Website FYBY Theatre - For Youth By Youth Theatre
Theatre for all ages and abilities!
AUDITION NOTICE — FYBY Theatre (website here) (IG here)
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
Touring Outdoor Production – Chicago, IL (Audition Google form here)
WHAT
FYBY (For Youth By Youth) Theatre is seeking paid actors for Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. This adaptation tells an interwoven immigrant story centered on a young girl who unintentionally begins a community garden. The production will tour to real community gardens across Chicago for four outdoor performances.
WHERE/WHEN AUDITIONS
Location Humboldt Park* (Humboldt) *Meet outside the Boathouse Gallery
Address 1301 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622
Audition Dates (Times) Saturday, May 30 (12:30 – 6 PM) and Sunday May 31 (12:30 – 6 PM)
Public Transit to Auditions CTA Bus Lines: 65 (Grand) 70 (Division) 72 (North Ave) CTA Train: Blue Line (Damen) (Western) (California)
Parking Available at Humboldt Park Boathouse, park, and streetside
WHEN (PERFORMANCES)
- Show #1 (El Paseo Community Garden)
- Saturday July 18
- 10 AM – 2 PM
- Show #2 (El Paseo Community Garden)
- Sunday, July 19
- 10 AM – 2 PM
- Show #3 (Hello Howard Community Garden)
- Saturday July 25
- 1 – 5 PM
- Show #4 (Hello Howard Community Garden)
- Sunday July 26
- 1 – 5 PM
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Seedfolks is traditionally performed as a one‑actor, 24‑character piece. FYBY Theatre has permission to cast multiple actors, and we have previously produced this multi‑actor version in Phoenix, Arizona. This new iteration marks our first production in our permanent home of Chicago.
CASTING
We are casting seven actors. The show contains eight tracks, and one track has been pre‑cast. To simplify preparation, we list the seven available tracks below so actors can see which characters and materials align with each track.
Material to Prepare:
Please complete the audition form and submit your headshot and acting resume to be considered. Selected actors will be invited to outdoor auditions, where they will read monologues from characters in their track. Audition materials will be emailed in advance. This show is primarily told through monologues and requires strong memorization skills.
Time Commitment:
This process is intentionally designed to support artists who work 9–5 jobs or maintain other gigs. Rehearsals are structured to be flexible, focused, and respectful of your time.
Weeks 1–3 (May 30 – June 18)
Individual Rehearsals
Actors will rehearse their monologue(s) and any additional roles outdoors with the Director and Stage Manager. These sessions will feel more like actor‑coaching than traditional rehearsal.
Weeks 4–5 (June 20 – June 28)
Ensemble Rehearsals
The full cast will rehearse together, build ensemble moments, work with props, and deepen understanding of the story as a whole. All material should be memorized by the start of these rehearsals.
Week 6 (June 29 – July 5)
Break
A full week off. Please rest and take care of yourself.
Weeks 7–8 (July 6 – July 12)
Tech
Outdoor technical rehearsals.
Weeks 9–10
Performances
Four touring performances in community gardens across Chicago.
Week 11 (July 31)
Post‑Mortem Reflection (optional)
A collaborative conversation: What brought us joy? What worked well? What could be improved next time?
Character Type/Restrictions:
CHARACTER TRACK BREAKDOWNS
TRACK 1
Kim
Race: Asian
Citizenship: Vietnamese immigrant
Age: 9
About: Begins the community garden while remembering her father.
Sae Young
Race: Asian
Citizenship: Korean immigrant
Age: 40s
About: Rebuilds trust in others through the garden after personal trauma.
TRACK 2
Ana
Race: White
Citizenship: Romanian immigrant
Age: 80s
About: One of the last White residents near the garden lot who is sharp but caring.
Receptionist
Race: White
Citizenship: U.S. citizen
Age: Any
About: A government receptionist representing systemic barriers.
TRACK 3
Wendell
Race: White
Citizenship: U.S. citizen (from rural Kentucky)
Age: 80s
About: One of the last White residents near the garden lot who finds healing and connection in the garden after family loss.
Sam
Race: White
Citizenship: Unknown; Jewish
Age: 70s
About: A friendly neighbor who hires kids to help him in the garden.
TRACK 4
Gonzalo
Race: Hispanic or Latino
Citizenship: Unknown
Age: 14
About: Energetic teen caring for his elderly uncle.
Consuelo (voice only; puppet character, 3 or fewer lines)
Race: Hispanic or Latino
Citizenship: Unknown
Age: 30s
About: Gonzalo’s exhausted mother.
Puerto Rican Teenager (3 or fewer lines)
Race: Hispanic or Latino
Citizenship: U.S. citizen
Age: Teens
About: Helps Sam in the garden.
TRACK 5
Ginny
Race: Black
Citizenship: Haitian immigrant
Age: 12
About: Bright and ambitious; feels pressure when her plants fail.
Little Black Girl (3 or fewer lines)
Race: Black or African American
Citizenship: U.S. citizen
Age: Child
About: Wins $20 for her creative water‑collection idea.
TRACK 6
Philippe
Race: Black
Citizenship: Haitian immigrant
Age: 30s
About: Taxi driver working tirelessly to give his daughter a better life.
Curtis
Race: Black or African American
Citizenship: U.S. citizen
Age: 20s
About: Learns humility and wins back his love interest by growing tomatoes.
TRACK 7
Amir
Race: Asian
Citizenship: Indian immigrant
Age: 40s
About: A fabric‑store owner and skilled gardener who participates in a citizen’s arrest and later confronts Ana about a racist interaction
TRACK 8 (Pre‑Cast)
This track is already cast and includes: Swing, Leona, Lateesha, and Florence.
ADDITIONAL ROLES
Several 1–3 line roles will be assigned within the eight tracks. Some are already assigned. They are listed in order of appearance. These roles include: Consuelo, Receptionist, Machine 1, Machine 2, 1st Kid, 2nd Kid, 3rd Kid, Little Black Girl, Puerto Rican Teenager, Lateesha, and Female Admirers.
To apply for this job please visit forms.gle.