Please carefully read through the following information. Contact Dustin J. Martin, Artistic Director, at dmartin@summerstageofdelafield.org if you have any questions.
SummerStage’s 20th season will include four productions for the first time since 2013. We will be staging three plays: THE SWEET DELILAH SWIM CLUB, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and BECKY’S NEW CAR.
We are also excited to announce that we will be staging DOOR’S OPEN!, a new musical co-produced by SummerStage and Fiddlin’ Theatrical LLC. This production will be participating in the 2026 World Premiere Wisconsin state-wide festival (worldpremierewisconsin.com).
Most rehearsals and all performances will be held within Lapham Peak, either at our stage or an alternate location. Rehearsals will typically be between four and five times a week prior to the production. You must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances. Excessive conflicts may result in not being cast in the production.
Audition Process for SWIM CLUB, MERRY WIVES, and BECKY’S
Auditions for SWIM CLUB, MERRY WIVES, and BECKY’S will be held by appointment only on Friday, April 10, 6 – 9 pm and Saturday, April 11, 3:30 – 6:30 pm. Callbacks (if necessary) will be held on Sunday, April 12, 1 – 3 pm. These will be held in the community room at Waukesha State Bank, 1227 Corporate Center Drive, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Enter through the side door and head downstairs.
- Sign up for SEPARATE, consecutive time slots for each show for which you are auditioning. For example, you might sign up for 7:30 pm for SWIM CLUB and 8:00 pm for MERRY WIVES.
- Bring a copy of your resume, headshot (if you have one), and a completed 2026 Audition Form for EACH show you are auditioning for.
- Callbacks and casting for these three shows will be held simultaneously.
IMPORTANT: If you sign up and later find out that you will not be able to attend, please remove your sign up so your slot can be filled by someone else.
SIGN UP FOR SWIM, WIVES, AND BECKY'SAudition Process for DOOR’S OPEN!
Auditions for DOOR’S OPEN! will be held by appointment only on Saturday, April 18, 11 am – 3 pm and Sunday, April 19, 1 – 4 pm. Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 7 – 9 pm and will be by invitation only. DOOR’S OPEN auditions will be held at First Congregational Church, 815 S. Concord Road, Oconomowoc, W! 53066. Use the upper parking lot and enter through the main doors.
- Sign up for an audition time at the link below.
- Bring a copy of your resume, headshot (if you have one), and a completed 2026 Audition Form.
- Download and prepare the following music tracks and scores. Recorded music will be available at the audition. They do not need to be memorized.
- Women: WAY OF THE HEART, p. 1-6; EVERYONE’S GOT A TALENT, p. 1-9 to measure 66.
- Men: WHY US, WHY NOW – entire verse; EVERYONE’S GOT A TALENT, p. 1-9 to measure 66. NOTE: Actors auditioning for the role of Dan may accompany themselves on guitar.
IMPORTANT: If you sign up and later find out that you will not be able to attend, please remove your sign up so your slot can be filled by someone else.
SIGN UP FOR DOOR'S OPEN!THE SWEET DELILAH SWIM CLUB
by Jones Hope Wooten
directed by Tiersa Ferraro
Rehearsals: begin on or about May 3
Performances: June 11 – 13, 17 – 20, 24 – 27 at 7:30 pm (11 performances)
This heartwarming and hilarious comedy follows five Southern women who reunite every August at a beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Former college swim teammates, they’ve built a tradition of laughter, love, and life advice that spans over three decades. From marriages and motherhood to career highs and personal lows, these unforgettable women navigate it all with wit, warmth, and unwavering support for one another. The Sweet Delilah Swim Club is a touching tribute to enduring friendship, perfect for audiences who cherish stories of resilience, humor, and the bonds that never break.
AVAILABLE ROLES
- Sheree Hollinger, female, stage age 30 – 50. Perennial team captain, practical, family and health-focused and hyper-organised.
- Dinah Grayson, female, stage age 30 – 50. Wise-cracking cynic, witty, prestigious lawyer, well put-together yet challenged by romance.
- Lexie Richards, female, stage age 30 – 50. A vain, youth obsessed event planner unlucky in love. Always ready with a wild tale of her exploits.
- Jeri Neal McFeeley, stage age 30 – 50. A bubbly, naive cheerleader for positivity. A previous Nun, her recent choices are astounding.
- Vernadette Simms, stage age 30 – 50. A public school teacher and hard luck case, she resorts to gallows humour and her friends to keep moving forward.
