Still Small's auditions are open to all experience levels. You do not need to be a Christian in order to participate, but you should be comfortable with our mission (see our About page) and with the fact that prayer and other spiritual exercises are built into our rehearsal time.
For any questions, please contact Jasmine at stillsmalltheatre@gmail.com
For any questions, please contact Jasmine at stillsmalltheatre@gmail.com
Upcoming Auditions
Exciting news: we are making The Diary of Perpetua into a film!
Please read the information below to make sure this is a project that is a good fit for you ... and then have fun preparing your audition!
Please read the information below to make sure this is a project that is a good fit for you ... and then have fun preparing your audition!
The Project
The Diary of Perpetua is adapted from the real-life diary of Vibia Perpetua, a 21-year-old mother living in 3rd century Carthage. (Her diary is now one of the oldest known female-authored documents.) Arrested with four other young believers for illegally practicing Christianity, she wrestled profoundly and honestly with the effects her imprisonment and possible execution would have on her family, and courageously wrote her own story in a world dictated by men – a story awash with the love of Jesus as well as the love of those she left behind.
In 2020, the number of Christians persecuted for their faith rose to over 340 million – one in eight globally. We are undertaking this project to let them know they are not alone, to inspire the Church to pray and give on their behalf, and to help the Church learn from their beautiful faith. In order to draw more attention to their ongoing story, this film will be shot in modern dress.
In 2020, the number of Christians persecuted for their faith rose to over 340 million – one in eight globally. We are undertaking this project to let them know they are not alone, to inspire the Church to pray and give on their behalf, and to help the Church learn from their beautiful faith. In order to draw more attention to their ongoing story, this film will be shot in modern dress.
The Nitty-Gritties
All principal actors will receive a small stipend. We do not yet know how much we will be able to offer (it depends on the success of our fundraising campaigns, so please pray!:) – but it will not be less than $50. Supporting actors will also receive a small stipend, of at least $25, and all extras will receive a Diary of Perpetua T-shirt.
Our plan is to begin principals’ rehearsals over Zoom in March. We hope to begin meeting in person for rehearsals in May, and to shoot in June and July; however, this schedule may be adjusted depending on the state of the pandemic at that time. We will be complying with all safety guidelines that are current at that time, and doing everything we can to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
The film will shoot primarily on the North Shore of Massachusetts (the greater Salem area), with the possibility of a few scenes within a 2-hour drive of the area.
Our plan is to begin principals’ rehearsals over Zoom in March. We hope to begin meeting in person for rehearsals in May, and to shoot in June and July; however, this schedule may be adjusted depending on the state of the pandemic at that time. We will be complying with all safety guidelines that are current at that time, and doing everything we can to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
The film will shoot primarily on the North Shore of Massachusetts (the greater Salem area), with the possibility of a few scenes within a 2-hour drive of the area.
Who We're Looking For
You do not need to be a Christian to work with us. However, we do ask that you look over our mission statement (towards the bottom of our About Us page) and the purpose stated above, to make sure that this is a mission that truly inspires you and feels like a good fit for you. Please also be aware that we will be praying and doing spiritual exercises during the rehearsal process and on set, and consider whether these are things in which you feel comfortable participating. We won’t push you to participate beyond your personal threshold, but you should at least be comfortable with these things happening around you, and with thinking through your character’s spiritual life. If you have any questions about what this aspect of the process is like, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at sstt@stillsmalltheatre.com.
In order to reflect the face of modern Christian persecution, as well as to reflect Perpetua’s own multicultural context, we are giving special attention to creating a racially and ethnically diverse cast. All races and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to apply; however, we are particularly looking for actors of the following ancestry:
* We recognize that ethnic identity is deeply personal, that there are many ways to divide and subdivide groups based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribal group, and more, and that the above broad categories and terms may not reflect how you prefer to identify. While we've tried to use terms acceptable to the individuals they're meant to describe, we realize that different people have different preferences, and we apologize and thank you for your patience with us if we have not used your preferred term, or have included you in a group that you feel is too broad. We look forward to learning more about you!
In order to reflect the face of modern Christian persecution, as well as to reflect Perpetua’s own multicultural context, we are giving special attention to creating a racially and ethnically diverse cast. All races and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to apply; however, we are particularly looking for actors of the following ancestry:
- East Asian (e.g. Korean, Chinese)
- Black
- South Asian (e.g. Indian, Pakistani, Nepali)
- Middle Eastern (e.g. Afghan, Iranian)
- Southeast Asian (e.g. Vietnamese, Lao)
- Hispanic / Latino
- Indigenous American
- Pacific Islander
- Central Asian (e.g. Uzbek, Turkmen, Kazakh, Kyrgyz)
- Biracial and Mixed Race
* We recognize that ethnic identity is deeply personal, that there are many ways to divide and subdivide groups based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribal group, and more, and that the above broad categories and terms may not reflect how you prefer to identify. While we've tried to use terms acceptable to the individuals they're meant to describe, we realize that different people have different preferences, and we apologize and thank you for your patience with us if we have not used your preferred term, or have included you in a group that you feel is too broad. We look forward to learning more about you!
How to Audition
We are currently accepting video auditions for the principal roles that have not yet been cast. We will start casting for supporting cast soon.
Please submit your videos to stillsmalltheatre@gmail.com via private YouTube video or GoogleDrive link no later than March 10th. If you do not have the ability to create a video, or cannot find someone to read your scene with you, please contact us to set up a Zoom audition. Accompaniment tracks are provided for your convenience; if you prefer to work with a live pianist, you may e-mail us for a piano score. A cappella auditions are also acceptable as long as you begin at the right pitch.
