Open Auditions for Bus Stop

AUDITIONS:

NEW AUDITION DATES:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6 – 8 pm
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6 - 8 pm

WRITTEN BY WILLIAM INGE
DIRECTED BY MARILEE ENSIGN

CHARACTERS:

  • Bo Decker: A sometimes bigger-than-life, young, impulsive rancher and rodeo cowboy infatuated with Cherie, whom he abducted. Can play early to late  20s.

  • Cherie: A singer from the Ozarks, fragile and confused, trying to escape her past and Bo. Can play early to mid 20s.

  • Virgil Blessing: A kind, older ranch hand and Bo's mentor, providing a grounding influence.  Can play early to late  40s - 60s.

  • Grace Hoyland: The resilient, middle-aged owner of the diner, deserted by her husband. Can play late  30s -  mid 50s.

  • Elma Duckworth: A bright, dramatic high school girl working for Grace, full of dreams. Can play high school age.

  • Dr. Gerald Lyman: An alcoholic college professor with a history of failed marriages.  Can play late 40s to late 50s.

  • Sheriff Will Masters: The local lawman, a regular at the diner, maintaining order.  Can play early 40s to late  50s.

  • Carl: The experienced, world-weary bus driver.  Can play late  30s -  mid 50s.

PLAY SYNOPSIS: 

Bus Stop takes place just after midnight during heavy snowfall in a dingy rural Kansas diner, serving as a temporary refuge for passengers from a bus that must lay over due to closed roads. With a mix of humor, the play becomes a vivid backdrop for exploring themes of loneliness and human connection, as the characters, preoccupied with their own issues, struggle to engage with one another. 

AUDITION EXPECTATIONS:

Cold readings from the script. (If anyone wants to read the script, they can contact the director, Marilee Ensign, via email: mjoyensign@gmail.com)

ALSO NEEDED:

Looking for a lighting designer and sound designer.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

April 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 2026

Players of Utica holds open auditions for all of our Subscription Season performances. Anyone and everyone is welcome to audition for any production that has been posted to this page. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for casting without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We thank you for your interest in and support of Players of Utica!