Nutley Little Theatre to Hold Auditions for "True West" by Sam Shepard

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 12/21/2025

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre will hold auditions for True West on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This American classic by Sam Shepard was nominated for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The production will be directed by John Fraissinet.

The play follows a sibling rivalry between two brothers who are housesitting their mother’s home on the outskirts of the California desert. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to a producer when his brother Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in and creates tension by pitching his own script.

True West uses dark humor and escalating violence to highlight family dysfunction, the search for authenticity, and disillusionment with the American Dream. Dialogue is both funny and tense as the brothers test their relationship.

Click here to reserve a time slot. Auditions take place at Nutley Little Theatre (47 Erie Place) in Nutley, New Jersey. Others who arrive without an appointment will be considered, but those with appointments will be accommodated first.

Auditions will consist of cold readings of scenes from the play. NOTE: The two lead characters, Austin and Lee, require a lot of memorization and versatility as they carry the whole show and find themselves ultimately switching personalities throughout a series of slow burning scenes. These roles will require active stage combat.

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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

AUSTIN (M 20-40, on stage for virtually the entire show). Lee’s brother. A squeaky-clean Ivy League graduate who works as a scriptwriter, somewhat accomplished but really l ooking for his big break. Has worked hard and played by the rules. He is jealous of his brother’s free spirit. Austin inhabits a neat world constructed of middle-class values of rationality, self-discipline, and hard work. By all accounts, he is a success. Actor will need to be versatile, able to switch personalities, appear drunk, and handle physical stage combat.

LEE (M 30-50, on stage for virtually the entire show) Austin’s brother. A beer-swilling desert rat and recluse, petty thief and a drifter. Short tempered, obnoxious and a little wild. Jealous of his brother’s success, family and stability. He is the exact opposite of his brother in looks, sensibility, and degree of success. He lacks discipline and cannot tolerate frustration. Lee will be shirtless for some of the play. Actor will need to be versatile, able to switch personalities, appear drunk, and handle physical stage combat.

SAUL KIMMER (M 40-60s, two scenes) A slick Hollywood producer. A symbol of status, power and opportunity. Ready to wheel and deal and is quick with the sweet talk but also used to getting what he wants. He is sincere but is motivated only by profit. Shallow and superficial, dressed in loud flowered shirts and polyester pants, he is a caricature of the Hollywood parasite who, lacking talent himself, survives by marketing the talents of others.

MOM (F 60’s+, one scene) Mother of the two brothers. Lonely. Dissatisfied. Loves her plants. Used to being disappointed by her loved ones. She is a bit senile and detached from reality.

For over 88 years, Nutley Little Theatre has been producing high quality theatrical entertainment for the enjoyment of Nutley residents and surrounding communities. Started in 1934, NLT prides itself on providing a range of live theatre: the all-volunteer organization presents five mainstage shows per year, showcasing a range of genres including musicals, comedies and drama. It also offers free Readers’ Theatre performances, special events, and creative workshops that bring together people from all walks of life from in and around Nutley. Benefits for local charities are the hallmarks of every opening night, with donations of half the proceeds going to worthy regional non-profit organizations.

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