CASTING NOTICE
“Night of the Living Dead Live”
Six strangers in a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by brain-eating zombies – what could go wrong?
Night of the Living Dead™ Live is a fun and hilarious re-imagining of George A. Romero’s legendary classic. Set in 1968 it feels like the film has been brought to life and placed onstage. The play lovingly examines the movie itself, the period in which it was made, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
DIRECTOR: Epic Jones
PERFORMANCE DATES: Oct 23 - Nov 8, 2026 (with possible extension dates through Nov 22, 2026)
PRODUCTION TYPE: Non-Equity/Amateur
COMPENSATION: $150
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
The West Side Show Room
1414 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103
AUDITION INFORMATION
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: One short monologue and a few bars a capella of a song of your choice. If you don’t have a monologue, we can provide you with material to read. You may be asked to improvise.
AUDITION TIMES
Open Call. Auditioners will be seen in sign-in order.
FRI Aug 28: 6-8pm
SAT Aug 29: 1-3pm
CALLBACKS: SUN Aug 30: 1-3pm
AUDITION LOCATION: Both in-person and video auditions will be accepted.
The West Side Show Room
1414 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103
SCRIPTS: To request a perusal copy of the script please email auditions@wssr.org
AVAILABLE ROLES
6 Actors will play the following roles (and Zombies):
BARBRA - Early/mid-twenties, woman. Traditional and put-together at first, but as the events unfold, digresses into a child-like state.
BEN - African American man in his late twenties. A "leading man" type. Heroic. Outspoken. Protective of Barbra.
TOM - Young man. Handsome. Bright-eyed. Judy's boyfriend.
JUDY - Young woman. Tom's girlfriend. Girl next door.
HARRY - Late thirties. Curmudgeonly, working-class man. Weaselly and antagonistic. Helen's husband and Karen's father.
HELEN - Late thirties. Dry, world-weary homemaker. Unamused wife of Harry. Mother of Karen.
CHIEF MCCLELLAND - Late thirties, small-town sheriff. Folksy and pragmatic.
VINCE - Chief McClelland's young deputy. Local volunteer. A little idealistic. Obedient to the chief.
KAREN - Nine-year-old daughter of Harry and Helen.
CONTENT DISCLOSURE
This play contains limited historical use of racial epithets.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
All actors sing a short song at the end of the play
Scenes with LED Lighting, full blackout and loud sound cues including gunshots
Incidental/ensemble touching
Fight choreography
Intense physical movement, falling, getting up and down off of the floor, lifting objects, etc.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
JUDY and TOM: Intimacy (kissing/making out)
SCHEDULE
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals start: Sep 8, 2026
TECH
SAT Oct 17: 10am-10pm
SUN Oct 18: 10am-10pm
Note: actors will not be called for the entire duration of tech but must be available during these times. The Final tech schedule will be issued by Wed, Sep 23, 2026.
DRESS
TUE Oct 20: 6pm-11pm DRESS 1
WED Oct 21: 6pm-11pm DRESS 2
THU Oct 22: 6pm-11pm PREVIEW
Performers are expected to stay after Dress and Preview for notes.
PERFORMANCES
SHOW DATES: OCT 23 - NOV 8, 2026
EXTENSION DATES: NOV 12 - 22, 2026
Thu: 7pm
Fri: 8pm
Sat: 2pm + 8pm
Sun: 7pm
Call time is 45 minutes before show time.
BRUSH UP REHEARSALS
WED Oct 28: 6-9pm
WED NOV 4: 6-9pm