Reply to: Tara McCormick-Hostash <[email protected]>

Auditions for October production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! Directed  by Taradwyn McCormick-Hostash Script by Kristoph DiMaria R'ville Stage Creations  is looking for fearless and talented non-union adult performers (ages 18+) for our October 2026 production of  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. We also need performers age 12-17 for our Scare Actor Ensemble.

PRE-REGISTER: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ4kFq4euMCwELVfSpiwun-ZnMDZ92VONLnAyuoG6Pb0eaaQ/viewform?pli=1

SYNOPSIS:

Ruben van Taffeta, an enigmatic storyteller, is conjured to share the classic tale of Ichabod Crane and his fateful night with the famed headless horseman. This original adaptation by regional playwright Kristoph DiMaria is an immersive trunk show portrayed through dialogue, music, dance, shadow puppetry, and surprise illusions that bring the story to life. The music and dance arrangements are drawn from 18th and 19th Century folk settings of popular songs largely regional to the Catskill Mountains of New York State, close to where this story is alleged to have taken place. It is a timeless, tameless tale of foppish bravery in the face of small-town bullying, hilarity, and romance.

PRODUCTION NOTES: 
In partnership with Be Golden Farms, we are staging this show in an immersive farm setting in the heart of the Helderberg Hilltowns. We will perform outdoors under a walled tent with rustic staging and seating.  While this is not a traditional modern musical, actors will sing, dance, and play instruments as an integral element of the performance.  

This will be the Albany County premiere of this production! 

This production is supported in part by grants from the Arts Council for the Capital District and the Bogue/Kuhar Family Fund. 

ROLES:

There are eight available named roles plus a flexible ensemble
(listed in order of appearance)
Ruben van Taffeta - the Storyteller
Ichabod Crane - a Schoolteacher
Katrina van Tassel - Balthus’ daughter; marries Brom van Brunt
Balthus [Bal-TOOSE] van Tassel - wealthy farmer; Katrina’s father
Elizabeth Fenwick - Baltus' 1st wife; Katrina’s mother
Brom “Bones” van Brunt - ostentatious townie; lover of Katrina
Brouwer - an old farmer
The Headless Horseman - a legend
Townsfolk, farmers, gossipers, spirits (can double with any actor)

We celebrate diversity and welcome performers of any race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and gender identity/ expression. Prior stage experience is a plus but not required.

AUDITIONS:  

What to Prepare: 
- Come with an open & kind attitude and a one-minute monologue (does not need to be memorized) that best reflects your acting ability. 
- Be prepared to sing one verse and chorus from any folk song. We will not have an accompanist - you may bring a backing track (we will have a Bluetooth speaker available) OR accompany yourself on any instrument, OR sing acapella. 
- If you do play an instrument, please bring it and come with a short song prepared (may be the same or separate from song you sing).

If you are invited to callbacks, you may be asked to cold read from the script, sing, and dance in small groups and individually.


Choose one of these options for your initial audition:

In-person Monday August 17 at Be Golden Farms, 15 Gifford Hollow Rd, Rensselaerville, NY at 7:00 pm (sign-in begins at 6:30 pm)
 < OR >
Submit a video to [email protected] no later than 7:00 pm Monday August 17. 

IF NEITHER OF THESE OPTIONS WORK FOR YOU: Please contact Tara in advance to discuss possible accommodations ([email protected] / 518-669-5150).

Callbacks are by invitation only and will be held on Wednesday August 19 AT 7:00 PM at Be Golden Farms. You will receive an email regarding invitation to callbacks by 11 pm on Monday August 17.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES
Please note all key dates to ensure you can commit to this show*

Rehearsals: Starting Monday August 24 up to tech week. Rehearsals will be held at Be Golden Farms or an alternate nearby location.
- Sundays: 5pm - 8pm
- Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:30pm-9:30pm
You may not be called to every rehearsal, depending on role. We will provide a full rehearsal calendar that is updated each week.

Tech Week:  Nightly Sun-Wed October 18-21 at Be Golden Farms

Performances:  all at Be Golden Farms
- Thursday, October 22 @ 7 pm, Preview/ Final Dress Rehearsal
- Friday, October 23 @ 7 pm, Full Performance
- Saturday, October 24 @ 7 pm, Full Performance
- Sunday, October 25 @ 2 pm, Full Performance

Strike: following closing performance Sunday afternoon

2026 Season:

June - The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and the members of Tectonic Theater Project

October - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow adapted by Kristoph DiMaria from Washington Irving's short story

November - Yankee Hearth Tales: An Original Vaudeville Show written by Taradwyn McCormick-Hostash and the players of R'ville Stage

R'ville Stage Creations 

Social: @RvilleStageCreations