Auditions

No one would accuse Clyde of having a soft heart. Sure, she hires formerly incarcerated people for the greasy kitchen of her truck-stop sandwich joint, but she knows what they owe her and holds that power tight. Her line cooks might be stuck, but their hopes haven’t flickered out yet, fed by tentative connections and a fierce competition to create the perfect sandwich. Pulitzer-Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s sweet and savory comedy trades in wonder, Wonder Bread, and the healing powers of food.

For Actors:

• Submit your resume and headshot via the online Audition Form
• Come prepared to perform the audition sides ( linked here)
• If you receive a callback, you may receive additional sides

Role descriptions and casting guidance are below.

► Please complete an online Audition Form ( linked here)

Questions?

Contact the Director, Maryanne Kiley at [email protected]

We love Clyde’s, written by the Pulitzer-winning Lynn Nottage, because it tells a story of hope over despair. Our characters are in a type of purgatory: working in a grimy truck stop for a Devilish boss (Clyde) who reminds them that as formerly incarcerated people, they are stuck here: no one else will hire them.

Hope, in this story, takes the form of sandwiches. Clyde sees food as transactional — a slab of ham on barely-unexpired bread. But Montrellous, the elder statesman of the prep cooks, encourages the younger characters to dream up mouth-watering flavor combinations, arguing that food is holy: a sacrament of salty brisket, crusty sourdough, sweet peach compote and pickled onions. He gently pushes the younger characters to see themselves as worthy of redemption, and capable of creating beauty in this world.

We are interested in stories that explore both the darkness of the human experience and our innate capacity for goodness. One of our fundamental beliefs is that all of us are capable of change, or, in the words of mass incarceration reformer Bryan Stevenson, “Each one of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” Clyde’s examines the difficulty of rebuilding your life after incarceration, and yet it reads more like a comedy than a morality play. The banter between Rafael, Tish, Jason and Montrellous is funny, flirty, and filled with the kind of one-upmanship you have in a job that means both nothing and everything.

Clyde’s is a perfect story for this moment. It shows a diverse cast grappling with a choice: wallow in despair at the mess we’re in, or strive – with eyes wide open – for a better future. Montrellous argues that working with earnestness to make something beautiful is the key to unlocking this future. For him, beauty manifests in the form of sandwiches. For us, it’s through gutsy, heartfelt pieces of theater.

As directors, we look for characters who are deserving of the actors in our community, and the genius Lynn Nottage has written five complex characters who express pain and joy with humanity and humor. All the characters in this story have dignity, self-determination, and a sense of beauty.

While this play takes on themes of incarceration, racism, drug addiction and mental health, the script is also very funny. We suggest you read the script before you audition. This will give you a sense of the sensitive topics discussed in the play, including sexual assault, violence, and drug abuse. It will also give you information of the context in which they’re discussed (sometimes as jokes, sometimes seriously).

The character descriptions list the specific requirements for each role, but here’s what we are looking for in every member of the cast:

• Excellent comedic timing and acting skills.
• Strong physicality – the ability to embody your character in your movement and stillness. There will be some choreographed movement during transitions between scenes.
• With the exception of Clyde, all characters will act while preparing food, including using knives and hot instruments (hot plates, crock pots, burners).
• Excitement for performing in an ensemble; there are no leads; each actor is equally important to the story. Great ensemble performers sense their fellow actors on stage and make choices that are generous to their troupe-mates.
• A commitment to improving your acting instrument outside of rehearsal, starting with review of the script before you audition.

An ability to be sensitive and curious in portraying characters who have been incarcerated. While you need not be affected by the incarceration system to be cast in Clyde’s, actors whose lives have been affected by the incarceration system are encouraged to audition. Most important is a deep curiosity to learn about the experiences of the characters you embody.

Gender: Below, we include the pronouns used to describe the characters in the script. If you think you can embody a character, we would love to see your audition, regardless of your gender identity.

