Upstate Theatre 2026-2027
DARK SKINNED PAVEMENT
By TY Young
Directed by Allen Evans
Production Dates: Jan. 28-30, 2027
About DARK SKINNED PAVEMENT: The play is a poignant, contemporary drama about a Black family struggling to cope with the loss of their son to police violence. When a charismatic local politician proposes a public memorial honoring victims of racial injustice, the family must decide whether transforming their personal grief into public activism will lead to healing, justice, or further heartache. Dark Skinned Pavement explores themes of loss, memory, community, and justice.
VOICES TO HEAR is a staged reading series here at USC Upstate that shines a light on recent works from both upcoming and established playwrights with a focus on diverse characters, themes, and cultures that may not be experienced or appreciated within the confines of the mainstream, commercial theatre.
Roles Available: 2W (African American), 2M (African American)
1 Narrator (Open Ethnic Identity)
URINETOWN
Book & Lyrics by Greg Kotis | Music by Hollmann
Directed by Lee Neibery
Production Dates: April 8-11, 2027
About URINETOWN: A hilariously absurd, Tony Award-winning musical satire set in a dystopian future where corporate greed makes a severe water shortage everyone’s business. Follow a brave young rebel leading a revolution for the most basic human right—the freedom to pee! Filled with clever humor, memorable songs, and unexpected twists, Urinetown parodies musical theatre conventions while exploring themes of corporate greed, environmental responsibility, and political power.
Roles Available: 14 feature roles plus ensemble
General Auditions: Monday, October 5, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Callbacks: Tuesday, October 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Main Stage Theatre of the Performing Arts Center
Audition Requirements:
– For DARK SKINNED PAVEMENT actors will prepare a short monologue from any contemporary play.
– For URINETOWN actors will prepare 16 bars of a song adjacent to the music style of Urinetown.
For more information, please contact Prof. Allen Evans at [email protected] or Prof. Lee Neibert at [email protected].
ALL ARE WELCOME TO AUDITION!
Scholarship Auditions & Technical Assistantships
Audition Information:
Performance Scholarship: If you are interested in auditioning for a Performance Scholarship, please contact Lee Neibert, Director of Theatre, at [email protected] or (864) 503-5987 to schedule an audition.
Technical Assistantship: If you are interested in a Technical Assistantship, please contact Zoe Sneed, Technical Theatre Coordinator, at [email protected] to schedule an interview.
London Auditions will take place during the spring semester.