Local in-person Auditions: Friday, June 12 | 5:00-10:00pm
1707 Owen Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28304
by appointment only
Local in-person Callbacks: Saturday, June 13 | 3:00-10:00pm
Dance call: 3:30-4:30pm, Appointments: 4:30-10:00pm
1707 Owen Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28304
by invitation only
ABOUT THE SHOW: Inspired by a true story, BRIGHT STAR is a sweeping, heartfelt musical featuring a Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s, this deeply emotional tale explores love, loss, and the transformative power of redemption. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.
Music, Book, and Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics, and Story by Edie Brickell
Directed and Choreographed by Antoinette DiPietropolo
Musical Direction by Sarah Wussow
Associate Musical Direction by James Clark, Jr.
Important Dates:
- Rehearsal Begins: August 18, 2026
- Previews: September 10-11, 2026
- Opening: September 12, 2026
- Closing: September 27, 2026 (with possible extension through October 4, 2026)
**Note: Student and Public Matinees may be added after casting.
Rehearsals are from 2:00pm – 10:00pm Tuesday – Friday and various times at the weekends. We may rehearse up to 42 hours a week. Your schedule and hours will vary depending on the size of the role.
Pay ranges from $400 per week for local, non-union actors; $400 plus per diem for out-of-town, non-union actors (out-of-town is defined as living outside of 150 miles from CFRT). This production is an AEA Single Engagement Agreement Tier C production, and the weekly rate is $769.00 per week, plus per diem, health and pension, and weekly media bump. Housing for out-of-town artists is available. All actors will be paid through CFRT’s payroll system and shall receive a Form W-2 for all wages paid.
For video submissions: All video auditions should be emailed to auditions@cfrt.org no later than 5pm on Friday, June 6, 2026. Videos should either be submitted via Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube link. Please make sure the link is viewable by anyone for easy sharing amongst the team. Include your headshot, resume, audition form, and conflict calendar in the email along with the show-specific material we are requesting. Please only read/sing for ONE ROLE. Reels are not considered a submission. Virtual callbacks will be scheduled for Saturday, June 13, between 10-2pm EST. If we need to schedule you for a callback appointment, you will receive an email by Thursday, June 11 at 8pm EST.
To request an in-person appointment, please email: auditions@cfrt.org with your headshot, resume, and a filled-out AUDITION FORM and CONFLICT CALENDAR (Please bring these forms with you to your appointment!)
What to prepare: Please prepare all of the materials (song cut & sides) provided below for the role of your choice. If you are interested in more than one track, please only prepare one as time is limited. Click here to access accompaniment/plunk tracks!
Roles:
ALICE MURPHY – Plays both 16-17 and 36-37. Alice at age 36-37 is an editor of a southern literary magazine; intelligent, attractive, professional – but with an air of melancholy. Young Alice at age 16-17 is rebellious, high-spirited, adventurous – looking to break out of small-town life and experience the world. She must be very strong singer and comfortable in folk and bluegrass styles. (F3-C5)
Alice Audition Packet
BILLY CANE – A young soldier returning home from WWII; an aspiring young writer; fresh, open, optimistic, charming, and a little naïve. (C3-A4)
Billy Audition Packet
MARGO CRAWFORD – A small-town bookstore owner; a childhood friend of Billy’s who now harbors romantic feelings towards him; a natural beauty with a keen intellect. (B3-F#5)
Margo Audition Packet
DARYL AMES – An assistant at a literary magazine. Funny, with a dry and officious sense of humor. Insecure, and perhaps a bit socially awkward, but endearing and innately likeable. (C3-E4)
Daryl Audition Packet
LUCY GRANT – A junior editor at a literary magazine. An ambitious, professional young “modern” career woman of the 1940’s. Strong, forthright and provocative with a sharp sense of humor. (A3-D5)
Lucy Audition Packet
MAYOR JOSIAH DOBBS – The Mayor of Zebulon; a political and financial powerbroker – distinguished, an imposing and controlling presence; has a genuine interest in protecting his son’s future and his family name, but in doing so, is ultimately pushed to a point of extreme and irrevocable cruelty. (A2-G4)
Mayor Audition Packet
JIMMY RAY DOBBS – plays both age 18-20 and 38-40. Jimmy Ray in his early 20s in flashbacks is Mayor Dobbs’ son and young Alice’s beau; handsome, boyishly charming, well-built and intelligent; from a family of wealth and power and is being groomed by his father for a similar future in the family business; an independent thinker who is not afraid to stand up to his father for what he believes in; he has a sense of personal responsibility and morality as well as a deep reserve of passion and emotion. The same actor will also play an adult Jimmy Ray at age 38-40. (C3-A4)
Jimmy Ray Audition Packet
DADDY CANE – Billy’s father. A widower. Spry, good looking. Kind-hearted, if a bit lonely. (C3-A4)
Daddy Cane Audition Packet
MAMA MURPHY – Alice’s mother. A caretaker to her family and her rural community. A warm, loving, sensible woman. Hardworking, with great inner strength and compassion. (G3-C5)
Mama Murphy Audition Packet
DADDY MURPHY – Alice’s father; an authoritative and a stern disciplinarian; devoutly religious, hard-working, a poor but proud farmer. (A2-G4)
Daddy Murphy Audition Packet
DR. NORQUIST – The local family doctor in Zebulon (Speaking role)
Dr. Norquist
MAX – A customer at Margo’s bookstore, at first, he has a crush on Margo, but later becomes Edna’s beau. (Speaking role)
Male Ensemble
FLORENCE – An employee at Margo’s bookstore and a childhood friend of both Billy and Margo. (A3-G4)
Female Ensemble
EDNA – An employee at Margo’s bookstore. (C4-C5)
Female Ensemble
STANFORD – Loyal assistant to Mayor Josiah Dobbs (E3-D4)
Male Ensemble
GOVERNMENT CLERK – A clerk at the Office of Records in Raleigh (Speaking role)
Male Ensemble
Female Ensemble
WELL-DRESSED WOMAN – A woman (38-40) living in Raleigh. (Speaking role)
Female Ensemble