The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities will hold Local AEA Season EPA  Auditions on April 28, 2024. The Arvada Center's Artistic Director is Lynne Collins. Video auditions will not be accepted. The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. in Arvada, Colorado.

These auditions are for active AEA Members only. Non-Equity actors should view our Non-AEA Season Auditions page.

AEA Principal auditions are on April 28, 2024, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, by appointment only.

Casting will be attending the CTG 2024 Unified Auditions.  If you attend CTG please do not submit as you will be under consideration. 

If you have been previously cast in the last two seasons at the Arvada Center Theatre and are interested in being considered for the season, contact Lynne Collins at lcollins@arvadacenter.org before scheduling an appointment.

General Audition Requirements:

Experienced performers with strong acting and singing abilities are needed. See the character breakdown (below) for specifics on available roles.

To schedule an appointment, go online to https://arvadacenter.org/theatre/auditions/

If you have any questions, contact Lisa Hoffman at ac_auditions_email@arvadacenter.org.

1. Select an appointment time at the link below.

APPOINTMENT TIME SLOT SELECTION

2. Upload a headshot and resume, after you have selected and secured an appointment time. 

Submit Headshot and Resume Here

Please do not contact Arvada Center production staff prior to auditions. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Hoffman at ac_auditions_email@arvadacenter.org. 

Actors should prepare:

For MUSICALS - Please prepare a song(s) in the style of the show(s) you are interested in. The total length should be no more than four minutes. 

For PLAYS - Please prepare two (2), two-minute contrasting monologues. 

If auditioning for  

BOTH PLAYS AND MUSICALS  please prepare ONE two-minute song and ONE two-minute monologue. 

Please bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. No Recorded music.

A current headshot and résumé are required. 

Please submit at the link above. 

Equity members must present a current equity ID card at check-in.

These are Equity LORT B & D productions. 

The Arvada Center is committed to diversity and maintains a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, body types and sizes, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition for appropriate roles.

The Arvada Center creates a safe and equitable workplace through policies defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Actors’ Equity Association, and the City of Arvada. These policies provide a comprehensive framework for health and safety of all actors, stage managers, creative staff, and designers employed by the Arvada Center.

All descriptions list the gender, ethnicity and age as described by the playwright. Transgender or nonbinary actors are invited to submit for any role.

Waitress

LORT B--$1100

Director: Lynne Collins

Musical Director: Susan Draus

Choreographer: Taeler Cyrus

Rehearsals:  August 1, 2024

Opens:  August 30, 2024

Closes: October 13, 2024

Principal Character descriptions: 

JENNA: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s

A woman stuck in her life as an unhappily married waitress in a small town. Finds some happiness and expression through her meticulous baking of pies. Lives her life paycheck-to-paycheck, day by day, and wants nothing more than to get away and start fresh. Must have a fantastic pop/rock voice with great range.

DAWN: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s

She is the youngest of the waitresses. Eccentric is a nice way to say she's slightly unusual, and not so slightly OCD - as an example, she sets tables painstakingly ensuring each salt and pepper shaker is equidistant from the napkin holder. Should have excellent comedic timing. Must have an excellent pop/rock/folk voice.

BECKY: Female: Any Ethnicity: 40s-50s

The oldest of the waitresses. Irreverent, irascible, been there, made it back, and somehow kept her forward and sometimes wicked sense of humor. Must have a soulful pop voice with an excellent pop belt.

DR. POMATTER: Male: Any Ethnicity: 30s-40s

Handsome, endearing, and neurotic. Has a warm, if clumsy, manner. Jenna's gynecologist with whom an unexpected extramarital affair is born. Has a quirky sense of humor and a big heart.  Should have a strong pop/rock tenor that can navigate the musical style of Sara Bareilles with ease.

EARL:  Male: Caucasian: 20s – 30s

Jenna's husband. Peaked in high school, handsome in a gruff way, but that face is clouded with broken dreams, drowned with cheap beer. Just enough narcissism mixed with stupidity, to be a potent Molotov cocktail that can explode into unexpected anger one second and then turn into a sobbing mess the next. Guitar playing a plus.

