Auditions

About Casting @ WFT


Wheelock Family Theatre at Boston University, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, recognizes the need for expanding the participation of artists who have been historically underrepresented on stage due to race, ethnicity, disability, gender expression, and sexual orientation. We endeavor to cast these individuals in roles where race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or the presence or absence of a disability is not germane and in which their identities align with those of a character.

Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns. However limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.

Wheelock Family Theatre pledges to produce and celebrate theater that is representative of, and centers characters as well as actors who share the diverse and intersectional identities as those that exist within our audiences.

Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.

Actors will need to be vaccine compliant with Boston University’s Covid-19 vaccine policies. View the full policy here.

10/18/22 -- Boston, MA Kira Troilo as Miss Honey, left, and Sky Fuller as Matilda rehearse for Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical at the Wheelock Family Theater on Oct 18. The show runs at the theater from October 21 – November 20. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle
Roald Dahl's Matilda, the Musical (2022) Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle

Contact Us


If you have questions about auditions please email us at WFTCast@bu.edu

Current Audition Opportunities

A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle In Time

Adapted for the stage by John Glore
From the book by Madeleine L’Engle

Artistic Personnel


Regine Vital, Director

Casting Personnel


Carolyn Saxon, Casting Supervisor
Nick Vargas, Assoc. Artistic Director & Casting Director

Important Dates*


First Rehearsal: 03/12/2024
Previews: 04/12/2024 @ 10:30am & 04/13/2024 @ 2:00pm
Opening: 04/13/2024 @ 6:00pm
Closing: 05/11/2024 @ 2:00pm

Rehearsals are typically Tuesday – Friday, evenings & Saturday and Sunday during the day.
Performances: Click here for an overview of performances.

*Dates & times subject to change.*

About the Show


One dark and stormy night, the eccentric Mrs. Whatsit arrives at the home of Meg Murry, a young teen who doesn’t fit in at her New England high school. Meg’s scientist Father vanished over two years ago, under mysterious circumstances. Aided by Mrs. Whatsit and her friends, Meg, her gifted brother Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin are transported through time and space on a mission to rescue their father from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet.

Equity Principal Auditions

Learn more

When: Saturday, September 9 from 11am to 6:30pm with callbacks on Saturday, September 30. Audition slots are FIVE (5) minutes long. Each actor has THREE (3) minutes to perform.

Click here to schedule an appointment. Equity members without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day, as time permits.

Preparation: Please prepare material of your choosing, which may be side(s) from the show or a monologue. A reader will be provided. Click here for sides.

Non Union Auditions

Learn more

When: These auditions have passed. Non-Union actors will be seen first come first serve as time permits at our EPA’s on September 9th. 

Preparation: Please prepare up to two (2) side(s) of your choosing from the show. A reader will be provided. Click here for sides.

Youth Auditions

Learn more

When: Monday, September 11 from 3:30pm to 8:30pm. Auditionees will come in one at a time and have no more than FIVE (5) minutes to perform

Click here to select a 30-minute audition block. Actors without appointments will be seen throughout the audition day, as time permits. 

Preparation: Please review the casting breakdown on our website, to ensure you/your actor is the appropriate age for the character(s) they are hoping to audition for, prior to signing-up for auditions

Please sign-up for a 30-minute block. Auditionees will come in one at a time and have no more than FIVE (5) minutes to perform. Please prepare TWO (2) sides of your choosing, although you may only be asked to perform one. A reader will be provided. Click here for sides.

Video Auditions

Learn more

If you are unable to join us for in-person auditions you can submit your material via this Google Form. Please submit a video audition containing the following:

  • A monologue of your choosing, or up to TWO (2) sides from the show.
All videos should be uploaded as unlisted YouTube links. Click here to access sides.

All material should be submitted by Noon (12pm) on Monday, September 11.

Callbacks

Learn more

Callbacks will take place on Saturday, September 30 from 1pm to 6pm at Wheelock Family Theatre. Actors invited to callbacks will be asked to read from the script.

CASTING BREAKDOWN

MegYouth (13 to 18) – brave and ferocious; will not back down; a hustler; thinks and feels with her gut; her love is a bright, burning fire

Actor 1: Charles Wallace, Ensemble (Youth, 8 to 13)almost stoic, unflappable; piercingly observant; penetrating mind; his love may seem cold and calculating, but burns as fierce as Meg’s

Actor 2: Mother (warm, but worn, weary; the brave face is mask that doesn’t quite hide the imprint of the years), Mrs. Who (very ”just the facts”, a teacher,  a worker; a dependable 2nd in command; her color/vibe is a slate grey blue of pulsing hue, yet somehow saturated), Camazotz Woman (wary, very scared, doesn’t remember what hope or happiness is), Aunt Beast (warm, like a no nonsense grandma, strong and sturdy), Ensemble 

Actor 3: Mrs. Whatsit (idealistic, very “hope is the thing with feathers”, bright, bubbly and effervescent, but not in the annoying way; would be your fairytale godmother if the universe weren’t hanging in the balance; her color/vibe is definitely pink), Man with Red Eyes (a void, there is no heart, no spirit here; cold, empty, the bitterest winter; a black hole made manifest), Ensemble

