Auditions

Pier Players Theatre Company is seeking actors for the world premiere of The Angry Grammarian, a musical romantic comedy. All actors will be paid a $500 stipend. Rehearsals are scheduled to start in January 2024. The show dates are March 7th-16th at Theatre Exile in South Philadelphia.

Here is a quick description of the show:

Greg is "The Angry Grammarian" – a newspaper columnist who’s passionate about predicates, consumed by commas and seduced by subjunctives. Lisa is a more pragmatic grammarian who loves language just as much as he does. What starts as attraction quickly evolves into a darker rivalry. Will grammatical gusto be enough to keep them together? Enlivened by a love of language, The Angry Grammarian is a new musical for anyone who's ever been pissed off that someone used quotation marks "for emphasis."

The Angry Grammarian is written by Jeffrey Barg and David Lee White, and is inspired by Jeffrey Barg's column "The Angry Grammarian" in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The production is directed by Dawn Navarro and music directed by Pat D'Amato.

If interested in submitting an audition, please send your headshot, resume, and a video of yourself performing 16-32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre song, plus one of the sides listed in this folder, to pierplayerstheatreco@gmail.com by Friday, November 17th. 

Here is a list of the roles:

GREG – No specific age, but probably in his 30s. Hyper-intelligent, especially where grammar is concerned, but a little clueless about his own intensity. He’s not unkind, but he carries grudges. One misplaced comma can ruin his whole day.

LISA – Also probably in her 30s. Also hyper-intelligent. Has a real sense of adventure. Wants to get out and see the world and meet people. Extremely competitive. Nothing makes her happier than being able to one-up someone and sometimes she just…can’t…quit. This role is cast.

WEB – Greg’s even-keeled best friend. Very supportive of Greg, but harbors some frustration about how dismissive Greg can be at times. He’s willing to listen to Greg’s woes but his patience has its limits.

MIRIAM – Lisa’s sister. Slightly older than Lisa, but only slightly. Has a bit of a phobia of the outside world. Would probably spend every night at home if Lisa didn’t drag her out.

VARIOUS ENSEMBLE CHARACTERS PLAYED BY OTHER ACTORS (2, any gender.)

TIM – Greg’s brash boss.

RACHEL – Greg's ex.

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR – Lisa’s boss.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT – Lisa’s student.

BARISTA – A barista who interacts with Greg.

BOJANGLE – A restaurant owner.

POLICE OFFICER

SAPPHIRE – A judge

LETTER WRITERS – Various characters who read letters to the Angry Grammarian.

Here is a folder with the audition sides. Please choose the side for the character you'd like to read for. If auditioning for Ensemble, please choose any side you'd like. 

Pier Players is a brand-new theatre company dedicated to supporting the Philadelphia community's new works and new visions for pre-existing pieces.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to us at pierplayerstheatreco@gmail.com. For more information about the show, please visit www.theangrygrammarian.com/musical.

Thank you, and we hope to hear from you!