Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
Topanga, CA

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Friday, March 13, 2026

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (P)

BREAK: 12:00PM - 1:00PM

CONTRACT

LOA

$20.00 per rehearsal hour

$112.00 per performance (LOA to LORT, Periodic Performance)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum's 2026 Summer Season (See breakdown).

Los Angeles based actors are encouraged to audition.

Actors of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, gender identities, and abilities are encouraged to audition.

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is committed to providing opportunities to performers from the diverse and variable communities which it serves.

PREPARATION

For your audition, we ask that you prepare up to four minutes of material of two contrasting monologues, one of which must be Shakespeare. Prepare according to your interest in our season. Please bring 1 copy of your headshot and resume.

LOCATION

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd

Topanga, CA 90290-4275

Auditions held on mainstage, park in lot and follow signs to the theatre.

PERSONNEL

EXPECTED TO ATTEND:

Ellen Geer - Artistic Director/Producer

Willow Geer - Associate Artistic Director/Producer

Steve Fisher - Casting Director

Kim Cameron - Production Manager

Jonathan Blandino - Assistant Director

Aaron Hendry - Assistant Director / Fight Choreographer

OTHER DATES

Rain Date (If necessary): Friday, March 20th, 2026

Invited callbacks: March 20-21, 2026. (Rain date March 27, 2026) - Same Location.

See breakdown for production-specific dates.

OTHER

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.

An Equity Monitor will be provided.

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.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

Breakdown

If you have any questions, please direct them to Steve Fisher ([email protected]). If we are running behind at any point, we may ask for just the Shakespeare.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

by William Shakespeare

Rehearsals begin April 7.

Student matinee performances begin April 29.

Repertory opening June 7.

Seeking:

Theseus- Late 20s and older, role presents as male. The haughty figure of Greek myth and proud king of Athens, betrothed to the Hippolyta in a union born of equal parts political convenience and mutual respect. Strong stage combat experience desirable.

Hippolyta- Late 20s and older, role presents as female. The fiery queen of the conquered Amazons, betrothed to Theseus. Strong stage combat experience desirable.

Egeus- 40s and older, role traditionally presents male, but open to performers of any gender. A noble of Athens, and disappointed parent of Hermia.

Hermia- 20s-30s, role presents as female, must be of a shorter stature than the actor playing Helena. A young noblewoman of Athens, daughter of Egeus. In love with Lysander, betrothed by law to Demetrius. Though she be but little she is fierce.

Lysander- 20s-30s, role presents as male. A young nobleman of Athens. In love with Hermia. Impulsive, reckless, and deeply romantic.

Demetrius- 20s-30s, role presents as male. A young nobleman of Athens. In love with (and betrothed to) Hermia, but has a romantic history with Helena. Competitive, brash, and not afraid to fight for what he believes he deserves.

Helena- 20s-30s, role presents as female. A young noblewoman of Athens. Hermia’s oldest friend, hopelessly in love with Demetrius. Quick-witted and wracked with a lack of confidence, which can manifest as a victim complex. High level comedy skills and command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry is particularly essential for this role.

Oberon- 40s and older, role presents as male. The scheming and powerful King of the Faeries, a tenebrous manipulator of the highest order. All at once a jealous lover and quite literal force of nature. High level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry is particularly essential for this role.

Titania- 40s and older, role presents as female. The ephemeral Queen of the Faeries. Abundance and sumptuousness personified, the very breath of spring itself. High level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry is particularly essential for this role.

Puck- 20s-30s, role presents as male, open to interpretations of all genders. Strong movement abilities are essential. A wisecracking, arrogant trickster spirit, and footman to Oberon. All at once a friendly narrator and devious troublemaker. High level command of Shakespeare’s language and poetry.

Nick Bottom- 30s and older, role presents as male. A weaver. Presents the part of Pyramus. A self-styled titan of community theater, who wouldn’t find it the least bit odd that a fairy queen would instantly fall in love with him. Strong comedy chops essential.

Peter Quince- 30s and older, role presents as male, but open to interpretations of all genders. A carpenter and aspiring director, with a control-freak streak a mile wide. Most cognizant of Theseus’ right to behead the Mechanicals, should their performance fail to please. Strong comedy chops essential.

