Now through May 1, submit your video submissions for our General Auditions! 

Submit your video audition to [email protected] by May 1, 2026. Auditions should consist of two contrasting monologues with a total length of no more than four minutes.

Please use subject line: [YOUR NAME] GENERAL AUDITION.

PLEASE NOTE: The 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival will take place August 7-23, 2026 at 7 Stages Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Rehearsals will take place in various locations in the metro area, generally during weekday evenings and weekend days in July and August.

This summer’s Festival will feature the World Premiere production of Susan Swavely’s Helen of the West (winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award), as well as staged readings of other new Georgia-written plays and presentations of other artists’ shows. Actors cast in the full production will be paid a salary and actors in the readings will receive a stipend.

Helen of the West has the following casting requirements:
Helen: a young, beautiful mail-order bride (20s-30s)
Matthew Laus (pronounced Lay-Us): Helen’s wealthy husband (40s-70s)
Alexander Paris: a stable boy for Matthew Laus (20s-30s)
Claudia: Helen’s lady’s maid and friend (20s-30s)
Effy Gene: Paris’ younger sister, prostitute (20s)
No restrictions as to race or ethnicity.

Other Opportunities
We will also be casting for staged readings that are still being identified, so any actors are welcome to submit general auditions.