The Wayne Theatre is excited to invite you to join us for auditions for the first show in our For the Love: A Century of Stories. A Decade of Heart. Season, Children of Eden. We are committed to working with local and regional talent. We look forward to connecting with you.
The Wayne Theatre's For the Love: A Century of Stories. A Decade of Heart Season begins with something timeless — and we want you in it.
Children of Eden — the breathtaking musical from Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin) — tells the story of the very first family. Adam & Eve. Cain & Abel. Noah and the flood. At its heart, it's about the hardest thing love asks of us: letting go.
Auditions: May 11 | Open to ages 8+
Performances: July 31 – August 9
All races, body types, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds are encouraged to audition. The Wayne is a consent-based, inclusive rehearsal space — come as you are.
Director: Lesley Larsen
Music Director: Kat McLean
Choreographer: Corey Holmes
* (see bios below!)
● Open to anyone 8 years or older.
○ The Wayne is specifically looking to cast Young Cain and Young Abel as well as a small number of young artists to join in the Storyteller Ensemble.
● Younger performers must have performed in a Studio Wayne show before they are able to audition for a Mainstage show.
● All races, body types, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds are encouraged to audition
● We especially welcome LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled performers, actors of diverse body types, and anyone historically underrepresented on stage.
1. Fill out the following audition form: Children of Eden Audition Form before or on the day of the auditions.
a. Upload a headshot and resume, if available
2. Sign up for a Song Audition Time
3. Please EMAIL your accompaniment track to production@waynetheatre.org so that we can have your track ready for your audition. Please label your track with FirstName_LastName_Audition Track.
4. Come to your audition slot at least 5 minutes early.
For those performers ages 8-15:
- Please prepare ONE song in the style of the show (16-32 bars/about 30 seconds to one minute). Please do not use a song from the show. See note about music selection below..
○ Please EMAIL your accompaniment track to production@waynetheatre.org so that we can have your track ready for your audition. Please label your track with FirstName_LastName_Audition Track.
- Come ready to collaborate! You may be given notes or redirected during your audition so we can see how you respond to direction and explore the different choices you bring to the material.
For performers over the age of 15:
- Please prepare TWO CONTRASTING songs in the style of the show (16-32 bars/about 30 seconds to one minute each). Please do not use a song from the show. See note about music selection below.
* Please EMAIL your accompaniment track to production@waynetheatre.org so that we can have your track ready for your audition. Please label your track with FirstName_LastName_Audition Track.
- Come ready to collaborate! You may be given notes or redirected during your audition so we can see how you respond to direction and explore the different choices you bring to the material.
If there is a potential barrier that might prevent you from being able to audition, please let us know how we can work with you so you can still audition.
- While we would like you to pick your own song, we understand it can sometimes be daunting. If you are unable to pick a song, our music director has picked 2 songs for you to sing should you want/need to use it.
● SOPRANO/ALTO
○ God Help the Outcasts (Hunchback)
○ Watch What Happens (Newsies)
● TENOR/BARITONE
○ Go the Distance (Hercules)
○ I’m Alive (Next to Normal)
- All auditioners will be notified by email about casting decisions
- Notification date: by email by May 18
All performances are on the Main Stage at the Wayne Theatre (521 W Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980)
July 31 - August 9
- Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:00 PM
- Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 PM
- Start date: Monday, June 1 at 7:00 PM
- Rehearsals: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays | 7:00–10:00 PM
The week before opening, performers should plan on being present at all tech rehearsals. Every effort will be made to minimize rehearsals going over time. Flexibility is appreciated. The artistic staff reserve the right to make adjustments to the tech schedule based on the needs of the production and the venue restrictions.
- Press Dress: Thursday, July 23 (Please note that Wednesday, July 22 there is a rehearsal allocated to press dress. If you are not present, you will not be performing on that Thursday.)
- Double Tech: Saturday, July 25 all day
- No conflicts allowed during tech rehearsals, press dress, or performances
- Please be flexible—some rehearsals may run longer during tech rehearsals
Email: auditions@waynetheatre.org
From musical theatre greats, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) and John Caird (Daddy Long Legs, Jane Eyre) comes a joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith... not to mention centuries of unresolved family business! An expansive and ambitious musical, the original production used a cast of sixty.
Adam, Eve, Noah and the "Father" who created them deal with the headstrong, cataclysmic actions of their respective children. The show ultimately delivers a bittersweet. but inspiring. message: that "the hardest part of love... is letting go."
