Auditions
DIXON STAGE LEFT is gearing up for an unforgettable 2026 season of World Premiere comedies, musicals, dramas, and murder mysteries, and we want you to be part of the magic!
Whether you’re a seasoned performer or simply passionate about the arts, this is your chance to shine on stage.
Auditions are open for ALL roles – 13+, Adults, and Seniors. Please join us in creating a season full of energy, talent, and community spirit.
Don’t miss the opportunity to make this season truly magical!
My directing and casting philosophy is committed to diversity. I believe in giving the underdog a voice, artistic expression, non-traditional, color blind, non-binary casting. I encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities and abilities. Together we will open hearts and minds, finding clarity in complexity, unleashing curiosity, imagining new vistas, honoring nature, honoring humanity.
— Jimmy Ferraro, Dixon Stage Left’s Artistic Director
No experience, training, or professional materials required.
For musicals, please prepare a song with a song track that shows off your voice.
ALL, prepared to read from a script.
In addition to the Full Season auditions, Director Jimmy Ferraro will immediately be casting the World Premier production of “SHE’S on the VERGE…and it’s only getting worse!”
Don’t Forget!
Important Information for Before Your Audition
In order to keep the audition process as smooth and painless as possible, please either fill out the online form, print out your form and bring it in with you, or arrive 10 minutes early and fill it out on site. You can also fill out the PDF digitally and email it to ashlynn.whaley@dixonstageleft.org – if emailing, please send it at least 24 hours ahead of your scheduled audition, or you may be asked to fill out a new one upon arrival.
Auditions are by Appointment Only
Shows
Rehersal Dates, Performance Dates, Available Roles
Expand/Collapee
She’s on the Verge… And it’s Only Getting Worse!
Performances: April 10, 11, 12 ; 17, 18, 19
Rehearsal schedule: tuesday – friday
Rehearsal dates: February 17 – April 19
Synopsis
Play
rating: 17+
“SHE’S ON THE VERGE”…and It’s Only Getting Worse, is a heartfelt, comedy, about the journey of women of “a certain age”; who are “ON THE VERGE”….While at a Menopausal support group, they share their stories about husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, sex, night sweats, body image, friendship, and the liberating freedom of a women’s right to break free of society’s expectations. It’s a celebration of “taking hold of your own destiny” and the realization of not being alone with the roller coaster of emotions and the challenges of middle age. It’s also got some naughty language and adult humor! – “A MUST SEE” for women of all ages and for their partners too!” Adult Themes and Language
available roles:
- 5 Female characters — Ages 25 – 60
- 2-3 Male characters — Ages 25 – 60
Character Breakdown
Ron Rossi – the support group leader and therapist. He is confident and straight-acting, until his LGBTQ identity is revealed. He has a knack for making everyone feel heard and is very compassionate to the women in the group until…
LouRaine Huckabee – a charming, Southern woman, very much a lady and subservient to her husband and basically to everyone else. Her sweet and kind personality begins to change when she starts to sweat and flash.
Lily Madlyn – a beautiful actress and singer who has had success in the big city nightclubs and small roles in a few films. She is a cougar, living with her much younger boyfriend. Her biggest asset is her quick wit and flirtatious nature. She uses both to her advantage.
Tiffany Jones – a bariatric nurse who has been devoted to helping others lose weight. Menopause has made her challenged, since she has become a compulsive overeater. She’s a vegetarian, most of the time, until…..she’s not. She lives with her female partner, who is also menopausal.
Ethel Goldstein – a lethargic, Jewish, Long Island, plus-size, battered housewife, who is in full menopause and has had it with…the world.
*David Goldstein – Ethel’s rude, hard-nosed husband, who drops her off at the session and comes back to pick her up…or does he?
Serenity N. Harmony – a hippie–type, yoga teacher and newcomer to the group. She is calm and relaxed until…she’s not…
*Rich Cohen – (this can be the same actor who plays Dave in a dual role), a handsome, a well-dressed, dapper gentleman, who is interested in Ron.
