AUDITION CALL!
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Pigs is Pigs and Other Ellis Parker Butler Stories
Auditions August 16, 17 & 18 2026
Winters Theatre Company presents a Readers Theatre adaptation of the works of Ellis Parker Butler, an American humorist and author, who wrote some of the funniest stories of the early twentieth century.
Directed by Cody Svozil
WTC invites actors to audition for a dynamic staged reading of 3 humorous works written over 100 years ago. Casting will focus on voice and expression. All levels of acting experience are welcome. Matching the gender, age, or “look” of a character is not a requirement. Ability and desire to fill multiple roles is a plus.
​​​Audition Dates
August 16, 17 and 18 (Sun / Mon / Tue)
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Winters Opera House (13 Main St., Winters CA)
No call backs.
General Information
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Since this is a Readers Theatre show you should expect to bring your voice, your script— and possibly a reading light— on stage during performances. The show will have minimal props, minimal costumes, and minimal blocking.
This production will have a very quick turn-around. From the first audition to closing is exactly 4 weeks. 1 week for auditions and casting, 2 weeks of rehearsal, 1 week of tech, followed by 3 performances. We can get this show done well in that time frame, just be ready to start right away.
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Any questions, comments, concerns, or requests can be sent to pigs@letterboxes.org. This includes, but is not limited to, requesting to do a prerecorded audition or asking for a specific timeslot in auditions.
​Audition Information​
Auditions will consist of
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cold readings from the script, and
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reading from a slate of examples
The cold readings will match you to specific characters. The slate will give you a chance to show how you interpret and express varied lines with direction. A link to the slate will be posted here a few days before auditions. Printed copies of both will be provided.
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You are welcome to bring a headshot and résumé, if you already have them, but they are not required. The selected stories and casting roles are listed below. The 3 works are in the Public Domain in the United States and can be read freely and in full online. You do not need to read them before auditioning.
​​Selected Stories and Roles​
You Folks in the Audience
An essay where Ellis Parker Butler brings the reader under his wing to learn the tricks of the trade for a traveling lecturer, especially how to look out for and play with an audience (as any good humorist should).
May cast either:
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As a one-person show; OR
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As with a Narrator and up to 14 voices (the “advance information”, the contemptuous lecturer, the frightened speaker, the permitting parent, the surprised recognizer, the astonished recognizer, the tight-lipped auditor, the affable chairperson, the misled audience, the Showman, the demure chairwoman, a mother of poor health, a small boy who wants a baby sister, the sour old gentleman)
The Revolt
A One-Act Play where an Academy for Young Ladies unwittingly hires a militant suffragette who intends to dismantle the school from the inside. Urged on by their new professor the young ladies share their life aspirations before settling on becoming pirates.
Casting:
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Grandma Gregg: Founder of the Flushing Academy of Household Science for Young Ladies
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Pauline: Working out her tuition.
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Susan Jane Jones: An Emissary of the American Ladies’ Association for the Promotion of Female Supremacy.
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Kate: A student.
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Grace: A student.
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Edith: A student.
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Ida: A student.
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May: A student.
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Stage Manager: Reading the stage directions
Pigs is Pigs
A short story about a railway agent and how an argument over the shipping cost of two guinea pigs becomes bureaucratic missives and months of waiting all while the agent is saddled with a rapidly growing family of guinea pigs.
Casting:
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Reader 1. Narrator, and Advertisement
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Reader 2. Mike Flannery: Westcote agent of the Interurban Express Company
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Reader 3. John C. Morehouse: Consignee of Guinea Pigs
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Reader 4. President of the Interurban Express Company
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Reader 5. Mr. Morgan: Head of the Tariff Department
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Reader 6. Correspondence, Claims, and Audit Departments of the Interurban Express Company
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Reader 7. Mrs. Morehouse, and Warehouse of the Interurban Express Company
​​Production Schedule
​​​​Rehearsals begin Sunday August 23
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Other Rehearsals are Monday – Thursday
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Tech Week:
Sunday Sept 6 - Thurs Sept 10
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Performance Dates & Times:
Friday Sept 11 at 7:30 PM
Saturday Sept 12 at 7:30 PM
Sunday Sept 13 at 2:00 PM
Other Upcoming Auditions
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Auditions : September 14 & 15 at 7:00
Please check back here for audition details when they are made available. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest audition updates or sign-up for our monthly email Newsletter!