Audition Dates for 2026 Season:
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Director & Audition Notes"A Few Good Men" auditions are rescheduled due to weather, and will now be on FEBRUARY 1ST & 2ND. Sunday's auditions will be at 3 PM and Monday's auditions will be at 6 PM. If needed, we will hold callbacks on Tuesday the 3rd at 6 PM.
This production will be directed by Fern Velez with Treatee Smith-Jackson as Stage Manager. |
Performance Dates
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Show Synopsis & Information
This gripping courtroom drama by Aaron Sorkin follows a team of military lawyers assigned to defend two Marines accused of murder at Guantanamo Bay. As the case unfolds, what begins as a routine defense spirals into a high-stakes trial, exposing layers of corruption and cover-ups. The play is famous for its razor-sharp dialogue, tense confrontations, and the unforgettable line: “You can’t handle the truth!”
A Few Good Men explores honor, loyalty, and the cost of obedience in a world where justice isn’t always clear. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
A Few Good Men contains strong language and mature themes, including discussions of military discipline, abuse of power, and death. Auditioners should be comfortable engaging with intense emotional material and confrontational scenes.
A Few Good Men explores honor, loyalty, and the cost of obedience in a world where justice isn’t always clear. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
A Few Good Men contains strong language and mature themes, including discussions of military discipline, abuse of power, and death. Auditioners should be comfortable engaging with intense emotional material and confrontational scenes.
Audition Materials
Auditions will include cold reads from the script.
Character Descriptions
All are welcome to audition no matter how you identify! Please note that ages listed reflect the character in the script, and do not have to match the actor's age.
- Pfc. William T. Santiago (Victim): About 19 years old, sincere & sensible.
- Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson (Defendant): About 20 years old: stoic, serious, bold, aware, intimidating even in silence, caring in command.
- Pfc. Louden Downey (Defendant): About 19 years old. Obedient and respectful. His intelligence is slightly below average.
- Lt. J.G. Daniel Kaffee (Lead Defense Attorney): Late 20s. Easy-going and quick-witted. He is good-looking, talented, and smart; and he knows it. He tends to think that he knows everything.
- Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway (Defense Attorney): Early 30s. All-business. ALMOST as fully composed as she would like to be but, usually, more composed than others tend to think she is. Her quick wit tends to take others by surprise.
- Lt. J.G. Sam Weinberg (Defense Attorney): Late 20s. Laid back, he does his job with reasonable diligence, but he is a family man first and foremost.
- Capt. Isaac Whitaker (JAG supervisor): Mid 40s to early 50s. Smart and sensible, not strict.
- Capt. Matthew Markinson (GITMO Company Commander): Late 30s to early 40s. Stoic, logical, and strictly military. Served in Counter-Intelligence for 17 years.
- Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep (GITMO CO): Late 30s to early 40s. Self-confident to-a-fault. Bold, Intelligent, Ultra-Military, Tyrannical.
- Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick (GITMO Winward XO): Late 20s to early 30s. Stoic, fanatically religious, average intelligence but believes himself to be much smarter than he is.
- Capt. Jack Ross (Prosecutor): Early 30s. A nice guy but not a sucker. Logical and sensible.
- Cpl. Jeffrey Howard (Platoon-mate of victim and defendants): Early 20s. Probably likable to fellow Marines, but snide to those outside the Corps.
- Capt. Julius Alexander Randolph (Judge): Mid 40s to early 50s. Smart, sensible, fair.
- Cmdr. Walter Stone (Doctor): Mid-late 40s. Sensible but easily swayed
To sign up for auditions, please click the button below:
Audition FAQ's
What is the overall audition process like
The process is different for straight plays versus musicals, and may also depend on who is directing the show. All auditions include an introduction to the Director and committee members, and all participants fill out an audition form. Audition lengths can vary depending on the number of people who come. Familiarize yourself with the play/musical you are auditioning for before you come to the auditions. We recommend keeping an eye on this page and our Facebook page for more information on each aduition session!
What are Musical auditions like and how do you prepare?
Musical auditions are usually made up of three parts: choreography, vocals, and scene reading (reading from the script of the show). However, some musicals do not contain choreography so this section may be omitted from the audition process.
- Choreography: The choreographer will teach the group a routine. You then perform it as a group. You can prepare for this portion by watching videos of other productions of the show ahead of time. This will expose you to the type of choreography you will be taught.
- Vocals: You're encouraged to bring a 16 to 32 bar (30-45 sec.) cut from a song in the style of the show. We provide an accompanist and there is a speaker available if you have tracked music. If you do not bring your own music cut, the musical director or accompanist will teach the group a portion of a song from the show. You will then be called up to perform this song individually or as a group. The best way to prepare for this is to listen to the soundtrack for the show ahead of time.
- Scene Readings: Portions from the script will be distributed to participants, you normally receive lines for the part you are auditioning for, sometimes the director will hand you different part to ascertain your range as an actor. The best way to prepare for this is to read the script ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the character you wish to portray.
What are Straight Play auditions like and how do you prepare?
Straight play auditions consist of scene readings. Occasionally, a play can demand a certain type of movement so there may be a portion of the evening in which the director will work with you to see how well you can move and adapt to the needs of the script.
- Scene Readings: Portions from the script will be distributed to participants, you normally receive lines for the part you are auditioning. Sometimes the director will hand you different part to ascertain your range as an actor. The best way to prepare for this is to read the script ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the character you wish to portray.
Who casts the show?
A deliberative body called the casting committee. The committee is made up of the director, choreographer (if applicable), and guests who are experienced in theatre arts. The casting committee acts as a sounding board and another set of eyes and ears for the director who makes the final decisions.
How do you make your decisions on who to cast?
- Availability- Rehearsal is incredibly important. If your schedule inhibits you from attending rehearsals you may not be cast. This will be clarified at the beginning of auditions, and included on your audition form.
- Talent- Vocal ability and acting.
- Physicality- Some roles require specific looks, accents, age, etc. Some shows require specific dance choreography/movement.
- Chemistry- When casting, the committee is required to look at the cast as a whole and see how and IF you fit into that puzzle. For example, You may be right for Role A & B, but if you are cast as Role A, there may not be someone for Role B. You may be cast as Role B if there is a second option for Role A.
How do you find out why you were cast, or not cast, for the part you wanted?
Backdoor Theatre is a teaching theatre. We encourage all participants to reach out and ask this question. We will provide constructive feedback on how you can improve your skills. Please email us by using the form on this page.
Do you need to have experience to try out?
Not at all! We will teach you what you need to know. However, you are expected to be familiar with the show and material. Please email [email protected] to receive a script for the show. If you are trying out for a musical, familiarize yourself with the songs.
What do I wear to auditions?
Whatever your comfortable in and closed toe shoes. If your audition involves dancing, bring appropriate footwear and wear clothing you can move around in.
Do I need to come to both nights of auditions
It's not required but encouraged.
What do I do if I don't get cast
There are several reasons you might not get cast. Please reach out and ask for constructive feedback. Come to more auditions, and don't give up! Being a part of a Backdoor production is an experience you will never forget. If you don't get cast, we also suggest asking the director about being apart of the Tech Crew!
Does Backdoor Theatre precast shows
On a rare occasion, some parts may be precast. This will be listed in character descriptions on this page and all audition announcements.
What about callbacks?
When referring to callbacks, we may not always need everyone to read or sing again. This does not mean that you are not being considered for a role or not cast. The Casting Committee makes the decision on callbacks for various reason.