My Big Fat Italian Wedding Murder
Performances: May 8, 9, 10
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – friday
Rehearsal dates: April 27 – may 7
Synopsis
Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
rating: PG13
After SOLD-OUT 2024 performances, DSL is thrilled to bring back the hit interactive, musical/comedy murder mystery, “My Big Fat Italian Wedding Murder!” The audience takes on the role of guests attending a very Italian wedding before the cast members start dying off, it’s your job to figure out who the murderer is before the whole wedding party is on the ground. Playwright/Director Jimmy Ferraro has presented the show hundreds of times across the country and dozens of times in Chicago and the surrounding area, receiving the prestigious 2022 CHICAGO POST Readers Choice Award. Colin Douglas of the CHICAGO THEATRE REVIEW said the show is “a humdinger of an event that offers a marriage, a meal, mirth and a murder—all in one festive, fun-filled evening” and Al Bresloff of AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO wrote “Murder, marriage and mangia…How about an Italian wedding where someone gets killed? The show is fun!… See it once or see it often- you will never see the same show twice!”
available roles:
- 6-8 Female character — Ages 18-65
- 4-5 Male characters — Ages 18-65
- 1 Female character — Age 10 – 13
Everybody’s Favorite Mothers
Performances: june 26 & 27
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: June 18 – 25
Synopsis
Reader’s Theatre
rating: PG13
“Everybody’s Favorite Mothers” is a celebration of unconditional love and unlikely activism started in the summer of 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched in a parade with her gay son. She carried a home-made sign boldly declaring her support – and a new kind of movement was born. Jeanne and her husband Jules, went on to co-found a support group for parents, an organization that would eventually become known around the world as PFLAG. PG13
available roles:
- 4 Female characters — Ages 18+
- 2 Male characters — Ages 18+
Guys and Dolls
Performances: July 10, 11, 12
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: May 18 – July 9
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic musical comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal floating craps game, makes a bet with Sky Masterson that he can take Sarah Brown, a missionary to Havana. Meanwhile, Nathan’s long-suffering fiancée, nightclub singer Adelaide, wants him to finally marry her, leading to a chaotic mix of romance, high-stakes bets, and comedic situations. Hit songs include, “Luck Be a Lady”, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and more.
available roles:
- 9 Male characters — Ages 18+
- 3 Female characters — Ages 18+
- Large Ensemble — Ages 18+
The Winter’s Tale
Performances: August 8 & 9
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: July 13 – Aug 7
Synopsis
Shakespeare in the summer sun
rating: pg13
The jealous King Leontes falsely accuses his wife Hermione of infidelity with his best friend, and she dies. Leontes exiles his newborn daughter Perdita, who is raised by shepherds for sixteen years and falls in love with the son of Leontes’ friend.
available roles:
- 8 Male characters — Ages 13+
- 6 Female characters — Ages 13+
- 4 Non-gender specific characters — Ages 13+
Raunchy Little Musical
Performances: September 4, 5, 6 ; 11, 12, 13
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: August 10 – September 3
Synopsis
Musical
rating: 17+
Jimmy Ferraro brings his Off-Broadway hit to Dixon! Breaking the glass ceiling for Amy Schumer, Joan Rivers and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Belle Barth was the original irreverent female comic, deflating anyone who dare take sex too seriously.“Raunchy Little Musical”… Belle Barth is Back, is a hilarious and heartfelt musical that chronicles the launch of the 50s Queen of Crass, known as the “female” Lenny Bruce. She topped the charts of the Adult Only record section, the forbidden fruit of the 50s, selling over 3 million of her “party records” serving as sex education for today’s baby boomers. Belle defied the odds and rose to the top, playing to sold-out audiences worldwide, in an era when “women ain’t comics,” culminating in a sold-out Carnegie Hall performance. Adult themes and language
available roles:
- 2 Female characters — Ages 25 – 60
Senior Showcase
Performances: October 4
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Friday
Rehearsal dates: September 21 – October 2
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
After the SOLD OUT performance last season, Dixon Stage Left is thrilled to announce Sauk Valley’s ONE and ONLY, “SENIOR THEATRE!” is at it again! “WE STILL GOT IT!” is an all new, variety showcase with multi-talented seniors, performing at their very best! Singing, comedy, jokes, poetry, improvisation and much more! DSL’s Senior Theatre stars ages 55 and up! If you are 54 years old, you are too young for this group!” Don’t miss this magical tribute to our seniors that all ages will enjoy!
available roles:
- Seniors — Ages 55+
Silence of the Lambs
Performances: October 9, 10, 11 ; 16, 17, 18
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: september 14 – october 8
Synopsis
Play
rating: 17+
“The Silence of the Lambs” is a thriller where FBI trainee Clarice Starling must interview the imprisoned cannibal psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter to get information on another serial killer, Buffalo Bill, who is skinning his victims. Lecter agrees to help in exchange for personal details from Starling’s life, leading to a psychological game between them while Starling races to find and stop the active killer before he murders again.
