Beacon Theatre Productions
Spotlighting critical moments of the past to show the way to a better future
Our Mission
To reach emerging audiences through accessible, affordable
theatre that uses critical moments of the past to show the way to a better, more equitable future.
Auditions
Beacon Theatre Productions is seeking non-union actors for the staged reading of the Pulitzer-nominated play The Bookstore, by Nancy Marie, directed by Zuhairah McGill.
Stipend: $100
Rehearsals:
Thursday, April 23: 7 - 9:30pm on Zoom.
Saturday, April 25: 7 - 9:30pm on Zoom
Tuesday, April 28th: 6:30 - 9:30pm at CEC, 3500 Lancaster Ave
Wednesday, April 29th: 6 :30 - 9:30pm at CEC, 3500 Lancaster Ave
Performances:
Friday, May 1st at FUMCOG (call time at 5:30pm, staged reading at 7:30pm followed by talkback with the audience)
Saturday, May 2nd at Parkway Central Library of Philadelphia (call time 12pm. Staged reading at 1pm followed by talkback)
How to Audition:
All actors regardless of experience level or any other factor are encouraged to apply. Participants would need the technology to rehearse on Zoom and ability to travel to rehearsals and performances.
We will have an audition on March 29th from 2 - 4pm on Zoom.
To audition, please complete the audition form here.
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We are seeking three Black actors to portray the following characters. Some actors will read multiple roles and/or the staged directions for the production.
MARK LEE - Male, African American, Early 20s – an education major who lost the two most influential men in his life to the terror of the South. He is a dreamer whose dreams have been shattered.
THEODORE HAMMOND - Male, African American, Pre/Early Teens – a precocious boy who speaks against the injustice in the world, often to his detriment.
AGENT DITMUS - Male, late 30s/early 50s – lead agent at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC. Southern drawl.
AGENT FREELEY - Male, African American, late 30s/early 50s – lead agent at the NYC Field Office. Speaks “proper English”.
MICHAEL - Male, late 30s/early 50s – Ura’s employee at the bookstore she managed in British Guiana. French accent.
Actors will be emailed sides a few days before the audition and/or provided sides at the audition. More information to come.
Further questions, please email info@beacontheatreproductions.org
2026 Short Play Festival
Beacon Theatre Productions is seeking short-play submissions for our Fall 2026 short play festival. We are looking for 10 - 20 minute plays that connect to a current social issue of today! Submit by May 1st, 2026.
The chosen playwrights will get
*$100
*Opportunity to see a staged reading of their play in Fall 2026
We are seeking plays that meet the following criteria:
*Plays that connect to a current social issue (directly or indirectly. For example: a post-show talkback on the play’s content could connect to a social issue)
*Plays are the entrant’s own original work, not generated with AI, and must not violate the intellectual property rights of any third party
*Plays can be performed with six actors or less. Ideally, the list of characters is on the first page with doubling options if there are more than six characters.
Eligibility:
*Playwrights from the Greater Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) who could attend a staged reading in Fall 2026
*Plays spotlight (or playwrights identify) as social justice advocates, activists, women, and/or BIPOC individuals
*Plays that have not been produced (or would benefit from a staged reading for future development)
How to apply:
*For more information and to submit (link here); attach a copy of your script. We do not want the application to be an additional burden to an artist, so feel free to write as little or as much as you would like.
*Submit application by May 1st, 2026.
*Applicants will be notified by August 2026.
For questions, or if you need accommodations or assistance submitting the form, please contact us at info@beacontheatreproductions.org
I am filled with gratitude for the many amazing collaborations with artists, audiences, and supporters I have enjoyed for the past 10 years. The impact of Beacon’s work was realized in diverse communities through the input and creativity of many committed individuals and partnering organizations.
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Georgina Bard, Founding Artistic Director
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