About the director: Tiersa Ferraro has been working in the industry for over 40 years acting, directing, choreographing, designing, building and teaching. She holds an MFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. She also studied at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City and has a BA in Theatre as an Acting Specialist from UW-Madison. She is presently the Drama Director and Theater Teacher at Oconomowoc High School.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
by William Shakespeare
directed by Dustin J. Martin
Rehearsals: begin on or about June 1
Performances: July 16 – 20, 22 – 27, 29 – 31, Aug. 1 at 7:30 pm (11 performances)
Get ready for laughter, love, and a little mischief in The Merry Wives of Windsor! This fast-paced Shakespearean comedy follows the outrageous Sir John Falstaff as he tries to woo two clever, married women—only to find himself the target of their hilarious revenge. Packed with witty wordplay, mistaken identities, and spirited schemes, this play is a joyful romp through small-town scandal and smart female empowerment. Perfect for audiences who love sharp humor and timeless charm, The Merry Wives of Windsor is a delightful celebration of community, cunning, and comeuppance.
AVAILABLE ROLES
We are looking to cast 12-15 actors of a variety of ages and genders. Some actors will perform multiple roles and several of these characters may be condensed or removed.
- Sir John Falstaff: A farcical old knight, Sir John tries to woo Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. He is unsuccessful and becomes, instead, the butt of their jokes.
- Mistress Alice Ford: The wife of Francis Ford and one of the objects of Falstaff’s wooing, Mistress Ford not only teaches Falstaff a lesson, but also exposes her husband’s jealousy and foolishness.
- Mistress Margaret Page: The wife of George Page and one of the objects of Falstaff’s wooing, Mistress Page helps in teaching Falstaff a much-needed lesson.
- Mistress Anne Page: The daughter of Master and Mistress Page, Anne is in love with and eventually elopes with Fenton.
- Mistress Quickly: A servant of Doctor Caius
- Fenton: A penniless gentleman and suitor of Anne Page, Fenton is Anne’s true love and elopes with her, in defiance of her parents.
- Robert Shallow: A country justice, Shallow encourages his nephew Slender’s suit of Anne Page.
- Abraham Slender: A cousin of Shallow and unsuccessful suitor of Anne Page, Slender’s wit is as slim as his name implies.
- Francis Ford: A gentleman of Windsor and husband of Mistress Alice Ford, Master Ford disguises himself as “Brook” to spy on his wife and Falstaff.
- George Page: A gentleman of Windsor and husband of Mistress Margaret Page, Master Page is more reasonable and less jealous than Master Ford.
- William Page: The youngest son of Master and Mistress Page
- Sir Hugh Evans: A Welsh parson
- Doctor Caius: A French physician and unsuccessful suitor of Anne Page
- Host of the Garter Inn
- Bardolph: A follower and friend of Falstaff
- Pistol: A follower and friend of Falstaff
- Nym: A follower and friend of Falstaff
- Robin: A page of Falstaff
- Peter Simple: A servant of Slender, Simple’s name describes him well
- John Rugby: A servant of Doctor Caius
About the director: Dustin J. Martin is now in his 15th season at SummerStage, the last 14 as Artistic Director. He has acted and directed throughout the Milwaukee and Waukesha area. Recent directing credits include Measure for Measure, Our Town, Hamlet, Blithe Spirit, Clue, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Silent Sky, and Murder on the Orient Express.
BECKY’S NEW CAR
by Steven Dietz
directed by Kimberly Laberge
Rehearsals: begin on or about July 5
Performances: August 20 – 22, 26 – 29, September 3 – 5 at 7:30 pm (11 performances)
This smart, heartfelt comedy by Steven Dietz invites audiences to ride shotgun with Becky Foster, a middle-aged woman stuck in a routine job, a stable but stale marriage, and a life that feels invisible. When a charming, grief-stricken millionaire walks into her car dealership, Becky is offered a chance at a new life—and she takes it, launching into a hilarious and chaotic double life full of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and moral dilemmas. Breaking the fourth wall with witty asides and audience interaction, Becky’s New Car is a delightful blend of farce and emotional depth, perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to take the road not taken.
AVAILABLE ROLES
- Becky Foster, stage age 40 – 60. Spirited and witty, she is caught in an exhaustive lifestyle, struggling with work/life balance. She has multiple interactive fourth wall-breaking monologues. Becky is the vehicle that drives the pace of the play and should be handled with confidence with comedy and storytelling.
- Joe Foster, stage age 40 – 60. Becky’s husband. Strong, pragmatic, loves his wife and family and is significantly smarter than he gives himself credit for.
- Walter Flood, stage age 40 – 60. A wealthy businessman. Gentle, sweet, good-hearted, and not terribly connected to the real world. Has been lost since his wife’s death.
- Chris Foster, stage age 20 – 30. Joe and Becky’s son. A grad school psychology major; intelligent and self-possessed, but also a little goofy.
- Kensington (Kenni) Flood, stage age 20 – 30. Rich, cynical, brilliant. Walter’s daughter, she is dating Chris.
- Steve, stage age 40 – 60. Becky’s coworker. Still grieving the loss of his wife in a hiking accident. Manic, overly emotional.
