NextStop Theatre Company
2025/26 Season Auditions

Thank you for your interest in NextStop Theatre’s 2025-26 Season. A note about these auditions: this year, in place of a general open call, NextStop will be hosting first round auditions that are intended to be for the specific roles in this season’s shows. From these auditions, actors will be asked to come to show-specific callbacks throughout the month of June. If you wish to be considered for any of the shows this upcoming year you must sign up for a slot on one of the audition dates listed below. If you wish to be considered for multiple shows, please make sure you secure an audition slot for each of the shows you wish to be considered for.

AUDITION DATES & APPOINTMENTS
Newly Announced Dates:

Guards at the Taj
Tuesday, June 10, 5:30p-10:30p
NextStop Theatre 269 Sunset Park Drive Herndon, VA 20170
Performers auditioning for Guards at the Taj can sign up for an audition slot using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A8AA28A4FA7-56998825-nextstop#/

↓ D←R←O←W←N←E←R [Renword]
The Last Five Years
Once
Thursday, June 12th, 10a-10p
The Catholic University of America Ward Hall 620 Michigan Ave NE Washington, DC 20064
Performers auditioning for ↓ D←R←O←W←N←E←R [Renword], The Last Five Years, or Once can sign up for an audition slot using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A8AA28A4FA7-56996974-nextstop

After securing an audition slot, all actors are asked to submit their basic information, what shows they wish to be considered for; headshot, and resume through this link.

SEEKING
Non-Equity actors for roles in NextStop Theatre Company (Herndon, VA) 2025-26 Season (See breakdown).
All roles will be understudied.
NextStop Theatre is committed to hiring actors who reflect the vast diversity of our world. Performers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and performers living with disabilities are encouraged to audition.
Please contact us at casting@nextstoptheatre.org with any questions.

PREPARATION
For ↓ D←R←O←W←N←E←R [Renword], The Last Five Years, and Once:
Please prepare 1 one-minute comedic monologue and 1 one-minute dramatic monologue. Performers who audition for either of the musicals should prepare 32 bars of any song of their choosing. An accompanist will be provided. If you are auditioning for Once, please be prepared to either accompany yourself on your instrument* of choice or prepare a one-minute musical selection for an instrument you choose.

*Please note: Musicians should plan on bringing their own instruments. Only a piano will be available in the room. There will not be a drum kit available at either audition site. If you are a drummer, please submit a short 1 minute video of you playing the drums to casting@nextstoptheatre.org.

For Dream Hou$e and Guards at the Taj:* We will be emailing sides for you to prepare a few days before the auditions. Auditions may not exceed 5 minutes total. Please bring a copy of your headshot and resume stapled together.

*Please note, if you signed up for one of the original audition dates (May 27 or May 31) and are auditioning for Dream Hou$e or Guards at the Taj, you should prepare the originally requested monologues. You will not need to prepare the sides.

PERSONNEL
Expected to attend:
Producing Artistic Director: Heather Lanza
Executive Director: Vicki Kile
Casting/Production Coordinator: Jasmine Proctor
See breakdown for production specific personnel.

OTHER DATES
See breakdown below for production-specific dates.

SALARY
Actors’ stipends will be based on a $250 per week rate.

BREAKDOWN
NEXTSTOP THEATRE COMPANY’S 2025-26

SEASON NOTE: The character breakdowns within this document include gender specifications that reflect the identity of the characters as written by the playwrights. However, we strongly encourage performers with any gender expression and/or gender identity to audition for any role that they feel they are a fit for.

Dream Hou$e
Written by Eliana Pipes
Directed by Dylan Arredondo
Rehearsals Begin: Sat Aug 16, 2025
Previews Begin: Thurs Sept 11, 2025
Opening: Sat Sept 13, 2025
Closing: Sun Oct 5, 2025

Synopsis: In the wake of their mother’s death, two Latina sisters are appearing on an HGTV-style reality show to sell their family home, hoping to capitalize on the gentrification in their “changing neighborhood.” Dream Hou$e is a comedy that asks: What is the cultural cost of progress in America? And is cashing in always selling out?

PATRICIA- Latina or Afro Latina. She/Her. Late 30’s. Accountant by day. Julia’s older sister, with a distinct Older Sister Complex. She's practical to the core, and a natural caretaker – but often resentful of that role. Lived in the house for over a year taking care of their ailing mother. She believes money brings dignity, security, meaning.

