Auditions for OCTET
By Dave Malloy
Director: Rebecca Lingafelter
Music Director: Meredith Kaye Clark
AUDITION INFORMATION
Audition Dates:
Sunday, September 20, 2026 10 AM – 5 PM
Callbacks: September 26, 2026, by invitation only
Location:
Third Rail Rehearsal Studio
2259 NW Raleigh St.
Portland, OR 97210
Street Parking.
To Schedule an Audition Appointment:
To schedule an audition appointment, please email Michelle Kashinsky, Associate Producer at: michelle@thirdrailrep.org and include your name in the subject line. Please include your audition availability (dates/times) and if you are a current member of Equity.
Audition appointment required.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Contract:
Independent Theatre Contract, $582 weekly minimum
Seeking:
Equity actors for roles in OCTET (See breakdown).
Local Portland, OR actors are encouraged to audition.
Preparation:
Please prepare a 2-minute (maximum) contemporary monologue and a short contemporary acapella song in the style of the show (no accompanist will be present).
Production Dates:
1st Rehearsal: 4/20/27
Paid Preview: 5/19/27 & 5/20/27
Opening: 5/21/27
Closing: 6/13/27
4-week run, 5 shows/week, 8-week contract
Synopsis:
On a rainy night, an octet of strangers gather in a church basement to share their stories—no phones allowed. We are at a support group meeting for internet addicts, where the participants will plumb the highs and lows of their online dependency, collectively charting a course through internet addled nihilism into the potential of connection and hope. Featuring a stunning a cappella musical score written by Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), Octet is a strikingly modern and refreshingly honest musical about the contemporary human condition unlike anything you’ve seen—or heard—before.
Octet is an acapella chamber and an original libretto inspired by internet comment boards, scientific debates, religious texts, and Sufi poetry, the play explores addiction and nihilism within the messy context of 21st century technology. Each musical number in Octet is inspired by a particular Tarot Card.
Below is a description of the card most closely associated with each character’s solo and archetype. We’ve also included notes on vocal range.
NOTE: Must be comfortable with extremely difficult harmony, close harmonies, one voice to a part. Experience with a cappella singing a plus.
CASTING BREAKDOWN
JESSICA – (30s-40s) The Hierophant: Represents institutionalized belief systems and conformity. This archetype links to her obsession with public perception, social networking platforms, and online cancel culture. (Soprano 1)
HENRY – (20s-30s) The Hermit: Corresponds to isolation and searching for inner guidance. This mirrors his solitary addiction to casual, repetitive smartphone games like Candy Crush. (Bass 1)
TOBY – (20s-30s) The Magician: Represents manifestation, willpower, and resourcefulness. It reflects his internet comment-board arguments where he weaponizes information, mistakenly believing his wisdom is limitless. (Tenor 1)
PAULA – (50s-60s) The High Priestess: Signifies secret knowledge, intuition, and stillness. As the group leader, she struggles to maintain an offline sanctuary while dealing with hidden domestic tech tension. (Alto 2)
KARLY – (30s) The Lovers: represents the struggle to move from the heart rather than convenience – reflects Karly’s role as a frustrated Tinder user trapped in endless swiping and digital romance/duality. (Alto 1)
ED – (20s – 30s) The Death Card: The self-described loneliest man on the internet, representing painful isolation, endings, and unhealthy attachments to the void. (Bass 2)
MARVIN – THIS ROLE IS CAST (40s) – The Hanged Man: Tied to self-sacrifice, spiritual suspension, and gaining a new perspective. This captures his neurochemical fascination with simulation theory and finding spiritual miracles in virtual environments. (Tenor 2)
VELMA – (20s – 30s) The Fool: Represents pure potential, spontaneity, and a new journey. As the newest member, her song marks a raw attempt to step away from internet rabbit holes and reconnect with real-world wonder. (Soprano 2)
Third Rail seeks diversity on our stage, and we encourage actors of all identities, ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, as well as actors with disabilities, to audition. Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination.