Writers Festival Readings Auditions
We are featuring three live stage readings during our upcoming Del Shores Foundation Writers Festival March 14-16, 2025 at the Terrific New Theatre in Birmingham.
The readings will all be seated, scripts on music stands.
All roles for all three readings include a $100 honorarium for the reading and one Zoom readthrough rehearsal.
Augusta reading - Friday, March 14, 8pm
Cockroaches reading - Saturday, March 15, 8pm
Woodside reading - Sunday, March 16, 3pm
Audition sides for each reading are below, along with synopsis and character descriptions.
WOODSIDE by Gerard Shaka
Best Screenplay Winner - Stage Reading - Sunday, March 16, 3pm
SEEKING: BLACK/CARIBBEAN ACTORS age 15-65, one Latin/Caribbean actor, one white/Caribbean actor
DATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 3PM READING
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One readthrough rehearsal to be scheduled either the weekend of 3/8-9 on Zoom, or at the theatre the morning of Sunday, March 16 before the reading.
LOCATION: Terrific New Theatre, 2112 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
PAY: $100 Honorarium for participating in the rehearsal and reading
WOODSIDE SYNOPSIS: While fifteen-year-old Woodside is enrolled in a mangrove restoration summer program on the coastal areas of his island, Nassau, in the Islands of the Bahamas, he grapples with his intensifying home situation as his father, Dennis, lashes out in violent bursts. Though his mother, Whitney, does her best to hold the family together, Dennis’ fixation with Woodside’s budding sexuality pushes him away, where he finds solace with a nurturing marine conservationist.
WOODSIDE AUDITION SIDES - CLICK THE BUTTON TO DOWNLOAD
(on mobile, sides are at the bottom of the list)
HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE AGE CAST:
DJ “WOODSIDE,” 15-19, Black/Caribbean, gay, class clown; rebellious; mischievous (also Young DJ)
GABBY, 15-19, Black/Caribbean, talkative introvert; selfless; always laughing
JOHNNEISHA, 15-19, Black/Caribbean, the know-it-all; kinda tough; observant
MARVIN, 17-22, Black/Caribbean, charismatic; handsome; confident; the life of the family, Woodside’s cousin (also Young Marvin)
DONOVAN, 18-24, Black/Caribbean, gay, the boy next door; mostly quiet
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Also KYLE, 16, Another local gay friend of Woodside’s
ELVARDO “VARDO” SEYMOUR, 15-20, Latin/Caribbean, typical brainless bully
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Also PJ, 17, gay, flamboyant; one of the gworls, STUDENT 2/4
ADULT CAST
NARRATOR, Any age, Black, to read the screenplay stage directions and keep the entire reading moving. An actor with great articulation, projection and speed.
MS. PRATT, 30s, Black/Caribbean, a natural comedian; about her business; intuitive, attentive
WHITNEY, 38, Black/Caribbean, strong; dutiful; weathered; unserious, Woodside’s mother
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Also Tanya, her twin, bedraggled, struggling addict
DENNIS WOODSIDE, 40, Black/Caribbean, boldly ignorant; irrationally angry; narcissistic; somehow suave, Woodside’s father
GRAMMY, 60s, Black/Caribbean, nurturing; old school; a hard-working matriarch
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Also WOMAN 2
THADDEUS PRATT, 30s, Black/Caribbean, gay, local queen; strong artist
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Also MAN’S VOICE, SHANTWON, 16, a local young gay, STUDENT 1/3
SERGEANT ROLLE, 50s, Black/Caribbean, the type who takes his job too seriously
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RIDER 1/2, MAN 1, DOMINO PLAYER 1
JOE KNOWLES, 45, Black/Caribbean, loving dad; dad joker; bumbly but reliable
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Also MR. MACKEY, PEANUT MAN, DOMINO PLAYER 2, GDP MEMBER
RONIQUE, 40, Black/Caribbean, the cool mom; laid back; the "PTA" mom
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Also OPERATOR, WOMAN 1, DRINK VENDOR
DR. ALBURY, 50s, Caucasian/Caribbean, kind; keen
AUGUSTA by Nathan Blankenship
Best Short Film Winner - Stage Reading - Friday, March 14, 8pm
DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 8PM READING
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One readthrough rehearsal to be scheduled either on Zoom, or at the theatre 6pm before the reading.
