Auditions
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Vanguard Theatre’s and Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church’s production of 1776. On this page you will find the show’s production schedule and plan, and audition instructions.
Show information
1776 will be presented over the three weekends surrounding July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While the characters of the Second Continental Congress will be presented as written, we will cast the roles gender- and color-blind, acknowledging that if the Congress were to meet today, there would be persons of wide diversity representing the colonies. Costuming will include traditional colonial dress, as well as
modern dress.
More information about the show and its history may be found on the MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL website. Click on “Full Cast Info” for featured character descriptions. 13 additional ensemble actors will be cast as members of the Continental Congress.
While the lead roles will require skilled actors, the ensemble roles may be played by novice actors.
The show will be presented in the colonial setting of Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (PLCPC), a traditional red brick, tall steeple, colonnaded sanctuary, very similar to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall where the Congress was held.
The show is produced by Vanguard Productions, a ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC), which has been presenting theatrical productions continuously since 1966. It is produced and directed by John Spafford, a PLCPC member and Vanguard Committee member and veteran producer, director, designer and builder of local community theatre productions. Spafford’s career was training the animals and creating and producing entertainment at SeaWorld for 34 years.
Conductor Alicia McMillan, PLCPC’s Music Director and Organist, will lead the professional instrumental ensemble. Lynn Spafford will direct the choral numbers. Dori Brown Hoadley is Stage Manager.
This is an amateur actor production. Actors will be offered comp tickets to the show.
Rehearsals at WPC and PLCPC
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30-9:00 PM
Sundays 1:00 – 4:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Music and featured actor rehearsals will begin in March. Full ensemble and blocking rehearsals will begin in April. Please carefully complete the availability section of the application so that we can effectively schedule rehearsals.
Attendance at tech week and all shows is mandatory. Please do not audition if you are unavailable for these dates:
Tech week at PLCPC
PLCPC 6:30 – 9:30 PM, June 21 – 25
Final Dress, Thursday, June 25, 7:00 PM
Auditions
You may choose to audition in-person, or by submitted video. All callbacks will be in-person.
In-Person Auditions
Monday, Jan. 5, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Wed. Jan 7, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Sunday Jan. 11, 1:00 – 4:00, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Sunday, Jan. 25, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Monday, Jan. 26, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Location: Westminster Theatre at WPC, 3598 Talbot St. in Point Loma. Park in the church lot and follow the signs to the theatre.
1. Please reserve an audition time at our SIGNUPGENIUS page
2. Please complete this 1776 AUDITION APPLICATION
- You may upload a head shot and resume’ using the “Add File” button in the application
3. When greeted for your audition, you will be asked to pose for a photo
4. During the audition you will first sing your prepared song, You may either:
a. Sing a song of your choice of no more than 60 seconds, using your pre-recorded backing track that is able to be connected to our system via Bluetooth, airdrop, or text message. No accompanist will be present, or
b. Sing one of these two AUDITION SONGS. We will have the accompaniment ready.
5. Read one of these DIALOGUE SIDES from the show, in character. You may memorize the side, but it’s not required.
Video Submission
You may audition using a video that you record. Submissions must be received by Monday, Jan. 26.
1. Please complete and email this 1776 AUDITION APPLICATION.
a. You may upload a head shot and resume’ using the “Add File” button in the application
2. Record a song. You may either
a. Record a song of your choice of no more than 60 seconds, with your accompaniment in the background, or
b. Record one of these two AUDITION SONGS, using the included piano accompaniment in the background
c. We have found it best to play the accompaniment on a second device while recording your song
d. Please use landscape orientation, and show your body waist-up in the recording
3. Record your name, and read one of these DIALOGUE SIDES from the show, in character.
4. Upload your video using the “Add File” button in the application
5. We will acknowledge receipt of your audition via email.
Callbacks at WPC Theater
Callbacks will be during the week of Feb. 1, at times convenient for actors.
Cast Announcement
We will notify all who audition of the casting of the show no later than Sunday, February 8.