The Spitfire Grill Audition Information

AUDITIONS Tuesday, September 30 & Thursday October 2, 2025
CALLBACKS Tuesday October 7, 2025 (by invitation only)

Directed By Karen Fleming
Produced By Crista Drysdale & Otega Okurume
Music Directed by Valerie A. Higgs
Assistant Directed by Josiah Killam
Stage Managed by Kristi Gardner
Associate Produced by Alex Johnson
Assistant Music Directed by Owen Posnett
Presented by 2nd Star Productions

About the Show

Based on the hit film and featuring a gorgeous, folk-inspired score, THE SPITFIRE GRILL is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption and perseverance. Ex-convict Percy Talbott moves to Gilead, Wisconsin, a tiny town that has seen better days and isn’t looking to help a stranger. What she finds will help both town and outsider find their way to renewal.
> Listen to the Cast Recording

IMPORTANT AUDITION INFORMATION FOR THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Please read in full.)

  • We are seeking performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and abilities for 2nd Star’s production of The Spitfire Grill.

  • Auditioners ages 18+ will be considered. Auditioners must turn 18 by the final night of auditions on October 2. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

  • Content Advisory: The Spitfire Grill contains mature themes including grief, trauma, and redemption. It includes references to domestic abuse and sexual assault, incarceration, and war-related PTSD.

  • 2nd Star is an all-volunteer organization and all performance roles are unpaid. Production Team members and 2nd Star personnel are also unpaid volunteers.

  • While not guaranteed to be needed, the production team and 2nd Star reserve the right to require masking and/or at-home COVID testing during rehearsals or performances for temporary periods to curb spread of illness that may affect the production. Auditioners should be prepared to accommodate these requests if needed.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Performances: There will be 9 performances over three weekends at the Bowie Playhouse (16500 White Marsh Park, Bowie, MD 20715). Performers are required to be in attendance for all shows.

*Important Schedule note: Friday performances will be in the evening, but both Saturday and Sunday performances are matinees. There are no Saturday evening performances.*

Performance dates/times are:
Friday, January 23, 2026 at 8pm, Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 2pm and Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 2pm
Friday, January 30, 2026 at 8pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2pm and Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2pm
Friday, February 6, 2026 at 8pm, Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2pm and Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 2pm

Tech Weeks and Dress Rehearsals are required for all performers. The required tech schedule will be:
Sat 1/10/26 daytime (Load-In)
Mon 1/12/26 evening
Tues 1/13/26 evening
Thu 1/15/26 evening
Sat 1/17/26 daytime
Mon 1/19/26 evening
Tues 1/20/26 evening
Wed 1/21/26 evening
Thu 1/22/26 evening

Rehearsals will take place from October 14, 2025 to January 8, 2026 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm and Saturdays from 11am-3pm at All Saints Lutheran Church (16510 Mt Oak Rd, Bowie, MD 20716). Not all performers will be required at every rehearsal and major holidays will be avoided in rehearsal scheduling. Occasional additional rehearsals may be added if needed, with plenty of notice to performers regarding time and location.

IN-PERSON AUDITIONS

Auditions: Tuesday, September 30 from 7-10pm and Thursday, October 2 from 7-10pm; Auditioners should plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes before your audition time slot and should be prepared to stay through a one hour audition slot.

Location of Auditions: All Saints Lutheran Church (16510 Mt Oak Rd, Bowie, MD 20716)

Singing: Please prepare 32 bars (approximately 1 minute) of any musical theatre or folk/country song. This should be something you’re comfortable with, that shows who you are as a singer and actor. A piano accompanist is provided. Please bring printed and annotated sheet music in the correct key. No recorded music accompaniment, and no songs from The Spitfire Grill, please. You will have an opportunity to sing from the show if you are asked to attend callbacks. Note: Actors auditioning for The Visitor do not need to prepare a song. You will be asked to do a very easy improv exercise.

Acting: You will be asked to read a brief monologue, which will be provided at the audition.

Accents: With the exception of Percy, who has a southern Appalachian accent, all roles will be a standard American accent. A dialect coach will be available.

Callbacks: Tuesday, October 7 starting at 7pm, by invitation only at All Saints Lutheran Church. Not all roles will require a callback, but all auditioners should keep this date clear in case you are needed. You may review callback materials in advance here: [The Spitfire Grill Callback Songs] [The Spitfire Grill Callback Sides (Readings)]

Audition Signup & Form: Select your audition timeslot and complete our online Audition Form in advance of your audition. While timed audition slots are greatly preferred, we will see walk-in auditioners as time allows.

VIDEO AUDITIONS
In-person auditions are greatly preferred, but if you are unable to make the audition dates, you can submit a video audition. Please prepare:

  • A video of you singing 32 bars (approximately 1 minute) of any musical theatre or folk/country song, with accompaniment (not a cappella). No songs from The Spitfire Grill, please.

  • Choose and perform one of the short monologues from this list.

Submit our online Audition Form which has a spot for you to include your audition video before 9pm on the final night of auditions, October 2. For questions concerning auditions, feel free to email us at casting@2ndstarproductions.org.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES ON CASTING

*This is an ensemble piece with strong characters.
*All roles are open to diverse casting. The original production was an all-white cast. However, we are looking for diversity with race, ethnicity, size, and gender (trans and non-binary performers welcome) for all roles.
*Ages and gender identities indicated below are those of the character, not necessarily the actors cast in these roles. All listed identifiers are in accordance with the agreement with Concord and the options provided by the book writers in the script.
*This production will not employ the use of understudies with guaranteed performances. Those cast in these roles will perform all performances on the schedule.

