OACT

OACT Auditions

The production team of evan austin, Len Klaif, Andrew Eiden, Gamyn Blacker, Mike Blacker,
Bianca Rice, Catalina Austin, Laura Light, and Eric Umali invite you to join

Our Town

by Thornton Wilder

Directed by evan austin

Weekends, September 25th – October 18th, 2026

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM

 

About the Show

Our Town is a play about appreciating what life has to offer before it is too late, delivered with simplicity and beauty, with humor and a touch of existential fantasy. Major themes include mortality, appreciating life and community, companionship and marriage, love, and the circle of life.

The play is presented AS a play, with minimal set pieces and props, relying instead on pantomime, sound cues, and audience imagination. The Stage Manager character guides us through three acts, nicknamed “Daily Life,” “Love & Marriage,” and “Death & Eternity.” Characters are introduced and scenes are presented that flow around the central story of George and Emily from school days through end of life and beyond.

AUDITIONS

Saturday, July 18th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, July 19th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Ojai Art Center, Raymund Room
113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023

Callbacks

Tuesday, July 21st, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Become familiar with a scene from the sides linked below, for the character(s) you want to be considered for. They do not need to be memorized but should be familiar. You will be asked to read scenes with a variety of other actors.

AVAILABLE ROLES

• STAGE MANAGER (any gender or age) An authoritative figure who resembles a narrator as they guide the audience through the play. They are not simply a character; they could be considered a member of the crew staging the play as well. While the Stage Manager occupies a position outside of the narrative action, they do occasionally assume the role of an inhabitant of Grover’s Corners.

• DR. FRANK GIBBS (m,  40s-60s) The town’s doctor, a Civil War expert, a stern and fair man who cares for his family and community. 
• JULIA GIBBS (f, 40s-60s) Long-suffering traditional housewife. Initially yearns for a grander life, but finds comfort and joy in family.

• GEORGE GIBBS (m, 20s-30s, plays 16 through 26) Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs’ earnest and upstanding sixteen-year-old son, a local baseball star. He discovers his love for Emily, marries her in the second act, and grieves her loss in the third act.

• REBECCA GIBBS (f, 10-15) George’s younger sister. She realizes that Grover’s Corners is part of New Hampshire, part of America, part of the world, the universe…an important theme.
• CHARLES WEBB (m, 40s-60s) The editor and publisher of the town’s newspaper, and one of its most important citizens. Playful and progressive, adores his family. 
• MYRTLE WEBB (f, 40s-60s) A practical and traditional housewife, does not cry on the morning of Emily’s wedding, but later worries that she hasn’t taught her daughter enough about marriage. 

• EMILY WEBB (f, 20s-30s, plays 16 through 26) The Webbs’ intelligent daughter, who grows up during the play, joins the two major families together when she marries George Gibbs, and dies later during childbirth. She joins the group of souls in the local cemetery and attempts to return to the world of the living. Her realization that human life is precious because it is fleeting is perhaps the central message of the play.
• WALLY WEBB (m, 10-15) Emily’s younger brother and one of the spirits in the last act.
• SIMON STIMSON (m, 50s-60s) The organist of the Congregational Church who is the subject of town gossip because of his alcoholism. As a spirit in Act III, Simon’s memories of life are negative.
• LOUELLA SOAMES / WOMAN IN BALCONY / LADY IN BOX / WOMAN AMONG THE DEAD (f, 50s-60s) A local busybody and member of the church choir. She clucks over Simon’s alcoholism and idealizes George and Emily’s marriage. She is a spirit in the last act.
• HOWIE NEWSOME (m, 30s-40s) The milkman who guides a horse named Bessie. He begins the community’s daily ritual and distributes news via conversation.

• JOE CROWELL, JR (m, 8-15) Joe is the town’s paper boy, appearing in Acts I and III. He is smart and connected to his community, and likes people.
• SI CROWELL (m, 8-15) Joe’s younger brother, who takes Joe’s job as paper boy in Act II.
• SAMUEL CRAIG (m, 30s-40s) Emily Webb’s cousin, who has left Grover’s Corners to travel west, but returns for her funeral. Though originally from the town, Sam has the air of an outsider, unaware of the events that have occurred in Grover’s Corners during his absence.
• JOE STODDARD / MAN IN THE AUDITORIUM (m 50s-70s) The town undertaker. Joe prepares Emily’s grave and remarks on how sad it is to bury young people. He balances routine with tenderness.
• CONSTABLE BILL WARREN (m, 50s-70s) The town law enforcement officer. He is respected and confided in, a gentle presence, not an overbearing or aggressive one.
• PROFESSOR WILLARD / CHOIR MEMBER / MAN AMONG THE DEAD (m, 50s-70s) A professor at the State University who gives the audience a report on Grover’s Corners. Matter-of-fact academic, pleased to be included.
• 2-3 BASEBALL PLAYERS / STAGEHANDS (m, 16-20) George’s classmates/teammates, good-natured but unruly boys. These actors will also serve as stagehands for the few set changes.


 

Rehearsals and Performances

Rehearsals will begin July 27th – September 18th

Tech Week starts September 20th
Performances are weekends, September 25th – October 18th, 2026

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM

Please bring all potential rehearsal conflicts to auditions, and a headshot if you’re new to the Art Center. This is a non-equity production; there is no pay.

LOCATION
The Ojai Art Center Theater
The Ojai Art Center
113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023

 

SIDES

SIDES – Our Town – Dr Mrs Gibbs 1

SIDES – Our Town – Emily + George 1

SIDES – Our Town – Emily + George 2

SIDES – Our Town – Emily + Mrs Webb 1

SIDES – Our Town – Howie Newsome 1

SIDES – Our Town – Joe Crowell 1

SIDES – Our Town – Mr Mrs Webb 1

SIDES – Our Town – Mr Mrs Webb 2

SIDES – Our Town – Mr Webb + George 1

SIDES – Our Town – Mrs Gibbs 1

SIDES – Our Town – Mrs Gibbs Mrs Webb 1

SIDES – Our Town – Mrs Soames 1

SIDES – Our Town – Prof Willard 1

SIDES – Our Town – Rebecca 1

SIDES – Our Town – Sam Craig + Joe Stoddard 1

SIDES – Our Town – Si Crowell + Constable 1

SIDES – Our Town – Simon Stimson 1

SIDES – Our Town – Stage Manager 1

SIDES – Our Town – Stage Manager 2

SIDES – Our Town – Stage Manager 3

SIDES – Wally 1

 

Thank you for your interest!

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