AUDITIONS

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AUDITION INFORMATION

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by Aeschylus
Adaptation by Robert Auletta

A Wisconsin Classic Stage Production

AUDITIONS

When: Sunday February 15th | 2pm-6pm

Where: Calvary Presbyterian Church, Talley Hall
Callbacks: Sunday February 22 | 2pm-6pm

First Rehearsal: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Rehearsals: Tuesday–Friday 6pm–10pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday 2pm-6pm
Tech: April 20–23, 2026
Performances: April 24–26, 2026

Director: Josh Pohja (dir. Henry V (Wisconsin Classic Stage) Other local credits: My Name is Rachel Corrie, Antigone, All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, The Skin of Our Teeth, An Enemy of The People, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing.

Produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc., NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com

AUDITION INFORMATION

Wisconsin Classic Stage is casting for our upcoming production of The Persians, a bold and timeless story of power, pride, and consequence. We are seeking courageous, compelling performers with a special interest in Black, African American, African, Southwest Asian & North African (Middle Eastern), and South Asian identities, and welcome actors of all nationalities, ethnicities, genders, and abilities to attend.

Please Note: This production is loud and immersive, with drums, explosions, and intense emotional moments. Performers with sensory sensitivities or on the spectrum should consider this when auditioning; accommodations can be discussed.

Sign up here -----> : https://forms.gle/EmC6Daq8tQ1rMPW98

You will be contacted within 48 hours for your audition slot. Please also bring a resume and headshot if available. Wear comfortable clothing and arrive at least 10 minutes early to accommodate parking and check-in.

PREPARATION

Prepare one classical monologue written before 1800, two minutes or under. You may be offered re-direction. Callbacks will include scene work, role-specific pairing, and movement activity.

Questions may be directed to: Katherine Zeimann casting@wisconsinclassicstage.com

SYNOPSIS

The first surviving play in Western drama, The Persians stands as a radical act of empathy and political courage. Rather than celebrating victory, Aeschylus tells the story of war from the perspective of the defeated. In this modern adaptation, Robert Auletta relocates the story to Iraq during the first Gulf War, asking American audiences to confront the human cost of conflict and to question inherited narratives of enemy and triumph. The result is a haunting, urgent, and deeply human examination of power, loss, and responsibility.

CASTING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIAL ROLES

ATOSSA (Female)
30 or older. The Persian queen mother and emotional heartbeat of the play. Commanding, wise, and deeply magnetic. Must carry authority and grief with presence that captivates.

XERXES (Male)
18 to late 20s. Persian king. Pure fire and pride. Bold, ambitious, and impossible to ignore. Needs charisma and energy that ignites the stage.

DARIUS (Male)
30s to 60s, any ability. Ghost of the former king. Carries gravitas, memory, and consequence with compelling authority. Must feel inevitable and commanding in every moment.

MESSENGER (Any Gender, 21+)
Physically demanding. Brings the weight of war and consequence to life with clarity, energy, and with the precision of a dancer.

CHORUS (Two Performers, 21+, Male, Any Ability)
Three-dimensional, dynamic voices. Serve as witnesses, commentators, and moral guides. Each must bring individuality, intelligence, and magnetic energy while sustaining ensemble presence.

At Wisconsin Classic Stage, we are dedicated to fostering an audition and casting process that is welcoming, inclusive, and artistically enriching. We continually evaluate and refine our approach to ensure all artists feel valued, respected, and inspired to collaborate with us.

We hire both AEA and non-AEA actors, and we encourage all performers to submit. Our productions celebrate bold storytelling, and we believe in assembling dynamic ensembles that bring new vitality to the classics. 

We believe that Wisconsin theater should reflect the cultural dynamics and broad diversity of the state we live in. DEI is not a bad word in our culture. Diversity of thought and creative background cultivates a more fertile creative playground. Therefore, we commit to:

✔️ Inclusive Casting – We approach every script with the assumption that roles can be played by actors of any age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, or physical ability, except when these factors are essential to the story.
✔️ Reimagining the Classics – We honor the playwright’s intent while embracing innovative casting choices that challenge tradition and enrich interpretation.
✔️ Equitable Opportunities – We are committed to fair compensation and ensuring that actors have access to meaningful, paid work. We are transparent about hiring practices. 

We participate annually in the Milwaukee Generals and Milwaukee Diversity Generals, where both equity and non-equity actors can be seen for our upcoming season.

🔹 Headshot & Resume Submissions: We welcome materials year-round. Every submission is thoughtfully reviewed, and select actors will be invited to audition. For some productions, we hold local open calls, which will be announced on our website and social media.

🔹 Want to submit for a particular show? Complete our headshot and resume form below . If your materials are updated, you may re-submit, but please do so no more than once a year to: wisconsinclassicstage [at] gmail.com 

📬 Prefer to mail your materials? Send them to:
Attn: Casting
Wisconsin Classic Stage
628 N. 10th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233

📧 Questions and submissions? Email us at wisconsinclassicstage [at] gmail.com 

At Wisconsin Classic Stage, we are dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices of Wisconsin storytellers. Our mission is to bring bold, resonant, and locally rooted narratives to life, ensuring that the stories of our region take center stage, however we are solely devoted to only adaptation of classics plays, preferably in a Wiscnisn setting and theme.

🎭 For Playwrights: At this time, we are only able to consider scripts from playwrights adapting classic plays who are based in Wisconsin as part of our commitment to uplifting our state’s artistic community.

🎭 For Directors & Theater Professionals: We welcome submissions and  ideas for classic theatrical events. Please send inquiries and preferably pitchdecks to wisconsinclassicstage [at] gmail.com for consideration.

Thank you for your understanding and support in shaping a vibrant, homegrown theatrical landscape!

Are you in an upcoming production? We love seeing local talent in action! If you’d like to invite us to a performance, send details to wisconsinclassicstage [at] gmail.com While we are a small team, we do our best to support and attend.