Auditions

Deadline to submit:
Monday, Jan 27, 2025

THE PROJECT

High Desert Playback is looking for 1 actor for the role of Star for our upcoming production of Queer Futures Now (QFN): An Alien Play, written from the real-life stories of LGBTQ+ youth from across New Mexico.

When four queer campers and their loved ones visit the Rio Chama in Northern New Mexico, they soon discover there is more to the great outdoors than peace and quiet. One by one, the campers go missing, leaving the others afraid and in need of answers. What they discover is more wild and unpredictable than they could have ever imagined. A blend of sci-fi, thriller, adventure, and dance party, Queer Futures Now follows four queer youths on their journey to safety and shows the path to LGBTQIA+ paradise is closer than we think.

Learn more about the project here.

THE DETAILS

This is a paid contract at a rate of $1500. Rehearsals take place in Abiquiu, NM the first weekend in February and throughout March in Albuquerque. Performances take place in various locations throughout New Mexico in April and early May. Click here for Tour Details.

THE ROLE

Star is Black or Brown, gender queer and/or trans, and uses ANY pronouns. They are in their early 20s. They are flamboyant but grounded. Loyal but flirty. They have experienced a lot of trauma and are committed to their own personal growth.

For Star, content is king. Expressing themself online is part of their survival. They are committed to their loyal following on IG and, as a result, always, always has their phone on the ready.

THE ACTOR

To effectively portray STAR, you must:

  • Have a lived experience of being queer, and preferably trans/non-binary

  • Be Black or brown-skinned

  • Be able to read as someone in their early 20s. You, yourself, must be 18+.

  • Be able to articulate how you are aligned with values of the project and why you want to be involved

  • Live close in or close enough to Albuquerque (with reliable transportation) to attend rehearsals in March

THE TEAM

Queer Futures Now is the first original production of High Desert Playback (HDP), a company that makes theater for social change in New Mexico and beyond. Our multiracial, queer + trans-centered ensemble uses the art of playback theatre and devised theater to mobilize and amplify social issues through community outreach, engagement, dialogue, and celebration.

Queer Futures Now is written by HDP Artistic Associate + Founding Company Member, Danielle Simone (Black, she/her) and HDP Co-Founder + Artistic Director, Allison Kenny (white, she/her). The show is directed by HDP Co-Founder + Executive Director, Lynn Johnson. Read our full bios here.

THE AUDITION

Interested? To audition, please submit two (2) videos:

  1. Intro Video (max 2 mins) in which you share:

    1. Your name 

    2. Pronouns

    3. 3 other identities that are on your mind/heart right now (i.e. race, gender, class, ability, etc.)

    4. A few “fun facts”: general likes/dislikes/interests that make you “you”

    5. Why you want to be involved in this project

  2. Audition Side. In this scene, Star is speaking to recording a video for their social media followers. 

  3. Send the videos via email to the director, Lynn Johnson, at lynn@highdesertplayback.com with “QFN Star Audition” as the subject line. 

  4. NEW (and earlier) deadline is Monday January 27, 2025.