Audition for We’re Still Here: A New Musical
Auditions held on: October 12th (9am-5pm), October 13th (5pm-9pm), October 19th (9am-5pm). Callbacks October 20th (5pm-9pm)
First United Methodist Church, Downtown Boulder.
Please read through the information below and sign up for your audition slot. Thank you!
Sign up for your audition today.
For your audition, please bring a headshot & bio (if you have them; if not, no sweat) and 60 seconds of a song to sing. You can choose the genre; we’re not picky. You may bring medicine songs, songs in other languages, or anything you feel comfortable singing. If you don’t have a song, we’ll have you sing Happy Birthday. We will provide sides for you to read at the audition. You do not have to prepare a monologue. And of course, email us if you have any questions! info@empathytheatreproject.org.
Plot Summary: A proposed copper mine pits the preservation of Indigenous sacred land against the survival of a rural town. Two young leaders, fighting to save their homes, become bitter political enemies. They also form an unlikely bond. Caught in an iconic battle over the identity of American soil, will these two dreamers be able to help their warring communities find common ground? Inspired by true events.
Role Descriptions:
Leads:
ZANDER WISHKENO: 19 year old male, Indigenous. Tenor. (Can be played by actors 18-early 30’s) Raised by his grandfather. A watercolor painter. Sassy, funny, quick.
MAGGIE LARCH: 19 year old female, non-Indigenous. Soprano. (Can be played by actors 18-early 30’s) A watercolor painter. Headstrong.
HANSI SCHRIMER: 30’s-40’s, male or non-binary, any race (but not Indigenous). An NPR News Reporter.
ARIEL WISHKENO: 17 year old female, Indigenous. Alto/Soprano. (Can be played by actors 17-early 30’s) Zander’s sister. Dreams of becoming a Sundancer one day.
GRANDFATHER (ALEXANDER) WISHKENO: 60’s-70’s male, Indigenous. Baritone. Zander and Ariel’s grandfather. A Vietnam veteran, a Sundancer. Tribal Chairman for the Outagamihaki settlement.
MOLLY LARCH: 40’s female, non-Indigenous. Maggie’s mother. Alto. Comes from a 5th generation mining family. City Manager of Temple.
JOHN LARCH: 40’s male, non-Indigenous. Maggie’s father. Husband of Molly. Baritone. Miner who got laid off when the last mine closed.
Ensemble: 4-6 Ensemble members will be cast for multiple roles. All ages and ethnicities welcome.
MINING OFFICIAL (Rex): Age and gender flexible, probably male. He’s from Texas. RXN Mining Rep.
RIVER SPIRITS: The singing spirits of the river that play a significant role in animating the water throughout the show.
TEMPLE RESIDENTS: Appear in occasional scenes and town halls.
OUTAGAMIHAKI RESIDENTS: Additional characters that participate in river prayers, the prayer run, protests, and town halls.
POLICE OFFICER: Appears in occasional scenes.
FISHERMAN (Tom): An older male from Temple who fishes.
FOREST SERVICE OFFICIAL (Shanna): Appears in occasional scenes. Can be “Sean” depending on gender.
Compensation: Lead roles will receive a $1,400 stipend. 12 shows total. Ensemble members will receive a $200-300 stipend depending on role size.
A note on casting: We are actively seeking Indigenous actors / singers to join our cast, and welcome new or inexperienced performers to audition. The Indigenous characters and stories in “We’re Still Here” are derived from co-author Alex's lived experience as a Mesquakie tribal elder, his children and grandchildren. They are also based on real interviews from students, activists, and elders fighting to save Oak Flat. We invite Indigenous and Indigenous-identifying actors to audition for these roles, inclusive of mixed-race, First Nations, Central and South American heritage. Your talent, passion, and unique perspective are invaluable contributions to the storytelling process.