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MAINSTAGE AUDITION - THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Theatre Battery in Kent, WA is auditioning actors to appear in THE THREEPENNY OPERA by Bertolt Brecht, Elisabeth Hauptmann, and Kurt Weill, opening August 16th, 2025. This production will be casting both non-union actors and AEA actors under the Special Appearance Agreement. The production will be directed by Logan Ellis and the casting director is Kathryn Stewart: send inquiries to theatrebatterycasting@gmail.com.

THREEPENNY is a satirical attack on capitalism that tells the story of the notorious criminal Macheath and his secret marriage to Polly Peachum: a woman whose family makes their living exploiting the poorest of the poor. As of 2024, the original German musical is in the public domain, which means that we have the opportunity to cut and translate the piece for our audience in 2025. Including iconic tunes like "Mac the Knife" and "Pirate Jenny," Kurt Weill's music will live on in the production as a newly adapted jazz score. Hosted by Kent Station, the performance will take place in a vacant retail warehouse that was formerly a Bath and Body Works. All admissions will be free under Theatre Battery’s policy of Radical Hospitality.

Compensation: $17 per hour for Non-AEA // $340 weekly for AEA (20 hours per week - Tier 1 Special Agreement)
Rehearsal and Performance Location: Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way, Kent, WA 98032

Pertinent Dates:

July 15th - First Day of Rehearsal

August 8th - Start of Tech

August 16th - Opening Performance

August 31st - Closing

September 7th - Extension Closing

Rehearsal weeks will be approximately 20 hours per week, with daytime and evening rehearsals contingent on cast availability. Performance weeks have 4 shows each: Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees.

To Audition: Email Theatrebatterycasting@gmail.com with your headshot and resume to request audition materials. Actors will be asked to prepare a taped a cappella performance of a musical excerpt, after which acting/singing callbacks will take place in person, with appointments available in both Kent and Seattle in the final week of May.

A note: In our approach to the casting and music, we are taking inspiration from the myriad musical artists that have transported this material into their own style. Key signatures and song cuts are subject to change to suit the ensemble. Actors should audition for roles of interest regardless of the traditional vocal ranges of the characters. Roles are open to all actors regardless of disability status, gender identity/presentation, race, and/or ethnicity. 

On Cast Size: Our plan is to cast an ensemble of eight actors and four instrumental jazz musicians for THREEPENNY. All cast actors will be in singing roles with solos, ensemble songs, and character doubling. Actors who play musical instruments should note this in their audition inquiries.

Breakdown of Roles:

Macheath (25-45) - An un-housed war veteran who rules the streets of London as the head of his own gang of criminals and thieves. Macheath has multiple lovers of all genders, devoted followers, a fearful fandom, and even the sympathy of the chief of police - and he is playing them all in order to survive. 

Mr Peachum (40-60) - The patriarch of a mafia. He siphons money from a network of beggars in order to lift his own family out of poverty. A brilliant and terrifying man, he can code-switch between the classes of society with finesse.

Mrs Peachum (40-60) - The matriarch of a mafia. In the practice of using sex as a tool for bettering her position, she is a frenemy to the brothel and a strict coach to her only daughter. 

Polly Peachum (25-35) - The princess of the poor neighborhood. Ambitious, traumatized, sheltered, and angry - she dreams of love, splendor, and winning so hard that she becomes the Queen.

Tiger Brown (40s) - Macheath’s lover from the war. Brown is a veteran who instead of turning to crime became the chief of police. He has watched Macheath descend into dangerous behavior and out of love repeatedly covered for him, while meanwhile profiting himself.

Lucy Brown (25-35) - Tiger Brown’s daughter, who is also in love with Macheath. She wants to live honestly, but against her better judgement finds herself doing just about anything to get Macheath’s attention, including pretending to be pregnant with his child.

Jenny (20-80) - A sex worker who was once the object of Macheath’s obsession and exploitation. Despite her love for him, she decides to turn him over to the police in exchange for a bribe.  

Filch (Late teens-20s) - A young man who unexpectedly has come to live on the street after the deaths of both his parents. 

ACCEPTING RESUMES AND DESIGNER PORTFOLIOS

Theatre Battery is inviting Puget Sound Area designers (Scenic, Costumes, Lights, Sound, Projections) to submit resumes and portfolios for consideration for work in our 2025 season and future projects. Designer stipends for THE THREEPENNY OPERA are $1200 per position. Email materials and contact information to theatrebattery@gmail.com with “Designer” in the subject line.

HIRING JAZZ MUSICIANS

Theatre Battery is seeking to hire a jazz quartet to perform in THE THREEPENNY OPERA opening August 16th at Kent Station. Openings for: Piano, Drums, Bass, and a fourth member that is open in terms of instrument: Guitar, Sax/Clarinet, Vibraphone, Banjo, or Strings. Essential dates of availability include tech rehearsals and performances, listed below. Both improvisation and music reading are essential skills to these positions, and we are seeking musical collaborators who can both bring their own style and support the ensemble. Compensation: $2000 stipend, per performer.

First Band Rehearsal TBD the week of July 15th

Tech Rehearsals begin August 8th, scheduled in collaboration with the ensemble.

Performances: August 14 - 31, 4 shows per week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings, Sunday Matinees)

Email resumes to theatrebattery@gmail.com for more information.