OGIE: Male: Any Ethnicity: 30s

Strange, yet oddly lovable. Quirky, incredibly persistent, and odd, yet kind. Should have excellent comedic timing. Must have a strong pop/rock tenor/baritenor sound.

JOE: Male: Any Ethnicity: 60s

The owner of the diner where Jenna, Dawn, Becky, and Cal work. A seemingly old, curmudgeonly man who has a soft spot for Jenna but picks when that warmth allows itself to be shown. A sarcastically funny and no-nonsense guy with a keen ability to read people. Very funny. Must have a strong baritone pop/rock sound.

CAL: Male: Any Ethnicity: 40s 

A chef at the diner. A "Salt of the Earth" guy's guy surrounded by gals. Brash, impatient, unsentimental, but somehow charming. Should have a strong pop/rock voice with great comedic chops.

Once Upon a Mattress

LORT B--$1100

Director:  Kenny Moten

Musical Director: Jordan Ortman

Choreographer: Christopher Page-Sanders

Rehearsals:  October 24, 2024

Opens:  November 22, 2024

Closes: December 29, 2024

Principal Character descriptions:

PRINCESS WINNIFRED THE WOEBEGONE: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-40s

Often referred to as Fred, she is the energetic and unconventional protagonist. She arrives at the kingdom seeking to marry Prince Dauntless and proves her worthiness through her genuine nature and resilience. Mezzo-Soprano.

PRINCE DAUNTLESS THE DRAB: Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s-40s

The kind-hearted and naive heir to the throne. He is looking for a princess to marry but is hindered by the domineering nature of his overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain. Baritone. 

QUEEN AGGRAVAIN: Female: Any Ethnicity: 40s–60s 

The controlling and manipulative mother of Prince Dauntless. She is determined to maintain control over her son and the kingdom by ensuring he never marries, creating a series of impossible tests for potential princesses. Alto.

KING SEXTIMUS THE SILENT:  Male: Any Ethnicity: 40s–60s 

The mute but mischievous father of Prince Dauntless. He communicates through physical comedy and gestures. Despite his inability to speak, he is wise and playful. 

LADY LARKEN:  Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s–30s

The love interest of Sir Harry. She is a lady-in-waiting to Princess Winnifred and is expecting a child out of wedlock. Lady Larken’s predicament becomes a subplot within the story. Soprano. 

SIR HARRY:  Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s–30s

A knight and the love interest of Lady Larken. He is devoted to her and tries to find a way for them to marry despite the obstacles they face. Tenor.

THE MINSTREL: Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s–40s 

He serves as the narrator of the story, guiding the audience through the events and providing commentary on the unfolding tale. Tenor. 

THE JESTER: Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s–40s

A member of the royal court. He serves as the court entertainer and brings levity and humor to the story. Tenor. 

THE WIZARD: Male: Any Ethnicity:  30s–50s 

The Queen’s Loyal Confidante. He is magical and mysterious and is able to do several magic tricks. He possesses a sense of showmanship and qualities of buffoonery. Baritone.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

LORT B--$1100

Director: Geoffrey Kent

Musical Director: Alec Steinhorn

Choreographer: Grady Soapes

Rehearsals:  February 27, 2025

Opens:  March 28, 2025

Closes: May 11, 2025

Principal Character descriptions: 

MONTAGUE "MONTY" NAVARRO: Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s: Vocal Range Bb3-A5.

Handsome, clever, charismatic, vulnerable, and endearing. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. Quirky, a man with substance and a longing for purpose and to prove himself to Sibella.

MISS SHINGLE: Female, Any Ethnicity: 20s-60s, Vocal Range A3-C5

Monty's unexpected visitor. An older woman, well versed in the history of the D’Ysquiths and Monty’s lineage.

SIBELLA HALLWARD: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s; Vocal Range G3-D5

The girl Monty loves. Light, Bubbly, Pink. The smartest, stupid woman you’ve ever seen. Not greedy but longing for substance.