- Ginger, stage age 40 – 60. Walter’s neighbor, scion of a family that has just about gone through its long-held family wealth. Sad, funny, and smart.
About the director: Kimberly Laberge is a director and producer based in Milwaukee. Favorite directing credits include A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, NEXT TO NORMAL, THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE (Kith & Kin Theatre Collective), CABARET, MAKING GOD LAUGH (Lake Country Playhouse), HEATHERS, STUPID F*CKING BIRD (Placeholder Players), and OEDIPUS REX (Fleeing Artists). Previous SummerStage credits include: THE LIAR (Lucrece) and LITTLE WOMAN (Assistant Stage Manager). By day, she serves as the Artistic Director of Kith & Kin Theatre Collective and works alongside the passionate team of fundraisers at the United Performing Arts Fund. She can often be found being sawed in half with Glen Gerard Magic & Comedy or screaming obscenities with the Milwaukee Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast, Sensual Daydreams.
DOOR’S OPEN! A musical tale from Wisconsin (WORLD PREMIERE)
Music by Terry Dillon
Book and Lyrics by Michael Duncan
directed by Michael Duncan
Rehearsals: begin August 1
Performances: September 11 – 13, 15 – 19 at 7:30 pm (7 performances)
Doc Heibner, owner and founder of the Heibner Veterinary Clinic in Sister Bay, WI, is nearing retirement and troubled by what will become of his business. Taking a long, overdue vacation to think, he has hired Dr. Cynthia Robinson, a divorced mother from Chicago, to fill in for a couple months. Cynthia is joined by her teenage daughter, Genetta. Dr. Robinson has been struggling to find a permanent position for some time and as a result, has incurred the wrath of her ex-husband about custody and alimony agreements.
Dan Sailor, a farmer in Door County, WI, has recently become a widower and is raising his teenage son, Chet. Dan’s uncle, Jess Schlabinski, a retired industrial welder, lives with them. Dan is torn by the death of his wife and at a loss for what life will be like going forward.
Enter Lottie White Feather, Dan’s neighbor and a member of the Potawatomi tribe. Lottie is also a Mide, a spiritual healer, member of the Grand Medicine Society and an organic vegetable farmer. Lottie, through her wisdom and compassion, helps Doc, Cynthia and Dan find peace and hope for themselves, their families and their future.
AVAILABLE ROLES
Minority actors are highly encouraged to audition, especially the role of Lottie White Feather. It is our intent to cast a Native American actress for this role, if possible.
- Lottie White Feather: mezzo, female, stage age 45 – 60. Wise, compassionate, wonderful sense of humor, outgoing and personable.
- Doreen Schuldt: mezzo, female, stage age 40 – 50. Vet assistant at the Clinic and Doc’s right-hand person. Outgoing, energetic, very efficient.
- Dr. Cynthia Robinson: soprano, female, stage age 35 – 45. Veterinarian. Divorced, single mother. Dedicated, strong-willed. More than able to fight for herself and her daughter.
- Genetta Robinson: soprano, female, stage age 16 – 18. Very personable and outgoing, makes friends easily. Mature for her age. Wears her emotions on her sleeve.
- Doc Heibner: baritone, male, stage age mid 60s. Direct, plain-speaking, easy going. A tad old-fashioned. Folksy personality.
- Dan Sailor: tenor, male, stage age late 30’s/early 40’s. Farmer. Widower. Laid back, thoughtful. Quiet-spoken. NOTE: Dan plays a guitar live on stage. Chords only, reasonably proficient. (See note above)
- Chet Sailor: tenor, male, stage age 16-18. Personable. Hard-working. A little laid back and quiet like his dad.
- Jess Schlabinski: baritone, male, stage age late 60s. Wise-cracking. Lovable. A terrible cook, gifted welder. Dyed in the wool Wisconsinite! (Der hey!)
- Jasper B. Cross, Esq: baritone/tenor, male, stage age 40 – 60. Lawyer from a prestigious Chicago law firm. Represents Cynthia’s ex-husband. Stuffy, Elitist, a bit caustic. Non singing role except for the finale.
Director’s Note: There will be staged movement added for some of the musical numbers, but no dancing experience is required. No heavy lifting. There are a few steps on stage. Some actors will be required to move scenery but nothing difficult. Scenes will be read at the callbacks. The full script is not available online. All performers and the pit will be mic’d. The pit will be live.
About the director: Michael Duncan has been a theater professional for over 50 years including director, actor, producer, designer, arts administrator and now playwright and lyricist. He’s a member of Actor’s Equity, Dramatist Guild of America, and past member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and the Wisconsin Presenters Network. He is currently writing original musicals with composer Terry Dillon and founder of Fiddlin’ Theatrical LLC.