Actor for AEA 29 Hour Reading - Oliver

SEEKING ACTOR FOR NEW PLAY READING FESTIVAL

DESCRIPTION:

Developmental Reading of PASSION PROJECT (a new play by Grace Parker), to be presented at EVOLUTION FESTIVAL at The Center at West Park.

Co-produced by Grace Parker & Claire Latourette.

PERSONNEL:

Viewing Submissions:

Jeff Parker (Director)

Grace Parker (Playwright / Producer)

Claire Latourette (Producer / Annie)

We are looking for a skilled actor passionate about new work to join our company for a developmental reading and rehearsal process with EVOLUTION FESTIVAL at The Center at West Park.

This will be the second developmental reading of PASSION PROJECT, following an AEA 29 Hour reading held at The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab at the Library for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center).

The CWP Evolution Festival will present more than thirty new works of theatre, dance, music, comedy, and more at venues all across Manhattan from June - September. We are one of ten new plays that will perform as a part of the festival’s Launchpad Reading Series.

SEEKING:

OLIVER INFO / CHARACTER

OLIVER: 20s. He tried to be a playwright, but it didn't work out. Now he's a director. Comes from money. Socially awkward, erudite, artistic. Can't read the room. Crunchy granola, hippy dippy, but with a trust fund. Any ethnicity.

SYNOPSIS:

PASSION PROJECT is a contemporary ensemble play set in a rehearsal room, where young artists attempt to develop a play written decades earlier by their director’s late grandmother. At the center is Annie, a working actress torn between healthy love and toxic familiarity. As ambition and intimacy collide, the question emerges: Is pursuing a dream an act of devotion or self-destruction? A play about friendship, approval, art, and passion - what it costs, and what it sometimes gives back.

DATES:

• Monday 8/24 - 12:00–6:00 PM

• Monday 8/31 - 11:00-5:00 PM

• Wednesday 9/2 - 3:00-9PM, Invited Reading at 7:00PM

Rehearsals and reading will be held at The Center at West Park 263 West 86th Street, New York, NY, 10024. Reading tickets for audience members are pay-what-you-can.

SALARY: 100 dollar stipend.

All cast members will receive professional photos & video footage taken at the reading.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please email your headshot, resume, reel and/or website no later than TUESDAY, AUGUST 4th, 2026 at 11:59PM EST to [email protected].

Callbacks will be sent via email by FRIDAY, AUGUST 7th with tapes due by TUESDAY, AUGUST 11th. A decision will be made no later than FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th.

Everyone who submits an audition form will receive an email regarding casting status.

DEADLINE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

MORE INFORMATION – about CWP Evolution Festival 2026: https://www.centeratwestpark.org/evolution-festival-2026

https://www.centeratwestpark.org/launchpad-reading-series

MORE INFORMATION about the playwright / director / producers

Grace Parker (Playwright / Producer)

Grace Parker is an NYC-based writer and teacher. Her work has been developed with Atlantic Theatre Company, De Frente Productions, The Bechdel Project, 3 Days Prior, HB Studio, and Kimberly Senior. She was a finalist for the Jane Chambers Feminist Playwriting Award, and her work has been recognized by National Playwrights’ Conference, The Thomas Wolfe International Prize, and Final Draft’s Big Break. She has been commissioned by Northlight Theatre Education and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. Training includes UNCSA (BFA Drama), NHSI Cherubs, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s NTI.

Jeff Parker (Director)

Jeff Parker (AEA / SAG-AFTRA / AGMA) is a Chicago-based actor whose work includes Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Court, Victory Gardens, Northlight, Drury Lane, and Marriott. A Jeff Award nominee for Nine at Porchlight Theatre, he was also part of the Jeff Award–winning ensemble of The Brother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf. Regional credits include ACT, Huntington, Asolo Rep, Manhattan Theatre Club, and the Kennedy Center. Television includes Chicago Fire, Empire, The Chi, and Prison Break. BFA, University of Southern California.

Claire Latourette (Producer / Annie)

Claire Latourette is a NYC based actor represented by Stewart Talent Chicago with commercial representation by Firestarter Entertainment. In New York, she made her Off-Broadway debut in FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY and regularly performs in cabarets across the city. Favorite regional credits include Drury Lane Theatre, Williams Street Rep, Titusville Playhouse, Broadway Palm, and Porchlight Music Theatre. BFA Musical Theatre (The Chicago College of Performing Arts). Claire was a founder of Blank Theatre Company Chicago and currently serves as the Director of Development for The Beautiful City Project. Upcoming - BEEHIVE: THE 70s MUSICAL at Shadowland Stages.

DURATION: August 24th - September 2nd