Switch Theatre Company is holding auditions for its 2027 Season:
| SHOW | Birds of North America | Shakespeare in the Parks: Antony and Cleopatra | She Kills Monsters |
| DIRECTED BY | Susannah Hough | Danica Jackson | Bonnie Webster |
| REHEARSALS | 11/2 – 1/13 (off for Thanksgiving, 12/15-27, 12/31-1/2) Durham Arts Council | 3/22 – 4/30 Durham Arts Council | 6/1 – 7/14/2027 Durham Arts Council |
| PERFORMANCES | 1/14 – 1/24/2027 | 5/1 – 5/30/2027 | 7/15 – 7/31/2027 |
| PERFORMANCE LOCATION | Mettlesome Theatre | Fred Fletcher Park, Raleigh Durham Central Park, Durham Knightdale Station Park, Knighdale 2-3 additional TBD | PSI Theatre, Durham Arts Council |
Auditions will be held on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, from 2-6pm at:
Durham Arts Council, Rollins Dance Studio
120 Morris St,. Durham NC 27703
Alternatively, actors may submit a video audition, uploaded to YouTube or other video hosting service.
To be considered for SITP:Antony And Cleopatra, please prepare a 30-60 second Shakespeare monologue of your choice, preferably memorized. For Birds and Monsters, please prepare an appropriate comedic or dramatic monologue in the style of your choosing (you may also use one of the monologues and/or character speeches in this folder). In person auditionees may be asked to do cold readings as well.
Sides and monologues for selected roles are available here.
Stipends are available for all roles. For SITP, actors will be mic’ed for all outdoor performances, and receive an additional stipend for travel.
Please sign up for ONE half-hour audition slot, and bring a headshot and resume.
Callbacks:
Callbacks for Birds of North America will be held on Monday, 9/14, 6-9pm, at the Durham Arts Council (scenes are here). Actors may be called for additional readings for SITP and Monsters on Sunday, 9/13, 2-6pm. Full callbacks for SITP and Monsters will be announced later in the year, and may be held virtually and/or in person according to actor availability. Actors will be provided sides at callbacks. Feel free to check the shared folder as it will be updated periodically.
Casting breakdowns
Switch Theatre Company encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, and ability to audition for any role. If the production requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description.
Birds of North America, by Anna Ouyang Moensch
Seeking a strong pair of actors who are available during November and December. Because the play spans roughly ten years, both actors must be capable of subtly conveying the physical and emotional passage of time without relying on heavy prosthetics or makeup. Ethnicity is open.
John – Male 50s-70s. A scientist, an ardent liberal, and an avid, lifelong birder. He is deeply anxious about climate change and the state of the world, which can manifest as rigidity and high expectations for his children. He finds solace and structure in the ritual of birdwatching. Over the course of the play, he must navigate the vulnerabilities of aging, retirement, and a changing relationship with his daughter.
Caitlyn– Female 20s–30s. John’s daughter. At the start of the play, she is a copy editor for a conservative news outlet—a career choice that creates immediate ideological friction with her father. She is pragmatic, trying to survive the economic realities of her generation, and often feels judged by John’s high ideals. Over the decade, she goes through major life milestones, including relationship shifts, career changes, and motherhood.
Shakespeare in the Parks: Antony and Cleopatra
Seeking performers with strong classical acting skills. Eight actors will be cast for this producion.
Antony – Male. Mark Antony, powerful Roman member of the “Second Triumvirate”- the group of three men (along with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus) who control Rome following the assassination of Julius Caesar. He has neglected his duties in Rome (and his wife Fulvia) to be with Cleopatra. He is enraptured by her beauty, and seems to be easily manipulated by her.
Cleopatra– Female. The queen of Egypt. She is headstrong, brave and resolute, while also at times proving to be mercurial, manipulative and impulsive.
Charmian – Female. Servant to Cleopatra. She is the most steadfast and dedicated of her servants.
Caesar – Male. Octavius Caesar- he would later be known as Augustus, and establish the Roman Empire. He is a powerful yet self-restrained man, who knows his strength and often throws his weight around.
Iras/Octavia – Female. As Iras: servant to Cleopatra, also very dedicated to her. As Octavia: The sister of Octavius. After the death of his wife Fulvia, Antony marries Octavia. She does not seem to realize, though, that he has no intentions of leaving Cleopatra, and is only marrying her as part of a political scheme, an attempt to bring him and Octavius closer together. When Antony and Octavius start to feud, she finds herself torn between obedience to her
brother and to her new husband.
Enobarbus – Male. One of Antony’s advisors and followers, who, over the course of the play, begins to doubt Antony. He finally decides that his own survival is more important than loyalty to Antony, and deserts him for Octavius. He quickly regrets this decision.
Lepidus/Messenger/Soldier – Male. The third member of the triumvirate, Lepidus is noticeably weaker than both Antony and Octavius. After the defeat of Pompey, he is quickly ousted from power by Octavius, paving the way for war between Octavius and Antony.
Soothsayer/Thidias/Agrippa – Male. A fortune teller who has the gift of future sight; he warns Antony to stay away from Octavius. As Thidias: a messenger that Octavius sends to try to persuade Cleopatra to betray Antony and join him. As Agrippa: one of Octavius’ commanders.
