Attention Playwrights: For details on submitting your short play for consideration, please scroll past audition information.

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Audition details coming soon!

🎭 SEEKING ACTORS - MURDER AT RINGSIDE
Written by Larry Spinnenweber
Directed by Hannah Dearborn
Seeking 7 comedic actors

R-ACT Theatre Productions is pleased to announce another classic Spinnenweber murder mystery, Murder at Ringside, directed by Hannah Dearborn! Last produced in 2011, Murder at Ringside was the first of many murder mysteries written by our own Larry Spinnenweber. It's the night of the big match against up-and-coming boxer Billy "Kid Lightning" Jones and former world champion Joey "The Grizzly" Bearr! When Joey's manager, the slimy Bugsy King, winds up dead there are many colorful suspects to consider in this suspenseful murder-comedy. We are seeking 7 comedic actors to portray zany, over-the-top characters. This play includes audience participation and a bit of improv. Adult actors of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to audition. Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script, no preparation or experience necessary.  Show dates are June 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 2025.  Rehearsals begin May 11.

​Online registration (link pending).

ALSO SEEKING: Tech Operator (email us at [email protected])

👥 Seeking: We’re seeking 7 comedic actors aged 20s-50+
🎭 Performance Dates: June 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 2025
📅 Rehearsals Begin: May 11, 2025, at Segriff Stage.

🌐 ONLINE REGISTRATION: (link pending)
ALSO SEEKING: Tech Operator (email us at [email protected])

Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script, no preparation necessary!

Headshot and resume appreciated, but not required.

AVAILABLE ROLES

📖 Show Synopsis:
Murder at Ringside. It is the night of the Tri-State Boxing Championship.  Newcomer Billy “Kid Lightning” Jones is set to face Joey “The Grizzly” Bearr, a disgraced boxer making a comeback.  The match ends when Joey’s sleazy manager, Bugsy King drops dead.  Who did it?  Was it one of the boxers?  Was it Ma Jones, Billy’s mother and manager?  Could it have been Billy’s girlfriend, Anna Mae Harper, a woman with a past?  Or maybe it was Bugsy’s girlfriend, the tacky Mitzi Astoria.  Will Bugsy’s murderer be revealed, or are they all down for the count?
📝 Character Synopses:
All roles are available and unpaid

• Billy Jones (male presenting - plays 20-30) aka “Kid Lightning” or “The Lightning Kid”, he's a young man just starting out on his boxing career. Our hero, he is innocent, honorable, and far from the sharpest knife in the drawer. He immediately has our support. Billy is hoping to become world champion, and to maybe even box in the Olympics. Billy’s father was a boxer, and Billy hopes to follow in his footsteps.  There will be stage combat between Billy and Joey.
• Wilma "Ma" Jones (female presenting - plays 50+) Billy’s wise-cracking mother. She is also his manager. She learned all she knows about boxing from watching her husband. She is ready to do anything to mold her son into a champion, complete with the fame and especially fortune that goes with it, although whether she wants this fortune for her son or for herself is anyone’s guess. She can be loud and brassy, definitely no shrinking violet. Her clothing matches her personality.
• Anna Mae Harper (female presenting - plays 20-30) Billy’s sweet, faithful girlfriend. She may be sweet, but she is no push-over. She is also the brains in this relationship. Anna Mae doesn’t always get along with Wilma. Ma thinks Anna Mae isn’t good enough for her son, and is afraid she’ll take Billy’s mind off boxing. Anna Mae’s clothing is pretty and stylish.
• Joey "The Grizzly" Bearr (male presenting - plays 30-40) Former world champion boxer on the comeback trail. He is Billy’s opponent in this bout. He has been banned from boxing for the past three years because he, on his manager’s advice, threw a fight. Joey was punished, but his manager’s involvement in the scandal was never discovered. Joey resents this.  There will be stage combat between Billy and Joey.
• Bugsy King "The King of the Ring" (male presenting - plays 50+)  Joey’s manager. Bugsy has been in sports all his life, not necessarily as an athlete or coach, but definitely as a gambler. It was his idea to bet on Joey’s opponent, who had the odds stacked against him, and then have Joey throw the fight. Bugsy made a pile of cash on that fight, and Joey took the blame. He has no guilt, and, even though Joey is attempting a come back, Bugsy has no qualms about throwing him over if something better comes along. He considers himself a ladies man and has hit on Anna Mae, as well as several women in the audience. He is rather smarmy, wearing a loud sports jacket with clashing pants and tie, and carries a large cigar.
• Mitzi Astoria (female presenting - plays 35-45) A Broadway chorus girl, she is Bugsy’s floozy girlfriend. She appears in bleached-blond hair, furs, clunky jewelry, tacky dress, etc. Mitzi is jealous of Bugsy’s attentions towards other women. Mitzi and Ma Jones do not like each other at all.
• Michael Cavanaugh (male or female - plays 25+) If you looked up the word “nerd” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Michael Cavanaugh. He is a fan of boxing and old movies. Michael is an officer with the local police department. His superiors have sent him to be guest timekeeper for tonight’s boxing match, not because he is particularly talented in this area, but because none of them want to do it. It is a good thing that Officer Cavanaugh is here. He takes charge of the investigation when the murder occurs.