LETITIA
She/Her. Mid-20’s-40. Black. Recently released from prison, she is trying to build her life up again. Mother to a daughter with health issues, her job is important to her even when the atmosphere is toxic. A romantic, she is looking to find a genuine partner. She is a survivor and has life skills. She is working towards building a mindful path. Very funny. Actor needs to have great comedic timing. Violence disclosure: Letitia is scripted to hit Rafael. All violence will be negotiated between the actors and directors and will be choreographed. Intimacy disclosure: Rafael and Letita will kiss. There will be an intimacy coordinator.

RAFAEL
He/Him. Mid-20’s-40. Black or Latinx. Formerly incarcerated. A romantic. Loves food. In love with Letitia. Funny. Fun. Playful. Recovering. Working to find a more spiritual path. Full of charm. Terrified of their boss. Actor should have great comedic timing. Violence disclosure: Letitia is scripted to hit Rafael. All violence will be negotiated between the actors and directors and will be choreographed. Intimacy disclosure: Rafael and Letita will kiss. There will be an intimacy coordinator.

MONTRELLOUS
He/Him. 40’s-late 50’s. Mindful. Served many years in prison. Interested in healing. Kind. Working class. Sensitive and caring, particularly to the younger generation. Uses cooking as a means of meditation. Funny.

JASON
He/Him. Mid-20’s to early 40’s. White. Working class. Funny. Served eight years in prison. White supremacist affiliation. Goes from being seen as a threat to open and vulnerable. Actor with comedic chops. Intimacy disclosure: Clyde gropes Jason in a sexually menacing manner. The exact physicality of that scene will be negotiated between the actors, director and the intimacy coordinator.

CLYDE
The role of Clyde has been pre-cast. We are auditioning actors for an understudy with a guaranteed performance.
She/Her. Late 30’s – 50’s. Any race. Great comedic chops. Able to change the temperature of a room with an entrance. Dominatrix. Loves to expose vulnerabilities. Seductive. Brash. Controls the room. Delights in humiliating others. Wicked. Runs truck stop. Intimacy disclosure: Clyde gropes Jason in a sexually menacing manner. The exact physicality of that scene will be negotiated between the actors, director and the intimacy coordinator.

Auditions
Sunday, June 29th from 1:00–5:00pm
Monday, June 30th from 5:30–9:00pm

Callbacks
Wednesday, July 2nd from 5:30-9:00pm

Rehearsal Schedule
Mon – Thu: 5:30–9:30 pm
Sat: 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Days Off: every Fri & Sun, additionally Aug 29-Sep 1 (Labor Day weekend)
First day of rehearsal: Monday, August 18

Tech Week Schedule
Sat, Sep 20: 12:00-6:00 pm
Sun, Sep 21: 12:00-6:00 pm
Mon, Sep 22: Day Off
Tue, Sep 23: 5:30-10:30 pm
Wed, Sep 24: 5:30-10:30 (Run Through)
Thu, Sep 25: Rehearsal & Invited Dress

Opening Night:
Friday, September 26, 2025

Performance Dates:
Weekends September 26 – October 12, 2025
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2:30pm

We welcome both experienced performers and newcomers to audition and will make casting decisions based on the show parameters.

Headshots and resumes are strongly encouraged but not required.

Bring your headshot and resume (if you have them), any sheet music for musical auditions, and a list of potential schedule conflicts with you at the determined check-in time. Most auditions are first come first serve. If pre-registration is an option, it will be noted in the description.

Electronic scripts or sides are sometimes available to peruse; these will be listed in the audition details above if available. These will provide you an opportunity to get to know and understand the character(s) that you wish to audition for. We also encourage you to research the show online to learn more about the characters and themes.

Scope Garage is managed by the City of Norfolk and they charge everyone to park — cast, crew, volunteers, and patrons. MacArthur Center parking may be cheaper and sometimes you can find free street parking nearby. If you know of a generous donor or business who might be interested in underwriting parking for a show or season, please let us know at [email protected] and we’d love to speak with them.

Sign-up for our email newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about upcoming auditions!

Whenever possible, you’ll find relevant contact information listed in the audition details above. Otherwise, please feel free to email [email protected] with your inquiry. We’ll do our best to respond in a timely manner, but please remember that we’re a volunteer organization and sometimes responses take time.