[There are moments of potential affection and relational intimacy between Adam and Eve.]
Storyteller Ensemble
- Family Members; Children; Storytellers
Father
- An older looking, impressive man. A true father figure, he wants the best for all of his children but parents with a firm hand. Protective, loving, and reminiscent of God.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 35 to 55
- Vocal range top: A5
- Vocal range bottom: G3
Adam / Noah
- Adam: Eve's bright and childlike partner. He is initially devout to Father and loving to his wife & children. Later plagued by guilt. Hard-working and reserved. Noah: rough but simple. He is unsophisticated and shrewd, but also warm and loyal. He builds the ark to save his family and honor Father.
- There is potential intimacy between Adam and Eve (hand-holding, embraces, cuddling, or a kiss)
- There is potential intimacy between Noah and Mama (hand-holding, embraces, cuddling, or a kiss)
- Male Presenting
- Age: 25 to 35
- Vocal range top: A5
- Vocal range bottom: A3
Eve / Mama
- Eve: curious and questioning, smart and excited. Chose an imperfect life of knowledge over a perfect life of innocence. Mama: Noah's wife and inherently motherly. She possesses a gentle strength, is reassuring, and serves as the mediator of the family.
- There is potential intimacy between Adam and Eve (hand-holding, embraces, cuddling, or a kiss)
- There is potential intimacy between Noah and Mama (hand-holding, embraces, cuddling, or a kiss)
- Female Presenting
- Age: 25 to 35
- Vocal range top: A5
- Vocal range bottom: G3
Cain / Japheth
- Cain: Abel's older, adventurous brother. Follows in his mother's footsteps and longs for the companionship of other humans. He is strong, stubborn, and independent. Japeth: in love with Yonah and is willing to sacrifice his life to be with her. He is Noah's youngest son. Clever, rebellious, stubborn.
- There is potential intimacy between Japeth and Yonah (hand-holding, embraces, close dancing or physical proximity, kisses).
- There is a moment of physical violence between Cain and Abel.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 18 to 25
- Vocal range top: A5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Abel / Ham
- Abel: Cain's younger and more conservative brother who follows the "rules". He chooses his parents over Cain. Ham: Japeth's middle brother and Aphra's husband. He is not as docile as Japheth, nor as hot headed as Shem. Looks up to and follows Shem's lead.
- There is a moment of physical violence between Cain and Abel.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 18 to 30
- Vocal range top: G5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Seth / Shem
- Seth: Adam and Eve's third son and their family's second chance at life. He is innocently adventurous. Shem: the oldest of Noah's three sons. Married to Aysha, he is impulsive, strong, and hot-tempered.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 20 to 30
- Vocal range top: E5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Aphra
- Ham's pregnant wife. Longs for the flood to be over and is constantly worrying.
- Female Presenting
- Age: 20 to 30
- Vocal range top: E5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Aysha
- Shem's wife. Cynically bitter and constantly accusing those aboard the ark.
- Female Presenting
- Age: 20 to 30
- Vocal range top: E5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Yonah
- Noah's servant who falls in love with Japheth and becomes his wife. A descendent of Cain. She is strong, yet humble, kind, and smart.
- There is potential intimacy between Japeth and Yonah (hand-holding, embraces, close dancing or physical proximity, kisses)
- There are moments of ensemble violence toward Yonah (pushing, aggression, shaming)
- Female Presenting
- Age: 20 to 30
- Vocal range top: G5
- Vocal range bottom: G3
Young Cain
- The older of the two brothers. Is curious and questioning like his mother. Intense.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 10 to 13
- Vocal range top: D5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Young Abel
- The younger of the two brothers. Favors his father in personality. Obedient and devout.
- Male Presenting
- Age: 8 to 11
- Vocal range top: D5
- Vocal range bottom: B3
Please read carefully before auditioning.
The following elements are part of the artistic vision and will be present during rehearsals and performances:
Content & Environmental Warnings
This production contains themes of religious conflict, parental control, exile, grief, murder, disaster, and family trauma, with emotionally intense scenes
A note about Religious Material
We recognize that religious material can carry different meanings and experiences for people. Our intention is to explore these stories through a lens of humanity, healing, and connection, and to foster a respectful space for everyone involved.
Your well-being matters to us, and we are committed to creating a respectful, safe, and collaborative environment.