Cast breakdown to be announced
What in the Dicken’s Happened to Scrooge
Performances: December 11, 12, 13 : 18, 19, 20
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: October 13 – November 20; november 30 – december 10; december 16 & 17
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
“What in the Dickens Happened to Scrooge?” a new Musical/Comedy. The overworked, underappreciated employees of the tyrannical, stingy Ebenezer Scrooge conspire to get him drunk and make him see himself as he really is. It’s a fun-filled, lively version of the classic tale, brought to life by a powerful score that is sure to rekindle the old-fashioned Christmas spirit in everyone.
available roles:
- 4 Male characters — Ages 18+
- 5 Female characters — Ages 18+
- 3 Male characters — Ages 10 – 14
- 2 Female characters — Ages 10 -14
- Ensemble — Ages 10+
Expand/Collapee
She’s on the Verge… And it’s Only Getting Worse!
Performances: April 10, 11, 12 ; 17, 18, 19
Rehearsal schedule: tuesday – friday
Rehearsal dates: February 17 – April 19
Synopsis
Play
rating: 17+
“SHE’S ON THE VERGE”…and It’s Only Getting Worse, is a heartfelt, comedy, about the journey of women of “a certain age”; who are “ON THE VERGE”….While at a Menopausal support group, they share their stories about husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, sex, night sweats, body image, friendship, and the liberating freedom of a women’s right to break free of society’s expectations. It’s a celebration of “taking hold of your own destiny” and the realization of not being alone with the roller coaster of emotions and the challenges of middle age. It’s also got some naughty language and adult humor! – “A MUST SEE” for women of all ages and for their partners too!” Adult Themes and Language
available roles:
- 5 Female characters — Ages 25 – 60
- 2-3 Male characters — Ages 25 – 60
Character Breakdown
Ron Rossi – the support group leader and therapist. He is confident and straight-acting, until his LGBTQ identity is revealed. He has a knack for making everyone feel heard and is very compassionate to the women in the group until…
LouRaine Huckabee – a charming, Southern woman, very much a lady and subservient to her husband and basically to everyone else. Her sweet and kind personality begins to change when she starts to sweat and flash.
Lily Madlyn – a beautiful actress and singer who has had success in the big city nightclubs and small roles in a few films. She is a cougar, living with her much younger boyfriend. Her biggest asset is her quick wit and flirtatious nature. She uses both to her advantage.
Tiffany Jones – a bariatric nurse who has been devoted to helping others lose weight. Menopause has made her challenged, since she has become a compulsive overeater. She’s a vegetarian, most of the time, until…..she’s not. She lives with her female partner, who is also menopausal.
Ethel Goldstein – a lethargic, Jewish, Long Island, plus-size, battered housewife, who is in full menopause and has had it with…the world.
*David Goldstein – Ethel’s rude, hard-nosed husband, who drops her off at the session and comes back to pick her up…or does he?
Serenity N. Harmony – a hippie–type, yoga teacher and newcomer to the group. She is calm and relaxed until…she’s not…
*Rich Cohen – (this can be the same actor who plays Dave in a dual role), a handsome, a well-dressed, dapper gentleman, who is interested in Ron.
My Big Fat Italian Wedding Murder
Performances: May 8, 9, 10
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – friday
Rehearsal dates: April 27 – may 7
Synopsis
Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
rating: PG13
After SOLD-OUT 2024 performances, DSL is thrilled to bring back the hit interactive, musical/comedy murder mystery, “My Big Fat Italian Wedding Murder!” The audience takes on the role of guests attending a very Italian wedding before the cast members start dying off, it’s your job to figure out who the murderer is before the whole wedding party is on the ground. Playwright/Director Jimmy Ferraro has presented the show hundreds of times across the country and dozens of times in Chicago and the surrounding area, receiving the prestigious 2022 CHICAGO POST Readers Choice Award. Colin Douglas of the CHICAGO THEATRE REVIEW said the show is “a humdinger of an event that offers a marriage, a meal, mirth and a murder—all in one festive, fun-filled evening” and Al Bresloff of AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO wrote “Murder, marriage and mangia…How about an Italian wedding where someone gets killed? The show is fun!… See it once or see it often- you will never see the same show twice!”
