Calling all artists, actors, performers, and improv folks!
We are casting multiple roles for a small immersive community theater piece for SoftLaunch festival at Cleveland Public Theater. Performances Jan 15th, 16th, 17th 2026.
Contact me with your interest!Cassandra (Cas) Ziemer cgziemer@pm.me
About the piece: The Machine is an immersive theater performance piece that will center the audience as a jury with no agency in a contentious and emotional murder trial. One trans woman is dead. One trans woman is facing 40 years in prison. This is NOT a courtroom drama, but an abolitionist think piece. We want to incept a questioning of the (in)justice system into the minds of the audience members then motivate them to take action. This piece is not about 'guilty or innocent' or 'victim' versus 'accused', but about the people versus the system ("The Machine"). The audience will be made uncomfortable with their complacency in the system by positioning them as a jury but withholding any real power, agency, or ability to materially affect the trial or its outcome.
Trans folks please apply! The creative team is all transgender and the piece centers the experiences of two transgender women. This piece is inherently intertwined with violence against trans people. We want to make as safe of a space as possible and not (re-)traumatize anyone. This may be a difficult piece to be a part of; however, we want to make sure it’s also safe and even empowering and cathartic.
Disabled and neurodivergent folks please apply! The creative team is all disabled and/or neurodivergent and we strongly seek to create an accessible and inclusive space throughout the entire production. The performance space is wheelchair accessible. We will collectively form a mask policy and policies for other accessibilities as needed to make sure everyone involved is comfortable.
Roles that indicate a white character are intended for a white-passing performer. Other roles are welcome to be filled by a performer of any race/skin color. We strongly desire as diverse a cast as possible, not just with regard to race. Demographics associated with each role are exceptions specific to those characters.
We will try our best to have *ALL* interested people involved in some way in the piece. Time commitment, schedule, and compensation:
This is community theater, not a professional production. We all want to put on a great show, but the community always comes first. The piece will be shown at the Soft Launch festival at Cleveland Public Theater January 15th, 16th, and 17th. Tech and dress rehearsals are January 10th, 11th, 13th, and 14th. Additional rehearsals will be scheduled around the cast's availability. We have been provided with a small budget to compensate the cast and crew.
Cast of Characters: Characters NOT seeking performers:
The Victim (Lyra): This character will not be cast. Lyra is deceased and will not be represented by a performer. She will be referenced throughout the piece. The Defendant (Robin): This character has already been cast. Robin is an intimate partner of Lyra's who is on trial for Lyra's murder. She is grieving for Lyra, horrified at the situation, and terrified of being found guilty.
Characters seeking performers: Members of the justice system (“The Machine”): These are employees of the state who are invested in 'the process' and their careers, not truth. Demographically, they skew white and upper middle class and are exclusively cishet. These roles will have an improvisational aspect via interacting with the audience/jury.
The Judge: A respectable, diligent, and wizened but sometimes incompetent district judge. They just want to wake up with their coffee, get through the day, and get home. Not jaded, but satisfied with life. An older cisgender man or woman.
The Defense Lawyer: A jaded public defender with a muted personality who represents Robin in this case. A middle aged cisgender man or woman.
The Prosecution Lawyer: A strong-willed, confident, hotshot lawyer who is ready to turn her prosecution experience into running for office or switching to a cushy consulting role. Think girlboss/future influencer/gym rat/finance bro. A middle aged cisgender man or woman.
Witnesses: Witness #1: A police officer who testifies in the case. A cishet white male adult. Witness #2: A forensics expert who testifies in the case. A cishet adult.
Gallery members: Robin's loved ones who have come to support her during her trial. Prefer at least one transgender performer in these roles.
Gallery member #1 (Chris): A friend or intimate partner of Robin's in their 30's. Gender/name can change to fit the performer. Gallery member #2 (Emily): A friend or intimate partner of Robin's in their 30's. Gender/name can change to fit the performer. Gallery member #3 (Denise): Robin's mother. An older white woman.
We will cast additional gallery members for any interested performers.
Audience plants: Audience plants are positioned as members of the jury and planted within the real audience of the piece. They are as diverse as any jury could be. Performers are desired to be just as diverse. This role may have an improv aspect. Looking for three or more performers.
We will cast additional audience plants for any interested performers.
We will try our best to have *ALL* interested people involved in some way in the piece. Prior acting or improv experience is NOT REQUIRED.
Contact: Cassandra (Cas) Ziemer cgziemer@pm.me
You do not have to have a role in mind, but if you do, let us know!
Sincerely, Cassandra Ziemer (they/them)