new Opportunities

Floyd Collins Audition Notice  

Firehouse Theatre is announcing auditions for the musical Floyd Collins, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel and book by Tina Landau, with direction by Katrinah Carol Lewis, Music Direction by Anthony Smith, and Choreography by Tippi Hart, to be performed at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, VA. 

Synopsis: 

This haunting musical, featuring a glorious folk and bluegrass-inspired score, tells the transcendent tale of a true American dreamer. In 1925, while chasing fame and fortune by turning a Kentucky cave into a tourist attraction, Floyd Collins himself becomes the attraction when he is trapped 200 feet underground.

Seeking: 

Union and non-union musical theatre performers (singers and singers who move) for the following roles: 

Characters: Floyd Collins -Male, 30s, any ethnicity. A charismatic, gritty and intense Kentucky caver dreaming of fame and fortune by transforming a cave into a tourist attraction.An excellent baritenor voice in a non-traditional musical theatre style. Ability to yodel a plus.

Homer Collins - Male, 20s, any ethnicity. Floyd’s exuberant and charming younger brother and closest friend. Has dreams for himself beyond staying in Kentucky. An excellent, strong tenor voice with a high C.

Nellie Collins - Female, 20s, any ethnicity. Floyd’s younger sister with whom he shares a close friendship and connection. A sensitive and otherworldly soul with an offbeat perspective and demeanor. An excellent soprano voice with a belt that can navigate different styles of music.

Lee Collins - Male, 60s, any ethnicity. Floyd’s father. Tough and domineering on the outside, but with deteriorating physical health. A stern, stoic, and religious man who is cracking. A strong baritone voice.

Miss Jane - Female, 50s-60s. any ethnicity. Floyd’s stepmother. Earthy, wise and calm, trying to hold her family together during the crisis as best she can. A strong alto voice that can navigate different styles of music.

Skeets Miller - Male, 20s – 30s, any ethnicity. A reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal, he is short and small enough to reach Floyd while he’s trapped. Dry, earnest, quirky, compassionate. Mostly a non-singing role, must still have excellent musicality and a voice that can navigate different styles of music.

Jewell Estes - Male, 18+ to play teens. Any ethnicity. A local teenage boy. Mischievous, straggly, an annoying but loveable presence. Plays guitar well and has a strong baritenor voice with range that can navigate different styles of music.

H.T. Carmichael - Male, mid 40s – early 60s. Any ethnicity. An engineer and businessman who takes over the rescue attempt

Other characters and ensemble: 

Other characters include: Bee Doyle - owner of the farm in which Floyd becomes trapped, Ed Bishop - a local caver, Clif Roney - a young filmmaker, Dr. Hazlett - a doctor from Chicago reporters and characters at the Carnival - Hawkers, Con Man, Jugglers, Sparkplug Eddie Bray, et al.

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. Firehouse is open to gender neutral casting for the 3 reporters and possibly other roles. 

Audition Dates and Times: 

Sunday, May 10th 5:30-10pm AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Monday, May 11th 5:30-10pm AUDITIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Tuesday, May 12th 6-10pm CALLBACKS BY INVITATION ONLY

Location: 

All auditions and callbacks will be held at 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. 

If called back, you will be taught a brief movement/dance combination. Please wear or bring clothes to move in.  

Video Submissions: 

Out of market actors are welcome to audition. An in-person audition is preferred, but if unable to attend in person, you may submit a video of the completed audition packet (audition and callback sides) no later than 5pm, Thursday May 7th. 

What to prepare: 

Audition and callback sides will be provided upon confirmation of your appointment. 

Rehearsal and Performance Dates: 

Rehearsals will begin either Monday, October 5th or Monday, October 12th, 2026

*Rehearsals will be on weekday evenings and weekends

Performances run November 11th through November 29th, 2026

*There will be no performances on Thanksgiving Day

Compensation: 

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.