Local theater artists and theater lovers are invited to audition or interview for roles in four upcoming productions at Flashback Theater Co. Audition and interview sessions will be held on select days from August 12th through August 22nd at 209A E Mount Vernon Street in downtown Somerset.
In this post
- Audition & Interviews Overview
- Production Information & Audition Requirements
- Production Interview Requirements
- New to Flashback Theater?
Audition Overview
Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) invites community members to get involved as actors or crew members in their 2025-26 season of productions. This season, shows include an intimate court drama, a touching small musical, a comedic historical narrative, and a jukebox musical parody. A total of 27 acting roles and 8-10 roles for crew members are available, providing opportunities for every experience level.
Cast and crew members of FbTC productions can expect an encouraging atmosphere and a creative learning environment, with most FbTC productions featuring a mix of debut artists and veteran stage performers. Show preference can be provided at the audition, along with any conflicts. Those selected as cast or crew will be compensated with stipends for their work on a production.
Audition appointments are 10 minute slots that can be reserved in advance, allowing the artist to arrive and audition or interview quickly on a weekday. Individual audition/interview appointments are available:
- Tuesday, August 12, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday, August 14, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 21, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 22, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
If none of the above slots work with your schedule, please reach out to Renate Dopp, Stage Manager, at sm@flashbacktheater.co or (555) 665-2282.
Actor callbacks will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Most auditioning actors will be asked to attend callbacks following their initial audition.
Production Information and Audition Requirements
All actors should prepare a memorized 60-second comedic contemporary monologue, and review the below audition requirements by show to determine if additional material should also be prepared.
Please prepare each of the required materials for the production(s) you plan to audition for.
Getting & Spending by Michael Chepiga
Directed by Sommer Schoch
A brilliant and beautiful investment banker makes illegal profits of eighteen million dollars from insider trading and uses it to build housing for the homeless. Shortly before her trial, she ferrets out the foremost criminal attorney of the era to persuade him to abandon his retirement in a Kentucky monastery to defend her. This play is about them: their struggles with themselves, with each other, with the law and with her unusual defense.
Audition Requirements
- a memorized 60-second comedic contemporary monologue
Important Dates:
- Staging Rehearsals: September 8 – October 12, 2025
- Tech Rehearsals: October 13-15, 2025
- Performances: October 16-26, 2025
Roles available for 7 cast members; actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age or any other factor.
Available Roles:
- Brother Alfred A Franciscan monk of the Monastery of St. Anthony in Kentucky. A practical and spiritual guide for Richard, also an intellectual match.
- Richard O’Neill A New York criminal defense lawyer in his 50s, temporarily residing at St. Anthony’s. Critical thinker, eloquent speaker. Has an unsettled internal struggle
- Brother Thaddeus* The doorkeeper at St. Anthony’s. Provides some comic relief.
- Victoria Phillips A New York investment banker in her 40s-50s. Life has caught up with her and she is looking for a way out. Has a moment of immodest behavior at the monastery
- Charles Humbolt A pining colleague of Victoria’s.
- Mary Phillips Victoria’s mother. Quick to follow directions from Victoria without question. Can be obstinate when dealing with others.
- Elizabeth Panelli An Assistant United States Attorney in her 30s with something to prove.
- Judge Keefe* – The presiding judge at Victoria’s trial
*Brother Thaddeus and Judge Keefe will be played by the same actor.
The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Billy Christopher Maupin
Music Direction by Theresa Jean Kibby
Over the course of five years, two twenty-something working artists fall in and out of love in New York City. In this intimate and emotionally powerful musical, both are given the chance to share their side of the story. Cathy tells her story backwards while Jamie tells his story chronologically; the two characters only meet once, at their bittersweet wedding in the middle of the show. This production contains explicit language.
Audition Requirements
- 32 (ish) bars of a contemporary, uptempo musical theatre song; you may sing from the show (e.g. Please choose an uptempo song, so not “I’m Still Hurting” or “Nobody Needs to Know”)
- a memorized 60-second comedic contemporary monologue (post-2000; ensuring that you have read the entire play)
- Auditionees should be prepared to treat their audition and callback material not only as musically accomplished, but also with the same textual detail as scene work in a nonmusical play.
Important Dates:
- Music Rehearsals: October 2025
- Staging Rehearsals: November 3 – December 5, 2025
- Tech Rehearsals: December 6 – December 10, 2025
- Performances: December 11-21, 2025
Roles available for 2 cast members; actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age, or any other factor.
Available Roles:
- Jamie Wellerstein, 20s-30s. Strong bari-tenor with falsetto (A2-Bb4). Seeking a strong actor/singer.
- Cathy Hyatt, 20s-30s. Strong mezzo (G3-Eb5). Seeking a strong actor/singer. NOTE: While this role has been traditionally cast as Caucasian, typically blonde, this production is actively open to exploring other “types” and options representing an “unconventional” match for Jamie.
Men On Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus
Directed by Jade Ellis
In this mostly true tale of American expedition, a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal crew members set out to chart the course of the Colorado River…with a twist. Told by a historically Inaccurate cast of women, this 90 minute comedy is a rip-roaring adventure that encourages us to think about who gets to write our Nation’s history. This production contains explicit language.