PHOEBE D'YSQUITH: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s: Vocal Range C4-Bb 6 (opt Eb)

Monty's cousin. The late wife of Henry D’Ysquith, is charmed by Monty following her husband’s unexpected passing. Book smart, introverted, selfless, a beautiful down to earth woman.

THE D'YSQUITH FAMILY (played by one actor) Male: Any Ethnicity: 30s-50s: Vocal Range A3-G5

*Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr., a dandy

*Lord Adlabert D'Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst

*Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith, a clergyman

*Lord Adlabert D'Ysquith, Sr., an elderly banker (A father figure to Monty, the only accepting member of the D’Ysquith family)

*Henry D'Ysquith, a country squire (A lovely homosexual beekeeping enthusiast)

*Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith, a benefactress

*Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith, a bodybuilder

*Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pumphrey, an actress (She’s quite garbage as an actress)

*Chauncey D'Ysquith, a janitor

Dracula - A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really

LORT D--$807

Director: Carolyn Howarth

Rehearsals:  August 29, 2024

Opens: September 27, 2024 

Closes: November 3, 2024

Principal Character descriptions

DOCTOR VAN HELSING: Female: Any Ethnicity: 40s:

American. A female vampire hunter. She takes no nonsense from anybody. She wears dusty beaten clothing and a big cowboy hat. She has a long nasty old scar all up and down the side of her face, as if someone has taken their hand and RIPPED down, long ago. It’s from an encounter she’d rather not talk about. She’s been through it. She’s a bit of a know-it-all; okay, she’s a lot of a know-it-all. She’s prickly. She’s strong. She’s brilliant. She’s no Lady. She’s on the hunt. She is badass—and 19th century men do not, as a rule, appreciate it.

MINA HARKER: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s.

Very smart. Caring. Loyal. Wants to do the right thing. Was raised to be a Lady, and is thus suppressing an inner fire that emerges throughout the progression of the play. Great emotional depth, good sense of humor. Must face her darkest fears—comes out stronger at the end of it. Secretly an adventurer, and fighter. Is called to be more than she once was.

LUCY WESTENRA: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s.

Bright, funny, vivacious, playful, and mischievous. Feels trapped and torn by expectations. About to be married, and deeply conscious of how that puts her under a 19th century man’s control. Reflexively flirtatious. Believes she must pretend to be less than she is. Yearns for freedom. Falls desperately ill after being bitten by Dracula and then becomes a completely different being—an animalistic vampire demon—a naturally manipulative predator. Lucy’s vampire self is deeply unpredictable and frightening.

MARILLA: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s.

A vampire. More animal than human. Was lured into vampirehood by Dracula, who then proceeded to exploit her. Enjoys being a predator. Finds pleasure in consuming others. Resents her objectification. Manipulative; vicious; probably sociopathic. Capable of moving very fast— blink, and oh God, she’s right behind you. Sister-wife to DRUSILLA. Doubles as MAID—an underpaid, resentful servant.

DRUSILLA: Female: Any Ethnicity: 20s-30s.

A vampire. More animal than human. Was lured into vampirehood by Dracula, who then proceeded to exploit her. Enjoys being a predator. Finds pleasure in consuming others. Resents her objectification. Manipulative; vicious; probably sociopathic. Capable of moving very fast— blink, and oh God, she’s right behind you. Sister-wife to MARILLA. Doubles as MILLER—a casually brutal asylum attendant, and MERCHANT—a merchant looking to make a sale.

RENFIELD: Female: Any Ethnicity: Any Age.

A madwoman. Worships Dracula. Believes that if she can earn his approval, she will be free. Not a bad soul, really, but capable of extreme brutality or duplicity in service of her religious zealotry. Almost a child, in her way.

DRACULA: Male: Any Ethnicity: 30s-50s.

A physically imposing man. He is extremely confident. Strong. Funny. Charming. Sexy. You’d like him, no really, you would. He makes people lose their heads. Manipulative. Commanding. Capable of being very, very frightening. Unpredictable. Physically strong. Incredible with language. Unimaginably powerful. Brilliant. Casually takes pleasure in cruelty. An equal-opportunity sexual sadist. A toxic predator; a wolf in the fold; a very old and clever parasite, capable of adapting and surviving. Fundamentally enjoys himself.