Frances Flute- 20s-30s, role presents as male. A boyish, bellows-mender. Semi-reluctantly presents the part of Thisbe, amid protests of a forthcoming beard. Maybe actually the best actor of the group. Strong comedy chops essential.

Tom Snout- 20s-30s, role presents as male. A tinker. Presents the part of Wall, and just happy to be included.

Snug- 20s-30s, role presents as male. An earnest joiner of modest academic intelligence. Presents the part of Lion, safe in the knowledge that his one line is a roar.

Robin Starveling- 40s and older, role presents as male. A tailor and dog lover. Presents the part of Moonshine, and does not respond at all well to the courts’ boorish heckling. Performer must be comfortable with a canine companion.

Philostrate- Any age, role presents as male. Adjutant to Theseus and master of revels, trying his best to avoid an evening of poor entertainment.

First Faerie- Any age, role presents as female. An adoring, ethereal servant of Titania. Strong movement and vocal background desirable.

Ensemble - Various ensemble members to understudy and/or play Lords, Amazons, Faeries, etc. Amazons and Lords will need stage combat experience, Faeries will need vocal and dance experience.

ROMEO AND JULIET

by William Shakespeare

This production of R&J is set in Gilded Age New York.

Rehearsals begin April 13.

Student matinee performances begin May 7.

Repertory opening June 6.

Seeking:

Romeo- 18+ to play 14-16. Role presents as male. Impulsive, prone to bouts of melancholy, and deeply deeply in love. Scion of a proud working class family in turn of the century New York.

Juliet- 18+ to play 14-16. Role presents as female. Sheltered, fanciful, and deeply deeply in love. Daughter of marriageable age to a new-money family seeking advantage in turn of the century New York.

Mercutio- 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. The smart aleck mover and shaker. A bon vivant compatriot of Romeo but of good enough stock to be gladly welcomed anywhere.

Tybalt- 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. Juliet’s cousin and a volatile firebrand. Arrogant as anything, but with the privilege and skill to back it up. Extensive stage combat experience preferred.

Benvolio- 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. Romeo’s cousin and an eternal optimist. Disdainful of the ever present feud between the two primary families, hoping we can all just get along. The only young person to survive the play.

Paris- 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. A handsome, connected, wealthy scion of extraordinarily privileged status. A good, old money match for Juliet. Or so says her father.

Prince- 40s and up. Role presents as male. The (unofficial) Duke of New York. Slick, connected, beloved by all quarters, and fed up with the violence in the streets.

Nurse- 50s and up. Role presents as female. Maidservant in the Callahan (Capulet) household, and Juliet’s caretaker since birth. A clever, feisty woman who has seen a lot of the world, and a lot of women limit themselves to fit into roles defined by men long dead.

Father Laurence- 40s and up. Role presents as male. A pastor, amateur herbalist, and spiritual guide to the neighborhood. He is close to Romeo, whom he has known since boyhood. Lawrence is consistently given to ignoring his better instincts, which eventually leads to catastrophe.

Mr. Callahan (Capulet)- 40s and up. Role presents as male. Juliet’s father, and a ruthless, social-climbing member of the Nouveau Riche. After clambering the ladder of commerce, he seeks to cement his family’s stature in the echelons of New York’s elite through advantageous marriage for his daughter.

Mrs. Callahan (Lady Capulet)- 40s and up. Role presents as female. Juliet’s mother, who bears the brunt of consecutive, staggering emotional losses. Initially eager for her daughter to begin her adult life, Mrs. Callahan’s world collapses around her as the result of the arrogance and anger of men.

Mr. Mazarro (Montague)- 40s and up. Role presents as male. Romeo’s father, who plainly and fiercely loves his family. A leader among the working men of New York, who pleads clemency for his son in the wake of Tybalt’s death.

Mrs. Mazarro (Lady Montague) 40s and up. Role presents as female. Romeo’s mother. A thoughtful and sensible woman, who restrains her husband from violence at the play’s inception. Dies of grief upon hearing of Romeo’s passing.

