Portland Theater Festival 2024 Casting Call for Ester

Broad Shoulders – Multiple Supporting Roles

Job Description
A powerful new MFA thesis film is casting several supporting roles for a story centered around mental health, memory, and healing. The project follows a musician navigating a mental hospital and the complex individuals who shape his journey. This is an emotional, character-driven film seeking actors who can bring depth, nuance, and authenticity to their performances.

Job Responsibilities

• Bring layered, grounded performances to emotionally driven scenes

• Collaborate closely with the director and cast to develop authentic character moments

• Take direction well and contribute to a supportive, creative environment

• Portray complex emotional states with truth and sensitivity

• Participate in rehearsals and filming as needed

Requirements

• SOPHIE (Female, 45–60, White/European descent)

  • Plays Sonny’s mother; kind-hearted but overwhelmed

  • Must convey emotional struggle, love, and confusion

• NICKY (Female, 24–35, Black/African descent)

  • Highly emotional with bipolar tendencies

  • Must bring vulnerability and intensity to her role

• LEVY (Male, 45–60, White/European descent)

  • Patient dealing with substance addiction and impulsivity

  • Requires strong emotional range

• PAUL (Male, 40–60)

  • Struggles with confusion and mania; expressive and unpredictable

  • Must portray internal conflict with realism

• NURSE (Female, 30–50)

  • Appears calm and steady

  • Must embody professionalism and warmth

• STAFF MEMBER (Male, 30–45)

  • Colleague delivering an important final scene

  • Requires grounded, confident performance

Compensation

• Free food, screen credit, and networking opportunities

Child Actors for On-Camera Roster

Job Description
A busy upcoming season is creating opportunities for young performers to join a growing on-camera roster. This casting call is ideal for kids who enjoy performing, have natural screen presence, and are excited to take on commercial and film opportunities. Talent will be considered for a variety of projects once the new season begins.

Job Responsibilities

• Perform in on-camera roles across various productions

• Submit a monologue or recent self-tape showcasing acting ability

• Participate in future auditions, callbacks, and possible bookings

• Follow direction well and stay focused during filming

Requirements

• Children ages 5–12

• Must be based in NY or LA, or able to travel

• Must be currently unrepresented

• Ability to deliver a monologue or self-tape confidently

Compensation

• Paid opportunities vary by individual project

• Rate details provided at the time of booking

Delance – Featured Role

Job Description
A production is urgently seeking a featured actor to portray Delance, a character involved in intense, scripted scenes. This role is ideal for performers comfortable with dramatic material and experienced in handling storylines that include gun violence and high-stakes moments. Talent will work closely with production across two shoot days.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray the character Delance in scripted scenes

• Perform in sequences involving dramatic content, including staged violence

• Take direction from the production team to match the tone and intensity of the role

• Maintain professionalism, preparation, and reliability for both shoot days

Requirements

• Black male actor in his 20s

• Must closely resemble the provided reference photo

• Comfortable working with scripted gun violence and murder-related content

• Able to arrive on set in Knoxville as a local hire

Compensation

• $200 per day

Photo Double – 911 Nashville

Job Description
A production is seeking a photo double who closely matches the appearance of a specific female actor. This role is ideal for performers who understand continuity, precision, and the importance of detailed physical matching in film and television. The selected talent will stand in for select shots that require close resemblance to the principal actor.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a photo double for select scenes

• Match the actor’s movements, stature, and overall appearance

• Maintain continuity in hair, physique, and skin tone

• Follow direction from the production team for precise on-camera positioning

• Be available for a full shooting day as needed

Requirements

• White female

• Blonde hair

• Height: 5’1″–5’4″

• Thin physique

• Must have a very similar hairstyle and color to the reference actor

• Must closely match complexion, height, and overall look

Compensation

• $200 for 12 hours (12-hour guarantee + time and a half after)

The Hunting Wives – Extras Casting

Job Description
A upcoming production is seeking extras for multiple roles, including gun store/range shoppers, experienced servers, and bartenders. This is a great opportunity for talent looking to gain on-set experience and work on a high-profile project. All extras will participate in background scenes that help bring the story and atmosphere of the production to life.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in background scenes as directed by the production team

• Take direction well and remain professional on set

• Portray assigned roles such as shoppers, servers, or bartenders

• Maintain continuity and follow scene requirements

• Arrive prepared with wardrobe details if requested

Requirements

• Talent for gun store/range shoppers

• Experienced servers and bartenders for additional dates

• Must be comfortable working in background roles

• Ability to follow instructions and work in a fast-paced production environment

Compensation

• All extras are paid

• Rate details provided upon selection

“Baby Bird” – Lead Roles

Job Description:
A heartfelt narrative film is casting lead roles for a story centered on the complex bond between a distant father and his teenage daughter. As they share quiet daily coffee breaks, their unspoken tension and affection slowly build, revealing the emotional distance beneath their routine. This project calls for strong dramatic performers capable of subtle, intimate acting that conveys layered emotion.

