Auditions for our 2026/2027 Season
Shoestring is committed to diverse, inclusive casting. Audition submissions (online or in person) will be accepted for all performers, regardless of age, sex, identity, ethnicity, disability, race, national origin, or sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law, subject to legitimate casting objectives. Shoestring does not precast.
More show info on OUR SEASON page:
Audition materials will be posted below as they become available. Every audition is different depending on the director's methods, so please read carefully.
Every audition (unless director grants access for you to submit online) will be held at:
Community Performance & Art Center
1250 W. Continental Road, Green Valley, AZ 85622
[ 520.399.1750 ]
Auditions: 6:30 pm January 25 and 26; callbacks if necessary January 27
Performances: April 8 7pm; April 9 7pm; April 10 3pm; April 11 3pm; April 16 7pm; April 17 7pm; April 18 3pm
Aspiring, talented, but unassuming architect Willum Cubbert, has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” – so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of Willum's birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd” – a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. This leads to escalating hilarity and tension as Willum grapples with repaying his life debt.
Audition Information:
You may attend either or both audition nights.
Cold readings +
For the adults: Please prepare a short 1 min (or less) story of a time you were absurdly embarrassed.
For the children: Please be prepared to share a memory of a time when you were really deathly afraid and/or scared.
My goal is to audition children first (with a few adults), so the children can be dismissed early.
Also:
Cast will be announced by Thursday, January 28th.
Rehearsals will begin Monday, February 15 with first reading and continue Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm or 9:00pm
Tech Week: April 4 - 7
Character List and Descriptions
WILLUM CUBBERT (Male-presenting, 30s)
A polite, earnest architect living in Terre Haute, Indiana. Loyal to a fault and eager to please, Willum’s good nature and sense of obligation make him both endearing and exasperating. His journey is one of learning to assert himself.
TANSY MCGINNIS (Female-presenting, 20s–30s)
Warm, intelligent, and ambitious. A successful television weather reporter preparing to move to Washington, D.C. for a new job. She shares deep affection for Willum but is frustrated by his passivity.
AXEL HAMMOND (Male-presenting, 30s–40s)
Willum’s roommate and best friend. A sardonic theatre critic with impeccable timing and sharp wit. Observant, acerbic, and loyal, Axel provides comic relief and the occasional voice of reason.
RICK STEADMAN (THE NERD) (Male-presenting, 30s)
The man who once saved Willum’s life in Vietnam—and is now his biggest headache. Oblivious, socially inept, and pathologically well-meaning, Rick’s intrusion upends the household and drives the farce.
WARNOCK WALDGRAVE (Male-presenting, 40s–50s)
A volatile, overbearing businessman and Willum’s client. Loud, quick-tempered, and demanding, but not malicious—just wound too tight.
CLELIA WALDGRAVE (Female-presenting, 40s)
Warnock’s wife. Polite and high-strung, she channels her frustrations into odd habits (notably breaking things when nervous). A comic foil to her husband’s bluster.
THOR WALDGRAVE (Male-presenting, 8–10)
Their son. A mischievous, spoiled child who says exactly what he thinks. Often the spark that sets off the adults’ chaos.
Auditions: 6:30 pm April 12 and 13
Performances: June 18 7pm; June 19 3pm; June 20 3pm; June 25 7pm; June 26 3pm; June 27 3pm
"The record of one company's attempt to perform the play by William Shakespeare." How do you present a Shakespeare play with a third of the actors? A rag tag acting troupe led by a dotty old curate is tasked to perform one of Shakespeare’s most comedic plays, As You Like It. The hilarious attempts of seven actors to impersonate all of Shakespeare’s characters make this show a zany romp through a classic.
Roles: 4 men; 3 women
Along with readings to be taken from the script, auditioners are asked to prepare 8-10 lines of memorized Shakespeare. Ladies auditioning for Rosalind should be prepared to sing a cappella one verse of a folk song. Although the show will not be done with English accents, trying different voices or accents for different characters is encouraged. Please plan on staying for the whole audition.
Although there are no specific ages for any of the characters here are some suggestions. Each character (except Rosalind) will be playing multiple roles during the show. Furniture and props will be moved by the actors, and there are a lot of costume pieces and wig changes done onstage. This is an ensemble show, and the actors are onstage for almost the whole show, so actors will have to make the majority of rehearsals, especially the last 2 weeks. There will be accents for some of the characters.
MEN
THE CURATE: An older male, who has been on the road acting and directing for most of his life.
WILLIAM: A big guy, who has been thrust into the spotlight, and really isn’t at ease in this position.
AMIENS: This actor has always played the villains, and in this play it’s no exception. An experienced actor like The Curate and Celia.
CLOWN: Playing more parts than he can handle. Smaller than William. A very physical part, in that he will be moving around quite a bit.
WOMEN
CELIA: Has been with the troupe a long time, and is really having doubts about doing this with such a small cast.
AUDREY: Has been playing a minor role with the troupe, but now has to step in to play a bigger role as well.
ROSALIND: She has misplaced her mind along their travels. She gives stage directions and is rather opinionated.