OACT Auditions

Ojai ACT is pleased to present auditions for

Educating Rita

by Willy Russell

Directed by Steve Grumette

Auditions to be held in the Ojai Art Center Fireside Room

 

SYNOPSIS

Willy Russell’s Educating Rita is a witty, heartfelt two-character play about personal transformation, class, and the search for meaning.  We are pleased to have it as the opener of our 2026 theatrical season!

Rita, a working-class hairdresser from Liverpool, is hungry for more out of life. Enrolling in an open University course in English Literature, she meets Frank, a disillusioned middle-aged professor whose passion for teaching has long since faded. Their worlds couldn’t be more different—but through humor, honesty, and mutual challenge, both characters find themselves changed in unexpected ways.

Educating Rita brims with humor, emotional depth, and social insight, exploring what it truly means to be “educated.” It was later adapted into an acclaimed film starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine, earning multiple BAFTA Awards and Academy Award nominations.

PERFORMANCES

Weekends, January 23rd – February 15th, 2026

Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30 PM, Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM.
Actors must be available for all performances.

AUDITIONS

Saturday, November 1st at 1:00 PM

Sunday, November 2nd at 1:00 PM

CALLBACKS

Monday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM

AUDITION DETAILS

  • This is a non-union, volunteer production. There is no pay.

  • Auditions will consist of readings from the script; sides are also included here below.

  • Please bring a résumé and headshot, if available.

 

AVAILABLE ROLES

  • Rita – Female, mid-20s to mid-30s. A quick-witted, energetic, and outspoken hairdresser from a working-class background. She speaks with a Liverpool (Scouse) accent—though variations reflecting working-class Northern England may be considered. Requires emotional range, strong comedic timing, and a bold sense of curiosity and growth.

  • Frank – Male, 50s to 60s. A weary university professor of English literature with a sharp mind and a sardonic sense of humor. Frank drinks too much, hides his disillusionment behind wit, and finds himself unexpectedly revitalized by Rita’s spirit. Should have a British accent, ideally Received Pronunciation (RP) or a mild academic tone.

    The director welcomes non-traditional casting and authentic regional interpretations of character and dialect.

 

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals will take place three weekday evenings, and on Saturday.

LOCATION
The Fireside Room
The Ojai Art Center Theater
113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023

SIDES

Rita #1:

 

Rita #2:

Frank #1:

Frank #2:

Frank and Rita:

CONTACT

Please contact Steve Grumette at sgrumette@roadrunner.com

Thank you for your interest!

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