JONATHAN HARKER: Male: Any Ethnicity: 20s-40s.

A nice man. A truly decent man. A lawyer; a man of letters; a slight man; a slightly fussy man. If being unkind, one could say he’s delicate. He’s very, very British. Cares about people. Is maybe a little rule-bound. Loves his wife, Mina, deeply. Is bitten by Dracula, and then loses his mind—becoming easily confused, raving shambles. After recovering from sickness, he slowly gives in to Dracula’s darkness—becoming an abusive, toxic man. Once he’s under Dracula’s influence, we can’t always tell if he’s telling the truth. Can quickly switch from likable to extremely volatile.

DOCTOR GEORGE SEWARD: Male: Any Ethnicity: 30s-40s.

The head physician of a lunatic asylum. A good man, but starts out the play as a product of his era—has some trouble listening to women. Believes only in the evidence of his own eyes. Tends to mansplain. Deeply in love with his fiancé Lucy Westenra, of whom he is overprotective. Has a very contentious relationship with Van Helsing. Doesn’t like to not feel in control. Chivalrous. Thinks of himself as a modern man; a man of science. Over the course of the play, he learns to accept female leadership and question his assumptions. A brave man. Likeable.

Clybourne Park

LORT D--$807

Director: Kenny Moten

Rehearsals:  January 16, 2025

Opens:  February 14, 2025

Closes: March 30, 2025

Clybourne Park unfolds in two acts in the house made famous in Lorraine Hansberry’s classic A Raisin in the Sun.  In Act I, a white community in 1959 Chicago splinters over a black family about to move into the house. Act II leaps forward to 2009, where a white couple seeks to purchase the same house in the now predominantly black neighborhood. Norris’ play explores issues of race, territory, and legacy with an uncommon combination of biting humor and genuine tenderness. Most actors for the production will play two roles.  Please note that racial justice issues are a central part of the plot and are the reason why specific race requirements are included in the character breakdown.

Principal Character descriptions

RUSS (Act I)/ DAN (Act II): Male: Caucasian: 40s-50s.

In Act I, a middle-management businessman selling his house to escape memories of a family tragedy. In Act II, a friendly but somewhat oblivious construction worker. 

BEV (Act I)/ KATHY (Act II): Female: Caucasian: 40s-50s.

In Act I, married to Russ, whose brooding is eroding her natural optimism. In Act II, a breezy real estate agent and lawyer. 

FRANCINE (Act I)/ LENA (Act II): Female: African American:  30s-40s.

In Act I, domestic worker to Russ and Bev. In Act II, a professional woman invested in her neighborhood. 

ALBERT (Act I)/ KEVIN (Act II): Male: African American: 30s-40s.

In Act I, husband to Francine; he is accommodating but a shrewd judge of character. In Act II, an easy-going investment banker married to Lena. 

KARL (Act I)/ STEVE (Act II): Male: Caucasian: 30s-40s.

In Act I, a character borrowed from A Raisin in the Sun who comes to persuade Russ and Bev not to sell their house. In Act II, he’s seeking to purchase the home.

BETSY (Act I): Female: Caucasian: late 20s-30s.

Married to Karl and seven months pregnant in Act I. Betsy is deaf and uses sign language to help communicate.

LINDSEY (Act II): Caucasian, female-presenting, late 20s-- 30s.

A professional woman, also pregnant, who is married to Steve. 

JIM (Act I)/ TOM (Act II)/ KENNETH (Act II): Male: Caucasian: mid-20s – 30s.

In Act I, the well-intentioned minister at Russ and Bev’s church. In Act II, a lawyer hired by Kevin and Lena to represent their community association in negotiations with Steve and Lindsey. Kenneth is Russ and Bev’s son who has come home after service in the Korean War. Kenneth appears only briefly in a flashback at the end of Act II.