Actor 4: Calvin, Ensemble (Youth 14 to 18)compassionate and brave, the person you want by your side/having your back in battle; loyal and understanding; chill and up for an adventure; listens with and speaks from his heart; his love smoulders and sparks

Actor 5: Father (tired, lost, embodied despair–almost), Mrs. Which (though we can’t be sure, feels as old as the universe; the general you feel compelled to follow, in the good way; her color is every shade and hue of purple you can imagine and every shade and hue you can’t fathom), Camazotz Man (resigned to his reality; suspicious of anything and anyone remotely out of the norm), Ensemble

All roles will be understudied.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Book by Robert Kauzlaric
Music and Lyrics by George Howe
Based on the Novel by Richard and Florence Atwater

Artistic Personnel


Ilyse Robbins, Director/Choreographer
Dan Rodriguez, Music Director
Carolyn Saxon, Assoc. Director

Casting Personnel


Carolyn Saxon, Casting Supervisor
Nick Vargas, Assoc. Artistic Director & Casting Director

Important Dates*


First Rehearsal: 01/16/2024
Previews: 02/09/2024 @ 10:30am & 02/10/2024 @ 2:00pm
Opening: 2/10/2024 @ 6:00pm
Closing: 03/03/2024 @ 2:00pm

Rehearsals are typically Tuesday – Friday, evenings & Saturday and Sunday during the day.
Performances: Click here for an overview of performances.

*Dates & times subject to change.*

About the Show


Money is tight and times are tough in the town of Stillwater. With no houses to paint till next spring, Mr. Popper is stuck at home daydreaming of adventures in far-off lands, while Mrs. Popper must scrimp and save just to put beans on the table. But with the unexpected arrival of a spirited penguin named Captain Cook, a new horizon opens before them. As a quiet partnership expands into a boisterous flock, the Poppers learn that there’s no problem that can’t be solved with steady determination, lots of love, and a dash of unconventionality.

Equity Principal Auditions

Learn more

These auditions have passed.

Non Union Auditions

Learn more

These auditions have passed.

Video Auditions

Learn more

If you are unable to join us for in-person auditions you can submit your material via this Google Form. Please submit a video audition containing the following:

  • 1 minute of musical material of your choosing, which may be material from the show.
  • A monologue of your choosing, or a side from the show.
  • 60 to 90 seconds of your strongest level of jazz/musical theater dance.
All videos should be uploaded as unlisted YouTube links. Click here to access sides.

All material should be submitted by Thursday, August 17 at midnight.

Callbacks

Callbacks will take place on Monday, August 21 from 5pm to 9pm at 855 Commonwealth Avenue. Actors invited to callbacks will be asked to dance, sing and read from the script.

CASTING BREAKDOWN

Actor #1: Mr. Popper – A kind, caring, curious, enthusiastic house painter/interior decorator… if a little naive. Seeks an adventure. A dreamer and romantic, he loves his wife very much. Somehow the two missed having kids but have lots of love to share. Actor will need comic timing, be able to move well and learn some puppeteering skills. 

Actor #2: Mrs. Popper – A kind, caring, intelligent, competent homemaker and part-time bookkeeper… and very practical. A realist and caretaker, she loves her husband very much. Somehow the two missed having kids but have lots of love to share. Actor will need comic timing, be able to move well and learn some puppeteering skills.

Actor #3: Mr. Johnson, Admiral Drake, Delivery Guy, Barber, Reporter, Policeman, Bus Driver, Theater Manager, Sven Svenson – These are neighbors, townspeople, and entertainers that interact with the Poppers and their penguins. Actor will need excellent comic timing, ability to change character in an instant, move well, and learn puppeteering skills. 

Actor #4: Mrs. Callahan, Gentleman, Curator, Passenger, Mr. Greenbaum, Cab Driver, Copper – These are neighbors, townspeople, and entertainers that interact with the Poppers and their penguins. Actor will need excellent comic timing, ability to change character in an instant, move well, and learn puppeteering skills. 

Actor #5: Puppeteer & Ensemble – This actor will play some townspeople but will primarily focus on puppeteering. Must move well and have prior puppet experience.

Actor #6: Puppeteer & Ensemble – This actor will play some townspeople but will primarily focus on puppeteering. Must move well and have prior puppet experience.

All actors will puppeteer at some point during the show. These roles include Captain Cook (a male penguin), Greta (a female penguin), Nelson, Columbus, Louis, Jenny, Scott, Magellan, Adelina, Isabella, Ferdinand, and Victoria (baby penguins). Steffan (a belligerent seal) will either be puppet or person. Who can tell?

All roles will be understudied.

The Taste of Sunrise (2015)

Join our Mailing List

Be the first to know about upcoming auditions and performance opportunities at Wheelock Family Theatre.





    Wheelock Family Theatre is seeking both adult AEA/EMC/Non-union actors and youth actors ages 9 to 18 for our spring 2022 production of Make Way For Ducklings.

    • Click here to view the audition fact sheet.
    • Click here to view the rehearsal/performance calendar, subject to change.

    Actors are asked to submit a video audition of material from the show.

    • Click here to view the audition materials including instructions on what to prepare and how to submit.

    All audition videos should be submitted by Tuesday, December 21st.

    Please don’t worry about formatting/editing the video in any particular way – we’re interested in seeing your talent and creativity in the material and not in your video skills.