new Opportunities

What the Constitution Means to Me Audition Notice  

Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Virginia is announcing auditions for What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck, directed by Chelsea Burke.

Summary:

Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me blends personal storytelling with a critical examination of the U.S. Constitution. As a teenager, Heidi traveled across America, earning her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions. Now, as an adult living in the world we live in with the choices she made along the way, she takes a closer look at the Constitution and its effects on herself, on the women in her family, and the United States at large. The play explores themes of constitutional rights, gender equality, and the personal impact of historical documents on contemporary life and asks; Who does this document serve? Who gets to be included in ‘We the People?’ And how can a centuries-old document evolve beyond its ingrained biases to address the issues we face today? This piece is warm, witty, urgent, and ultimately, hopeful…hopefully :) 

Seeking: 

Non-union actors for the following roles and understudies:

Heidi Schreck

Female-identifying. 30s–50s. Any race/ethnicity.

A charismatic, intelligent, and deeply engaging woman. She is part stand-up comedian, part orator, part historian, part debater. As an adult, she recreates the speech she gave as a teenager, only to discover that memory, history, and lived experience refuse to stay in the past. She is witty, vulnerable, politically curious, emotionally courageous, and comfortable speaking directly to an audience. Think Leslie Knope meets Michelle Obama.  Requires exceptional storytelling ability, stamina, and the willingness to learn how to debate! 

Teen Debater

Female-identifying or non-binary. Seeking exceptional teenage actors or actors 18+ to play a teenager. Any race/ethnicity.

A bright, confident high school student who participates in a constitutional debate with Heidi. Intelligent, passionate, funny, and unafraid to challenge authority. Looking for a debater/actor with strong text work, quick instincts, and the ability to balance earnestness with humor. Think Malala Yousafzai meets Amanda Gorman. Essentially, bring your most confident, passionate self.

Firehouse Theatre is especially interested in hearing from current high school students with debate experience, though prior debate experience is not required. The role may be cast with either an adult actor playing younger or an actual high school student. This role may be double cast.

Legionnaire

Male-identifying. Late 30s–80s. Any race/ethnicity.

A local American Legion member who serves as moderator, emcee, and occasional authority figure and compassionate space holder throughout the evening. Warm, sincere, and charming, with a strong sense of tradition. The role benefits from excellent comic timing, comfort improvising lightly with an audience, and the ability to shift between humor and genuine humanity. Think Jim Clyburn meets Ron Swanson or Scout Master Ward. 

Firehouse seeks 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.

Audition Dates and Times: 

Sunday, August 23, 2026 5-9pm AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Tuesday August 25, 2026 6-9pm CALLBACKS BY INVITATION ONLY 

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. 

Virtual submissions are welcome - please email a video of your opening argument to auditions@firehousetheatre.org by Friday August 20.

What to prepare: 

Please prepare a 1-minute debate argument on a topic you are passionate about, any subject - take a stance for or against. Think opening argument!

Audition sides will be provided for callbacks.

Rehearsal and Performance Dates: 

Rehearsals will begin on or around February 8th, 2027

*Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends

Performances run March 10th through March 28th, 2027

Compensation: 

Actors will be paid $500-$2800 for the project, commensurate with experience and the size of your role.