Actors Needed for Upcoming Stage Plays

(Female-presenting). Warm, loving, a little traditional. Owns a bakery and idolizes The Great British Bake O>. Her North Carolina roots and conservative Christian beliefs are deeply important to her. She’s charming and open-hearted, but confronted with moral conflict when asked to bake a cake for a gay wedding. She is not a villain—her journey is the heart of the play. Southern accent preferred. "The Cake"

(Female-presenting). Della’s deceased best friend’s daughter. Earnest, torn between her upbringing and her current life. She’s engaged to Macy but struggles with the disapproval she anticipates from her Southern roots. A peacekeeper, but growing into her own. Southern accent helpful but not required. "The Cake"

(Female-presenting). Jen’s fiancée. Smart, liberal, direct. From Brooklyn. A progressive journalist who sees the world through a political lens. She doesn’t hide her beliefs and challenges people when she sees injustice—but she’s also deeply in love and just wants to marry her partner. Strong energy and presence. "The Cake"

(Male-presenting). Della’s husband. Blue-collar, set in his ways, but ultimately wants to support his wife. Their marriage is rekindled through the events of the play. He doesn’t understand the current political climate but tries to keep up. Southern accent helpful. "The Cake"

A disembodied, authoritative British voice — charming, polished, and deeply resonant. George is the fictional host of “The Big American Bake-O> Show,” existing entirely in Della’s imagination. His refined British accent and poised delivery add both levity and gravity, and he represents a voice of judgment, aspiration, and occasionally, comfort. Must have excellent command of a classic British accent and strong vocal presence, as the role is voice-only. "The Cake"

Female presenting, (character ages from 11 – mid 40s). Headstrong, smart, eager, sensitive, and witty. Her circumstances and life experience have aged her well beyond her years. Knows how to get what she wants, but also has difficulty saying no. Her dreams are bigger than her small-town Southern upbringing. Actress must have strong comic timing. "How I Learned To Drive"

Male Presenting. Confident, charismatic, persuasive, authoritative and appealing. Trustworthy, caring, and protective of those he loves. Living in his own trauma. A man of many vices, he is an actor one would consider for the role of “Atticus” in To Kill A Mockingbird. "How I Learned To Drive"

Male presenting. Various characters, including Grandfather: Crass, simple, perhaps a little ignorant, and very much the product of his surroundings. Loves his wife and family, but sometimes has an unusual/inappropriate way of showing it. Waiter: A waiter at the Inn. High School Boys: Including Greg, a persistent boy at the high school dance. Greek Chorus - ALL should sing well, move well, have excellent comic timing and facility with language. "How I Learned To Drive"

Female presenting. Various characters, including Mother: Affectionate, warm, a little naïve. Wears her heart on her sleeve and often thinks before she speaks. Aunt Mary: Reserved, quiet (compared to her sister), loving, compassionate and loyal. Sees the best in everyone. High School Girls: Include many mean-spirited girls who tease Lil Bit at school. Greek Chorus - ALL should sing well, move well, have excellent comic timing and facility with language. "How I Learned To Drive"

Female presenting. Various characters, including Grandmother: Spunky, old-fashioned, strong-willed, with a quick wit. Content with the simple Southern life she leads. High School Girls: Include many mean- spirited girls who tease Lil Bit at school. Actress also plays the Voice of Lil Bit at age 11. Greek Chorus - ALL should sing well, move well, have excellent comic timing and facility with language. "How I Learned To Drive"

(Female presenting): almost unbelievably charming; a natural comedienne. Bouncily flirty: possesses more power of manipulation than even she understands. Very very VERY clever – and fancies herself even more clever than she is. Competitive, very educated but is not allowed a profession – and thus a bit like a border collie without any sheep. Given the chance, she might just rule the world. "Emma"

(Female presenting) a deeply likable girl from the lower classes who’s been given a basic education. A sweet, naturally affectionate human being, but not the brightest flame in the stove. A born enthusiast, the kind of person who leaps WAY before she looks. Wants to be in love. Has a desperate adoring friend-crush on Emma. "Emma"

(Female presenting) Emma’s former governess. A very smart woman with a good sense of humor; very perceptive and grounded. Capable of really teaching deep lessons. Picture the coolest aunt imaginable. DOUBLES WITH MRS. BATES (70s or so) An elderly lady, very opinionated, who communicates exclusively in grunts and hand gestures. Only appears completely obscured by bonnet, scarves, and shawls, rather like Cousin It. We never see what’s underneath all the layers. "Emma"

(Female presenting) headmistress of a struggling school for girls. An incredibly good-natured, if motor-mouthed and daft, woman. Very very proud of her niece Jane Fairfax, whom she talks about incessantly. Try to get a word in edgewise, I dare you. "Emma"

(Female presenting) You know that girl who always seems to do everything right? Jane is that girl. An overachiever. Very composed. Very beautiful. Very discreet. Very accomplished. Very smart. Very very VERY dammit! Works as a governess until she quits under “mysterious” circumstances. WHATEVER COULD THAT BE??? "Emma"

(Female presenting) not bright. What’s more, she has a laugh that is the auditory equivalent of nails being torn out of your fingers. Is delighted by everything. Her libido is...quite active. Thinks her new husband, Mr. Elton, is the most desirable thrilling brilliant man alive. She may actually be a hyena, wearing a human suit. MAY ALSO DOUBLE WITH MRS. BATES. "Emma"

(Male presenting) a handsome man; a super charming man; an upright fellow. He’s also a bit of a rule-follower; maybe sometimes a bit of a stick in the mud. Very clever and can be competitive (you can see where this is going...). Is preoccupied with Emma (yep, there it is) – they get under each other’s skin in the most delightful way. Feels deeply. A genuinely good guy. "Emma"

(60s plus, Male presenting) an over-anxious, melancholy hypochondriac, but people humor him, as he is a nice man under it all. OBSESSED with the healing power of gruel. Tends to darkly predict fatal illnesses as a sign of concern. MAY DOUBLE WITH MR. WESTON (50s ish Male presenting) the kind of man who likes to make awkward “dad jokes”. Very proud of his son, Frank Churchill. Maybe is prone to blurting out the wrong thing. "Emma"

(Male presenting) a clergyman who sometimes gets the wrong idea. ADORES poetry. A born social climber. Fancies himself a great romantic. Thinks ladies are naturally coy and enjoy wordplay. Thinks he oozes charm; maybe just oozes. MAY DOUBLE WITH MR. WESTON. "Emma"

(Male presenting) an incredibly charming, handsome, mischievous flirt of a man – the kind of man who gets away with almost everything because he’s just too TOO. Sigh. Not a bad guy, really; just a bit too likable for his own good. Ladies love him. Duh. A bit unused to hearing “no”, and as a result, doesn’t really believe in “no”. DOUBLES WITH ROBERT MARTIN – a sweet groundkeeper, in love with Harriet. Non-speaking. MAY ALSO DOUBLE WITH MRS. BATES (yes kids, it’s that kind of play). "Emma"