Upcoming Auditions

AUDITIONS: The Amish Project (Ensemble Version)
By Jessica Dickey
Directed by Celia Couture

Audition Information

• Dates: June 9 & 10 (By Appointment)

• Time: 6:30–9:00 PM

• Location: Town of Burlington Recreation Department
  61 Center Street, Room 207
  Burlington, MA

Sign up for an appointment here

What does forgiveness look like in the face of the unimaginable?

The Burlington Players invite actors to audition for The Amish Project, a powerful and deeply human play inspired by the Nickel Mines schoolhouse tragedy and the extraordinary response of the Amish community.

This ensemble-driven production explores themes of grief, faith, community, and radical forgiveness through a small cast portraying multiple characters. This is not a traditional play—it is a shared act of storytelling and witnessing.

The ensemble will also be required to sing a cappella hymns associated with the Amish tradition.

All cast members will be required to undergo a CORI check due to the inclusion of children in the production.

Audition Format

Auditions will consist of pre-selected script passages provided in advance.

Actors may be asked to:

• Read multiple roles

• Participate in ensemble-based readings

• Engage in light movement or staging exploration

About the Production

Production Dates: September 18 - October 3, 2026

This version of The Amish Project is performed by an ensemble of actors who fluidly shift among characters, narration, and physical storytelling.

Actors should be:

• Comfortable with multi-role performance

• Open to collaborative, ensemble-based rehearsal

• Willing to explore physical and vocal storytelling

• Emotionally grounded and responsive

Casting

Seeking a versatile ensemble (ages 18+, unless noted below) with the ability to portray multiple roles.

Featured Roles

• Velda (Female-presenting, plays age 6–10)
  A young Amish schoolgirl—open, innocent, and deeply present.

• Anna (Female-presenting, plays age 14–16)
  An Amish teenager—observant, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded, with both vulnerability and quiet strength.

• Carol Stuckey – The gunman’s widow

• Bill North – Non-Amish scholar and spokesperson connected to affected families

• America – Hispanic teen, pregnant, works in a local grocery store

• Eddie Stuckey – The gunman

• Sherry Local – Resident of Nickel Mines, PA

Ensemble Roles (Multi-Role Track)

All remaining actors will be cast as part of the ensemble, portraying a range of characters, including:

• Members of the Amish Community
  Mothers, fathers, neighbors, and leaders responding with faith and unity
  (e.g., Aaron, Amish Father; Amish Mother; Aaron’s Son)

• Schoolgirls / Children
  Classmates of Velda, representing innocence and the emotional impact of the event

• Parents and Family Members
  Individuals navigating grief, loss, and forgiveness

• The Gunman (Charlie Roberts)
  Portrayed with care and restraint through storytelling rather than sensationalism

• Law Enforcement / First Responders
  Representing the outside world entering the Amish community
  (e.g., Fireman in scene with Bill North)

• Members of the Media
  Reflecting the broader societal response

• Narrators / Storytellers
  Guiding the audience through the events, often shifting fluidly between roles

Ensemble Expectations

Actors cast in the ensemble will:

• Play multiple roles across age, gender, and perspective

• Transition quickly using voice, physicality, and minimal costume elements

• Participate in shared narration and storytelling

• Engage in movement-based, collaborative staging

Tone Note

This production relies on the collective strength of the ensemble—no single role carries the story alone. Each actor contributes to building a world that is intimate, immediate, and deeply human.

Content Note:
The play explores themes of violence, loss, grief, and forgiveness. These are handled with care and intention. We are committed to creating a respectful, supportive, and collaborative rehearsal space.

Director’s Note

This production will be built through ensemble exploration, with each actor contributing to the storytelling language of the piece. The work asks for presence, listening, and a willingness to engage deeply—with one another and with the story we are entrusted to tell.

Questions / Contact

Celia Couture
cooch1950@gmail.com
978-973-9490