JULIA- Latina or Afro Latina. She/Her. Early 30’s. Social studies teacher by day. Patricia’s younger sister, six months pregnant. Hasn’t lived in the house since she left for college, and is recently reclaiming her heritage in preparation for motherhood. Very sentimental. She believes culture brings dignity, security, meaning.

TESSA- White. She/Her. 30’s. Real estate agent and TV Host, well-meaning and energetic, always radiating charm. Tessa controls the reality show, and everything within it. She genuinely wants to help the Sisters, and using the show to get them the biggest payout possible is her understanding of what they need.

THE CREW- A company of actors who make up the ensemble of the piece. The Crew is a dynamic and near-constant presence on stage, they are the embodied arm of Flip It and List It: both the TV crew, and the renovation crew. They exist on stage in opposition to Sister Space.

The Last 5 Years
Written & Composed by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Aria Velz
Rehearsals Begin: Sat Oct 4, 2025
Previews Begin: Thurs Oct 30, 2025
Opening: Sat Nov 1, 2025
Closing: Sun Nov 23, 2025

Synopsis: The Last Five Years follows two New Yorkers, rising author Jamie and aspiring actress Cathy, as they fall in and out of love over the course of half a decade. This gut-wrenching musical explores how a couple, once united by their dreams, could stray so far from each other as their paths diverge.

CATHERINE HAITT- She/Her. 20’s-30’s. A struggling actress whose character arcs from an ambitious, fresh-faced girl in a new relationship to a woman stunned by a betrayal and a divorce that she is only beginning to understand. Soprano/Mezzo with powerful belt up to an E; Low: F#; even voice through the entire range w/very strong mix.

JAMIE WELLERSTEIN- He/Him. 20’s-30’s. A budding novelist whose character arcs from an ambitious guy on a promising first date with a dazzling career to someone who is blinded by success and ego. He is very lovable, yet makes unintentional choices that sabotage his own happiness. Powerful Bari-Tenor, strong top up to G#/A; strong flip (falsetto) in upper register; Low: C.

↓ D←R←O←W←N←E←R [Renword]
World Premier
Written by Nia Akilah Robinson
Directed by Heather Lanza
Rehearsals Begin: Sat Jan 3, 2026
Previews Begin: Thurs Jan 29, 2026
Opening: Sat Jan 31, 2026
Closing: Sun Feb 22, 2026

Synopsis: In this horror-comedy, two Black college students are employed to spend summer in the upstate New York home of a white 93-year-old retired professor. Things take a drastic turn as it becomes clear that something is not right with Professor Renword. As the Professor works to complete her life memoir, she becomes increasingly haunted by her troubled past.

DEE DEE: Black. She/Her. Early 20’s. Mourning the loss of her mother. A bit of a loner. Shows her more “fun and outgoing side with Riri”. Does have a temper.

RIRI: Black. She/Her. Early 20’s. Popular. Outgoing. Wants to make her mom proud by making money. Very active. Wide eyed.

PROFESSOR DIANA RENWORD: White. She/Her. 93-years-old*. *Played by an actor in their 50’s-70’s playing a 93 year old* A writer. She’s spent most of her life in isolation from metropolitan areas. Stares into space often. When active she moves sharply and with true intent. Hilarious.

THE ATTENDANT, JILLIAN: White. She/Her. 53 years old. Ventures between a British Dialect and an Overtly Jersey Dialect. Furious with the world. Cares about her daughter. Everything is a lie to her. Terrance Stamp’s character from The Haunted Mansion is the way Jillian’s physicality should be presented onstage.

KEISHA: Black or Latina. She/Her. Mid-late 50’s. Riri’s Mom. A police officer. Cares a lot, worries a lot, and is looking for love.

DAVID: Black. He/Him. Mid-late 50’s. Dee Dee’s Dad. Mourning, but also ready for love. A lover of horror movies.

Guards at the Taj
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Mekala Sridhar
Rehearsals Begin: Sat Feb 28, 2026
Previews Begin: Thurs Mar 26, 2026
Opening: Sat March 28, 2026
Closing: Sun April 19, 2026

Synopsis: Set in a fictionalized 1648 India, two Imperial Guards watch from their post as the sun rises on the newly-completed Taj Mahal for the first time—an event that shakes their respective worlds. When they are ordered to perform an unthinkable task, the aftermath forces them to question their very ideas of beauty, loyalty, and even their own friendship.

