You're invited to this unique opportunity to work alongside playwrights and directors in the development of new works from the page to the stage!

AUDITIONS APRIL 6TH & 7TH!

ABOUT NEXT EXIT PRODUCTIONS

Next Exit Productions amplifies new voices, developing original plays that bring artists and audiences together through dynamic, multi-generational storytelling from the page to the stage. Discover more about us here: NEXT EXIT

  • Next Exit Productions and Chattanooga Theatre Centre are bringing The New Play Festival to the stage with 10 brand new plays by local & regional playwrights.

  • Big Dill by Kendra Satterwhite. 

    Directed by Holly Morse-Ellington.

    The Traveling Grannies by Bailey Hufstetler. 

    Directed by Holly Morse-Ellington.

    In Circles by Aaron Sills.

    Directed by Jason Tinney.

    The Healer's Tale by Katie Myers.

    Directed by Jason Tinney. 

    The Body by Chris Mathis.

    Directed by Kashun Parks.

    Better Living Through Chemistry by Riann Bilderback. 

    Directed by Kashun Parks. 

    The Method by Lee Larson. 

    Directed by Math Wynnemer.

    Assistant Director, Jason Tinney. 

    Rainjacket by Dragonfly Lubben. 

    Directed by Math Wynnemer.

    Assistant Director, Jason Tinney. 

    You’ve Got File by David Schoenfeld. 

    Directed by Greg Garrison.

    Assistant Director, Holly Morse-Ellington.

    Hey There, Partner by Mary Ahern. 

    Directed by Greg Garrison.

    Assistant Director, Holly Morse-Ellington.

  • Auditions are April 6th or 7th from 7:30 PM to 10 PM

  • We have so many amazing roles to cast (47 to be exact!).

  • We're casting actors of all experience levels, from ages 16-65+.

  • Sides from the new plays will be provided at auditions.

    *Actors may be considered for roles in the collection of plays based on your audition and not just the particular sides or characters you read for.

  • Callbacks are April 8th.

SYNOPSIS & SIDES

  • When four widows who call themselves “The Traveling Grannies,” decide to actually travel to a destination instead of just talking about it, they find themselves in a small town with two Dollar Generals, a mayor named Orlando, a Piggly Wiggly, and a Strawberry Festival needing new vision. The Traveling Grannies decide to stay and help organize the town's festival, ruffle some feathers, and rekindle old friendships. This hilarious one act play will have you laughing until you cry! 

    Sides: HERE!

  • Always the "good girl", Callie finds herself in a state of upheaval in the aftermath of her father's death. Coping in every unhealthy way, she's shaken even further by her mother's unexpected engagement ⎯ and by who she's engaged to. Stuck on a weekend at the lake with a family she never asked for, Callie attempts to survive until everything comes to a head and is forced to reckon with her choices.

    Sides: HERE!

  • An old man sits down at the park to feed some birds, but the strange teenager sitting next to him claims to be his personal grim reaper.

    Sides: HERE!

  • In this adaptation of Chaucer's Canon's Yeoman's Tale from the Canterbury Tales, a pilgrim with a mysterious illness comes to Western North Carolina seeking wellness advice. But if you're coming to soak up the mountain healing vibes, you better have deep pockets.

    Sides: HERE!

  • After their mother’s death, three siblings return to the family home to make funeral arrangements, each shaped differently by the same woman and the same past. The youngest returns after long estrangement, colliding with the oldest’s bitterness, while the middle sibling stands between them, bearing the weight of peace. A letter left behind by their mother transforms the space, speaking the truths she never said aloud and opening the door for accountability and a chance at healing.

    Sides: HERE!

  • Maggie, a successful teacher and writer, has worked with her psychiatrist for three years to treat and manage her overwhelming anxiety. She finds herself struggling again due to recent events, and her doctor suggests restarting medication to help her cope with the new stressors.  Maggie must explore her complicated feelings about medication and its impact on her creative pursuits, her identity, and the acceptance of uncertain outcomes.

