University Theatre Spring 2027 Combined Auditions
University Theatre
Spring 2027 Combined Auditions Announcement
| She Kills Monsters | Ushuaia Blue |
| By Qui Nguyen | By Caridad Svich |
| Directed by Erica Berman | Directed by David Furumoto |
AUDITION INFORMATION:
University Theatre auditions are open to all UW–Madison students, regardless of major. Actors should sign up for ONE slot to audition for BOTH productions. All actors auditioning will be considered for both productions and actors are encouraged to attend any and all callbacks. Casting will be done collaboratively between productions.
Audition dates & times:
- Friday, November 6, 2026 6:00-9:00pm Vilas 1090
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 10:00am-1:00pm and 2:00-5:00pm Vilas 1090
- Sunday, November 8
- Ushuaia Blue callbacks 10:00am-12:00pm Vilas 1090
- She Kills Monsters callbacks 1:30-4:30pm Vilas 1090 and 1153
Please sign up for a time via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D49AAA822AAF49-66940382-spring
Or scan the code:
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Actors are encouraged to read the scripts prior to auditions. Perusal copies of the scripts are available at this link Spring 2027 Scripts or from the Department of Theatre and Drama Main Office, 6173 Vilas, 821 University Ave, during regular hours 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday.
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For Auditions:
- She Kills Monsters
- Actors will be given a prompt for improvised movement, and should dress accordingly.
- Actors should select one of the sides and prepare to read for the character listed below. Memorization is not expected or required. Hard copies will be available at auditions.
- Callbacks
- Actors called back will receive an email in advance with details.
- Callbacks will include cold readings from the script, an individual choreographed stage combat routine, a cheerleader dance routine, and/or a puppeting exercise. Please dress for movement.
- Ushuaia Blue
- Actors should prepare the following speech. Memorization is not expected or required. Hard copies will be available at auditions.
- Callbacks
- Actors called back will receive an email in advance with details.
THE PLAYS:
She Kills Monsters
Agnes Evans’ life is turned upside down when her sister Tilly (a queer nerd and Agnes’ opposite) is killed in a car accident. When Agnes later finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, it catapults her into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, She Kills Monsters offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Content advisory: Themes of grief and loss (a car crash killing a teenager), bullying & homophobia, stage violence and fantasy action (including fake body parts being thrown), sexual content and innuendo, and profanity.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
- Rehearsals: January 19, 2027-March 3, 2027. Monday-Friday 6-10pm. Technical rehearsals begin Thursday, February 25 with the 8 out of 10 hour technical rehearsal on Saturday, February 27.
- Performances: March 4-14, 2027, including two 10am student matinee performances on March 10 and March 12, 2027.
- Venue: Mitchell Theatre
- Student actors cast in this production must register for 1-3 credits of THEATRE 360.
- Students cast in She Kills Monsters and students enrolled in 262 backstage run crew for She Kills Monsters will be required to participate in a 2-hour post-show strike after the closing performance on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
OPEN ROLES
Roles may be cast by actors who identify as any age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, or nationality, unless indicated below.
ACTOR TRACKS (15): All italicized names are the D&D world characters
- Agnes Evans
- Tilly Evans / Tillius the Paladin
- Miles
- Chuck
- Orcus / Ronnie
- Lilith Morningstar / Lilly
- Kaliope Darkwalker / Kelly
- Vera / The Beholder
- Steve/Adventurer Steve
- Narrator / Farrah
- Evil Gabbi / Tiamat
- Evil Tina / Tiamat
- Monster 1
- Monster 2
- Monster 3
Understudies
This production will also cast understudies from both within the cast and in addition to the cast. Understudies learn designated roles and attend specified rehearsals. Expectations will be clearly laid out in the syllabus in advance.
STAGE VIOLENCE, STAGE INTIMACY, & HEIGHTENED CONTENT:
- All instances of staged violence (SV), staged intimacy (SI), heightened content (HC), or other information (OTHER) for the characters required of the script are noted by “SV / SI / HC / OTHER” below along with the character descriptions.
- Staged Intimacy: any physical interaction that conveys or implies sexual, romantic, or sexually charged content will be led by the Intimacy Director.
- Staged Violence: any physical interaction that involves real or simulated violence will be led by a trained Fight Director.
- Heighted Content: scripted moments of an intense or provocative nature that may be concerning.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
- Agnes Evans: (F, 25) A high school English teacher struggling with the loss of her sister Tilly. Clueless to nerd culture.
