Plays in Place is holding auditions for its upcoming summer production of three original site-specific plays in Historic Deerfield, Massachusetts. Written by Talya Kingston, Valyn Lyric Turner, and Patrick Gabridge, and directed by Brianna Sloane, the plays will be performed from July 10 – August 16, 2026 (Fri/Sat eve, Sun mat).
Auditions will be held on Thursday February 12th, 3:00-8:00pm at Historic Deerfield’s Hall Tavern Visitor’s Center (across the street from the Deerfield Inn). Plays in Place is casting non-union actors for paid roles. The pay will be $600 for three weeks of rehearsal and $1,260 for 6 weeks of performances ($70 per performance). Four (4) paid non-union understudy/swing roles are also available.
About the Plays:
Based on historical facts surrounding the divided community of Deerfield, Massachusetts in the lead up to the Revolutionary War. The three plays take place on a specific day in July 1774 when a Liberty Pole is brought into town by the Patriots and is cut in half in the dead of night before they have a chance to raise it. Seven characters take us into the political and personal lives of the residents (both free and enslaved) at a time of rising tensions.
Important Production Dates:
● Rehearsals are anticipated to begin the week of June 15 for three (3) weeks, with an anticipated rehearsal schedule of 10 hours per week.
● Performances will run for six (6) weeks from July 10 – August 16, with three (3) outdoor shows/week on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm
Available Roles:
ELIHU ASHLEY
Age mid-20s, white, apprentice doctor and charismatic diary writer. He is the son of the town’s Minister. Although his father and older brother are outspoken in their Loyalties to the King, Elihu is less concerned about politics than having fun.
DAVID DICKINSON
Age mid-20s, white, Elihu’s best friend who operates a store in town where the young people gather in the evenings to drink. He has had an affair with Sally Stebbins three years previously that resulted in a child out of wedlock that he continues to deny is his.
JINNY COLE
Age 50, Black (African), enslaved woman in the Ashley house, Cato’s mother, a deeply spiritual storyteller with memories of being captured from Guinea, determined to return someday in either this life or the next.
CATO COLE
Aged mid-30s, Black (African), enslaved man in the Ashley house, Jinny’s son. Served in the French & Indian war. Collector of buttons.
MARY STRATTON STEBBINS
Age 50, white, mother of seven children and married to a prominent Deerfield businessman and Whig (Patriot). Mary keeps an eye out for her own children as well as the neighborhood girls (esp.after her own daughter Sally gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock).
JOSEPH STEBBINS JR.
Age mid-20s, white, Mary’s son, recently married and owns a large house across the street from his parents. An ardent Patriot – he will fight in the Continental Army at Bunker Hill.
Understudies/Swings:
● (1) Black female – for the role of Jinny
● (1) White female – for the role of Mary and Cynthia Williams
● (1) Black male – for the role of Cato
● (1) White male – for the roles of Elihu, David and Joseph
The role of Cynthia Willams has been cast at this time.
Scheduling an Audition:
Audition slots are 10 minutes in length from 3:00pm-8:00pm. Actors will read sides from the play; no monologues required.
Please email Plays in Place Co-Producer Talya Kingston at talya.anne.kingston@gmail.com with a headshot/high-quality photograph and resume to schedule a slot, express interest in being considered for specific roles, and/or ask any questions. We will provide sides to prepare when confirming your audition time. If you are interested in auditioning but unavailable on February 12, please let us know so we can arrange other accommodations.
Thank you!
About Plays in Place:
Plays in Place is an award-winning site-specific theatre company that specializes in creating new work in partnership with museums, historic sites, and other cultural institutions. Past partners and sites include Boston’s Old North Church, the Massachusetts State House, the National Park of Boston, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Historic Northampton, and others. playsinplace.com