AUDITIONS
Seeking local actors for all roles in Hank Williams: Lost Highway directed by Abby Apple-Boes and music directed by Jason Tyler Vaughn, performing on the Aurora Fox Mainstage from Dec. 4 to Dec. 27, 2026!
Auditions will be at the Aurora Fox (9900 E. Colfax Ave.) on Aug. 9 and 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in five-minute time slots by appointment only. Please check in for your audition at the Fox Box Office approximately 10 minutes before your audition.
The spectacular musical biography of the legendary singer-songwriter frequently mentioned alongside Louis Armstrong, Robert Johnson, Duke Ellington, Elvis and Bob Dylan as one of the great innovators of American popular music. The play follows Williams’ rise from his beginnings on the Louisiana Hayride to his triumphs on the Grand Ole Opry to his eventual self-destruction at twenty-nine. Along the way, we are treated to indelible songs like “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Move It on Over” and “Hey, Good Lookin’,” which are given fresh and profound resonance set in the context of Williams’ life.
Email Olivia at okirkpat@auroragov.org if you wish to read a perusal script.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Rehearsals begin on or around Nov. 2, 2026. Generally, rehearsals at the Fox run 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, but days off and actual rehearsal schedule may depend upon cast availability.
Technical rehearsals will begin Nov. 28, 2026.
REHEARSALS:
Hank Williams: Lost Highway will perform Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Dec. 4 to Dec. 27, 2026. Additionally, there will be an industry night on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and a weekday matinee on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. The Saturday performances on Dec. 19 and Dec. 26 will be at 2 p.m.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Auditions will take place in five-minute time slots in-person and by appointment only on Aug. 9 and 10.
To sign up, please scroll to the bottom of the page and use the scheduler.
AEA contracts are available. Equity members, please be prepared to show your card when you check in to audition.
As a courtesy to other actors and the production team, if you sign up to audition and cannot attend, please cancel your appointment.
If you are local but unavailable for these dates, please email Olivia at okirkpat@auroragov.org to discuss other options.
ABOUT THE AUDITION:
Please prepare a one-minute comedic or dramatic monologue, along with one period-appropriate country tune of your choice (ex. Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline). If you are able, we encourage you to accompany yourself. The Fox will provide one acoustic guitar and one electric bass for auditions, as well as a keyboard accompanist for those who may choose to only sing.
PREPARATION:
HANK WILLIAMS - Masc, a south Alabama hillbilly singer, thin and black-eyed. He dresses in high priced western suits and always wears a Stetson.
TEE-TOT - Masc, a Black south Alabama street singer of indeterminate age.
THE WAITRESS - Femme, the keeper of an all-night diner somewhere in the south. A cheerful, lonely person.
MAMA LILLY - Femme, Hank’s mother. A “Marjorie Main” - strong and somewhat overbearing.
HOSS - Masc, a member of Hank’s band, The Drifting Cowboys. A big, boyish man, Hank’s age. Plays upright (“doghouse”) bass.
JIMMY (BURRHEAD) - Masc, a member of Hank’s band, plays lead electric guitar. From Oklahoma, especially so in his speech.
LEON (LOUDMOUTH) - Masc, a member of the band and a skillful musician on many instruments, featured on the fiddle. Pleasant and taciturn.
FRED ROSE (PAP) - Masc, a founder and executive of a Nashville music publishing company. A Midwesterner from Chicago.
AUDREY WILLIAMS - Hank’s first wife, later his professional widow. A blond Alabama beauty, sweet and exuberant and sure.
SHAG - the pedal steel guitarist.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
The Aurora Fox operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association. Equity members are encouraged to audition and will be considered for any role. Rates under our 2026 contract are $450 per week, plus health and pension. Non-equity rates are $450 per week. We use a 22 hour a week rehearsal schedule all weeks except for tech.
The Aurora Fox is committed to casting choices that represent and celebrate all of our incredibly talented and diverse communities. Unless otherwise required by the script, and therefore reflected in the casting notice, individuals of any and all ages, ethnic identities, gender identities or expressions, sizes, spiritual identities, disability statuses, and sexual orientations are strongly encouraged to audition.
CASTING PRACTICES:
If no times appear in the scheduler below, we are fully booked. We will maintain a wait list and fill cancellations in order of request. We do expect to be able to see everyone who wants an appointment.
We will attempt, within reason, to make alternate arrangements for local actors who are unable to attend during the available time slots. We are not accepting video submissions at this time.