Available Roles:

PERCY TALBOTT – female identifying, early to mid-20s. Strong-minded parolee determined to start over. Kind but feisty and perhaps a bit rough-edged, her past has given her wisdom and sadness beyond her years, her accent has a southern Appalachian cadence. (strong folk/country belt to ‘D,’ and some head voice required)

HANNAH FERGUSON – female identifying, late 50s to 70s. The tough-skinned owner of the Spitfire Grill. A fiery old bird with a short, no-nonsense manner bordering on the bitter. (Mezzo/alto chest range)

SHELBY THORPE – female identifying, early to mid-30s. Caleb’s meek, but soulful, wife. She begins to show confidence under Percy’s influence. A plain, soft-faced creature with a shy, almost ethereal manner. (Shimmering folk soprano with strong high belt to ‘D’)

EFFY KRAYNECK – female identifying, 40s to 50s. Gilead’s Postmistress and resident busybody. A nosy and opinionated woman with narrow eyes and a sour tongue. (Solid singer in mezzo/alto chest range, must be able to carry close harmony)

CALEB THORPE – male identifying, mid-30s to early 40s. Hannah’s bitter nephew, an out-of-work foreman of the stone quarry. Fiercely protective of his aunt, he is frustrated as he loses control over most aspects of his life and tends to exert control over his wife. (Solid folk/rock baritone with an edge, top ‘G’)

JOE SUTTER – male identifying, mid-20s to 30s. The local sheriff and Percy’s parole officer. A likeable sort with an appealing intensity and a restless nature, eager to leave the town of Gilead for good. (Strong folk tenor to a ‘G,’ touches an ‘A’)

THE VISITOR – male identifying, mid-40s to early 50s. An important, central, nonspeaking role requiring very strong acting ability. An actor with powerful eyes and a very strong sense of his body.

2ND STAR’S CASTING POLICIES

*These policies are taken from the 2nd Star Productions Operations Manual, which is a document that is continually updated to improve our practices. If you have any comments or questions about casting, please email casting@2ndstarproductions.org.

2nd Star believes theater should celebrate and reflect the diversity within our community and practices culturally-appropriate and identity-conscious, expansive casting.

  • No roles are pre-cast. All potential cast members must audition. All auditions will be advertised publicly online and will be open to anyone who wishes to participate. If, after auditions, one or more parts have not been filled, further publicly-announced auditions will be held. 

  • All roles are open to any performer (race, ethnicity, gender identity) unless stipulated otherwise by rights or if the plot of a show is contingent upon specific casting. There may be age restrictions for certain shows, especially as related to minor performers. These specifics will be listed in any casting breakdowns in audition notices. 

  • It is 2nd Star’s policy to cast age-appropriate performers for each role, insofar as the pool of available auditioners allows. 

  • Shows will be cast in a way that considers race and ethnicity in an intentional manner. Directors and production teams are expected to have an understanding and be mindful of the implications that such casting has on the story being told.

  • During casting, the Director, Choreographer, Music Director and Assistant Director should be the primary voices and decision-makers. If the Director would like additional opinions or input on casting from Producers, the Stage Manager, the 2nd Star Artistic Director, 2nd Star Board members, creative team/production team assistants, or any other other production staff member, they should make all present in audition discussions aware of their request for additional input.  

  • The Director has the final say on casting. However, the Artistic Director (or a designee if they are not available) will provide input as it relates to upholding 2nd Star’s casting policies and to advocate for diversity, and 2nd Star as the Executive Producer reserves the right to have input concerning casting decisions that may impact the company.

  • Auditioners will be asked to disclose conflicts they may have for the planned rehearsal period on their audition form. Excessive rehearsal conflicts and any conflicts affecting tech and performance dates are not permitted and should be taken into account by creative teams when making casting decisions. 

  • For larger-scale shows – usually our 5 weekend runs – 2nd Star expects production teams to cast at least 28 performers. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the Board of Directors, depending on the director’s vision or the specific show’s needs. Due to spacing constraints, a production team shall not cast more than 35 individuals in a show without consent from the Board of Directors.

Other Upcoming Auditions

The 2025/2026 2nd Star season will also include:

Shrek the Musical
May 29-June 27, 2026
Directed by: Sami Peterson Ferrell
Irreverently fun for the whole family, this musical proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.
Auditions: To be confirmed, February 2026

If you’re interested in auditioning for an upcoming show, please sign up for the 2nd Star email list below and you’ll be the first to hear when audition signups are available.

FAQs

  • 2nd Star usually holds auditions 2.5 to 3.5 months prior to the opening of shows. That information will be posted on this page as soon as they are scheduled and more information is available.

  • 2nd Star is an all-volunteer run community theatre, and all acting (and production staff) roles are non-paid.

  • 2nd Star welcomes all levels of experience to audition for our shows!

  • For our musicals there will usually be the following members of the production team: Director, Music Director, and Choreographer. Some productions will also have Assistant Director, Music Director, or Choreographers present. An accompanist will also be provided for auditioners.

    2nd Star’s Board representatives will include: Artistic Director, or designated representative, and the Producer. Artistic Director is there to ensure the production team is adhering to published casting policies (see above) and the Producer has no say in casting.