NOW AUDITIONING FOR “THE OUTSIDERS” THE WESTERN RESERVE PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR THE FIRST PLAY IN OUR 2026/2027 SEASON BUILT BY US *THE OUTSIDERS* A Play by Christopher Segel
From the novel by S.E. Hinton
*Full-Length Play, coming of age drama* Seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy, a Greaser on the wrong side of life, caught up in territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids—the Socs—and his tough, underprivileged "greaser" family and friends. In the midst of urban warfare, somehow Ponyboy can't forget a short poem that speaks of their fragile young lives: *Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.* *Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.* *Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief,* *so dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.* While the Socs appear to have everything, the only thing a Greaser has is his friends. As these young people try to find themselves and each other, as the sadness of sophistication begins to reach them and their battles and relationships reach a resolution, Ponyboy's dying friend, Johnny, sends him a last message … I've been thinking about the poem that guy wrote. He meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's gold. Keep it that way. It's a good way to be. This is a play about young people who are not yet hopeless about latent decency in the midst of struggle. Directed by Sullivan Ratcliff TUESDAY JANUARY 20th 7pm-1030pm WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21st 7pm - 1030pm At the Western Reserve Playhouse 3326 Everett Rd, Richfield, OH 44286 Callbacks as needed Saturday January 24th WHAT TO KNOW: We are seeking a diverse cast of 15 or more performers for this teen coming of age story. Performers 16+ are encouraged to audition. Some Roles may be double cast and/or incorporated into an ensemble. Though some named roles are small there will be plenty for all to do. Rehearsals: Will begin approximately February 8, 2026. Rehearsals will run Monday-Thursday (evenings) and Sunday (evenings) based on cast availability. This is a 6-week rehearsal process with options for lower rehearsal commitment for adult actors. Performances: March 20-April 4 2026 What to prepare: - A short speech that you find might be thematically related to the play. Feel free to prepare your own or choose one of the following (below). - Cold reading from the script will also be provided - Please bring all conflicts for the rehearsal and performance process - VIDEO SUBMISSIONS will be accepted and due to august@thewrp.org by Wednesday Jan 21, 2026 by 1030pm This is a show about being a teenager, coming of age, so bring something you feel that is reflective of this time and that of the play. ALL ROLES ARE OPEN to all gender identities, races, ethnicities, body types, ages, and abilities. The genders/ages/ ethnicities outlined below indicate who we are looking for to play these parts; however, we will cast the show according to who is best suited for the roles. As a director I am deeply committed to inclusive casting and encourage BIPOC, queer identifying, and gender expansive actors to join us. No equity contracts available at this time. All positions are volunteer. *None of these parts are precast. All levels of actors wanted!* Roles Available: PONYBOY Male-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Caucasian In his early teens, a greaser caught between who he is and what the world expects of him JOHNNY Male-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Native American The youngest greaser, Ponyboy's friend and the gangs moral compass BOB Male-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Caucasian A Soc teen, entitled, belligerent and unhinged RANDY Male-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Black, Bob's best friend, menacing, loyal and sincere DALLAS Male-Presenting, Age: Late Teens-Early Twenties, Ethnicity: Caucasian A violent Greaser with a long rap-sheet. Has been as far north as New York and has done time in the penitentiary TWO-BIT Male-Presenting, Age: Late Teens - Early Twenties, Ethnicity: Hispanic A smooth talking Greaser who always has something clever to say. DARRY Male-Presenting, Age: Early Twenties, Ethnicity: Caucasian Ponyboy's oldest brother, caretaker for the family and a hard worker SODAPOP Male-Presenting, Age: Late Teens, Ethnicity: Caucasian Greaser. Middle child. Plays peacekeeper between Darry and Ponyboy SANDY Female-Presenting, Age: Late Teens, Ethnicity: Asian A hard-as-nails greaser with a fierce attitude. Sodapop's girlfriend CHERRY Female-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Caucasian A sweet soc girl. Brave and thoughtful. Bob's ex-girlfriend MARCIA Female-Presenting, Age: Teenager, Ethnicity: Hispanic A soc girl. airheaded and ditzy. Cherry's friend. MRS. O'BRIANT Female-Presenting, Age: Adult, Ethnicity: Caucasian A parent to country children and school-aide JERRY Male-Presenting, Age: Adult, Ethnicity: Caucasian A parent to country children and school-aide DOCTOR Male-Presenting, Age: Adult, Ethnicity: Caucasian Works at the hospital. Mature, refined and stoical. NURSE Female-Presenting, Age: Adult, Ethnicity: Black Works at the hospital. Firm, but kind MR. SYME Male-Presenting, Age: Adult, Ethnicity: Caucasian An English teacher at school. Understanding PAUL Male-Presenting, Age: Early Twenties, Ethnicity: Hispanic A soc. Darry's former friend. Plays football at college How to sign up: Please sign up for a 10 minute audition slot below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BA5AB2FABF8C52-61450080-auditions If you have any questions about the audition process please do not hesitate to contact august@thewrp.org *Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of* *Woodstock, Illinois* -- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. 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