available roles:
- 6-8 Female character — Ages 18-65
- 4-5 Male characters — Ages 18-65
- 1 Female character — Age 10 – 13
Everybody’s Favorite Mothers
Performances: june 26 & 27
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: June 18 – 25
Synopsis
Reader’s Theatre
rating: PG13
“Everybody’s Favorite Mothers” is a celebration of unconditional love and unlikely activism started in the summer of 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched in a parade with her gay son. She carried a home-made sign boldly declaring her support – and a new kind of movement was born. Jeanne and her husband Jules, went on to co-found a support group for parents, an organization that would eventually become known around the world as PFLAG. PG13
available roles:
- 4 Female characters — Ages 18+
- 2 Male characters — Ages 18+
Guys and Dolls
Performances: July 10, 11, 12
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: May 18 – July 9
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic musical comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal floating craps game, makes a bet with Sky Masterson that he can take Sarah Brown, a missionary to Havana. Meanwhile, Nathan’s long-suffering fiancée, nightclub singer Adelaide, wants him to finally marry her, leading to a chaotic mix of romance, high-stakes bets, and comedic situations. Hit songs include, “Luck Be a Lady”, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”, “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and more.
available roles:
- 9 Male characters — Ages 18+
- 3 Female characters — Ages 18+
- Large Ensemble — Ages 18+
The Winter’s Tale
Performances: August 8 & 9
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: July 13 – Aug 7
Synopsis
Shakespeare in the summer sun
rating: pg13
The jealous King Leontes falsely accuses his wife Hermione of infidelity with his best friend, and she dies. Leontes exiles his newborn daughter Perdita, who is raised by shepherds for sixteen years and falls in love with the son of Leontes’ friend.
available roles:
- 8 Male characters — Ages 13+
- 6 Female characters — Ages 13+
- 4 Non-gender specific characters — Ages 13+
Raunchy Little Musical
Performances: September 4, 5, 6 ; 11, 12, 13
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: August 10 – September 3
Synopsis
Musical
rating: 17+
Jimmy Ferraro brings his Off-Broadway hit to Dixon! Breaking the glass ceiling for Amy Schumer, Joan Rivers and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Belle Barth was the original irreverent female comic, deflating anyone who dare take sex too seriously.“Raunchy Little Musical”… Belle Barth is Back, is a hilarious and heartfelt musical that chronicles the launch of the 50s Queen of Crass, known as the “female” Lenny Bruce. She topped the charts of the Adult Only record section, the forbidden fruit of the 50s, selling over 3 million of her “party records” serving as sex education for today’s baby boomers. Belle defied the odds and rose to the top, playing to sold-out audiences worldwide, in an era when “women ain’t comics,” culminating in a sold-out Carnegie Hall performance. Adult themes and language
available roles:
- 2 Female characters — Ages 25 – 60
Senior Showcase
Performances: October 4
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Friday
Rehearsal dates: September 21 – October 2
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
After the SOLD OUT performance last season, Dixon Stage Left is thrilled to announce Sauk Valley’s ONE and ONLY, “SENIOR THEATRE!” is at it again! “WE STILL GOT IT!” is an all new, variety showcase with multi-talented seniors, performing at their very best! Singing, comedy, jokes, poetry, improvisation and much more! DSL’s Senior Theatre stars ages 55 and up! If you are 54 years old, you are too young for this group!” Don’t miss this magical tribute to our seniors that all ages will enjoy!
available roles:
- Seniors — Ages 55+
Silence of the Lambs
Performances: October 9, 10, 11 ; 16, 17, 18
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: september 14 – october 8
Synopsis
Play
rating: 17+
“The Silence of the Lambs” is a thriller where FBI trainee Clarice Starling must interview the imprisoned cannibal psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter to get information on another serial killer, Buffalo Bill, who is skinning his victims. Lecter agrees to help in exchange for personal details from Starling’s life, leading to a psychological game between them while Starling races to find and stop the active killer before he murders again.
Cast breakdown to be announced
What in the Dicken’s Happened to Scrooge
Performances: December 11, 12, 13 : 18, 19, 20
Rehearsal schedule: Monday – Thursday
Rehearsal dates: October 13 – November 20; november 30 – december 10; december 16 & 17
Synopsis
Musical
rating: PG
“What in the Dickens Happened to Scrooge?” a new Musical/Comedy. The overworked, underappreciated employees of the tyrannical, stingy Ebenezer Scrooge conspire to get him drunk and make him see himself as he really is. It’s a fun-filled, lively version of the classic tale, brought to life by a powerful score that is sure to rekindle the old-fashioned Christmas spirit in everyone.
available roles:
- 4 Male characters — Ages 18+
- 5 Female characters — Ages 18+
- 3 Male characters — Ages 10 – 14
- 2 Female characters — Ages 10 -14
- Ensemble — Ages 10+