Audition for High Desert Playback

High Desert Playback makes theater for social change in New Mexico and beyond. Our multi-racial, queer and trans centered ensemble “plays back” the real-life stories of our audience members, igniting community dialogue, cultural healing, and collective liberation.

Together, we co-create and sustain a culture culture built on: Equity, Courage, Creativity, Trust, Appreciation, and Care.

We find ways to live into our values in everything we do—from the way we do playback to the ways we engage with our partners, audiences, and each other.

About the Process

To help us round out the HDP Performance Company, we are seeking professional, committed actors and musicians who will:

  • Help shape, uphold, and model the culture of HDP

  • Engage in rehearsals and workshops to build skills and learn best practices for making the highest quality Playback Theatre

  • Perform in full-length productions and shorter shows and workshops 

  • Partner with organizations who share our values to use our artistry in service of community building and social justice initiatives throughout the state

  • Be asked to represent HDP at community events

  • Participate in regular business meetings to ensure decision making is collaborative and transparent

  • Work to embody antiracist and disability justice practices in our rehearsals, performances and admin systems

  • Practice living into the values of equity, courage, creativity, trust, appreciation, and care

  • Devise strategies to deal with conflicts before they arise and processes for giving and receiving feedback in all directions

  • Interrupt perfectionism when it shows up and focus on accessibility for our artists and audiences

  • Sign contracts to set expectations and articulate agreements in advance

The Details

  • We cast folks of all identities, backgrounds, and experiences. The most important quality you should have is the desire to perform and the belief in the power of art and storytelling to activate social change.

    That being said, this season, we are particularly interested in casting:

    • Black, Brown, Asian and Indigenous folks

    • Men and masc presenting folks

    • Fluent Spanish speakers

    • Musicians

    • Youth (18+) and elders

    • Folks with passion for and experience working with youth and young adults

    NOTE: The art of Playback Theatre is a trauma-informed practice that requires a wide capacity for holding stories, managing triggers and caring for stress. While company life can feel therapeutic and create a deep sense of belonging, our main goal is to show up in service of our audiences. This means we must show up with the skills, resourcing and regulation to care for ourselves well as we do this deep work.

  • We rehearse approx 8-10 hrs per month, working toward paid performances. New company members will have a 6-month “try it on” period to decide if it’s a good fit all around. Artists must attend the majority of (collectively scheduled) rehearsals in order to perform.

  • Once your training period is over and you are ready to perform (approx 6 months, depending on the performer), you will be paid each time you perform in a show.

    Company members will be paid anywhere from $75- $400 per show, depending on performance length and type.

    Each show is cast based on criteria of your availability, level of readiness, and your turn in the rotation. Since we only get paid when we perform, we work hard to make sure that performances are cast equitably.

About the Process

In the application, we will ask you to share your experience as an artist as well as your commitment to social justice work. You have the option to submit your answers via written text or video, depending on your learning style. Applications are due by 11:59PM on Wednesday July 1st.

1. Submit An Application

If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend the first round audition scheduled on Sunday, July 12 from 1-4PM in Albuquerque. You must be available to attend the entire time.

2. Round One Auditions

Folks who make it through Round One will be invited to attend the Callback Auditions on Thursday, July 16 from 5:00-9:00PM. Again, you must attend the entire time.

3. Round Two Callbacks

Apply Now

If you are selected to join the company, you will receive a phone call by Sunday, July 19th. Everyone else will be notified by email.

4. Invitation to the Company

5. Attend Opening Weekend

All company members—new and veterans—will come together for our Season 4 Opening Retreat Weekend, August 15-16.