Age of Innocence' (Fichandler Stage, LORT B+)
Synopsis:
Against the lavish backdrop of 1870s New York, where hypocrisy thrives
and hidden passions simmer, Karen Zacarías brings Edith Wharton's
timeless masterpiece, The Age of Innocence, to the stage. This
adaptation unveils a searing critique of high society's suffocating
norms, presenting a riveting tale of forbidden desires. Surrounded on
all sides by an ocean of societal conformity, love clashes with duty,
and innocence is sacrificed. Follow the compelling journey of Newland
Archer as he grapples with the rigid constraints of privilege, torn
between tradition and the allure of forbidden passion.
Seeking:
[NARRATOR] — The world builder and guide. (a more modern woman 40—70)
[ELLEN] — The mysterious heroine. (30s)
[NEWLAND ARCHER] — The handsome young, tortured protagonist. (30s)
[MAY] — The unimaginative innocent ingénue that becomes savvy. (20s)
[BEAUFORT] — Ellen’s relentless foreign, new-money suitor. (40-50) and THE DUKE
[GRANNY
MINGOTT / MRS. VAN DER LUYDEN] — May and Ellen’s very rich, boisterous,
crass, fun, obese Grandmother and the very timid, old, very
aristocratic and bland ancestress. (70s)
[SILLERTON JACKSON/ MR. LETTERBLAIR / MR. VAN DER LUYDEN] — The older upscale men who gossip, run law firms, decree rules.
[MRS. ARCHER / REGINA BEAUFORT] — Newland’s Widowed Mother
[DALLAS / YOUNG MAN / ACTOR in LOVE SCENE / BUTLER] — The young men. (20s)
[JANEY ARCHER / OPERA SINGER / NASTASIA] — The Young Women. (20s)
[MRS. WELLAND / MEDORA MANSON] — May’s stuffy Mother and Ellen’s eccentric aunt (they are sisters). (50-60s)
'Fake It Until You Make It' (Kreeger Theatre, LORT B)
Synopsis:
In Larissa FastHorse's uproarious comedy, a collision of friends and
foes within the nonprofit sector sets the stage for a whirlwind of
competition, chaos, and comedic revelation. Meet Wynona, the Native
American proprietor of N.O.B.U.S.H., and River, her white counterpart at
Indigenous Nations Soaring. Their escalating rivalry ensnares
colleagues and bystanders, leading to the unraveling of secrets that
highlight the absurdities of ambition and authenticity. Amidst the
laughter, genuine connections form, emphasizing the value of unexpected
paths to success. Fake It Until You Make It is a humorous exploration of
ambition, demonstrating that laughter often accompanies the pursuit of
goals.
Seeking:
[WYNONA] – Native American, Female
Identifying, 20-30s, 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, 40s or 50s but in that LA, stylish, "40s
are the new 20s" 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,
young but has seen more than most folks in their 50s. Fighting hard for
American visibility of culturally Two Spirit folks.
[GRACE] –
Native American, Female. 30-40s, 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. 20-30s,
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.
'Untitled Terell Alvin McCraney Play' (Fichandler Stage, LORT B+)
Synopsis:
Wilson and Free met in a dark park searching for fun not expecting to
find love, light, and each other. Now a milestone anniversary has got
them wondering if they have met Mr. Right or a long one-night stand with
a lovely Mr. Maybe? With a little support and a lot of confusion from
family, friends, and a stranger in the dark, the question remains: will
Free and Wilson find their way together or will they let fear, and a
secret lead them asunder?
EPA TO BE HELD AT A LATER DATE
'A Wrinkle in Time' (Kreeger Theatre, LORT B)
Synopsis:
Meg Murry's father was experimenting with the fifth dimension of time
travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin,
and her younger brother Charles Wallace must race to rescue him. Can she
outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping
journey through space? Join her on this epic quest in an adventurous new
musical adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's Newbery Medal-winning classic
novel that will energize your spirit, take you to realms of boundless
imagination, and remind you that love, camaraderie, and unwavering
determination can conquer all.
Seeking:
[MEG MURRAY] –
Soprano with high belt, G3-Eb5. 18+ to play 13. Fierce, headstrong,
loving, emotionally messy. She is the beating heart of this show. She
feels all her feelings. She is a force. She just doesn't know how to
wield her power yet. (But soon!). Has a great sense of rhythm.
[CHARLES
WALLACE] – High tenor/alto with strong falsetto-mix, Eb3-B4, 18+ to
play 5. Preternaturally gifted. He's smart and he knows it. Deep
emotional link to his older sister Meg. Way wiser than his years.
[CALVIN]
– Tenor, C3-Gb4. 18+ to play 14. Always the new kid in town (his
parents move around a lot!). Latchkey kid that everyone likes, but no
one really knows. In search of "home" that he finds in the Murrays. An
immediately powerful connection to Meg.
[MRS WHATSIT] –
Folk-style mezzo-soprano, F3-F5. The kids' primary guide through this
world. Chatty, buoyant, and curious energy.
[MRS WHO] – Soprano
with high belt/mix, F3-F5. Cool-as-hell, jet-setting, cosmopolitan aunt
type, with a wicked sense of humor. She's a literary mind who wields
quotes like weapons.
[MRS WHICH] – Alto/Tenor, Eb3-C5. Oldest of
the old souls. Salt of the earth, full of grit. NOT to be trifled with.
She is the oldest of the three Mrs.
[MOTHER / AUNT BEAST] –
Mezzo-soprano, F3-F5: MOTHER – Meg and Charles Wallace's mother. A
brilliant thinker, logical mind, seemingly unruffled exterior hides
uncertainty and doubt. AUNT BEAST – Wise and bemused being who lives in
Ixchel, an unexpected caretaker to Meg.
[FATHER] – Bari-tenor
with strong mix and falsetto, C3-Gb4. Meg and Charles Wallace's father.
Protective, (seemingly) fearless. About to find out he cannot be
everything he wants to be for his kids.
[MAN WITH THE RED EYES /
MR. JENKINS / ENSEMBLE] – Bass/Baritone, F2-Gb4: MAN WITH THE RED EYES –
An unctuous, slippery trickster who plays a dangerous game. Do not
trust his polite, paternalistic facade. MR. JENKINS – Meg's disapproving
school principal.
[HAPPY MEDIUM / ENSEMBLE] – Mezzo/Alto,
F3-F5. Sensitive, anxious, gifted with special sight. Would much rather
stay in bed than face the upsetting world out there!
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Counter Tenor, Db3-E5.
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Tenor, Db3-Db5.
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Baritenor, Ab2-Gb4.
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Soprano, G3-C6.
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Soprano, G3-C6.
[ENSEMBLE / AS CAST] – Alto, G3-Ab5.