- SI: Agnes kisses Miles (p 14)
- SV: A Bugbear strikes Agnes in the face hard three times (p 26-27)
- SV: Impaled by a Bugbear’s weapon (p 27)
- SV: Battles with the Bugbears (p 28)
- SV: Lilith backhands Agnes (p 30)
- SV: Montage of killing different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Tossed over Farrah’s shoulder (p 36)
- SV: Evil Tina grabs Agnes by the throat (p 43)
- SV: Miles slashes Agnes’ arm with a sword, Agnes kicks Miles “in the nuts” and then breaks his neck (p 59)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against the Succubi (p 67)
- OTHER: Participates in a “comedic and funny” dance battle (p 69)
- SV: Kills Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina (p 69)
- SV: Kills Steve with a knife to head (p 79)
- SV: Fights an epic battle with a 5 headed monster named Tiamat (p 80-81)
- Tilly Evans/Tillius the Paladin: (F, 15) A self proclaimed “dorky…closeted lesbian” and the younger sister of Agnes. Nerdy, sarcastic, bullied.
- SV: Kills a horde of Kobalds (p 7)
- SV: Kills three monsters (p 18)
- SV: Impales her sword into a bugbear (p 27)
- SV: Battles with the Bugbears (p 28)
- SV: Montage of killing different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Smacked in the face by one of Farrah’s wings (p 36)
- SI: “Pretty physical” “make out” session with Lillith (p 40)
- HC: Evil Tina (p 44 & 68) & Evil Gabbi (p 45) call Tilly a “dyke”
- SV: Kicked in the face by Evil Gabbi (p 45)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against the Succubi (p 67)
- OTHER: Participates in a “comedic and funny” dance battle (p 69)
- Chuck: (M, late teens) A quirky and dramatic Dungeon Master.
- SV Note: Miles grabs him and tries to put him in a headlock (p 38)
- Miles: (M, 20s) Agnes’s boyfriend of five years.
- SI: Miles kisses Agnes (p 14)
- SV: Grabs Chuck and tries to put him in a headlock (p 38)
- SV: Suspects his adult girlfriend is cheating on him with a teenager (p 51)
- HC: As a gelatinous cube, makes a sexist comment to Agnes (p 58)
- SV: Slashes Agnes’ arm with a sword, Agnes kicks Miles “in the nuts” and then breaks his neck (p 59)
- SV: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina kill Miles (p 66)
- Orcus/Ronnie: (M, teens) A lazy demon overlord who would rather watch TV. Ronnie is Kelly’s brother.
- SV: Montage of killing different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Decked in the mouth & pushed to the ground by Farrah (p 34)
- SV: Kicked in his “demon-balls” by Farrah (p 36)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against the Succubi (p 67)
- OTHER: Participates in a “comedic and funny” dance battle (p 69)
- Vera /Beholder: (F, 25) A School Counselor and Agnes’ sarcastic and straight-talking coworker and best friend.
- HC: References STDs and genitalia of a student (p 24)
- SV: Defeated by Tilly’s team while wearing a large eye puppet (p 78)
- Lilith Morningstar/Lilly: (F, teens) A leather-clad Demon Queen (and Tilly’s in-game girlfriend).
- OTHER: Script suggests her D&D costume shows a lot of skin (p 17)
- SV: Kills three monsters (p 18)
- SV: Backhands Agnes (p 30)
- SV: Montage of killing different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Kicked in the head by Farrah (p 36)
- SI: “Pretty physical” “make out” session with Tilly (p 40)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against the Succubi (p 67)
- SV: Stabbed and killed by the Succubi (p 68)
- HC: Lilith tells Agnes that Tilly was her first kiss (p 77)
- Kaliope Darkwalker/Kelly: (F, teens) A Dark Elf spell caster. Kelly is Ronnie’s sister. NOTE: the script notes that the character of Kelly has cerebral palsy, but the actor will not be portraying disability (ie: using fore-arm crutches) in the play.
- OTHER: Script suggests her D&D costume shows a lot of skin (p 17)
- SV: Kills three monsters (p 18)
- SV: Montage of killing different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Kicked in the head by Farrah (p 36)
- SI: Asks Agnes if she wants to “copulate” with her (p 54) and leans in for a kiss (p 55)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against the Succubi (p 67)
- OTHER: Participates in a “comedic and funny” dance battle (p 69)
- Narrator: (F, ageless) An epic storyteller a la Cate Blanchett from The Lord of the Rings.
- Steve/Adventurer Steve: (M, teen) An enthusiastic mage who, as a running gag, dies multiple times throughout the game.
- SV: Steve’s neck is broken and he is killed by Farrah (p 35)
- SV: Steve is sucked into a Gelatinous Cube (p 55)
- SV: Steve is killed by the Succubi (p 67)
- SV: Steve is killed by Agnus with a knife to head (p 79)
- Farrah (F, ageless) A fairy boss who appears sweet, but has an aggressive and homicidal personality. A singer (for a brief moment).