HUMAYUN: MENASA. He/Him. Late 20’s-late 30’s. An Imperial Guard. His father is the Chief Officer of the Guards. Lifelong friend of Babur. Has pride in his position and a rule-follower, mostly plays the straight man in the comedy duo but sometimes gets swayed by Babur's playfulness. This role must be played by a MENASA actor. Open to the role being played by an actor of any gender.

BABUR: MENASA. He/Him. Late 20’s-late 30’s. An Imperial Guard. Lifelong friend of Humayun. A dreamer who challenges the rules. Playful and impulsive. Desperately wants more. This role must be played by a MENASA actor. Open to the role being played by an actor of any gender.

Once
Book by Enda Walsh
Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Directed by Heather Lanza
Rehearsals Begin: Sat April 18, 2026
Previews Begin: Thurs May 21, 2026
Opening: Sat May 23, 2026
Closing: Sun June 21, 2026

Synopsis: On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into something more. Please

Note: Everyone will be required to play an instrument at your audition as all cast members play an instrument in the show. “Girl” must play the piano and “Guy” must play the guitar, but other characters may not be set in stone (*e.g., we do need a cast member to play violin/fiddle, but it may be someone other than “Reza,” who traditionally plays that instrument).

GIRL: She/Her. 20’s-40’s. Direct, intelligent, no nonsense, and witty. Should have something ‘other’ about her. Has had to work hard at life but doesn’t think she deserves any sympathy. Must play the piano and sing extremely well. Has a strong Czech (Eastern European) accent. Mezzo-Soprano.

GUY: He/Him. 20’s-40’s. A struggling Irish musician. Lost and a bit sad, but extremely appealing. Works with his Da in a vacuum repair shop. Must sing and play guitar extremely well. Has a strong Irish accent. Baritone.

BILLY: He/Him. 30’s-40’s. A large Irish man. Owner of the music store where Girl plays piano. Loud, funny and protective of Girl but also has a vulnerability. Must sing and play guitar* well. Has a strong Irish accent. Baritone.

REZA+ : She/Her. 20’s. A confident, funny, smart Czech girl. Often a bit larger than life. Must sing and play violin/fiddle* extremely well. Has a strong Czech (Eastern European) accent. Soprano.

BARUSKA+ : She/Her. 45+. Mother of Girl. A cool but caring Czech mother who likes a full house and full stomachs. Doesn’t possess many inhibitions. Must sing and play the accordion/piano* well. Has a strong Czech (Eastern European) accent. Alto.

BANK MANAGER: Any Gender. 30’s-40’s. Seems quite prim and proper but has a secret passion for music. Must sing and play guitar* and cello* well. Has a strong Irish (Cork) accent. Vocal type open.

DA+ : He/Him. 50+. Guy’s dad. A man of few words, but a lovely and caring father. Must play guitar*, ukulele/ mandolin* well. Has a strong Irish accent. Vocal type open.

SVEC: He/Him. 20’s-30’s. A very unique individual. Loves television and coffee. Must play guitar* and drum kit* extremely well. Has a strong Czech (Eastern European) accent. Baritone.

ANDREJ: He/Him. 20’s. Earnest and kind. An employee at a fast food chain, but has big dreams. Must play guitar* and bass guitar* extremely well. Has a strong Czech (Eastern European) accent. Baritone.

EAMON+ : He/Him. 20’s-40’s. The music studio manager where Guy and Girl record their album. A tough nut to crack but eventually gives into the musicians’ talents. Must sing and play guitar* (and piano*) well. Has a strong Irish accent. Baritone.

EMCEE+ : He/Him. 20’s-40’s. The emcee at a bar. A good-natured ball buster. Must sing and play guitar* (and piano*) extremely well. Has a strong Irish accent. Baritone.

EX-GIRLFRIEND+ : She/Her. 20’s-30’s. Guy’s ex-girlfriend who now lives in New York. Kind, lovely and likeable. Must play violin* extremely well. Has an Irish accent. Mezzo-Soprano.

IVANKA: The role of Ivanka will be cast at a later date.

+These roles may be tracked so the actors play 2 or 3 roles.
*Everyone will be required to play an instrument at your audition as all cast members play an instrument in the show. “Girl” must play the piano and “Guy” must play the guitar, but other characters may not be set in stone.