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Auditions
WITCHDUCK Audition Notice
Firehouse Theatre and Cadence are announcing auditions for a staged workshop and the World Premiere production of WitchDuck, written by Eva DeVirgilis, directed by Rebecca Wahls, with movement by Laine Satterfield, to be performed at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, VA.
Synopsis:
It's 1706. Virginia’s last convicted witch is sentenced to trial by water. Over 300 years later, she still won't stay down. The true story of Grace Sherwood resurfaces in this wickedly subversive new play.
Seeking:
A wonderful ensemble of daring, creative and FUNNY equity and non-union female identifying & non-binary female presenting actors for the following roles (and others):
GRACE SHERWOOD 30s-40s. Midwife. Widow. Accused of witchcraft. Sharp-witted and resilient. A woman out of step with her time, and paying the price for it.
MARGARET WATKING 30s–40s. Grace’s closest ally. Limbless not as spectacle but symbol: an allegory of women cut off, bound, and silenced. Fiercely loyal. Unapologetically brave.
WILMOT REDD 50s–60s+ A brassy Bostonian who tossed the rulebook after her third witchcraft accusation. Sharp, shameless, and riotously funny. She lights the path for Grace. Inspired by the real Wilmot Redd of Marblehead, MA, executed for witchcraft in 1692
WINIFORD DAVIS 50+ A seasoned survivor of patriarchy’s long game. She has internalized the rules about women being “past their prime” and turned her bitterness into armor. She’s quick with a quip and harsher on young women than they deserve, until she awakens.
MARY BURGESS 20s. Wide-eyed, kind-hearted, and eager to belong. Raised to spot flaws in other women before they’re spotted in her.
BARRY MATHER 40s+ Hilarious, for all the wrong reasons. The embodiment of entitled white male privilege. A conniving clown with an inferiority complex. Terrorizes the town with a smile and a Bible in hand.
ELIZABETH HILL 20s–30s. Hardened. Jealous. Raised to mistrust women and stay in her place. Married to an abusive husband. Stands by him because it’s safer than being alone. A hype girl who benefits from the patriarchy.
LUKE HILL 30s–50s. Loud, petty, and proud of his ignorance. Accuses Grace in order to protect his reputation and ego. Abuses power and his wife with equal ease.
Firehouse and Cadence seek collaborative, hardworking, kind, inspired, and inspiring actors, who are ready to support one another and invest in the overall success of the project and the organization. Firehouse supports playwrights and directors in their visions for both culturally-appropriate and non-traditional casting. Trans and non-binary female-presenting actors are strongly encouraged to audition for Witchduck.
Audition Dates and Times:
*THERE ARE NO AUDITION SPOTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME*
Location:
All auditions are at the Firehouse Theatre
1609 W. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
To schedule an appointment:
Please email auditions@firehousetheatre.org, with your preferred time and role, and we will provide you with your appointment date and time prior to auditions.
Video Submissions:
Out of market actors are welcome to audition. An in-person audition is preferred, but if an out of town audition is necessary, you may submit a video of the completed audition packet (audition and callback sides) no later than 5pm, Thursday September, 4th.
What to prepare:
Audition sides will be provided upon confirmation of your appointment.
Workshop Dates:
Rehearsals begin on/around October 6th, 2025
*Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends
Presentations October 17th (7:30pm) and 18th (2pm and 7:30pm), 2025
World Premiere Rehearsal and Performance Dates:
Rehearsals will begin on/around Monday, April 6th, 2026
*Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends
Performances run May 6th - May 24th, 2026
Additional Casting Note:
Actors may be offered the workshop only or may be offered both the workshop and world premiere production. If you are offered the workshop only, you are under consideration for the world premiere production. If you are offered both the workshop and world premiere, participation in both is strongly preferred.
Compensation:
For the workshop: All actors will receive a project stipend of $250.
For the World Premiere Production: Members of Actors Equity will be on the new Single Engagement Agreement (category 1, tier B), $550 weekly minimum. Non-union actors are paid $1750 - $2100 for the project, commensurate with experience and the size of the role.
This production is made possible through the generous support of the following (including an anonymous sponsor):