Please include:
It may take us a few weeks before we have news of our casting decisions while we wait for all videos to be submitted, but all applicants will hear back from us one way or another. If you are not selected for a principal role, you will still be considered for a supporting or extra role unless you indicate on your audition form that you are not interested.
If you would like a perusal script, please e-mail us at sstt@stillsmalltheatre.com.
Supporting role and extras casting will occur later in the spring. These roles do not require solo singing – so if you’re not a singer, have no fear! There’s still a place for you here! Please check back in March for an updated list of open roles.
Please submit your videos to stillsmalltheatre@gmail.com via private YouTube video or GoogleDrive link no later than March 10th. If you do not have the ability to create a video, or cannot find someone to read your scene with you, please contact us to set up a Zoom audition. Accompaniment tracks are provided for your convenience; if you prefer to work with a live pianist, you may e-mail us for a piano score. A cappella auditions are also acceptable as long as you begin at the right pitch.
Please include:
- Your performance of a song that shows off your vocal range, type, and ability to act a song. If you'd like to audition with a song your character sings, samples are included with the character descriptions (an accompaniment track is provided for your convenience)
- A reading of the scene(s) included with the character description
- A completed audition form (below).
It may take us a few weeks before we have news of our casting decisions while we wait for all videos to be submitted, but all applicants will hear back from us one way or another. If you are not selected for a principal role, you will still be considered for a supporting or extra role unless you indicate on your audition form that you are not interested.
If you would like a perusal script, please e-mail us at sstt@stillsmalltheatre.com.
Supporting role and extras casting will occur later in the spring. These roles do not require solo singing – so if you’re not a singer, have no fear! There’s still a place for you here! Please check back in March for an updated list of open roles.
| Audition Form |
Available Principal Roles
Father – 50s-60s – Baritone (A2 – C4 [A3 acceptable])
A highly complex character, Perpetua’s father is a prominent member of society deeply devoted to his family. He combines sincerity and manipulation, concern for his favorite child and concern for his family’s respectable reputation, as he tries to convince Perpetua to publicly renounce her faith in order to save her life. His pain is complicated by her defiance of his absolute authority as pater familias, and by the loss of his youngest son to cancer years before.
* Only Black actors will be considered for this role.
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Saturus – 50s-60s – Tenor (A2 – G4)
A mentor to Perpetua and her friends, Saturus is not originally arrested with them but voluntarily turns himself in so that he can support them in their journey. Steady, wise, and caring, Saturus is the sort of person who makes you feel like things are going to be OK, just by being there.
All ethnicities considered; see above section on "who we're looking for".
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Saturninus – 20s-30s – Tenor (A2 – E4)
The class clown of the group, Saturninus is outgoing, enthusiastic, and incredibly loyal to his friends. Best friends with Secundulus, he is part of the original group of young Christians arrested with Perpetua.
Because Saturninus does not have long sections of dialogue, please read the following scenes for Secundulus and Asinius.
All ethnicities considered; see above section on "who we're looking for".
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Secundulus – 20s-30s – Tenor (A2 – E4)
Painfully shy, Secundulus was coaxed into friendship by Saturninus as a child and has been best friends with him ever since. Although worried that he doesn’t have what it takes to stand up for his beliefs, Secundulus is given the words and the courage to speak truth to the most intimidating guard in the prison. He is part of the original group of young Christians arrested with Perpetua.
All ethnicities considered; see above section on "who we're looking for".
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Revocatus – 20s-30s – Baritone (A2 – E4)
Enslaved since early childhood, Revocatus’ many years of keeping quiet have given him an unusual depth of thought and faith. Unobtrusive yet full of strength, he has the easiest time of anyone adjusting to prison life, with his long experience of being treated unfairly making him hard to discourage or intimidate.
Because Revocatus does not have long sections of dialogue, please read the following scene for Secundulus.
All ethnicities considered, South Asian preferred.
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Pudens – 20s-50s – Tenor (C3 – E4)
The chief officer of the arena prison, Pudens must use violence and intimidation to cover any fear he has of the desperate people he regularly guards – particularly of the Christians, who, he has been told, use witchcraft against their captors. As he observes them day after day, he comes to deeply respect them, and eventually comes to believe.
All ethnicities considered; see above section on "who we're looking for".
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Available Children's Roles
Aulus – boy - 7-10 – Alto (B3-A4)
An infant at the time of her arrest, Perpetus’s son, Aulus, appears at the end of the film to help his uncle Asinius pass on her story. He has been raised by his grandmother, and attends a house church with her and Asinius.
Please learn the tenor part (the top notes) for “Perpetua Reprise.”
* Only Black or biracial actors will be considered for this role.
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Dinocrates – boy - 7 (or passing for 7) – non-singing dance/movement role
Perpetua’s brother who died of cancer at age 7, Dinocrates appears to Perpetua in a vision after she is prompted to pray for him. She sees him alone and suffering, thirsting for relief, and after she prays for him, she has another vision in which he is healed and happy.
Dance or gymnastics experience preferred.
Please send a video of some movement improv, inspired by the words “joy,” “gazelle,” and “breathe.” Have fun and be creative! Extra points if you can do a cartwheel!
* Only Black actors will be considered for this role.
Baby Aulus – 2-12 months – both boys and girls considered
Perpetua’s son, Aulus, spends a significant amount of time in prison with her. His main job is to be an adorable baby, although he also spends a little time as a bargaining chip manipulatively leveraged by Perpetua’s father. He will have a fake baby double for when he needs breaks.
* Only Black or biracial actors will be considered for this role.