She Kills Monsters, by Qui Nguyen
NOTE: This production contains strong language, sexual humor, discussions of sexuality and coming out, homophobic bullying and slurs, grief, death, kissing, fantasy violence, physical contact, and provocative fantasy costuming. All stage combat and intimate moments will be choreographed, with performers’ boundaries discussed and respected. Casting 10 adult performers. Several characters are teenager-presenting, but no actual teenagers will be cast. All performers may also play monsters or assist with fantasy sequences as needed.
Agnes Evans: Female, adult presenting. An ordinary young woman who has always preferred a safe, conventional life. After the death of her younger sister, Tilly, Agnes enters the unfamiliar world of Dungeons & Dragons in an attempt to understand the sister she never truly knew. The role requires sharp comic instincts as well as the ability to portray grief, anger, guilt, and emotional vulnerability. Requires choreographed sword fighting, running, falling or similar movement, and romantic intimacy with Miles, including kissing. Uses adult language.
Tilly Evans / Tillius the Paladin: Female, teenager presenting. Agnes’s deceased younger sister. In life, Tilly was intelligent, sarcastic, imaginative, fiercely independent, and deeply immersed in Dungeons & Dragons. As Tillius—a powerful, confident warrior and protector. Beneath that strength is a teenager dealing with bullying, loneliness, her sexuality, and the fear that her family never truly knew her. Requires strong movement skills, extensive choreographed sword fighting, and romantic intimacy with Lilith, including kissing. Uses adult language.
Chuck: Male, older teenager presenting. A proudly nerdy, highly enthusiastic Dungeon Master who guides Agnes through Tilly’s adventure. Chuck is funny, awkward, excitable, knowledgeable, and occasionally far too confident in his own expertise. He provides much of the show’s comic energy while also revealing genuine affection and respect for Tilly. Uses adult language.
Miles: Male, adult presenting. Agnes’s longtime boyfriend. Miles is conventional, friendly, sincere, and somewhat uncomfortable with Agnes’s growing involvement in Tilly’s fantasy world. Although he can appear insensitive or emotionally clumsy, he genuinely loves Agnes and wants to support her. Strong physical comedy skills. Requires choreographed fantasy action, and romantic intimacy with Agnes,. including kissing. Uses some adult language.
Kelly / Kaliope Darkwalker: Female, teenager presenting. Ronnie’s sister and one of Tilly’s friends. Kelly has cerebral palsy and uses forearm crutches. As Kaliope – graceful and formidable dark elf whose intelligence, precision, and warrior skills make her essential to the adventuring party. She speaks with heightened formality and takes herself very seriously, creating opportunities for both comedy and strength. NOTE: Actors with cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities are encouraged to audition. Requires choreographed combat (adapted to the performer).
Lilly / Lilith Morningstar: Female, teenager presenting. Lilly is quiet and vulnerable, with complicated feelings about Tilly, their first kiss, and her own sexuality. As Lilith – a powerful demon queen and fearless warrior. She is commanding, sarcastic, sensual, and extremely protective of Tilly, who is her girlfriend. Requires extensive choreographed combat, and romantic intimacy with Tilly, including kissing. Wears provocative, revealing, dominatrix-inspired fantasy costuming. Uses adult language.
Vera / Evil Gabbi / The Beholder: Female, adult presenting. Agnes’s best friend and a high-school guidance counselor. Blunt, funny, opinionated, outspoken, and fiercely protective. She has little patience for foolishness—especially Miles. As Evil Gabbi – one of Tilly’s real-world bullies, transformed inside the game into a seductive, demonic cheerleader succubus. Polished, popular, cruel, and gleefully theatrical. As The Beholder – a large and dangerous monster. Requires choreographed combat, strong movement, and comfort working in an elaborate monster costume or with puppetry. Evil Gabbi wears provocative, revealing fantasy costuming. Uses adult language (cruel, sexually charged, and homophobic bullying).
Narrator / Evil Tina / Farrah the Faerie: Female. Grand and mysterious guide through the story, delivering the tale with the dramatic authority of an epic fantasy film. As Evil Tina – Gabbi’s partner. As Farrah – a tiny, sweet faerie who is actually an explosive, foul-mouthed berserker. Requires choreographed combat. Evil Tina wears provocative, revealing fantasy costuming. Uses adult language (cruel, sexually charged, and homophobic bullying).
Steve: Male, teenager presenting. An earnest and unfortunate adventurer who repeatedly appears at exactly the wrong moment and is spectacularly killed by various monsters. Requires choreographed combat.
Ronnie / Orcus: Male, teenager presenting. Kelly’s brother. As Orcus – a supposedly terrifying demon overlord who would much rather watch television than participate in an epic quest. Sarcastic, lazy, funny, and wonderfully reluctant.
Rehearsal information:
Rehearsals will take place MWTh evenings 6:15-9pm, and Saturday afternoons 2-6pm, depending on actor availability. Most rehearsals will take place at the Durham Arts Council.
Additional information:
Email info@switchtheatreco.org , or call 919-926-9906 with any questions!