    Sides: HERE!

  • Sandra, a high school guidance counselor, faces challenges finding a suitable romantic partner in her small town. While Dave, a newcomer and single parent, finds himself facing a new chapter in his life and thinking about getting back out on the dance floor.

    Sides: HERE!

  • "You’ve Got File" explores modern romance and making connections through the lens of virtual dating, following Alex and Victoria as they fall for each other online through idealized avatars. When they finally meet in person, the gap between their digital confidence and real-life awkwardness leads them to an experiment that spirals out of their control. The play humorously and poignantly asks whether technology helps us become our best selves—or replaces us with them.

    Sides: HERE!

  • In rehearsals for a production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the two actors playing the titular roles have no connection onstage whatsoever. A crafty actress involved in the show recruits her two friends to carry out a Much Ado-esque scheme to solve the problem. Through overheard conversations, awkward interactions, and bizarrely heartfelt scenes, THE METHOD is a play designed for a lighthearted yet charming experience.

    Sides: HERE!

  • Rebecca spends her days waiting, waiting for Vienna to leave, waiting for Vienna to return, and waiting for Vienna to simply acknowledge her. It's a cycle she's grown almost fond of, but it is also one that requires her to turn a blind eye to Vienna's many odd habits and guests. So, on a rainy spring night when an old art school acquaintance comes knocking, Rebecca is finally forced to confront the situation she is living in, and the passion she has lost. 

    Sides: HERE!

AUDITION COMING UP!

Frozen - May 4th & 5th, 2026

  • A huge thank you to everyone who auditioned! You made our decision so incredibly difficult. I wish we could cast all of you. If you are not cast, please come back and audition again in the fall. There will be a fresh line up of youth shows with so many great opportunities to come.

    Cast members, to accept your role, please email annie@theatrecentre.com. Our first rehearsal will be on Monday, March 2nd at 5:00pm. The parent/cast meeting will be on Monday, March 9th at 5:00pm.

    If you'd like to be on crew, please reach out to annie@theatrecentre.com, I will be in contact with anyone who inquires a few weeks before opening. 

    PEG-LEG CAST

    Adaiah Blackmon: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Andrew Chaplin: Max the Pirate

    Cass Sneckenberger: Sharktooth the Pirate

    Edith Kilpatrick: Singing Swashbuckler

    Emma Pierard: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Evie Sneckenberger: Pirate Pierre

    Henry James: Singing Swashbuckler

    Josie Hunter: Swill the Pirate

    Jude Craig: Jeremy Jacob

    Lena Harden: Singing Swashbuckler

    Montrell Tucker: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Noah Marchand: Captain Braidbeard

    Ruthi Marchand: Seymour Braunschwagger

    Sky Fields: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Wesley James: Scurvy Dog


    EYE-PATCH CAST

    Amelia Dorton: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Claire Hout: Singing Swashbuckler

    Easton Weaver: Singing Swashbuckler

    Eden Lewis: Captain Braidbeard

    Elliott Delaney: Max the Pirate

    Henry Burgess: Jeremy Jacob

    Joshua Brogdon: Sharktooth the Pirate

    Kyla Garver: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Liam Mangan-Lamb: Swill the Pirate

    Phoebe Gilligan: Pirate Pierre

    Raylee Hunt: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Vika Vakhlyueva: Seymour Braunschwagger

    Walter Kussman: Dancing Swashbuckler

    Weston Brumlow: Scurvy Dog

    Zoie Snyder: Singing Swashbuckler

  • CAST LIST!

    Please note: If you did not get cast, we are looking for two actors who would be willing to serve on the production as Assistant Stage Managers and understudies. This is a large cast, with a lot of calendar conflicts to navigate, so there should be opportunities for these 2 volunteers to get onstage during rehearsals, albeit with no guarantee of how many, or that they'll ever go on for a live performance. That said, you'd be involved with the rehearsal process, and the show would benefit from having capable backups waiting in the wings. If you are interested in being considered for a role like this, please let us know. Thanks!

