(NEW YORK, NY) -- Literature to Life (LTL), a nonprofit literary organization that adapts classic literature into solo performances, is currently seeking a new actor for their solo adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz. LTL tours nationally, performing wherever a book is needed most — schools, libraries, correctional facilities, performing arts venues, community centers, etc.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao has been a part of LTL’s roster for 15 years, most recently performed by actor and LTL Company Manager, Kelvin Grullon. LTL is looking to cast a Dominican-American, male actor, 20-30 years old, based in New York City.
This thrilling adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicles the life of Oscar, an overweight science-fiction enthusiast who dreams of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. Through this 60 minute exploration of brotherhood, fantasy stories, and what it means to be a “Dominican man,” we come to understand the culture of fear and violence that resulted from Trujillo's 30+ years dictatorship of the Dominican Republic, and the importance of facing fear with love.
LTL’s performances are all one-person shows, meaning the actor must be comfortable with solo performances and inhabiting multiple characters in a one-person verbatim text adaptation. The actor will play the central narrator Yunior, a womanizing jock full of bravado, as he recounts the life of his friend, Oscar “Wao” de León — a nerdy, overweight Dominican-American obsessed with books, sci-fi, and finding love. The actor also plays Oscar, Lola, their mom Belicia, their abuela La Inca, Ybon, and El Capitan, among other characters ranging from 20-70 years of age. Versatility and depth of character exploration is a must.
They are looking for a Dominican-American Male in his 20s-30s. He should be comfortable with solo performances and based in the New York City area.
The actor should be available to begin rehearsals in May 2026 and will participate in two 8-week rehearsal periods between May to October with a break in July. Selected scenes and full preview shows will begin in September in New York City, with a premiere performance in early October and thereafter ongoing local & national bookings.
If interested in the role, please send a headshot and resume to [email protected] with “Wao Casting Submission” in the subject line.
Literature to Life (LTL) is a performance-based literacy organization that presents professionally staged verbatim adaptations of American literary classics. Initially conceived as the educational program of the renowned American Place Theatre, LTL is now an independent organization with a mission to perform great books that inspire young people to read and become authors of their own lives.With a roster of books by authors such as F.Scott Fitzgerald, Lois Lowry, James Baldwin, Junot Díaz, Kao Kalia Yang, and more, LTL performs nationally in performing arts centers, schools, libraries, and correctional facilities.
