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 20th through August 27th 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 2026-27 season of productions. This season, shows include intimate dramas, a raucous and highly theatrical comedy, and a Tony-winning stage musical. A total of 26 acting roles and 8 roles for crew members are available, providing opportunities for every experience level. Actors will be cast based on their ability to embody the qualities of the character regardless of gender, race, age or any other factor.
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:
- Thursday, August 20, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 21, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 25, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 27, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 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 (512) 665-2282 to schedule an alternate audition.
Actor callbacks will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Most auditioning actors will be asked to attend callbacks following their initial audition. An optional music workshop will be held directly before callbacks at 1:00 p.m. and will be open to anyone called back for Come From Away.
Production Information and Audition Requirements
What to Prepare
All actors should prepare a memorized 60-second comedic contemporary monologue.
Actors who wish to be considered for roles in Come From Away should also prepare a 32-bar cut (about one minute) of a musical theater song (contemporary musical theater preferred). A speaker will be provided for actors to play a track for their music audition.
Mountain Mamas by Daryl Lisa Fazio
Directed by Sommer Winstead
Patsy’s back in her mother and daddy’s house after a coal mining accident left her with no ability to move or communicate. When the family gets news about the settlement from Patsy’s accident, her daughter jumps into the fray. And Patsy, now forced to listen and observe more than she ever did as a healthy person, is plagued by nightmares and revelations she’s able to share only with the audience. In this story of resilience and redemption, it doesn’t take long for her to realize she has to learn a new way of being if she’s gonna save her entire world.
Important Dates:
- Staging Rehearsals: September 21 – October 23, 2026
- Tech Rehearsals: October 23-28, 2026
- Performances: October 29-November 8, 2026
Roles available for 4 cast members.
Available Roles:
- Patsy, late 30s to 40s. Rambunctious, opinionated, resilient, resourceful, and facing her biggest challenge yet as she adapts to a new life of depending on others following a coal mining accident. Patsy is a wheelchair user. We expect to work with the actor cast to make this role accessible and unique to them through accommodations and collaborative staging.
- Wanda, about 60. Patsy’s mother. Deeply maternal with a razor-sharp wit and seemingly endless well of physical energy and tenacity to fight every battle that comes her way.
- Livvy, 18. Athletic, bright, inquisitive, spunky, eager to please. Has big aspirations and an awareness of the troubled world.
- Earl, mid 60s. Patsy’s father and Wanda’s husband. A gentle, kind soul who finds purpose in his care for his family.
A Christmas Carol adapted by Patrick Barlow
Directed by Jade Ellis
What’s old is new again; honor the spirit of Christmas past, present, and future in this fast-paced, delightfully comedic retelling of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. From Patrick Barlow, famed stage adaptor of The 39 Steps, comes an inventive and fresh approach to a holiday tale. Let yourself be enchanted as a cast of five actors bring beloved characters like Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, Bob Cratchit, and dear old Scrooge to life. This classic tale of redemption will spark the imaginations of the whole family, young and old!
In this fun romp we follow Ebeneezer Scrooge, as he meets all the characters we expect him to encounter. A comedic twist: every character, other than Scrooge will be played by a total of four different actors. This fast pace retelling of Charles Dickens classic tale will involve lots of high energy fast pace quick changes both costumes and characters.
Actors who enjoy cardiovascular activities are encouraged to audition. Actors are also encouraged to include physical comedy in their audition monologue
Important Dates:
- Staging Rehearsals: November 4 – December 13, 2026
- Tech Rehearsals: December 13 – December 17, 2026
- Performances: December 18 – 20, 2026
Roles available for 5 cast members.
Available Roles:
- Four of the five actors in this production will take on many various roles throughout the play, often switching between roles mid scene, onstage, and possibly circling back again all in the space of mere moments. It is a fast-paced show and actors who provide quick thinking and strong character choices are going to have the most fun!
- ACTOR ONE – Ebenezer Scrooge – RP British dialect – 50s-60s
- ACTOR TWO – Bob Cratchit, Marley, Young Scrooge and many others of all ages. – Cockney, RP British
- ACTOR THREE – Ghost of Christmas Present, Fanny, and many others ages 16-60. – Cockney, RP British, Northern English, Sweet spoken Irish.
- ACTOR FOUR – Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit, Scrooge’s mother, and many others ages 30-40.- Cockney, RP British.
- ACTOR FIVE – Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, several Cratchits, Frederick, Mr. Fezziwig, and many others of all ages. RP British, Northern English, Cockney, Irish.