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform in a dramatic short film exploring a father–daughter relationship

• Deliver grounded, emotionally nuanced performances

• Take direction well in quiet, intimate scenes

• Collaborate closely with the director and fellow cast

Requirements:

Nora (Lead):

• Female, 18–21

• Strong-minded and mature

• Opinionated daughter longing for closeness with her father

• Must portray emotional conflict and subtle tension

• Able to play moments where she becomes “the adult” in the relationship

Compensation:

• Compensation details provided upon selection

Wealthy Board Members

Job Description
A commercial production is seeking polished, upscale board member types to portray wealthy, influential individuals. Talent should bring confidence, sophistication, and a refined on-camera presence.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray affluent board members in background scenes

• Maintain a professional, executive demeanor

• Take direction well from the production team

Requirements

• Male and Female talent

• Ages 50s–80s

• Caucasian

• Refined, upscale, and authoritative appearance

Compensation

• $150/12

Immersive Cabaret Performers – Multiple Roles

Job Description
A visionary new immersive world is being created, blending dance, circus arts, movement, physical theatre, and bold narrative performance. This production seeks versatile performers for dynamic roles across an evolving cabaret-style universe set through alternate timelines. Performers should be comfortable merging text, movement, character work, and specialty skills to bring these futuristic personas to life.

Job Responsibilities

• Bring scripted and movement-driven characters to life through dance, physical theatre, and acting

• Collaborate with a creative team to develop performance concepts

• Perform choreography, acrobatics, or specialty acts as required by the role

• Demonstrate strong stage presence and unique artistic expression

• Work across immersive and interactive staging

• Deliver emotionally grounded, stylized, or comedic performances depending on the character

Requirements (Varies per role)
Lady Futra

• Asian woman, 20s

• Sharp, witty, agile performer

• Strength in hosting, comedy timing, dance/movement, or accents

• Acro or physical theatre experience a plus

Dr. Futra

• Asian man, late 40s–50s

• Charismatic storyteller with a commanding vocal presence

• Strong actor with warmth and precision in delivery

Rémi X

• Male-presenting, 20s–40s

• Rhythm-focused performer with B-boy/B-girl movement experience (breaking/locking/popping)

• MC/DJ skills strongly preferred

Clocka Feller

• Man or non-binary performer, 30s–40s

• Tech-baron character with TED-talk charisma and dark humor

• Precision in text delivery, vocal agility, and accent skills encouraged

Floria

• Female-presenting, 20s–40s

• Ethereal, nature-inspired mover

• Vibrant, fluid physicality

• Singing or vocal ability strongly encouraged

Vanta Click

• Male, 20s–30s

• High-energy, rhythmic performance style

• Strong presence with a villainous edge

• DJ skills and LED/prop experience a plus

Compensation

• Competitive pay based on role, production schedule, and specialty skills

• Additional details provided during callbacks

Casting Actor for “Devon” Role in Crime Recreation Series

Job Description
A crime recreation production is seeking talent to portray Devon, a character in his 20s who closely resembles the provided reference photo. This role includes performing in scenes involving scripted violence and murder reenactments, requiring strong emotional reactions and comfort working in intense, dramatic scenarios. Talent should be reliable, expressive, and able to take direction well on set.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray Devon in reenactment scenes involving crime-related content

• Deliver believable emotional and physical reactions

• Follow direction for blocking, movement, and continuity

• Maintain professionalism throughout production

• Be available for the full shoot window

Requirements

• Male presenting, 20s

• Must resemble the reference photo provided by casting

• Comfortable performing in scenes involving scripted violence and murder reenactments

• Local or able to work in Knoxville, TN

• Available for a Monday afternoon call time

Compensation

• $200 per day worked

Casting Female Talent for Younger Character Photo Double

Job Description
A television production is seeking a female actor to portray the younger version of an existing character for a featured photo shoot. This role requires a close visual match to the established character, including similar facial features, hair color, and overall appearance. Talent must feel comfortable being photographed in lingerie and able to deliver natural, confident expressions on camera.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear in a photo shoot as the younger version of a character

• Provide natural expressions and maintain professionalism during intimate wardrobe styling

• Match the look and essence of the established character

• Follow direction from the creative team for posing and positioning

• Remain available for the full shoot day

Requirements

• Female, ages 25–30

• Must closely resemble the older character (face shape, hair color, general appearance)

• Comfortable wearing lingerie for a professional photo shoot

• Local to Nashville, TN

• Able to commit to a potential 12+ hour day

Compensation

• $175 for 8 hours

Casting Male Talent for Polygrapher Role

Job Description
A true crime recreation series is seeking a male actor to portray a polygrapher in a dramatic reenactment scene. This role requires a calm, professional presence and the ability to convey authority and focus while performing simple, technical actions on camera. Talent should be comfortable in an investigative setting and able to deliver subtle, believable reactions.

Job Responsibilities

• Portray a polygrapher in scripted reenactment scenes

• Perform simple technical actions as directed (no spoken dialogue)

• Maintain a composed, authoritative presence on camera

• Follow direction for continuity, blocking, and timing

Requirements

• White male

• Ages 40s–50s

• Strong, professional on-camera presence

• Comfortable with technical or investigative-themed scenes

• Available Wednesday, early evening in Knoxville, TN

Compensation

• $100 per day

Casting Male Talent for Wayne Role

Job Description
A true crime recreation series is seeking a male actor to portray Wayne, a character featured in limited dramatic reenactment scenes. This role requires a grounded, natural presence and the ability to embody the look and demeanor of an older male figure. Talent will participate in non-speaking, reaction-based scenes that support the storyline.

Job Responsibilities

• Appear in reenactment scenes as the character Wayne

• Provide natural expressions and subtle emotional reactions

• Follow direction for blocking, movement, and continuity

• Maintain professionalism throughout filming

Requirements

• White male

• Age range: 60s

• Should have a full beard or facial hair; long hair preferred

• Comfortable portraying a character in a non-speaking role

• Available Wednesday and Thursday, approximately 1:30 p.m. in Knoxville, TN

Compensation

• $135 per day