LOCATION: Terrific New Theatre, 2112 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
PAY: $100 Honorarium for participating in the rehearsal and reading
AUGUSTA SYNOPSIS: When Naia, a transgender black millennial, moves in next door to Frank, a boomer grieving the recent loss of his wife, on a rural property on the outskirts of Augusta, Georgia, they must find commonality and learn to coexist to prevent a ruthless family of developers from destroying what means the most to them – their home. Augusta explores grief, loneliness, and reconciling one’s past as the world continues moving forward, holding the promise of finding connection and community in unexpected places.
AUGUSTA AUDITION SIDES - CLICK THE BUTTON TO DOWNLOAD
(on mobile, sides are at the bottom of the list)
NARRATOR: Any age, to read the screenplay stage directions and keep the entire reading moving. An actor with great articulation, projection and speed.
FRANK FOWLER, 70s, white, retired fireman, and ex-military. In his early 70s and navigating through grief of recent loss of his wife. Conservative, Trump supporter, dwindling health – he’s gruff and always agitated. Just wants to be left alone on his property – his home.
NAIA SANDS, 30s, Black, transgender woman, born and raised in Augusta. Came out and found herself in Atlanta. Recently moved back to Augusta to her grandparent's property next door to Frank, where she spent much of her childhood. Creative, positive, and secure in herself, but has unfinished business in Augusta.
LINDSAY, 30s/40s. Frank’s niece. Loves Uncle Frank but has ulterior motives.
ONE SCENE ROLES
MARTHA, 50s, waitress at the Hwy 51 Diner. Sassy, no-nonsense.
& JO, 60s, Frank’s deceased wife.
BILLY, 60s/70s, Black. Frank’s friend. Former fireman who congregates regularly at the diner.
OLD MAN 1, 60s. Former police officer.
FLAMBOYANT MAN, 30s, any race. Naia’s over-the-top best friend from Atlanta, who is helping her move in. Isn’t impressed with her new digs.
MUSCULAR GUY, 30s, any race. Naia’s studly friend from Atlanta - possibly love interest - who is helping her move next door to Frank.
COCKROACHES by Emma Schillage
Best Play Winner - Stage Reading - Saturday, March 15, 8pm
DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 8PM READING
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One readthrough rehearsal to be scheduled on Zoom 3/1-3/9.
LOCATION: Terrific New Theatre, 2112 5th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
PAY: $100 Honorarium for participating in the rehearsal and reading
SYNOPSIS: Cockroaches is a Southern Gothic dark comedy about three sisters trapped in their childhood home grappling with their mother's most recent suicide attempt. Momma has been acting strange since coming home from the hospital, causing eldest daughter, Jenny, to come home from college, middle child, Charlie, to act out, and youngest child, Sissy, to follow in her mother's footsteps. Meanwhile, monsters are lurking, ready to consume every bit of innocence in their path. As their mother's humanity fades, the sisters must learn to care for themselves and each other before it is too late.
COCKROACHES AUDITION SIDES - CLICK THE BUTTON TO DOWNLOAD
(on mobile, sides are at the bottom of the list)
NARRATOR: Any age, woman, to read the screenplay stage directions and keep the entire reading moving. An actor with great articulation, projection and speed.
JENNIFER “JENNY”
18-25 (to play 18); the oldest child; the caretaker, she is responsible and intelligent, but she isn’t sure what her purpose is outside of taking care of her family
CHARLOTTE “CHARLIE”
18-25 (to play 15); the middle child; the pot-stirrer, she is intuitive and deeply insecure about her weight, her love and intensity can easily turn into violence, but that’s just her defense mechanism
SAVINA “SISSY”
18-22 (to play 12); the youngest; the crybaby/the peace-keeper, she is sensitive and joyful, but somewhat disturbed, she feels everything with heightened intensity
MR. SAM
35-55; the next door neighbor; the helper, the care he offers is dangerous