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2025 Season Auditions

Tentative Audition Dates 2025

Up and Away - This show has been cast
Imaginary Exits - This show has been cast
Murder at Ringside - March 29 (11am-3pm) and March 31 (7pm-9pm)
Devised Theater Project - April or May (dates TBA)
Oleanna - June 24 and 29 (dates confirmed, times TBA)
A Christmas Carol Radio Show - September (dates TBA)

Click below for more information about our 2025 season.
Please check back and/or keep an eye on our social media for updates on auditions.

*Open auditions for "Up and Away" were held on December 08 and 11, 2024 and video auditions were accepted until December 11, 2024. The show has been cast. Thanks to all who auditioned.
*Open auditions for "Imaginary Exits" were held on January 30 and February 02, 2024 and video auditions were accepted until February 02, 2024. The show has been cast. Thanks to all who auditioned.

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CALL FOR SHORT PLAYS
Submission Deadline: April 24, 2025

Call for Short Plays: Submit Your Original Short Play
R-ACT Theatre Productions is seeking original, short, one-act plays for an event hosted by the Beaver County Theatre Arts Collective (BCTAC) in January/February 2026. This event will feature performances from five community theaters in Beaver County, each presenting a 20-25 minute one-act play that showcases their unique style. R-ACT has a long-standing history of producing original works and we’re calling on playwrights to submit short plays that we may use in this upcoming event.
Submission Guidelines:

• Runtime: 20-25 minutes
• Genre: Comedy, drama, or dramedy
• Technical Requirements: Minimal black box setting with no sets/flats
• Cast Size: 2-8 people
• Casting: Flexibility in ages and genders preferred
• Characters: All actors should be aged 18+
• Content Rating: PG/PG-13
• Rights: Volunteer/unpaid
• Deadline: April 24, 2025
• Format: Scripts should be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format
• Preferences: We prefer original, new works by local playwrights.  However, we will accept submissions of previously produced plays and playwrights from out of the area.

​Submission Application:
Please click the link and fill out the form to submit your short play:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14rCW7AUme-vvRR_cfp22CyQYKbeb9zW3K_Y6t9zRBZo/viewform 

Why Submit?
This is an excellent opportunity to see your work come to life on stage while collaborating with a theater company known for producing many original works by aspiring and local playwrights. 
Let your creativity shine, and help us celebrate the art of storytelling. We can’t wait to read your submissions!

Questions?
Email us at [email protected]

Note: Please note that the other theater companies in the BCTAC are not seeking submissions.  You are only submitting to R-ACT who then might perform your play during this event.  Please also note that R-ACT will contact you if your play is chosen.  We will not produce your work without informing you and confirming that you consent to us using your play.

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Please check back for audition information for the rest of our 2025 season.
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​Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

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OFFSTAGE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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