AUDITIONS: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

AUDITIONS: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Playing in the Long Beach Playhouse’s Mainstave Theater

Adapted by John Faust, based on the film by George A. Romero and John Russo.

Directed by David Scaglione

AUDITION DATES:  July 27 – 29, 2026

• Monday, July 27, 2026 – 7pm – 9pm: Open Call
• Tuesday,  July 28, 2026 – 7pm – 9pm: Open Call
• Wednesday,  July 29, 2026 – 7pm – 10pm: Callbacks – By invitation only.

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of open call auditions.  We are only seeing in-person auditioners during audition times – no video submissions. Auditioners will be seen on a first come, first serve basis determined by when they signed-in at the Open Call.)

PERFORMANCE DATES:  Sept. 19 – Oct. 17, 2026

AUDITION NOTICE:

TITLE: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

AUTHOR: John Faust

DIRECTOR: David Scaglione

RUN:  Sept. 19 – Oct. 17, 2026

Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events.

This is a volunteer community theater production.  Non-Equity.  There is no pay. 

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Monday, July 27 & Tuesday, July 28, 2026

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions. Auditioners will be seen on a first come, first serve basis determined by when they sign-in.)

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

Callbacks: By Invitation Only.

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Times: 7pm – 10pm

REHEARSALS:

First Read-Through: Saturday, Aug. 1, Noon – 4pm

Regular Rehearsal: Starting Aug. 3, Mon. – Thurs., 7pm – 10pm; Saturdays, Noon – 4pm, unless otherwise listed.

(Please see beginning rehearsal schedule BELOW for specific dates and times.)

Location: Long Beach Playhouse

NOTE: Open to working with some limited minor conflicts, but we will not be casing people with conflicts on tech dates and performances.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring headshot and resume. 

Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions.

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

Adapted from the well-known horror motion picture by George A. Romero and John Russo, set in the fictional town of Evans City, Pennsylvania, in 1968. There are local news reports of the dead rising from grave, and the police department is quickly overrun- with reports of ghouls and the town’s people are powerless to stop flesh-eating zombies. Our leading couple, BEN and BARBARA must hide out from undead in a farmhouse with a couple, HARRY and HELEN COOPER and their daughter, KAREN, for the time being, but can they or anyone be trusted?

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

NOTE: All roles are open to any ethnicity unless specifically listed (BEN & BARBARA.)  Long Beach Playhouse encourages actors of all backgrounds, gender identities, and abilities to audition.

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is a horror themed stage production that will feature undead creatures and simulated blood, brains, and guts.  You should make sure you are comfortable with the subject matter and style of the show before auditioning.

BEN (M, 18-40, African American): Dynamic and strong; leader type.

BARBARA (F, 18-30, Caucasian): Frightened yet resilient; at first dazed by what is happening.

JOHNNY: (M, 18-30): Barbara’s brother and a bit of a jerk.  Later gets turned into a ghoul.

HARRY COOPER (M, 30-65): Gruff and old-fashioned, husband to Helen.  Out for himself and his family.

HELEN COOPER (F, 30-65): Reactionary and frightened, wife to Harry. Is more reasonable and cooperative than her husband.

KAREN COOPER (F, 12-21 to play young girl): Daughter of Helen and Harry; seems innocent, but has a dangerous secret.

TOM (M, 16-21 to play teenager) Teenager, boyfriend to Judy. Wants to help, but ends up an innocent victim.

JUDY (F, 16-21 to play teenager) Teenager, girlfriend to Tom.  Is deeply devoted, but ends up an innocent victim.

NEWS ANCHOR (M or F, 20-65): Strong and assertive; trying to come to grips with what is happening.

FIELD NEWS ANCHOR- (M or F, 20-65): Struggling to be famous; trying to come to grips with what is happening.

DR. GRIMES (F, 20-65): Scientist determined to learn what is going on; this side of bizarre or eccentric.

CHIEF McCLELLAND (M or F, 20-65):, County Sheriff – typical movie police officer.

VINCE (M, 18-28): Chief McClelland’s Deputy; good with a rifle.

RUSS/GHOUL 1 (M, 18-65): Chief McClelland’s Deputy, then ghoulish and full of death.

SALLY/GHOUL 2 (F, 21-65): Server when living and a ghoul when dead.

CEMETERY GHOUL (M, 18-65): Quiet, unassuming yet dead; non-speaking, just moaning.

DINER CUSTOMER 2/GHOUL 3 (M or F, 18-65): Small speaking role and later a ghoul.

DINER CUSTOMER 1/GHOUL 4 (M or F, 18-65): Small speaking role and later a ghoul.

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: