# Event Details - **Event Name**: Auditions: Deep into the Darkness - **Event Start and End Date**: Sun, 30 Aug, 2026 at 07:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Deep Into The Darkness: An adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s Works 2026-2027 FOR THE LOVE: A Century of Stories. A Decade of Heart. Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuoCUFF3kj0RPEUCVuYF7fZRVXqNOz_2_xl2SXWhok9xqDLw/viewform This fall, the Wayne Theatre invites you to step into the haunting and unforgettable world of Edgar Allan Poe with Deep into the Darkness — a theatrical journey exploring descent, obsession, fear, and the shadows that exist within us all. We are looking for storytellers/singers/musicians ready to dive into Poe’s rich, mysterious worlds and bring these unforgettable characters to life. ‍ Auditions: Sunday, August 30, 2026 Mainstage, Wayne Theatre (521 W Main Street) 7:00 pm -10:00 pm ‍‍Creative Team * Director: Lesley Larsen Music Director: Melissa Branin Wheeler *See bios below! ‍ Who Can Audition? - Open to anyone 18+ - All races, body types, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds are encouraged to audition - We especially welcome LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled performers, actors of diverse body types, and anyone historically underrepresented on stage. ‍ How to Audition: - Fill out this form before or on the day of the auditions. - Upload a headshot and resume, if available - Please EMAIL your accompaniment track to production@waynetheatre.org so that we can have your track ready for your audition. Please label your track with FirstName_LastName_Audition Track. - Come to your selected audition time at least 5 minutes early. ‍ What to Prepare: - Please prepare ONE Monologue or recitation from a gothic poem - Please prepare one 90 second folk song in a moody folk style (examples include Gillian Welch or Noah Kahan). - Unless you are accompanying yourself on your own instrument, please use electronic accompaniment. - Please EMAIL your accompaniment track to production@waynetheatre.org so that we can have your track ready for your audition. Please label your track with FirstName_LastName_Audition Track. - IF you play any musical instruments comfortably on stage in front of people, bring them. If you can accompany yourself on the instrument, we’d love to hear it. - Come ready to collaborate! You may be given notes or redirected during your audition so we can see how you respond to direction and explore the different choices you bring to the material. - If there is a potential barrier that might prevent you from being able to audition, please let us know how we can work with you so you can still audition. ‍ Cast Notification - All auditioners will be notified by email about casting decisions - Notification date: by Monday, August 31. ‍ Performance Schedule All performances are in the Cabaret Theatre 521 W Main Street Waynesboro VA October 22 - October 25 Thursday, Friday, & Saturday @ 7:00 PM Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00 PM *Additional shows may be added, if ticket sales require ‍ Rehearsal Schedule: Start date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Rehearsals: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays | 7:00–10:00 PM Tech Week: The week before opening, performers should plan on being present at all tech rehearsals. Every effort will be made to minimize rehearsals going over time. Flexibility is appreciated. The artistic staff reserve the right to make adjustments to the tech schedule based on the needs of the production and the venue restrictions. Double Tech: Sunday, October 18, 2026 all day No conflicts allowed during tech rehearsals, press dress, or performances Please be flexible—some rehearsals may run longer during tech rehearsals ‍ Questions? Email: auditions@waynetheatre.org ‍ About the Play: Deep into the Darkness is an immersive theatrical exploration of one of Edgar Allan Poe's most enduring themes: descent. Whether physical, emotional, or psychological, each story and poem follows characters as they journey into the darkest corners of the human mind. Originally conceived as a small touring production by director Lesley Larsen and her sister, Whitney Larsen, the piece weaves together some of Poe's most haunting works into a single theatrical experience. Original music by Melissa Branin Wheeler underscores the beauty, grief, terror, and humanity found within Poe's writing, creating an atmosphere that is both unsettling and deeply moving. This new production reimagines the original work with additional music and a fresh ensemble of performers. Rather than presenting Poe as horror for horror's sake, Deep into the Darkness asks why we continue to be drawn to these stories. What is it about fear, loss, obsession, guilt, and the unknown that captivates us? As performers, we will approach this material through storytelling, movement, music, and ensemble work, creating an intimate theatrical experience that invites audiences to descend into the darkness—and perhaps discover something about themselves along the way. This production is ideal for actors who enjoy collaborative storytelling, ensemble-driven work, atmospheric theatre, and bringing classic literature to life in unexpected ways ‍ Casting Breakdown: We are casting 4-5 actors who will take on various roles throughout the text. ‍ ⚠️ Content Advisory: Please read carefully before auditioning. The following elements are part of the artistic vision and will be present during rehearsals and performances: Deep into the Darkness explores the psychological and emotional landscapes found in the works of Edgar Allan Poe. While there is no graphic gore, the production contains themes and imagery that some actors may find emotionally activating. Content may include: - Death and grief - Mental illness and psychological distress - Isolation and loneliness - Obsession and paranoia - Murder and implied violence - Suicide and suicidal ideation (referenced in source material) - Claustrophobia and confinement - Loss of loved ones - Supernatural and gothic imagery - Themes of guilt, fear, and madness The rehearsal process will be rooted in Wayne Theatre's consent-based practices. We prioritize actor safety by utilizing clear communication, intimacy and violence choreography where appropriate, regular check-ins, and Tap-Ins to ensure performers feel supported throughout the process. If there are particular themes or content that may be personally activating for you, we encourage you to indicate them on your audition form or speak privately with the director. Disclosure is always voluntary, and conversations will be handled with care and confidentiality. Our goal is to tell these haunting stories with artistry, empathy, and respect while fostering a rehearsal environment where every actor feels safe to do their best work. Your well-being matters to us, and we are committed to creating a respectful, safe, and collaborative environment. ‍ ⚠️ A Note about Stage Violence This production may include moments of staged violence or heightened physical conflict, including choreographed confrontations, depictions of struggle, and storytelling related to loss or harm. The Wayne is a consent-based rehearsal and performance space, and all violence or physical contact will be approached collaboratively, professionally, and with respect for actor safety and boundaries. Any fight or conflict choreography will be rehearsed in a structured environment, with closed rehearsals when appropriate, clear communication, and ongoing consent practices throughout the process. ‍ About the Director: Lesley Larsen: Lesley Larsen (she/her) is the Artistic Director of the Historic Wayne Theatre. A Teaching Artist with the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Lesley holds a BFA in Acting from Brigham Young University as well as an Masters of Literature (MLITT) and MFA in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance (ACTING) from Mary Baldwin University/The American Shakespeare Center. Lesley has been working professionally in the theatre for more than 20 years as a director, actor, improv comedian, and voice actor. A collaborator and advocate for consent-based theatre, Lesley is fiercely committed to filling the rehearsal room and stage with elevated, vulnerable, playful work. Wayne Theatre Directing Credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Wayne at Wintergreen), Nickelodeon the SpongeBob Musical, Something Rotten, Deep Into the Darkness: An Adaptation of Poe’s Works (adapted by Lesley Larsen & Whitney Larsen), Deathtrap, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, the Musical, The Importance of Being Earnest: Boy Band Edition, Little Shop of Horrors, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Elf the Musical, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson, as well as various children’s productions. ‍ About the Music Director: Melissa Branin Wheeler: Melissa Branin Wheeler (she/her) is the musical director and composer for this production, setting Edgar Allan Poe’s original texts to an entirely original musical score. Originally developed in collaboration with Lesley Larsen and Whitney Larsen, this marks the third staging of the production, and she is thrilled to bring it back to the stage. Beyond theater, Melissa has spent more than a decade performing as a singer-songwriter and has released several self-produced albums of original music. She is also a visual artist, holding an MFA in Art Practice with a focus in ceramics and pottery, and currently teaches art at Southern Virginia University. She is the mother of four young boys and lives in Buena Vista, VA. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/waynesboro/auditions-deep-into-the-darkness/200030545328056 - **Event Categories**: art, theatre, entertainment, performances, live-music, music, literary-art, storytelling, sports, comedy, lgbt-pride - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 23 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Waynesboro - **state**: VA - **country**: United States - **location**: 521 Main St, Waynesboro, VA, United States, Virginia 22980 - **lat**: 38.06884 - **long**: -78.89022 - **full address**: 521 Main St, Waynesboro, VA, United States, Virginia 22980 ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Auditions: Deep into the Darkness - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/012cc162b97e9696486cddef017d4816edf642565ad608d142bf6f4c301736fc-rimg-w1200-h676-dc584848-gmir?v=1787240384 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Auditions: Deep into the Darkness being held? - **A:** Auditions: Deep into the Darkness takes place on Sun, 30 Aug, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sun, 30 Aug, 2026 at 07:00 pm at 521 Main St, Waynesboro, VA, United States, Virginia 22980. - **Q**: Who is organizing Auditions: Deep into the Darkness? - **A:** Auditions: Deep into the Darkness is organized by Wayne Theatre. - **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at Wayne Theatre's events? - **A:** Attendees have given Wayne Theatre a rating of 5/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. Wayne Theatre has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Auditions: Deep into the Darkness is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Waynesboro, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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