Joshua Pennwrite: Ghostwriter by Michele L. Hinton
Directed by Sommer Winstead
Small town writer Justine Hawkins’s new novel is an overnight sensation, and the whole world’s waiting for a sequel. Unfortunately, Justine’s untimely demise puts a halt on her writing career. But instead of moving on to the afterlife, Justine finds herself roaming the earth as a ghost, looking for the perfect candidate to complete her novels and secure the fortune that will guarantee her nieces’ future. World premiere from Flashback Theater Co’s New Play Development program.
Important Dates:
- Staging Rehearsals: January 5 – February 11, 2027
- Tech Rehearsals: February 12 – February 17, 2027
- Performances: February 18 – February 28, 2027
Roles available for 5 – 8 cast members.
Available Roles:
- Justine Hawkins – 50s/60s. A novelist who must overcome a grave challenge to finish her life’s work.
- Joshua Pennwrite & Fred Jenkins – 30s/40s. The two distinct and unique personalities of one man. This actor must be able to play both the fun loving, danger seeking Fred AND the introverted nerd (turned ghostwriter) Joshua.
- Edward Pratt – 30s – 50s. Justine’s agent, who is always looking out for himself first and foremost.
- Sharon Carter – 20s-40s. Justine’s niece. She is cool, calm, and collected at all times. Not superstitious or wont to believe in ghosts.
- Jakki Carter – 20s-40s. Justine’s niece. She is the younger of the sisters, and is more free-spirited, open-minded, and up for whatever.
- Other characters include newscasters, a psychiatrist, a coroner and his assistant, and other visitors of the funeral and psychiatrist. These roles may be doubled to create additional cast members or in some instances may be doubled with the named roles above.
Come From Away by Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Directed by Billy Christopher Maupin
Based on a remarkable true story. What began as an average day in the town of Gander turned into an international sleepover when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to the Newfoundland airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander welcomed the stranded travelers with music, an open bar, and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family. The 2017 Tony Award Winner for Best New Musical.
Seeking a diverse group of actor/singers to each play multiple roles. Character descriptions below describe the primary role of each track (significant doublings are noted, however all actors double in other roles). Note: this is an ensemble show and all actors will play multiple roles (both Ganderites and “Come from Aways”/”Plane People”). Performers should be comfortable with movement, staging, and rapid character changes. Formal dance training is not required. Seeking a creative, collaborative, and committed troupe of performers to tell this beautiful and challenging story. The pronouns and ages listed are descriptions of the characters; actors are welcome to express interest for any roles, regardless of gender or age.
Important Dates:
- Music Rehearsals: October 2026 (one Saturday, monthly until staging)
- Staging Rehearsals: April 19, 2027 – June 3, 2027
- Tech Rehearsals: June 4 – 10, 2027
- Performances: June 10 – 20, 2027
Roles available for 12 cast members.
Available Roles:
- BEULAH & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 40s–60s, any ethnicity) Mezzo with strong belt. Head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son, she befriends Hannah and walks to church and prays with her. Quick-witted and open hearted, Beulah loves to share a joke. Also plays Delores.
- HANNAH & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 30s–50s, BIPOC) Contemporary soprano with strong high mix. Mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, she waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah. Also plays Margie, Mickey.
- DIANE & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 40s – 60s, any ethnicity) Contemporary soprano or mezzo with strong mix. Traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out he is safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder more carefree side of herself. Also plays Crystal, Brenda
- BEVERLY & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 30s–50s, any ethnicity) Soprano/belter with strong mix. An American Airlines pilot, has always loved flying, but her world is changed when she hears about coworkers who were killed in the attacks, and when she is confronted by passengers who refuse to fly again. Also plays Annette.
- JANICE & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 20s, any ethnicity) Contemporary soprano with strong belt and mix. Eager new local TV reporter, thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naive about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her. Also plays Britney.
- BONNIE & OTHERS: (Female identifying, 30s–50s, any ethnicity) Mezzo with strong belt. Mother of three, head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety. Also plays Martha.
- CLAUDE & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 40s–60s, any ethnicity) Baritone. The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople, and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude. Also plays Derm, Eddie.
- KEVIN T. & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 30s–40s, any ethnicity) Tenor. The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation. Also plays Garth, President Bush.
- NICK & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 50s–60s, any ethnicity) Baritone. An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for another passenger, Diane. Also plays Doug.
- KEVIN J. & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 30s–40s, Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) Tenor or Baritone. Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave and get back to the U.S. as soon as possible. Also plays Dwight, Ali.
- OZ & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 20s–50s, any ethnicity) Tenor. The quirky constable in the two–person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways. Also plays Joey, Customs Officer, Rabbi.
- BOB & OTHERS: (Male identifying, 20s–40s, Black) Baritone. A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet – but instead he ends up losing his New York jadedness. Also plays Muhumuza, Captain Bristol.
Interested in a Production Role?
To interview for a production role, sign up for an audition slot.
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!”