    A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR:

    My most profound gratitude to every single actor who came out to audition for this show, along with every volunteer at the theater who helped to make them happen. Chattanooga's onstage talent has never been more proudly on display than it has this past week, and through each of your auditions I feel like I got to see many, many different versions of the show, all of them uniquely wonderful. You made casting the play very difficult for me, bordering on impossible. That's a testament to all the time and hard work you put into your performances -- it was an honor to be a witness to them.

    To those of you on the final cast list -- congratulations! I look forward to seeing you at our first rehearsal on Monday evening, Feb. 9. 7:30pm

    To those of you who didn't get the result you were after, I can only say -- there will be a next time. Please keep sharing your gift. The city, and the world, needs its brave and gifted artists now more than ever.

    With deep respect,

    Dylan

    Cast List:

    Matthew Kodsi - Antonio

    Kim Jackson - Beatrice

    Matt Reiter - Benedick 

    Christian Smith - Borachio

    Maverick Murray - Claudio

    Diego Morales - Friar

    Hunter Rodgers - Conrade

    Rocky Resha - Dogberry

    Jamie Lopez - Don John

    Derrick Raley - Don Pedro

    Lindsey Wills - Hero

    Stan Lane - Leonato

    Jeni Bee - Margaret

    Bekah Griggs - Ursula

    Wes Phinney - Verges / Messenger

  • King Hedley II - Malik Norwood

    Ruby - Cortney Warner

    Mister - JerRod Taylor

    Elmore - Chris Mathis

    Tonya - Marie Dance

    Stool Pigeon - Edward Foskey

  • CLOVER CAST:

    Addie Dier – Cat in the Hat

    Ben Ramsey – Horton

    Claire Hout – Mayzie

    Daniel Gray – Wickersham Brother

    Emir Maltas – Vlad Vladikoff

    Emma Ramsey – Sour Kangaroo

    Hailey May – Gertrude

    Henry Burgess – Thing 2 and others

    Lennon Ledford – Bird Girl

    Liam Swain – Grinch and others

    Makenzie Gray – Young Kangaroo

    Meadow Medina – Mrs. Mayor

    Millie Jackson – Dust speck dancer and others

    Montrell Tucker – Mr. Mayor

    Nico Medina – Wickersham Brother

    Piper Elliott – Bird Girl

    Ramona Kilpatrick – Thing 1 and others

    Roman Medina – Judge Yertle

    Ryn Russell – Elephant bird and others

    Simon Shaw – Wickersham Brother

    Sky Fields – Bird Girl

    Walter Kussman – JoJo

    EGG CAST:

    Andrew Chaplin – Wickersham Brother

    Aubrey Legge – Mrs. Mayor

    Averie Wilson – Elephant bird and others

    Beckett McCoy – Wickersham Brother

    Chloe Delaney – JoJo

    Clayton Foster – Grinch and others

    Easton Herrmann – Mr. Mayor

    Elliott Delaney – Bird Girl

    Ephriam James – Cat in the Hat

    Esther Marchand - Thing 1 and others

    Jasmyn Yearby – Dust speck dancer and others

    JD Bankston – Horton

    Joshua Brogdon – Wickersham Brother

    Jude Craig – Thing 2 and others

    Kenna Carpenter – Mayzie

    Maeve McCrary – Young Kangaroo

    Penny James – Bird Girl

    Phoebe Gilligan - Judge Yertle

    Ruby Moreno-Churillo – Sour Kangaroo

    Scarlett Latham – Bird Girl

    Sedona Crawford – Gertrude

    Thatcher Provenzano – Vlad Vladikoff

  • ANNIE CAST LIST!!!

