Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking actor submissions for its upcoming staged reading of Lady Lazarus by Haley Basil, directed by Jessica Love.

Synopsis: Callie is stuck. She can't finish her goddamn book, can't pay rent, and can't seem to get over her ex. And oops! She may have just killed him. So, Callie and her best friend Gia (who maybe-is-in-love-with-her-but-let's-not-talk-about-that) go on the run, with Callie's literary agent and a lady cop chasing behind. Can Callie outrun them and her past???

Material to Prepare: Actors should record one self-tape of one of the provided monologues from the Google Drive link. This does not need to be memorized. Please complete this Google Form in order to submit the audition.

Audition Date and Time: Self-tape Deadline - Sunday, February 8th @ 11:59pm

Pay Rate: $25 Stipend

Time Commitment:

Callbacks - Virtual callbacks will be held in 10-minute slots on February 20th and 21st.
Rehearsals - Three rehearsals will be held in-person in early March.
Reading - Sunday, March 22nd at 7pm at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave.)

Character Type/Restrictions:

CALLIE: 20s, she/her. A heartbroken, bisexual writer struggling with crippling writer’s block. Lost, flailing.
ZACH: 20s-30s, he/him. A soft boy. A heart breaker. Gentle, losing his patience.
GIA: 20s, she/her. Queer actor, Callie’s ride or die best friend. Patient, caring.
ALEXANDRIA: 20s-30s, she/her. Sexually liberated lady cop. Flirty, fierce.
LEITA/JOSH: 20s-30s, she/they. Also immortal, he/him. No nonsense literary agent. Also a demon boy in hell who just wants a kiss. Direct, driven.

Only three performances remain of Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, Oct. 18, 19 & 20.

The production has been highly recommended by critics and audiences alike.

Raves include:

“My family thoroughly enjoyed Alabama Story…I grew up in Deep South Georgia. The writing, the inflections and the hypocrisy were spot on…We simply must NOT go back!!

Please continue your good work.” — Eloise

“It’s a really good show, highly recommend seeing this one!” — Ana

“Beautiful performance of Alabama Story!” — Ginny

“You chose a topical, engrossing story…Nuanced, powerful, visceral. I’m gushing and it’s deserved. Well done, Ghostlight!” — Carol

Check out our reviews here:
Read the full Third Coast review here.

Read the full New City Stage review here.

Read the full The Reader review here.

The remaining shows take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, October 19 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, at Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave, Chicago.

Alabama Story is a fictional play based on very real events that took place in 1950s Alabama when a children’s book called The Rabbits’ Wedding by illustrator Garth Williams (known for his work on Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Little House on the Prairie) was released.

The play tells the story of a segregationist senator and the state librarian who clash over the content of The Rabbit’s Wedding. The play contrasts that story with a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — providing a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an average donation of $25, and are available at https://ghostlightensembletheatreco.thundertix.com/. More information about the show can be found at https://www.ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story.

And if you’ve already seen Alabama Story and loved it, consider helping nominate us for the 2024 Broadway World Chicago Awards. You can submit here through Oct. 31: https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/votenominations.cfm. (You do not not need to fill out all categories or blanks.)

Ghostlight Ensemble acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Alabama Story is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Call for Submissions: Actors needed for upcoming Staged Reading

Audiences love ‘Alabama Story’; Final 3 performances begin Friday