Get Involved - Auditions
Whether you fancy yourself onstage, backstage or offstage, Progress Theatre offers a variety of ways for you to get involved.
We’re all volunteers here, learning on the job and from each other. There’s always room for more though, so if you want to pick up a new skill, perfect an old one, or share your expertise with us, we’d love to have you.
Open Auditions
Progress auditions are open to everyone: members, ex-members, and non-members. Unless the audition notice states otherwise, auditionees must be over 18.
If you are cast for a show, you will need to become a member, this is for legal and safety reasons.
Inclusion
Progress Theatre is committed to the principles of inclusion, and roles are open to all, including any gender identity, disability or ethnicity. Although some characters may be historical figures, auditionees of different ethnicities, disabilities and gender identities are encouraged to audition. We are committed to improving our access to all and would love to welcome you to the Progress community.
Please get in touch at [email protected]
Upcoming Auditions
Dance Nation
by Clare Barron
‘Dance Nation’ traverses the awkwardness of pre-teens on the brink of adolescence, the competitive dance world and the chaotic and messy ascension to womanhood.
Set in Ohio, a group of highly ambitious and competitive dancers are preparing for a National Dance competition led by their fearless leader Dance Teacher Pat. Their dance needs to be epic, needs to be out-of-the-ordinary, needs to be about Gandhi.
In the comical lead up to the reveal of who will be dancing the lead as Gandhi, the dancers grapple with their friendships, the demands of being a dancer and their growing curiosity around sexuality. ‘Pussy’ which was once a word of shame is reclaimed as a battle cry of empowerment and solidarity amongst the dancers.
This funny, tender show captures the angst and complexity of growing up.
Directed by Imogen Lilley.
Contact details for any questions: [email protected]
Important dates:
Read through: Saturday 20 June, 2.30pm, at Progress Theatre
Auditions:
- Thursday 2 July, 7.30pm, at Progress Theatre
- Sunday 5 July, 2.30pm, at Palmer Park (upstairs lounge)
Performance dates: 12-17 October 2026
Notes on casting:
The play is set in Ohio; therefore, the ability to perform or learn an American accent would be preferable. All cast members must be comfortable with movement.
In the notes to the play, Clare Barron states: “All characters except Dance Teacher Pat and The Moms are between the ages of 11-14. However, they should be played by adult actors (for the most part) and should range in age from 12-75+ . There is no need for any of the actors to resemble teenagers. And the more diverse the cast in terms of race, sexuality, backgrounds, bodies, souls, etc. the better”.
Casting breakdown:
Amina – The star dancer of the company and Dance Teacher Pat's favourite. Amina is ambitious, considerate, and driven. Throughout the show, we see her struggle with the desire to maintain her position as the best dancer on the team, please Dance Teacher Pat, and remain loyal to her friends. (Female-identifying actor of colour; playing age 18+)
Zuzu – The second-best dancer, always in Amina's shadow. Zuzu is a talented dancer but is unable to find the feeling that connects her to dance. She is on the cusp of questioning whether there may be a life for her outside of dance. Will Zuzu crumble under the pressure and expectations of her mother, Dance Teacher Pat, and the other girls? (Female-identifying actor; playing age 18+)
Connie – A talented dancer who believes she should play the role of Gandhi. Connie appears slightly less mature than the other girls and remains fascinated by her lucky horse toy. She is the glue of the group, with a strong sense of justice. Dedicated to dance, she is not consumed by the desire to pursue it professionally or become the best. (Female-identifying actor of South Asian descent; playing age 18+)
Luke – The only male dancer on the competition team. Luke is described throughout the play as being "one of the girls". He is integral to the group dynamic and harbours feelings for Zuzu. He is sweet, sensitive, and kind. (Male-identifying actor; playing age 18+)
Maeve – The oldest and least talented dancer on the team. Maeve holds the other girls accountable for their actions, particularly Amina, and often offers a more mature perspective during moments of confrontation. Although passionate about dance, Maeve sees it as a hobby rather than a career path. (Female-identifying actor; playing age 18+)
Sofia – Sofia is described by the playwright as the character "who knows what's up". She is on the cusp of womanhood and is exploring her sexuality and sense of self throughout the play. Sofia is bold, funny, and unapologetic. (Female-identifying actor; playing age 18+)
Ashlee – A dedicated dancer with a strong moral compass. Much like Sofia—perhaps even more so—Ashlee is bold, powerful, and ambitious. She is unabashedly confident and recognises her own potential from a young age. (Female-identifying actor of colour; playing age 18+)
Vanessa & The Moms – This role would suit an actor who is flexible and happy to multi-role. Vanessa's dreams of dancing are crushed in the opening scene when she sustains an injury. Following the opening scene, the actor takes on the roles of the dancers' parents. The mothers in Dance Nation act as voices of reason and support, while also serving as catalysts for some of the drama. (Female-identifying actor; playing age 20+)
Dance Teacher Pat - The fearless leader of the dance company. Dance Teacher Pat prides himself on a long legacy of creating successful professional dancers and star performers. On the surface he is a comical, tough dance teacher however, there is something a little uneasy about his character. (Male-identifying actor; playing age 20+)
What's Wrong With Angry
by Patrick Wilde
A heartfelt, rebellious, and defiantly joyful story of young gay love in a world that isn’t ready for it.