Ensemble - Various ensemble members of all ages to play chorus, watchmen, and extended members of the feuding families.

TREASURE ISLAND

adapted by Ellen Geer, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson

Rehearsals begin May 26. Repertory opening June 20.

NOTE: Stage combat and theatrical movement experience is desirable for all roles.

Seeking:

Jim Hawkins- 18+ to play 20s. Role presents as male. The strapping, starry eyed hero of the archetypal swashbuckling adventure. He seeks adventure and experience in the wider world; finding a litany of potential role models along the way.

Long John Silver- 40s and up. Role presents as male. The rakish cook aboard the Hispanola, and secret leader of the deadly pirate band.

Dr. Livesey – 30s and up. Role presents as male. The intelligent, moral, and courageous doctor aboard the Hispanola. A practical man possessed of good sense, a rarity among pirate tales.

Squire Trelawney – Mid-30s and up. Role presents as male. The wealthy noble who finances the treasure hunt, who, like Jim, seeks a bit of adventure. Being to the manor born, he is far too trusting of his crew.

Captain Smollett / Villager– 30s and up. Roles present as male. Capt. Smollett is the capable, professional man at the head of the Hispanola, and a vigorous devotee to the rule of law. Villager appears in one scene at the top of the show. Looking for one actor for both roles.

Mother/ Jen Gunn – 30s and up. Roles present as female. Jim Hawkins’ mother, a proud but simple landlady of the Admiral Benbow Inn. Jen Gunn is a marooned member of the original pirate crew, touched by the madness of isolation after years marooned. Looking for one actor for both roles.

Black Dog /Morgan- 30s and up. Roles present as male. Black Dog is an imposing member of Silver’s crew who arrives at the Admiral Benbow Inn to take the treasure map from Bones. Morgan is a member of Silver’s crew who ends the story marooned on the island. Seeking one actor for both roles.

Billy Bones / Job Anderson- 40s and up. Roles present as male. Billy Bones is a besotted old salt who lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn at the start of the story, in possession of the map that sets the adventure into motion. Anderson is a mutinous pirate, one of the few bloodthirsty sorts who can tip the hand of Long John Silver. Seeking one actor for both roles.

Pew /George Merry- Any adult age. Roles present as male. Pew is a

Abraham Gray - 20s and up. Role presents as male. A member of the Hispanola’s crew, not involved with the mutiny. A young man trying to figure out who he will be.

Hunter- Any adult age. Role presents as male. A manservant in Trelawney’s employ, meets his end in a battle between sailors and pirates.

Tom Redruth – 60s and up. Role presents as male. Trelawney’s gamekeeper, an elder member of the noble’s household staff. Shot in the back by a mutineer.

Lil’ Runt - Youth performer. Role presents as male. A cabin boy.

Tim- Any adult age. Role presents as male. An honest sailor, killed by Silver for not joining the mutiny.

Israel Hands – 40s and up. Role presents as male. Former pirate gunner who tries to murder Jim Hawkins. Will double as a villager.

O’ Brien - Any adult age. Role presents as male. A mutinous pirate whose life ends in a drunken brawl. Will double as a villager.

Dirk Darby - Youth performer (teens)-20s. Role presents as male. A young, religious pirate given to mutiny. Will double as a villager.

Ben- Any adult age. Role presents as male. A pirate formerly in the employ of Captain Flint. Will double as a villager.

WAITING IN THE WINGS

by Noel Coward

Rehearsals begin June 26. Repertory opening July 11

Seeking:

NOTE: Unless otherwise marked, all roles noted are former actresses in a retirement home. Some ages are specifically stipulated (included in breakdown), and we will be casting based on the playwright's stated intention.

May Davenport – An authentic star in her day specializing in Shakespeare and restoration comedies now in her mid-seventies. Her movements are slow and immensely dignified.

Cora Clarke – A very brightly made-up woman in her late sixties. Leans on self-deprecation. She likes to know what is going on and has lived there as a great community member for some time.

Bonita Belgrave – A gay bright woman in her late sixties with a strong developed theatrical sense of humor. Was never a great star but was popular in the supporting parts. She worked for ENSA during WWI.

