WHAT'S NEXT?
Instrumental Theatre Company and Theatre Arcana are now accepting submissions for our spring 2027 co-production O, Possum! by Val Dunn.
Synopsis:
A burnt out park ranger and her best friend, a literal opossum, have to buck up to save Jumping Cholla Community Park from a changing world and an apathetic board! It’s a (bleak) comedy about climate change, friendship, migration, and the consequences of our (in)action!
This co-production will be directed by Arcana Artistic Director Riles August Holiday and Music Directed by Instrumental Artistic Director Skylar Grieco.
Characters :
Park Ranger: 20-30s, Femme/Non-Binary, a sexually frustrated park ranger who wishes she was doing more to help the environment
Opossum: 20-30s, Femme/Non-Binary, a marsupial who has recently migrated from West Philly to Tucson; the o is silent, but in the face of injustice, Opossum is anything but.
Tumbleweed: our opinionated, omniscient narrator; lead vocalist for Ecosystem of a Down
Rattlesnake: a snake that shakes when you get too near because boundaries are important; percussionist for Ecosystem of a Down
Cactus: a Saguaro cactus, which our enlightened cactus would like you to know is not the only type of cactus in the diverse ecosystem that is the desert; guitarist/banjoist for Ecosystem of a Down
The Humans: A group of 2-3 actors here to party, protest, and drink cactus juice!
Material to Prepare:
For All Roles
-One contemporary monologue, preferably comedy, 45-90 seconds long!
Park Ranger and Opossum
-30-60 seconds of a cappella singing in addition to the monologue.
Ecosystem of a Down: (Tumbleweed, Cactus, and Rattlesnake)
-30-60 seconds of a punk, rock, and/or country song self-accompanied on your instrument. We are interested in seeing any/all instruments, but preference will be given to electric guitar, bass, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. A keyboard will be available in the space.
-If you play multiple instruments, please choose one to demonstrate in the audition.
-If you play the drums you may email us a clip; please leave a note on your form.
We highly encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary performers to submit. The strongest ecosystems are diverse and we want our show to be too!
Time Commitment:
Rehearsals begin the first week of March and continue through late April.
Tech April 26th-April 29th
Previews April 30th and May 1st
Performances May 3rd - May 16th
Pay: $350 stipend
PAST WORK
The Mixtape New Works Festival Vol. 2
May 2026
Three new musicals and one play with music, all by Chicago writers, workshopped over the course of seven rehearsals and presented as concert readings.
SELECTIONS
CODE by Brandon Jackson Baird
Ikkan and the Sunweaver by Bennett Petersen, with music by Samuel Perlman
Heel Turn by Eric Matthew Richardson
The Incredible and Definitely True Tale of Franz Mesmer by Rachel Chin and Sammy Grob
Finalists
I'm With the Band by Fred Pelzer and Ben Kaye
Hellmouth by Joe Zarrow
BIT BOP BANG: A 48 HOUR MUSICAL THEATRE EVENT
Producer: Skylar Grieco
Associate Producer: Ali Foley
Stage Manager: Naava Ofri-Akman
Photos: Alex Albrecht
Candie
Book by DC Cathro
Music and Lyrics by Jack Morsovillo
Directed by Maya Paletta
Featuring Travis Shanahan, Nathan Dale Short, Avery Lareau, Levi Denton-Hughes, and Ava Pirie
The Ones You Know
Devised and performed by Adam Qutaishat, Courtney Rikki Green, Carisa Gonzalez, and Nicholas Druzbanski
The Wake of Lucy Mae Watkins
Book and Lyrics by Elijah Cox
Music by Mo Braithwaite
Directed by Seth Roseman
Featuring Kaci Deakins, Sissy Anne Quaranta, Trent Lunsford, Stephanie Kilper, and Jacob Pettyjohn
Welcome to the Lost and Found
Book by Anthony Whitaker
Music and lyrics by Joey Harbert
Directed by Jamal Howard
Featuring Kelly Combs, Anne Marie McGinley, Peter Ruger, Matt Flors, and Anna Gallucci
You Will Miss the Bus
Book by Cayla Joy and Cora Large
Music and Lyrics by Jaclyn Yee and Stella Solveig
Directed by Katherin "Kat" Poon
Featuring Cora Large, Hope Valls, Micah Mabey, and Graham Cole
Time Transfixed
Book and additional lyrics by Jocelyn Housely
Music and Lyrics by Jack Foley
Directed by Allison Petrillo
Featuring Manuela Alvarez Marquez, Brian Pember, Olivia Wheeler, and Mitch Karnis
The Seagull
By Anton Chekhov
Director: Skylar Grieco
Cast: Ruby Gibson, Levi Denton-Hughes, Jennifer Mohr, Ian Rigg, Sarah Cushman, Jack Morsovillo, DC Cathro
Music Director: Jack Morsovillo
Stage Manager: Deanna Oglesby
Intimacy Director: Ali Foley
Costume Designer: Parrish Davis-Sauls
Props Designer: Logan Smart
Photos: Molly Menuck
The Mixtape New Play Festival Vol.1
Checkerboard Chicks by Allison Fradkin
Friendsgiving The Musical by Kolin Lawler
She Had it Coming by Keelyn McDermott
Cast: Amanda Payne, Sarah Cushman, Josiah Robinson,
Allison Schaufler, Jay Mullens, Stella Childs, Nate Hall
Director: Skylar Grieco
Music Director: Jack Foley