Audition Requirements
- a memorized 60-second comedic contemporary monologue
- Demonstration of physical comedy
Important Dates:
- Staging Rehearsals: December 15, 2025 – February 6, 2026
- Tech Rehearsals: February 7 – February 11, 2026
- Performances: February 12 – February 22, 2026
Roles available for 10 female-presenting and gender non-conforming cast members. People of color are encouraged to audition for all roles, with two roles being written specifically for actresses of color. It is our hope to cast a group of actors that are diverse as our country’s makeup.
Available Roles:
- John Wesley Powell One-armed leader of the expedition
- William Dunn Hunter and trapper
- John Colton Sumner Former soldier, current explorer
- Old Shady Powell’s older brother, Civil War vet
- Bradley Lieutenant, manic with youth
- O.G. Howland* Printer and hunter.
- Seneca Howland* O.G.’s quiet little brother.
- Frank Goodman* British, so excited
- Hall Mapmaker, old soul
- Hawkins The cook
- Tsauwiat* A Ute chief. BIPOC.
- The Bishop* Tsauwiat’s wife. BIPOC.
- Mr. Asa* A desert settler
* Roles may be doubled.
Fleetwood Macbeth by Ricky W. Glore
Directed by Julia Chereson & Sommer Schoch
Music Direction by Elizabeth McQueary-Loiacono
It’s the 1970s, and one man, “The King”, rules the airwaves in the coveted position of disc jockey at WS 103.5 “The Shakes.” However, his fellow radio station employees feel it’s time for a change in leadership. Mac’s girlfriend Lady is certain he has the talent to do it, if he can only find the guts to do whatever it takes to seize the throne. Featuring an outstanding lineup of Fleetwood Mac hits – you’ve never seen Shakespeare’s Macbeth like this before! This production contains adult situations including innuendo, the use of explicit language, and a depiction of suicide.
Audition Requirements
- A 30-second vocal cut from one of the following Fleetwood Mac songs:
- “Go Your Own Way”
- “Dreams”
- “Don’t Stop”
- “You Make Loving Fun”
- Choose the song that best suits the character you’re most interested in playing. This is not a traditional vocal audition – we want to see performance, personality, and character in your delivery.
- We’re looking for strong actors with comedic chops, big personalities, and confidence performing musically.
- Strong vocal skills are encouraged but not required to be polished.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks – this is a high-energy, stylized world with a lot of absurdity, irony, and satire.
Important Dates:
- Music Rehearsals: March 2026
- Staging Rehearsals: April 6 – May 8, 2026
- Tech Rehearsals: May 9 – May 13, 2026
- Performances: May 14 – May 24, 2026
Roles available for 8 cast members. Director is looking for strong actors with comedic chops, big personalities, and confidence performing musically. Actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age or any other factor.
Available Roles:
- Mac (Macbeth) A quiet, earnest DJ on the graveyard shift who is pushed to ambition by Lady. His journey mirrors Macbeth’s arc from mild-mannered to murderous. Brooding underdog meets reluctant rebel.
- Lady (Lady Macbeth) Mac’s partner, both on-air and romantically. She’s smarter than everyone else in the room and totally done with the patriarchal nonsense. Powerhouse producer, fiercely smart and deeply frustrated.
- The King (King Duncan) On-air personality and boss to Mac, Lady, and Banky. Arrogant, misogynistic, and totally inappropriate, but with a veneer of showbiz charm. Gross radio patriarch meets 70s shock jock.
- Banky (Banquo) Mac’s sidekick and Lady’s brother. Often the comic relief, he’s good-hearted but in way over his head. Sweet, slow, and a bit clueless.
- Witchy Women #1, 2, 3 A Greek chorus of cosmic weirdos. They sing, they haunt, and they heckle from the margins. Ethereal burnout witches meets stoner girl group.
- McDuff (MacDuff/FCC Agent) A strange and chatty FCC rep with a tragic backstory and Cole Porter dreams. Awkward government bureaucrat meets a moralistic square.
Interested in a Production Role?
You should prepare a resume or list of past theater experience, if you have any. If not, think about the skills and experience you have that would translate well to backstage and production. This can be communication skills, design or construction experience, etc. If you have any particular interest in learning a new skill or working on a specific show or project, be prepared to discuss that as well. Your audition/interview slot will allow us to inquire about your skills and interests so we can work together to find the best fit for your experience.
New to Flashback Theater?
By auditioning or interviewing for the entire season, you are indicating interest in being considered for opportunities throughout the entire upcoming year. You will be able to indicate on your audition form if you are unavailable for particular shows. The director of each show will be calling back individuals from this pool of talent for show specific opportunities based on your type, experience, and availability. For this reason, it is helpful if you bring a photo of yourself and a theater resume or list of previous theater experience for later reference.
Our artists are typically paid a stipend to offset the costs of attending rehearsals. We are a semi-professional company, and we operate in a professional atmosphere. Our artists are treated with respect and we expect you to return that respect by showing up on time to all rehearsals and performances, and collaborating in a positive manner. Your audition or interview is the first opportunity to show your respect for the theater process and thus your ability to work well with us; so arrive early, be prepared, and always say “Thank you!”