UISPAC Audition Information
The UIS Performing Arts Center announces actor auditions for upcoming theatrical events.
Auditions for three unique theatrical events will be held in a single audition process. Actors will be able to express their interest in one or more of the events on their audition form and be considered for only the events/roles of their choice.
Adults and children ages 10 and up are invited to audition. For all roles, the UIS Performing Arts Center encourages participation by actors of all genders, races, and abilities. The set design for all these events will accommodate actors with mobility impairments.
Actors will do cold readings (unrehearsed readings) from the play(s) for auditions. No advance preparation is required.
Auditions will be held at the UIS Performing Arts Center, Level 1, Room 152, Multipurpose Room B on the following dates:
- Friday, September 25, 4 PM
- Friday, September 25, 5 PM
- Saturday, September 26, 10 AM
- Saturday, September 26, 11 AM
- Saturday, September 26, 2 PM
Actors only need to come to one audition time. Walk-ins at auditions are welcome, but you are strongly encouraged to sign up for an audition slot in advance by filling out this form: http://go.uis.edu/pacaudition.
Any questions about auditions can be directed to Carly Shank at carmi1@uis.edu or 217-206-8286.
THE EVENTS AND ROLES AVAILABLE
I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti
A GROUND FLOOR PRODUCTION
Presented by the UIS Performing Arts Center, produced and directed by Carly Shank
THE PLAY: I Never Saw Another Butterfly is a unique artistic experience: a theatrical, poetic, and musical journey that shares the imagined story, grounded in history, of Raja, one of more than 15,000 Jewish children who passed through the Terezin camp during World War II.
THE ACTORS: A total of eleven (11) actors are needed for this production. The actors must be versatile storytellers with an ensemble spirit.
Female-presenting roles:
Raja – a teenage inmate at Terezin, Raja appears age 14-18 years
Irena – teacher at Terezin, also an inmate at Terezin, of “mother” age
Irca/Renka (played by same actor) – Irca is a young woman engaged to Raja’s brother Pavel; Renka is a teaching assistant to Irena, both appear age 18-24
Mother – Raja’s mother
Vera – Raja’s aunt
Male-presenting roles:
Father – Raja’s father
Pavel – Raja’s older brother, appears age 18-24
Honza – inmate at Terezin, matching in age to Raja (14-18 years)
Rabbi – Marries Irca and Pavel, any age
Children:
4 children ages 10-14, any gender, all inmates at Terezin with a thoughtful, creative spirit of survival
REHEARSALS: Eighteen (18) rehearsals will be held at UIS between November 30 and January 27. Rehearsal days/times will be determined by the availability of the actors. All actors must be available for tech rehearsals the evenings of January 25, 26, and 27.
PERFORMANCES: The play will be presented in the UIS Studio Theatre for public performances:
- Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, January 30 at 7:00 PM
- Sunday, January 31 at 2:00 PM
And in UIS Sangamon Auditorium for performances on the school matinee Staley Class Acts series:
- Tuesday, February 2 at 10:00 AM
Please especially note the day of weekday performance. Actors will need to be available for all performances.
Each actor will be compensated $300 for participation in the rehearsals and performances of I Never Saw Another Butterfly.
Central Illinois Playwrights Collaborative Ten-Minute Festival
Presented by the UIS Performing Arts Center, produced by Carly Shank
THE EVENT: Central Illinois Playwrights Collaborative will present nine (9) ten-minute theatrical pieces in a two-act festival format for two performances, February 6 & 7, 2027. These nine original short works, each ten minutes or less, will showcase the creativity of local playwrights and the actors and directors who will bring them to life.
THE ACTORS: A range of adult actors (age 18+) are needed for this festival. A list of the specific roles will be made available in advance of auditions. That list will be posted by the UIS Performing Arts Center on their website and on social media and it will be emailed to all actors who have signed up for auditions.
REHEARSALS: Each ten-minute piece will have its own director and from one to three (1-3) actors. Each director will hold between 3 and 5 rehearsals in January, scheduled based on actor availability, prior to the tech rehearsal on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 PM. All actors will need to be present for the tech rehearsal on Friday, February 5 at 6:00 PM.
PERFORMANCES: The festival will be presented in the UIS Studio Theatre for public performances:
- Saturday, February 6 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, February 7 at 2:00 PM
Actors will need to be available for both performances.
Mothers & Sons by Terrance McNally
A GROUND FLOOR PRODUCTION
Presented by the UIS Performing Arts Center | Directed by Michael Savage
THE PLAY: A woman pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son’s partner—who is now married to another man and raising a young son—forcing her to confront her unresolved grief and the life her son led.
THE CHARACTERS:
Katharine Gerard — Bitter, lonely widow and conservative mother of the late Andre. She arrives unannounced, still unable to accept her son’s sexuality or death from AIDS.
Cal Porter — Andre’s surviving former lover, now a settled, patient man in his late 40s living a happy domestic life with his husband and young son.
Will Ogden — Cal’s younger husband and novelist, confident in their marriage and family, and impatient with the lingering shadow of Andre’s past.
Bud Ogden-Porter — Cal and Will’s bright, energetic six-year-old son who represents the hopeful “new normal” of their family.
REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will be held in March and April on evenings and weekends and will be scheduled based on actor availability. All actors will need to be available for tech week rehearsals the evenings of April 26, 27, and 28.
PERFORMANCES: The play will be presented in the UIS Studio Theatre for public performances:
- Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 PM
- Friday, April 30 at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 PM
- Sunday, May 2 at 3:00 PM
Each actor will be compensated $300 for participation in the rehearsals and performances.
