SURGING FILMS & THEATRICS
DIGITAL CONTENT. ENGAGING THEATRE. LIVE EVENTS. ALL YEAR.
Surging Films & Theatrics is holding auditions for their 2026 Non-Equity
Summer Season of The Elephant Man and Newsies. All roles are paid stipends.
Local Chicagoland hires only (no housing or travel provided). We encourage performers of all ethnicities, identities, ages, and abilities to attend.
All performances will take place at Theater Wit for our summer 2026 productions.
Video submissions will be accepted until March 15th at 11:59pm CST. Callbacks will be sent out by March 18th. Callbacks will be on April 8th from 6-10pm and April 11th from noon-5pm. We will do our best to accommodate preferred callback times; however, slots are limited. The callbacks will heavily feature a dance call that will include an optional tap.
If auditioning for both productions: please submit a 32 bar musical cutting in the style of the show (can be from the show) or select one of the cuttings provided below. A dance reel (optional), and a short monologue in the style of the play or select a monologue/scene cutting provided below.
If auditioning for Newsies only: 32 bar musical cutting in the style of the show (can be from the show) or select one of the cuttings provided. A dance reel (optional)
If auditioning for The Elephant Man only: a short monologue in the style of the play or select a monologue/scene cutting provided.
Please send headshot/resume/and video links to sftauditions@gmail.com and also fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/F5nvbY28LWoduTku5
The Elephant Man
by Bernard Pomerance
*The roles of Dr. Treves and John Merrick have already been cast. All other roles are open and available.*
Directed by Conor Frank
Mrs. Kendal - (Traditional London accent, but more refined. A performer. Socially couth. Does not double.) An actress within the London scene. Makes herself known to “high society”. A deep empathy within her. Effortlessly charming.
*This role may require partial topless nudity. An intimacy coordinator will be provided.*
Ross - (Cockney accent, gruff. Does not double) Merrick's Circus Handler
Carr Gomm/Belgian Police - (Traditional London/Belgian Accent) Dr. Treves right hand man/Aggressive Police
Snork/Conductor/Lord John - (variety of accents) A fun orderly/a coercive train conductor/a shady financier
Miss Sandwich/Princess Alexandra/Pinhead - (variety of accents) nurse repulsed by Merrick/a princess/circus freak (highly physical)
Porter/Duchess/London Police/Pinhead - (variety of accents) an orderly/a visitor/a helpful policeman/circus freak (highly physical)
Bishop/Count/Pinhead Manager - (variety of accents) a Christian man dealing with the complications of religion/a visitor/manager of the pinheads
PLEASE NOTE: Please try to read the sides in English accents–whatever you feel best with. Traditional, Gloucester, Stratford, Liverpool, Essex, Cockney, London, etc. Whatever range you have to present, please bring to us. If you are not familiar with performing English accents, resources will be provided to actors who are cast in the show.
Rehearsals begin in Mid April and will run 2-3 days a week. Tech week begins June 8th.
Performances run June 12th - 28th (10 total). See calendar below for specifics.
Stipend - $300
Disney's NEWSIES
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein
*all roles are open and available*
Directed by Billy Surges
Choreography by Tim Huggenberger and Hannah Silverman
Music Direction by Joey Calumet Vocal Direction by Daven Taba
Jack Kelly - The charismatic leader of the Newsies.
Pulitzer - A pompous businessman. Father of Katherine. Main antagonist.
Katherine Plumber - Quick-witted, funny, and resourceful reporter. Tap experience preferred.
Medda Larkin - Saloon Singer and star of the Bowery. Will double as Nun/Newsie.
Davey - Straight-laced, smart, big brother of Les. Brains of the resistance.
Crutchie - A dedicated Newsie with a goofy, sweet sense of humor. Him and his bum leg are the heart of the resistance.
Les - Cheeky younger brother of Davey. Looking to cast someone under the age of 16 or reads younger.
Racetrack - Wisecracking, cigar-chomping Newsie.
Finch - Bold and impatient Newsie.
Romeo - Heartthrob and flirty Newsie.
JoJo - Sunny but mischievous Newsie.
Specs - Polite, easy-going, glasses-wearing Newsie.
Splasher - High energy and loyal Newsie.
Albert - Jokester and helpful Newsie. Will double as Spot Conlon, The leader of Brooklyn Newsies.
Buttons - Goofy and clever Newsie. Will double as Bowery Dancer.
Mr. Jacobi - Highly comedic. A character actor that can morph into many roles. Will double as Nunzio, Wiesel, Mayor, Scab
Hannah - A versatile, strong character actor that can morph into many roles. Will also need to dance. Will double as Nun, Woman, Bowery Dancer, Scab
Oscar Delancey - Strong fight choreography required. Will double as Bunson, Bill
Morris Delancey - Strong fight choreography required. Will double as Darcy, Roosevelt
Snyder - A sinister warden. Will double as Seitz, Scab
Swings (3) - Will have 1 guaranteed performance.
PLEASE NOTE: All roles are open to performers who identify as men, women, transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive.
Rehearsals begin in early May and will run 2-3 days a week. Tech week begins July 6th.
Performances run July 11th - Aug 2nd (18 total). See calendar below for specifics.
Stipend - $500
SPRING AWAKENING SUMMER INTENSIVE
Directed by Billy Surges
Choreography by Emma Widlowski
Music Direction by Daven Taba & Joey Calumet
Registration is also now open for our 2026 high school & college summer intensive program featuring a production of Spring Awakening. Students will participate in a 2 week intensive, culminating in 4 performances at Theater Wit. June 15th-30th.
Early bird pricing and info can be found HERE. Spots are limited and will sell out.
All intimacy and mature content will be handled more artistically/figuratively and less physically.
A fundraising concert of Spring Awakening will take place on 7/2 with adult performers. 5 rehearsals.
This fundraiser is a volunteer production.