Maudie Melrose – a diminutive soubrette around seventy who carries around a vast bag into which she plunges occasionally for her cigarettes and matches. In the years before WWI, she had success with musical comedies. Vivacity was her strong suit. On the whole her life has been a long a fairly fruitless struggle. (Piano skills a plus)

Deirdre O’Malley – A strong and spry white-haired lady of eighty-two. Speaks in a strong Irish brogue. Almina Clare – In her mid-eighties. She has been on the stage her entire life, but true stardom has eluded her.

Estelle Craven – Mid-seventies and permanently wistful. She has been on the stage all her life. Playing leading roles only from time to time.

Perry Lascoe – young man somewhere between thirty-eight and forty who works at “The Wings”. He had some success as a young Juvenile in musical comedy but gave it up and is now adored by the “inmates” because he jokes and jollies with them. He is fundamentally kind. (Singing ability a plus)

Miss Archie – Resident superintendent of “The Wings”. A woman of about fifty. Her gruff and rather masculine manner conceals a vulnerable heart and an amiable manner. She can be a trifle overbearing. Worked diligently for ENSA during WWII and retired with the rank of Colonel. This is her greatest pride.

Osgood Meeker- Elderly gentleman, sweet, loyal and kind.

Lotta Bainbridge – A well preserved woman in her early seventies. An authentic star with a very accomplished life-long stage career. Grounded, calm and cheerful.

Dora – Lotta’s faithful dresser. Loyal and true.

Doreen – An untidy girl of twenty-three. The live-in maid at “The Wings”.

Sarita Myrtle – A wispy lady in her seventies.

Zelda Fenwick – A woman in her mid-thirties. A journalist looking for a story.

Doctor Jevons – A pleasant young man in his thirties

Alan Bennet – In his late forties neatly dressed but there is an undefinable quality of failure about him. His manner is nervous.

Topsy Baskerville – a retired stage actress in her late sixties.

THE PEOPLE OF POMPEII

by Bernardo Cubría

Rehearsals begin July 14. Repertory opening August 1.

Seeking:

Carlos Cabrera (40’s) - Mexican writer who has deep shame about his success and his privilege. He needs to be liked, and he figures making jokes is the best way to obtain that. He feels like life got away from him and is wondering how to return to who he used to be or at least the story of what he tells himself he used to be.

Vera Schein (40’s) - Jewish editor. She has recently found a lot of joy in her community and it’s giving her a sense of purpose again. Her kids are priority number one but now this community is number 2. She just wishes her husband could find joy in her joy.

Juniper Williams (40’s) - White female. Native Topangan. And proud of it. And honestly she’s a fucking blast. She’s the friend you invite somewhere and says YES before even asking where and what time. She very non judgmental. And hopes you would be too because well... she’ll tell you her secret soon. She’s naive about certain things, but it all comes from a good place.

Ryan (40’s) - White male. He grew up in Topanga. Has tried many careers but they all keep failing and is starting to feel like he’s failed himself and his family. He’s in recovery. But his existential sadness makes it hard. But he’s loyal. He’s a fucking solid ass dude. And if you got a flat tire at 3am, he’s fucking there.

Mel Rose (40’s) - There is no way this was her given name at birth but we will never learn what it actually was. She’s a white lady giving ethnically ambiguous, but that’s very intentional. Former actress, now into “functional health.” She is gorgeous, she floats, she exudes confidence. But underneath is desperate to be the Queen of any kingdom she enters. She doesn’t respond to invites, because she makes the plans. And TRUST she remembers when you don’t show to her party...

Kevin Callaghan (40’s) - Finance Bro. Feels like he’s not allowed to say anything anymore. And tells his friends, he’s a classic liberal, but his algorithm would suggest otherwise. He has a temper, and has done nothing to tamper it. He’s exceedingly private and very concerned with the current state of “the markets.” His favorite band is probably Maroon Five but he tells people it’s Pearl Jam.

SALARY

LOA $20.00 per rehearsal hour; $112.00 per performance (LOA to LORT, Periodic Performance)

UNION

AEA