August: Osage County

AUDITION DATES: September 7 & 8 @ 6:30 pm

AUDITION LOCATION: Biloxi Little Theatre

PRODUCTION DATES: January 22-24 & 29-31, 2027

DIRECTOR: Juno Joseph

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Auditions will include cold readings from the script, so please be prepared to read portions of the play as directed by the casting team. Actors should bring a current headshot to provide an easy reference for the directors.

THE SHOW:

August: Osage County is a darkly comic and emotionally powerful exploration of a family in crisis, dealing with grief, addiction, and long-buried secrets. This particular production aims for authenticity and believability, capturing both the humor and heartbreak of the Weston family. Actors will bring fully realized, complex characters to life in a supportive environment that allows them to explore the full range of emotion safely and responsibly.

We encourage performers of all backgrounds to audition for any open roles. Our goal is to create a supportive and professional environment where actors can fully inhabit the emotional truth of the material while giving the directors a clear sense of their range and presence.

ROLES TO BE FILLED:

ACCENTS: This production is set in Oklahoma, and many characters speak with an Oklahoma or Southern-influenced accent. While a full accent is not required for auditions, actors should be comfortable attempting the accent and listening to guidance in rehearsal. Our goal is naturalism—actors should focus on rhythm, phrasing, and subtle inflections rather than caricature, allowing the accent to feel authentic without overshadowing the performance.

Beverly Weston – Age 55–75
A once-promising poet now drifting at the edge of his own life. Dry-witted, perceptive, and quietly defeated, Beverly understands his family with painful clarity but no longer has the strength to engage with it.

Violet Weston – Age 50–70
The volatile matriarch. Sharp-tongued, darkly funny, and ruthlessly perceptive, Violet exposes truths without mercy and forces the family to confront everything they would rather bury.

Barbara Fordham – Age 35–47
The eldest daughter, intelligent, commanding, and tightly controlled. Steps in to hold the family together as tensions rise.

Ivy Weston – Age 30–47
The middle sister, quiet, observant, and emotionally guarded. Beneath her calm exterior is a longing for connection and escape.

Karen Weston – Age 28–47
The youngest sister, warm, affectionate, and hopeful. Clings to the idea that life can be fixed if approached with enough positivity.

Bill Fordham – Age 40–60 – Race Flexible
Barbara’s estranged husband. Thoughtful, intellectual, and caring, though somewhat detached. His inability to fully engage contributes to family tension.

Jean Fordham – Age 14 – Race Flexible
Smart, sharp, and already disillusioned. She carries the weight of a collapsing family with cynicism and quiet vulnerability.

Steve Heidebrecht – Age 45–60
Confident and charismatic, presenting as successful and self-assured, but with a troubling lack of boundaries.

Mattie Fae Aiken – Age 50–75
Blunt, loud, and often cutting. Masks insecurity with constant criticism and creates tension in every room.

Charlie Aiken – Age 55–80
Steady, kind, and patient. Acts as a grounding presence amid the chaos.

Little Charles Aiken – Age 25–45
Gentle and awkward. Deeply affected by years of criticism, he longs to be seen and valued.

Sheriff Deon Gilbeau – Age 35–60 – Race Flexible
A familiar face from the past, warm and approachable, carrying the weight of difficult news.

Johnna Monevata (Pre-Cast)
A steady, observant presence within the home. She witnesses the unfolding chaos with clarity and compassion.

WHAT TO EXPECT IF CAST:

August: Osage County is an emotionally intense play that explores grief, addiction, family conflict, secrets, and the dark humor that emerges in the midst of pain. Actors should be prepared to tackle heavy themes and strong language, portraying a wide range of emotions with authenticity and depth.

Certain characters—Violet Weston, Karen Weston, Barbara Fordham, and Steve Heidebrecht—will be smoking herbal cigarettes onstage, while Jean Fordham has two scenes that involve simulated cannabis use with Steve and in a bowl.

Several characters—including Beverly Weston, Mattie Fae Aiken, Charlie Aiken, and others—are depicted drinking alcohol, all performed safely using non-alcoholic substitutes.

The material requires comfort with emotionally charged interactions, rapid shifts in tone from humor to heartbreak, and realistic depictions of family tension.

To support our cast, a production assistant who is a mental health professional will be present at every rehearsal and show to provide guidance and support. Rehearsals will also provide instruction and safety guidance for all stage requirements, ensuring actors can perform convincingly while maintaining professionalism.

If you have any questions please contact Director Juno Joseph, at JJosephArt911@gmail.com or via Facebook Messenger.