The play is set in Basingstoke, Hampshire where, although only forty miles away from London, the political and cultural landscape is very different. It takes place in the early 90’s. Mobile phones and the internet don’t exist, and the age of consent for gay men is twenty-one. Section 28 is on the statute book, which specifically forbids local councils and schools from promoting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle.
There are no overt sex scenes - it is all implied. Steven and John will kiss and we will have an intimacy co-ordinator to ensure these scenes are handled sensitively. There are also themes of bullying and suicide.
The play is set in a private boys school- we are happy to have both male and female identifying teenagers to play the male school friends and playground bullies. We. Welcome interest from the LGBT+ community.
In addition to the cast named there will be additional chorus of cruising men, schoolkids, a priest, funeral relatives. These can also be played by members of the company. There are group bullying scenes and a surreal nightmare scene.
This is a joint adult group and Progress Youth Theatre production.
Directed by Ali Carroll
Produced by Liz Carroll
Assistant Directed by Olly Swinyard
Contact details for any questions: [email protected]
Important dates:
Read through: Saturday 4 July, 7.30pm-10pm, at Progress Theatre
Auditions:
- Friday 17 July, 7.30pm, at Progress Theatre
- Saturday 18 July, 6.30pm, at Progress Theatre
Performance dates: 16-21 November 2026
Casting breakdown:
Steven Carter (16) – Brave, funny and very bright, he’s sixteen years old and gay at a time when the age of consent for gay men was 21. He’s known he is gay for a while and is personally comfortable with it, having discovered sex through cottaging, but is terrified of anyone finding out, especially his Catholic parents. He attends an all-boys’ Catholic school in ultra conservative Basingstoke where he is bullied and called gay, not because the other boys know about his sexuality, but because the bullies believe it to be the ultimate insult. He thinks all he wants in life is to have a boyfriend but comes to realise he will never be happy until he comes out.
John Westhead (18) – Eighteen years old, he’s the school captain, very bright and heading for Oxford University after the Summer. He’s handsome and a superb sportsman. He’s perfect, except he has secret feelings for other lads, and falls for Steven. Tortured by his secret love and passions, he is terrified of anyone f inding out, believing it means he will lose everything he has and wants for the future (and that he could even go to prison).
Linda Rogers (16/17) – Sixteen or seventeen, Linda is still at school and is Steven’s best (and only) friend. She knows he’s gay – the only person who does - and is supportive. She refuses to be defined by the fact she’s obviously overweight, and is funny, tough and takes no prisoners. Secretly she has the same anxieties as Steven – she desperately wants a boyfriend but doesn’t know how to go about getting one. She and Steven tell each other everything, and together make a comedy double act. Steven’s parents think she is Steven’s girlfriend.
Simon Hutton (30’s/40’s) – Late thirties to mid-forties he hit the gay scene in London when he was very young and had a great time. He subsequently became a teacher in Basingstoke and consequently had to go back into the closet. He can see that Steven is being bullied but is unable to help him because of Section 28 (he’d lose his job), and when he finally does intervene the consequences are potentially catastrophic for both of them.
Kevin Granger (looks 18) – Eighteen years old and a bully. He’s part of John’s crowd and idolises him. He particularly picks on Steven, but as with most bullies it’s all bravado. He thinks he’s God’s gift to women but is actually a virgin and very sexually awkward. Becomes concerned when he notices John and Steven becoming close and is directly responsible for the catastrophe that ensues.
Brian Carter (30’s/40’s) – Steven’s father. A kind but conservatively minded man, and a devout Catholic. He dotes on Steven, his only child, and is delighted he seems to have found a girlfriend in Linda, so horrified when he discovers the truth about him. This is compounded by the fact he was abused as a boy. During the play he is also dealing with the fact his mother is terminally ill.
Mary Carter (30’s/40’s) – Steven’s mother. Funny and warm, she dotes on her only son. She wants nothing more than to have a grandchild but is worried in case Steven and Linda are already having sex – she doesn’t want one quite yet! She reacts better than her husband when she finds out Steven is gay, but tries to console him that it’s probably just a phase.
Michael Ayres (40+) – A very conservative, old-fashioned Headmaster at the old boy’s Catholic school. His mission is to turn out decent, Catholic, heterosexual young men, who preferably go the Oxford or Cambridge rather that one of the “lesser” universities. Section 28 being on the statute books has merely reinforced his attitudes, and he refuses to allow Hutton to advise Steven, and threatens him with the law.
Jenny Keeley (18) – Jenny is the 18-year-old Head girl at Notre Dame School For Girls. Sporty, fit, beautiful. John’s love interest with a mind of her own. This is a small part - can be doubled with chorus.
Karen (24) – About 24 and is the pregnant wife of one of Steven’s early sexual encounters. This is a small part - can be doubled with chorus.
Dave (looks 18) – 18 year old Dave is one of John’s school mates. He’s cooler than Kevin, and joins in the bullying of Steven less willingly.
Glen (25+) – A good looking, not very successful actor who is married but secretly picks up guys in public toilets. This is a small part - can be doubled with chorus.
Cruising men, schoolkids, a priest, funeral relatives are played by members of the company.