AUDITION NOTICE: 

High Maintenance

Written by Peter Ritt | Directed & Produced by Patrick D. Stinson

We are thrilled to announce auditions for the Midwest debut of High Maintenance, a sharp, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt comedy about performance, identity, and what it really means to be human.

🎭 About the Show

A disgraced sci-fi television star attempts a comeback in A Doll’s House opposite a robot who may change theatre forever. As rehearsals unfold, ambition, attraction, and artificial intelligence collide.

High Maintenance recently debuted at The Road Theatre in Los Angeles (April 2024), earning critical praise as “a timely and clever comedy” (Splash Magazines) and “a fine play brilliantly produced and full of fun and wry ironic humor” (NoHo Arts District).

Setting: The present. The action takes place primarily onstage and in the dressing room of a Chicago theater.

📅 Audition Details

• When: Wednesday, June 3rd | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

  • Saturday, June 6th | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Where: The Bit Theater

• Format: Actors must sign up for a 30-minute audition slot using the link below.

• Preparation: You will be asked to read from selected sides. You can choose the sides you'd like to read from our website, but please be familiar with all sides and roles, as the director may ask you to read for other parts as well.

• Requirements: No monologues are needed for this audition, and you do not need to memorize the sides.

• Compensation: Please note that there is no pay for this production.

CLICK HERE FOR A HIGH MAINTENANCE AUDITION SLOT

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDITION SIDES

👤 Character Breakdown

Seeking a cast of 7 (3 Female, 3 Male, 1 Any).

• Laura Miller (Female, Mid-30s to early 40s) — A disgraced but well-known sci-fi TV star looking to change her image. She’s becoming cynical about the acting profession, but there’s still hope. Laura’s a hard worker, but not a natural people person, so friendliness takes effort. Nevertheless, when she does let her defenses down, she can be incredibly warm — and when she gets caught in a romance, she can lose herself entirely.

• Roger (Male, Early 30s) — A robot, built as a nursing assistant. Has a childlike innocence, but can be intimidating when challenged. Roger is always thinking, and for a time, genuinely believes he is limitless (his version of youth). On some level, too, he enjoys companionship.

• Gus Ziegler (Male, Mid-30s to early 40s) — Gay. Laura’s personal assistant and high school friend. Gus has an attack-dog energy, and some of Laura’s “reputation” may be due to him. He is deeply protective of Laura, yet lives to pick up the pieces whenever one of her relationships falls apart. Gus is outspoken, lacking in style, and can be conspiracy-minded at times.

• Alan Steele (Male, Early 40s to late 50s) — Head of Capstone Technologies’ Robotics Division. A slick, confident salesman with an underlying need for validation. He was rejected by show business once, and now hopes to conquer it. Alan thinks all setbacks can be overcome with a little showmanship.

• Vera Osborne (Female, Mid-40s to early 60s) — Artistic director of the Lakeshore Playhouse, and seasoned stage actor. Very bombastic, and crude on occasion, but with a sharp eye for business. At this point in her career, Vera’s more focused on her theatre surviving than on the types of shows they put on. She is a force when she walks in a room, who can only be disarmed by getting caught in an anecdote.

• Samm (Female, 20s) — A soft-spoken stage manager at the Lakeshore Playhouse, and occasional actor. Samm has moved her way up the Lakeshore theatre ranks since interning, and is still working multiple jobs to support herself and pay off student loans. She aspires to have Vera’s job one day.

• Thesbot Prime (Any, Early 30s) — A prototype automated performer, designed from the start to be an actor. Curious about the world, but more petulant than Roger, owing to being conscious for a very brief time.

✍️ About the Playwright

Peter Ritt is a Chicago-based writer/comedian and a graduate of The Second City Conservatory, Improv Olympic, and Annoyance Theatre Training programs. He is a past ensemble member at The Under The Gun Theatre and a writer for The Artists’ Lab. He graduated with a double-major in Theatre and English from Marquette University in 2010. His works include The Ritual (staged reading at the Southeast Texas Festival of New Plays), Spencer: The Seven-Year-Old Boy That Went to Hell (finalist, Garry Marshall Theatre New Works Festival), The Convict and The Kids (finalist, Screen Craft Stage Play Competition), and Stage Fight (published by Gitelman & Good Publishers in 2024). His AI comedy High Maintenance was produced at The Road Theatre in Los Angeles as part of their 2024 Season.

🎬 About the Director & Producer

Patrick D. Stinson is an Illinois-based theater professional, director, actor, and educator. He is the owner and operator of The Bit Theater in Aurora, IL, where he serves as a driving force behind local improv, sketch comedy, stand up, and theatrical productions.

With over two decades of theatrical leadership, his extensive background includes helming numerous venues across the country. Prior to taking the reins at The Bit Theater, Patrick served as the Producing Artistic Director for the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre in Clinton, IA, the Executive Director of the Papermill Theatre/Jean's Playhouse in Lincoln, NH, the Managing Director for Chicago Improv Productions, and the Producing Artistic Director for Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, IL.

His recent producing and directing credits include the world-premiere play Stool Samples: Last Call for a Local Bar and reworking TBD&D, an innovative live RPG-comedy show. In addition to his work at The Bit Theater, Patrick is an active community arts leader and serves on the board of Fox Country Players as well as the board for The Waldorf School of Dupage.