Short Commitment
Rehearsals begin September 15
Performances only the first three weekends of November
Short plays mean shorter rehearsal requirements
Multiple Casting Opportunities
Actors may be cast in more than one play
Opportunity to play contrasting characters
Creative Playground
Detectives
Criminals
Witnesses
Femme fatales
Victims
Con artists
Suspicious neighbors
Hard-boiled narrators
Great for New Actors:
Lower time commitment than a full-length show
Opportunity to work with multiple directors and writers
This year's theme is Noir.
Here’s why noir works for a short play:
1. Tight structure: Noir thrives on suspense and a quick buildup to a twist or moral reckoning — perfect for 15 minutes.
2. Strong atmosphere: You can create a mood quickly with lighting, music, and
stylized dialogue rather than needing big sets or long exposition.
3. Small cast: Most noir stories center on 2–3 characters —— which keeps
production simple.
4. Emotional intensity: Noir’s focus on desperation, secrets, and betrayal gives
actors a lot to work with in a short time.
5. Stylization: You can lean into noir tropes (voiceovers, shadows, cigarette
smoke, hard-boiled one-liners) in a self-aware or modernized way.
Rehearsals:
September 14 – November 1, 2026
Tech:
November 3, 4
November 10, 11
November 17, 18
Performances:
November 6–8, 2026
November 13–15, 2026
November 20–22, 2026
We strongly encourage women, persons of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals to audition. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work.
Headshot and resume are not necessary, but bring if you have them.
Please be prepared to list all conflicts.
Sides (chosen scenes from plays we are casting) will be given to read.
$100 stipend per actor per production.
If you cannot make this audition,
we can arrange another time for you to read.
Please email us at: info@upstagenapavalley.org
Or call Sharie Renault at
(707) 337-5850