Auditions announced for 'The 8th Dwarf' young audiences show

Ghostlight Ensemble is casting for its February production of The 8th Dwarf by Olivia Sieck. The 8th Dwarf is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. The play tells the story of Binkley, an outsider dwarf who longs to find the courage to join the most special of their kind – the dwarves that work in the mines. Through adventure after adventure, Binkley learns that courage, kindness and wit matter more than anything and that actions speak louder than material goods.

Character Type:
Ghostlight will be casting for an ensemble of four actors who play various characters throughout the show, including Binkley, Snow White, townspeople and even a cow. There are no restrictions on age, race or gender. All are encouraged to apply. Ensemble members will be on stage for the run of the performance, so physical energy, character work, and connecting with young audiences a necessity. 

Time Commitment:

Rehearsals will be 3-4 times/week on weeknight evenings and/or weekend days in January 2025. Final dates will be confirmed after review of cast conflicts.

Cast members MUST be available the following dates:

Tech: Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and rehearsals during the week of Feb. 2-6 in the evenings.

Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15, 2026, at Bughouse Theatre in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago (1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).

Materials To Prepare:
Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean Mueller-Burr, Casting Director, at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Please clearly indicate if you have any conflicts during indicated audition times on Dec 3 & Dec. 6.

Sides will be provided.

Pay:
$100 rehearsal stipend + $25 per performance.

In addition, performers will receive one comp ticket to a performance of their choosing.

Audition Time & Location:
General: Wednesday, Dec. 3: 6-10 p.m. at Midsummer Flight (1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660)

Callbacks: Saturday, Dec. 6: 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Midsummer Flight.

To submit, you must be available for callbacks. This is an ensemble cast, and you will need to read with your fellow actors so auditors can view your rapport.

Contact:
Jean Mueller-Burr
Email: casting@ghostlightensemble.com

Seeking Stage Manager & Costume Designer for Nightlight young audiences show in February

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking a Stage Manager and a Costume Designer for its February production of The 8th Dwarf by Olivia Sieck. The 8th Dwarf is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. The play tells the story of Binkley, an outsider dwarf who longs to find the courage to join the most special of their kind – the dwarves that work in the mines. Through adventure after adventure, Binkleylearns that courage, kindness and wit matter more than anything and that actions speak louder than material goods.

Job Details:
The Stage Manger will attend all rehearsals and performances.

The Costume Designer will dress 4 actors who will play multiple characters throughout the show. For our young audience productions we aim for our costume design to be inspired by the type of costumes a child might put together for themselves were they designing a dwarf or a witch outfit. We are looking for a simple way for actors to distinguish themselves as different characters as they sometimes must quickly change from character to character while on stage.

Costumes do not necessarily need to be complex but must be functional. We ask that the Costume Designer be available for production meetings, as needed, tech week and wardrobe fittings in January/February. Dates confirmed according to cast and production team availability.

Key Dates:
Rehearsals will be 3-4 times/week on weeknight evenings and/or weekend days in January 2025. Final dates will be confirmed after review of cast conflicts.

Tech: Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and rehearsals during the week of Feb. 2-6 in the evenings.

Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 14-15, 2026, at Bughouse Theatre in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago (1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).

Instructions to Apply:
To be considered, please send resume to Maria Burnham maria@ghostlightensemble.com

Pay Rate/Range:
$250 stipend for each job.

Up Next: Been There, Done That: A Live Reading of She’s All That

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its live movie readings with Been There, Done That: A Live Reading of She’s All That on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Join us at 7 p.m. at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), as we raise a glass of that classic margarita — rum, orange juice, cranberry juice, and limeade, with a dash of cola — to celebrate this 90s teen rom-com!

She’s All That is a 1999 American film following that classic teen plot of turning an ugly duckling into a swan. When Zack's popular girlfriend cheats on him with another boy and breaks up with him, he makes a bet with his friends to turn a school “nerd” into their high school's prom queen.

The cast is:
Laney Boggs: Skylar Frishman
Zack Siler: Sam Campos
Ensemble: Lilly Apostolou, Maria Burnham, Nick Conrad, Allison Horvatin, Issa Polstein and Hope Prybylski.

The reading is directed by Olivia Sieck.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season. Food and drink is available for purchase at Black Eagle.