⚠️ A Note about Intimacy
This production may include moments of staged intimacy such as hand-holding, embraces, brief kisses, and other choreographed physical contact in service of storytelling. The Wayne is a consent-based rehearsal and performance space, and all physical interactions will be approached collaboratively, professionally, and with respect for actor boundaries. Any intimacy work will be supported through closed rehearsals when appropriate, with clear communication and ongoing consent practices throughout the process.
⚠️ A Note about Stage Violence
This production may include moments of staged violence or heightened physical conflict, including choreographed confrontations, depictions of struggle, and storytelling related to loss or harm. The Wayne is a consent-based rehearsal and performance space, and all violence or physical contact will be approached collaboratively, professionally, and with respect for actor safety and boundaries. Any fight or conflict choreography will be rehearsed in a structured environment, with closed rehearsals when appropriate, clear communication, and ongoing consent practices throughout the process.
Lesley Larsen (she/her) is the Artistic Director of the Historic Wayne Theatre. A Teaching Artist with the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Lesley holds a BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University as well as an Masters of Literature(MLITT) and MFA in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance(ACTING) from Mary Baldwin University/The American Shakespeare Center. Lesley has been working professionally in the theatre for more than 20 years as a director, actor, improv comedian, and voice actor. A collaborator and advocate for consent-based theatre, Lesley is fiercely committed to filling the rehearsal room and stage with elevated, vulnerable, playful work. Wayne Theatre Directing Credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Wayne at Wintergreen), Nickelodeon the SpongeBob Musical, Something Rotten, Deep Into the Darkness: An Adaptation of Poe’s Works (adapted by Lesley Larsen & Whitney Larsen), Deathtrap, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, the Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest: Boy Band Edition, Little Shop of Horrors, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Elf the Musical, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson, as well as various children’s productions.
Kat McLean (she/her) grew up in Waynesboro and is currently the music teacher at Ware Elementary School in Staunton. She received her BM in Music Education from Radford University. Her previous music directing credits include Mary Poppins, West Side Story, Xanadu, Shrek The Musical, White Christmas, Cinderella and Singin’ in the Rain.
Corey Holmes (she/her) is the Director of Education at the Wayne Theatre and the state coordinator of Virginia for the nationwide competition, Poetry Out Loud. Corey has a BFA (FAU), M. Lit, and MFA(MBU) She has choreographed 11 of the Wayne Mainstage shows.
The Wayne Theatre is dedicated to supporting, fostering, and encouraging a collaborative, inclusive, consent-based theatre community.
★ We will provide a safe space filled with respect and mindful attention to all creators and audience members. We will attempt to make any changes necessary to ensure they feel safe.
★ We will create a consent-based space. We will not engage physically with a creative collaborator without verbal consent.
★ We will break down the power dynamics often found in the rehearsal room, encouraging actors to advocate for their own mental and physical well-being.
★ We will not use harassing language that is cruel or that creates discomfort.
★ We will provide a safe space for creators and audience members to tell their stories.
★ We will listen and provide a safe space for others to tell us if they feel uncomfortable in any way.
★ We will create inclusive and accessible environments for all creatives and audience members.
★ We will engage in thoughtful conversation that pushes our work forward
★ We will suspend the need for recognition for the benefit of the ensemble.
★ We will not suffer for our art.
Everyone has the right to participate in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.
The Wayne Theatre is committed to providing a safe and comfortable space for artists to gather and create. We are fiercely committed to ensuring that the work environment both on and off stage is free from harassment and bullying.
Every person who comes through our doors has the right to fair treatment and respect. All members of the creative team, crew, cast, and staff are held to the highest standards. Behavior should always be respectful and mindful. The Wayne Theatre responds promptly to all complaints. No inappropriate behavior, harassment, or bullying will be tolerated.
The Wayne Theatre is dedicated to supporting, fostering, and encouraging an inclusive, consent-based theatre community. To that end, the Wayne understands the importance of ensuring that our organization is a safe space for all, regardless of identity, race, faith, abilities, gender and background. As such the Wayne puts people first. We are devoting time, energy, and resources to support diversity, equity and inclusion in our organization. We are committed to improving and increasing the cultural diversity, equity and inclusion of our audiences, staff, artists, board, and programming. Our primary aim is to intentionally identify and eliminate systemic practices that could be exclusionary to staff, artists, and patrons in order to ensure that the Wayne is a safe space filled with respect, mindful attention to all and a furthering of the arts in our community.
Let us know how we can support you in this process. We can’t wait to meet you!
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