    Sidney Cooper
    Greg Glover
    Sarah Roberts
    Kritsin Sharp
    Garrett Henson-Hinck
    Claire Spangenberg
    Phil Varnell
    Hannah Weaver
    Annabella Cisto
    Drew Baxter
    Naomi Elliot
    Rylie Smith
    Josie Hunter
    Khloe Wheeler
    Cali Cooper
    Rodney Strong
    Madison Funderburke
    Riley Shull
    Caitlin Chisolm
    Skip Cisto
    IV Elemendorf
    Rachel Fussell
    Leah Green
    Judah Hamilton
    Phil Varnell
    Amanda Wills
    Jacob Blaire
    Hugo Caminez
    Mac Jackson
    Hanna Ryan
    Rosco Kinzer

  • FANTASTIC MR. FOX CAST LIST

    Thank you all for coming to auditions for Fantastic Mr. Fox. We had 100 people show up for 24 parts, so it was gratifying to see so many people interested in doing this play. It also made it a challenge to choose just 24. I hope you will all continue to come out for our auditions in the future, and hope you'll also come and see the show when we perform it in November.

    Here is the list for both casts. If you find yourself on this list, please email me to let me know whether you accept the part or not at chuck@theatrecentre.com. Our first meeting will be Monday, September 8 at 5:00PM. I look forward to seeing you all there.

    Duck Cast

    Badger.......................Vee Pertuit

    Mr. Fox.......................Simon Shaw

    Mrs. Fox......................Zoe Skelton

    Fox Child 1..................Kaleigh Brown

    Fox Child 2..................Oakley Hendrickson

    Fox Child 3...................Ezekiel James

    Fox Child 4...................Jasmyn Yearby

    Boggus..........................Hillman Withers

    Bunce............................Greyson Cullis

    Bean..............................Reagan Brown

    Chorus Leader 1............Korie Hollingsworth

    Chorus Leader 2............Vika Vaklyueva

    Goose Cast

    Badger...............................Nola Miller

    Mr. Fox..............................Montrell Tucker

    Mrs. Fox............................Virginia Baron

    Fox Child 1.........................Nico Medina

    Fox Child 2.........................Donovan Wilfong

    Fox Child 3.........................Laney Provenzano

    Fox Child 4.........................Henry Burgess

    Boggus...............................Cass Sneckenberger

    Bunce.................................Geri Burden

    Bean....................................Owen Kaiser

    Chorus Leader 1.................Makayla Craddock

    Chorus Leader 2..................Ruby Moreno-Churillo

  • MEMPHIS: THE MUSICAL CAST LIST

    Co-Directed by Michael Dexter Howard & Rodney Van Valkenburg

    Music Directed by Michael Dexter Howard

    Choreographed by Crystal Newson

    A sincere thank you to everyone who auditions! We were so impressed with the range of talent shared during the process. If you were not cast, PLEASE consider coming back and auditioning in the future!

    Men:

    Darious Albert - BOBBY

    Christian Castro - GATOR

    Jamie Gienapp - SIMMONS

    Edward Foskey – BLACK DJ, ENSEMBLE

    Gavin Hall - ENSEMBLE

    Roman Medina - ENSEMBLE

    Malik Norwood – WAILIN’JOE, REV. HOBSON, ENSEMBLE

    Andrew Parker - HUEY

    Myles Robinson - DELRAY

    Jeremy Shontz – WHITE DJ, MR. COLLINS, GORDON GRANT, ENSEMBLE

    Riley Shull – BUCK WILEY, MARTIN HOLTON, ENSEMBLE

    Women:

    Brenda Hodges Binder – CLARA, WHITE MOTHER, ENSEMBLE

    Amber Brown – DOUBLE DUTCH GIRL, ENSEMBLE

    Tori Burse - FELICIA

    Scottie Caldwell - ENSEMBLE

    Kenedi Daniels – ETHEL, SOME DAY BACK-UP SINGER, ENSEMBLE

    Lauren Espy – SOMEDAY BACKUP SINGER, DOUBLE DUTCH GIRL, ENSEMBLE

    Ashlan Miller – ENSEMBLE

    Bryleigh Miller - ENSEMBLE

    Tayla Reid - ENSEMBLE

    Libbie Weaver -ENSEMBLE

    Beth McClary Wolford – GLADYS