Piper Theatre Productions
Brooklyn, NY
US

DESCRIPTION

PIPER THEATRE PRODUCTIONS (Brooklyn, NY) NON-EQUITY CASTING NOTICE

BLOODY BALLAD OF BETTE DAVIS
One legend, one hex, one hell of a hangover. A fantasia inspired by public figures, legends, and Hollywood apocrypha. Events are dramatized.

Book: John P. McEneny
Music and Lyrics: Rob Parker

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 (Aug 7–31, 2026)
Updated and expanded version of our 2024 Edinburgh Fringe production, which had a successful run.

SEEKING (2 ROLES):

1) DON

Gender: Male-identifying
Persona: Queer-presenting

Age Range: 30s to 40s (flexible)
Voice: Baritone to Tenor
Type: High-stamina musical theatre actor with strong comic and dramatic range

Description:
Don is Bette Davis’s devoted assistant, acolyte, and eventual inheritor. He functions as minion, chorus, and conscience. He is camp, ferociously intelligent, emotionally exposed, and dangerously hungry for power. Over the course of the piece, Don evolves from sharp-tongued aide to mythic successor, ultimately embodying Bette herself in the finale.

The role requires:

• Command of heightened satire and emotional sincerity
  
  

• Comfort with direct address and rapid tonal shifts
  
  

• Strong singing and musical storytelling
  
  

• Physical and vocal transformation into Bette Davis drag with authority and gravitas
  
  

This is a large, demanding role requiring fearlessness, stamina, and precision. Queer performers are strongly encouraged.

2) TRACK: B.D. Hyman / Billie-Burke Malloy / Curtis / Michael Merrill / Karen Black

Gender: Female-identifying
Age Range: 20s to 30s
Voice: Alto to Mezzo Soprano
Type: Transformational actor, strong singer, physically confident

Description:
This track encompasses multiple figures orbiting Bette Davis’s later career, including media voices, industry and family figures, and the pivotal role of Karen Black, who serves as both generational counterpoint and philosophical foil to Bette.

We are initially seeking a smaller-stature actress who is comfortable with light lifts and physical staging. The role requires:

• Clear vocal and physical differentiation across characters
  
  

• Strong musical storytelling
  
  

• Comfort with satire, emotional intimacy, and stillness
  
  

• The ability to hold the stage opposite Bette Davis in extended scenes

COMPENSATION AND PRODUCING DETAILS (CONFIRMED)

$3,000 per actor, plus round-trip airfare and accommodations at Napier University.

Publicity: SO-PR (Judith Ozkan)

Executive Producer: Rachael Jones
Run: 23 performances, with at least one day off per week, likely Mondays
Venues in conversation: Underbelly, Assembly, or Pleasance
On-site manager: Dan Blumenau (Sterling Paris)

US REHEARSAL PLAN (DRAFT, APPROXIMATELY 72 HOURS TOTAL)

Sun July 5 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mon to Thu July 6 to 9 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Sun July 12 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mon to Thu July 13 to 16 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Sun July 19 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Mon to Wed July 20 to 22 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Preview: July 23 & 26, evening, Gallery Players, time TBD

Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Aug 7 to Aug 31, 2026
Possible Zoom speed-through or line-through between July 22 and July 26.

Please submit a video of a comedic monologue and song to [email protected]

DURATION

Jul 5, 2026 - Aug 30, 2026

SALARY

$3,000.00 – $3,000.00 per gig

APPLY BY EMAIL

john…
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APPLY BY POSTAL SERVICE

332 Fifth Street 4R
Brooklyn 11215