CASTING CALL 

March 29 Open Auditions at Town Hall Theatre (3535 School Street, Lafayette, CA) for DANCING WITH THE MOON by James Freeman! Directed by Jon Porter Lee

Performance Dates: August 6–22, 2026 

Rehearsals Begin: July 2026 (Initial Zoom reading in late June) 

Non-AEA only. A $300 stipend is offered for transportation and work outside the theater. 

About the Play: 

DANCING WITH THE MOON is a World Premiere original play with music. Featuring 20 songs and 36 music cues, with five singing roles, it is not a traditional musical. “When Ed, a homeless African American Vietnam vet living in solitude, is approached by Bunny, a runaway teenage girl fleeing incest, they embark on a pilgrimage through the wounds of society.” Homelessness, PTSD, incest, trauma, family and religion are treated with existential irony, gallows humor. 

Setting and Style: The play is a dichotomy in concept. Gritty, real-life circumstances gallop through a mythical fantasy, a comic existential lens. There are no “minor” characters—only smaller glimpses of the allegorical struggle. Above all else, every role must be played with dignity. 

Rehearsals are no more than 5 days per week, typically weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons, and/or Sunday evenings. Full rehearsal schedule TBD.

Auditions (by appointment): March 29th 12:00pm-4pm 

Sign up here

Callbacks (by invitation only):TBD 

If you cannot attend the audition, please contact Jon Porter Lee at jonporterlee@gmail.com. Self-tape or Zoom auditions will be accommodated. You may email headshot and resume to muzzak8@gmail.com 

WHAT TO PREPARE: Please prepare a one-minute monologue in which you tell a strong emotional story. Vocalists may also sing a song of their choice, a cappella. 

Roles: 

ED (60–80) – African American Male (Singing role: 8 songs) A homeless Vietnam vet living in a fantasy world, haunted by PTSD from combat and the accidental fatal shooting of his Vietnamese wife. Smart and witty. His gallows humor lands laughs while revealing deep pain. He survives one day at a time, battling inner demons. Note: Physical scene with Bubba and Joey. 

BUNNY (18–20) – Caucasian Female (Singing role: 9 songs) A runaway fleeing sexual abuse from her father. Courageous and fearless. She masks pain with anger; nothing intimidates her. Though lost, she believes she will find her way. Vulnerability emerges in her songs. 

JEREMY (35–45) – Caucasian Male (Singing role: 2 songs) A low-level right-wing businessman from a cookie-cutter family steeped in prejudice. Desperate for stature, masking insecurity and failure. Bunny’s resemblance to his lost love disarms him. Eventually shows sympathy toward Ed’s Vietnam service. 

OFFICER ARROYO (30s) – Hispanic or Caucasian Female (Singing role: 1 song) A dedicated beat cop. Her family fled Central American violence and now shows gratitude to the U.S. through service. She has a soft spot for Ed due to her brothers’ service in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

CHI DIEP (21–25) – Asian or Black Female (Singing role: 1 song) Rebels against her mother’s traditional values. Struggles with alienation tied to mixed heritage. Street-smart, sassy, and determined to reject societal confines. 

BUTCH (25–30) – Male, Any Ethnicity Bunny’s older brother. Represents denial and concealed evil. Masks insecurity and guilt with obedience. Cunning in his self-deception. Note: See Bubba and Joey description. 

BUBBA and JOEY (20s) – Male Two young street thugs rebelling against their upbringings. Tough in appearance, but more bark than bite. Note: Physical scene with 

Ed. MICKY (19) – Female, Any Ethnicity Rebellious out of boredom. Disconnected from family and school. Tags along with Joey and Bubba seeking belonging and protection. 

Further questions about the play may be directed to the playwright at muzzak8@gmail.com. 

Please review available audition slots and sign up accordingly. We look forward to seeing you at Town Hall Theatre!