- SV: Decks Orcus in the mouth and pushes him to the ground (p 34)
- SV: Breaks Steve’s neck (p 35)
- SV: Kicks Orcus “in his demon-balls” (p 36)
- SV: Kicks Lillith and Kaliope in the head (p 36)
- SV: Tosses Agnes over her shoulder (p 36)
- SV: Slo-mo falls off stage (p 37)
- Evil Gabbi and Evil Tina: (F, teens) Cheerleader succubi that bully Tilly, in particular about her sexuality. Must be strong dancers, gymnastics experience would be a bonus.
- SV: Evil Tina grabs Agnes by the throat (p 43)
- HC: Evil Tina (p 44 & 68) & Evil Gabbi (p 45) call Tilly a “dyke”
- HC / SV: Evil Gabbi leans in to kiss Tilly, but kicks her in the face (p 45)
- SV: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina kill Miles (p 66)
- SV: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina kill Steve (p 67)
- SV: “A huge fight ensures” against Tilly & her party (p 67)
- SV: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina stab and kill Lillith (p 68)
- OTHER: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina perform an elaborate cheerleading / hip-hop fusion routine (p 69)
- SV: Evil Gabbi & Evil Tina are killed by Agnes (p 69)
- Monsters: (3 any gender) This ensemble brings the fantasy Dungeons & Dragons world of “New Landia” to life through a variety of monsters and puppets.
- SV: Slayed by Tilly as a horde of Kobalds (p 7)
- SV: Slayed by Tillius, Kaliope, and Lillith as monsters (p 18)
- SV: Attacks Agnes as Bugbears (p 26)
- SV: Tilly impales the Bugbears (p 27)
- SV: Battles with Tilly and Agnes as the Bugbears (p 28)
- SV: Montage of being killed as different monsters in different ways (p 32)
- SV: Fights an epic battle with Agnes as a 5 headed monster named Tiamat (p 80-81)
Ushuaia Blue
In a world where science, art, and love intersect, a scientist and a filmmaker pursuing their dream research in Antarctica’s fragile environment suddenly find their lives disrupted. A tragedy forces the couple to examine the lives they’ve built for themselves, while healing the deep wounds that climate change has inflicted on them and the people around them. Inspired by conversations with marine biologist James McClintock, and set in Ushuaia, Argentina, Palmer Station in Antarctica and the American South, this gripping new play by Caridad Svich will leave you breathless and inspired.
Content Advisory: The script illustrates climate change impacts around the world, including its effects on all the characters in the play. Sensitive topics include climate-change trauma, PTSD, coma state, depression, generational trauma. Also, as climate change also exacerbates existing social inequalities, topics like classism, racism and sexism are suggested throughout the play.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
- Rehearsals: March 1-April 14, 2027. Monday-Friday 6-10pm with 2 TBD weekend rehearsals based on company availability. There is no rehearsal during spring break, March 20-28. Technical rehearsals begin Thursday, April 8 with the 8/10 technical rehearsal on Saturday, April 10.
- Performances: April 15-25, 2027.
- Venue: Hemsley Theatre
- Student actors cast in this production must register for 1-3 credits of THEATRE 360.
- Students cast in Ushuaia Blue and students enrolled in 262 backstage run crew for Ushuaia Blue will be required to participate in a 2-hour post-show strike after the closing performance on Sunday, April 25, 2027.
OPEN ROLES
Roles may be cast by actors who identify as any age, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, or nationality, unless indicated below.
- Jordon – biologist, married to Sarah, their relationship is showing signs of fracturing like the ice, 30-40
- Sarah – bioacoustic scientist and a filmmaker, married to Jordan, suffers traumatic fall, 30-40
- Piper* – second or third female cousin to Sarah
- Ash* – friend of Piper
- Zane* – friend to Piper, pragmatic, likely a farmer
- Pepa – native of Ushuaia, of mixed heritage, weathered and ageless, wise person, open to all gender expressions.
*These three roles usually appear together and act somewhat like a Greek or Noh chorus, commenting and observing on what is happening.
Understudies
This production will also cast understudies. Understudies learn designated roles and attend specified rehearsals. Expectations will be clearly laid out in the syllabus in advance.
Staged Intimacy: Any physical interaction that conveys or implies sexual, romantic, or sexually charged content will be led by the Intimacy Director. All instances of staged intimacy are noted below. There will be no staged intimacy during auditions or callbacks.
Staged Intimacy Moments:
- Sarah and Jordan kiss (page 13)
- Note about Sarah and Jordan’s relationship: due to given circumstances, additional moments may be discovered during the rehearsal process. These might include hand-holding, embraces, or other familiar touch. All moments will be staged within the actor’s consent boundaries. Non-sexual touch will be staged by the director with the actor’s consent.
Staged Violence: None
Heightened Content: see Content Advisory.
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Do you have any questions?? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Artistic Director Aly Amidei at aramidei@wisc.edu or Production Manager Jahana Azodi at jazodi@wisc.edu
